Joe Yudin

Joe Yudin holds an M.A. degree from the University of Haifa, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. Joe was named a "Top Travel Specialist" for Israel by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine and currently writes "Off the Beaten Track".

By JOE YUDIN
After graduating from Boston University with a B.A. degree in History, New Jersey born and raised, Joseph Yudin set off for Europe in search of his roots. His journey took a detour and eventually he ended up in Israel during 1990 as the first Gulf War was about to break out. After spending the war at Kibbutz Ein Hashofet, Joe enrolled for the WUJS program in Arad studying Hebrew and Israel studies as a prelude to aliyah (citizenship).
In October 1992, Joe was drafted into the IDF and volunteered for the Paratroopers, serving on the front lines in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank. In the IDF Reserves, Joe has served during Operation Defensive Shield in 2002 and in the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006 and was discharged from the reserves with the rank of Master Sergeant. He holds an M.A. degree in the Land of Israel Studies from the University of Haifa, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in this field. Joe was named a "Top Travel Specialist" for Israel by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine in 2011, and currently writes a travel column for The Jerusalem Post entitled "Off the Beaten Track".
Joe is CEO and owner of Touring Israel, a full service, high level, luxury tour operator that tailor makes private tours of Israel, with excursions to Egypt and Jordan for those who want only the best of everything. Joe lives on Kibbutz Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley and has been a tour guide since 1999. He is married with three children.
You may e-mail Joe at joe@touringisrael.com and check out his website at www.touringisrael.com