About Us

Authentic Israel is an Israel-based travel program provider with three decades of leadership in the field of experiential travel.

We partner with synagogues, schools, youth groups, community organizations and families to share the magic and beauty of the Israel experience. Organizations choose Authentic Israel for our flexible approach, fair pricing, dynamic guides and client-oriented service. Additionally, Authentic Israel organizes a series of open registration Jewish group tours which adults and families can join year round. Learn More: Why Authentic Israel.

We take pride in our long-term client relationships from around the globe as well as our commitment to the core values which inspire our work. We invite you to experience the Authentic Israel difference and begin planning your Israel experience today. We understand that each organization has its own unique vision for experiencing Israel. We work hand-in-hand with you at every step of the process – from initial program design, to group flight arrangements, guide/educator selection, staff training, pre-trip and preparation. References are always available upon request. Learn More: Trip Planning Process.

Our head office is in Israel, conveniently located adjacent to Ben Gurion International Airport. Authentic Israel also maintains an office in Washington, DC in order to service our clients from North America. Finally, Authentic Israel works with organizations and families from countries as diverse as England, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, Japan and Korea.

The Tlalim Groups

Authentic Israel is part of the Tlalim Group, an organization involved in activities as diverse as tourism, multi-media entertainment, instructional education and technology. The original roots of Tlalim are in experiential education, and we are proud of being able to positively impact the future of the Jewish People through meaningful Israel experiences. Learn more: www.tlalimgroup.com

Special Programs

In addition to organizing custom programs on behalf of organizations and families, Authentic Israel has established a series of Special Programs designed for specific age groups:

Israel Outdoors

Serving thousands of young Jewish adults each year, Israel Outdoors is the most popular provider of free Taglit-Birthright Israel experiences. The program is designed for anyone who is 18-26, Jewish, and has never been to Israel on a peer group experience. Learn More: Israel Outdoors

BBYO Passport

Organized in partnership with the Bnai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO), BBYO Passport is the leading provider of Israel and worldwide summer travel experiences for Jewish teens. Each trip combines educational touring, active outdoors activities, service projects, cross-cultural interaction, and Jewish experiences. The program is designed for Jewish teens of all backgrounds. Learn More: BBYO Passport

Israel Pathways

An official provider of MASA experiences, Israel Pathways offers subsidized 5-month programs in Israel for Jewish young adults, age 18-30. Programs are geared to different age groups with different interests. Program themes range from volunteering to hiking, academic study, photography & visual arts. Learn More: Israel Pathways

Meet Our Team
 

PROGRAM PLANNING & OPERATIONS STAFF

Authentic Israel's program planning staff and family of licensed guides come from a diverse background, and we bring unique skills to our work. Get to know us...

Roi Porat
Managing Director - Israel Office
Born and raised in Rishon L'Tzion, Roi served in special forces in the IDF for seven years and completed his service as an officer. Roi started his professional career as a guide for Authentic Israel and subsequently received a degree from Tel Aviv University in business administration. He lives in Rishon L'Tzion with his wife and two children. 

Avi Green
Managing Director - North America Office
Born in Jerusalem and raised in Philadelphia, Avi graduated with a masters degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and subsequetly worked in Jordan on an Arab-Israeli economic cooperation initiative funded by USAID. Returning to the States, Avi co-founded the Israel Outdoors project in 2001 after years of hiking and biking Israel's countryside. Avi is the North American Managing Director for Authentic Israel since 2002. Avi lives in Washington DC with his wife and daughter.

Adrian Simons
Director of Business & Development - Israel Office
Born in England, Adrian moved to Israel in 1990 after graduating with a degree in Jewish Education Studies at London University. After briefly working for the Jewish Agency, Adrian joined the Tlalim family, where he has served for the past 20 years as Managing Director of Authentic Israel. Adrian lives in Modi'in along with his wife and five children. 

Ian Dirnfeld
Sr. Director of Group Programs - Israel Office
Born in Canada, Ian grew up in a contemporary Jewish home where Zionism and Judaism were inextricably linked. Emigrating in 2000, Ian has since been working in the field of tourism & customer relations, first for El Al, and now at Authentic Israel since 2006. Ian creates and manages trips for tourist groups of all ages and denominations. Ian lives in Nes Tziona with his wife and daughter.

Nicole Barda
Program Manager & Community Trips Liason - Israel Outdoors (North America)
Born and raised in Potomac, MD, Nicole studied at the University of Haifa in Israel. After returning from Israel, Nicole worked for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Claims Conference in New York City. Nicole returned to the Washington, DC area in 2005 to serve as the program manager for Israel Outdoors. Nicole has since taken over our community partnership division of Israel Outdoors. Nicole lives in Maryland with her husband and three children.
Nate Edelstein
Program Manager - Israel Outdoors (North America)
Nate was born and raised in Sacramento, California and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Broadcast News and a Jewish Studies Certificate. He also studied in Israel at the Hebrew University and has staffed multiple Israel programs. Nate worked for Major League Baseball Productions before moving to Washington, DC and joining the Authentic Israel team.

Oshrit Fallach
Operations Manager - Israel Outdoors (Israel)
Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Oshrit has been working with Taglit-Birthright Israel groups since 2005 as well as managing several other projects. Recently married, Oshrit and her husband live in Holon.

Noa Goldberg
Sr. Tour Operator - Youth & Schools (Israel)
Noa was born and raised in beautiful Ramat Gan, Israel. Prior to entering the workforce, she majored in Geography and Israel Studies at Bar-Ilan University. Noa has worked at Tlalim-Authentic Israel since 2008; she is the driving force behind operation of all youth and school group tours, and loves to spend her free time traveling Israel and the world.

Lauren Krol
Program Associate - Israel Outdoors (North America)
Lauren was raised in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a degree in Art Studio. She has staffed many trips in Israel and has even celebrated Shabbat in Egypt. She spent a few years working with university students, developing campaigns and educational programs for more than 75 campuses across the U.S.A. and Canada. Lauren has also worked with top journalists, politicians, historians and human rights activists. She hopes everyone enjoys their Israel Outdoors Birthright trip and that it’s the first of many Israel experiences!

Efrat Lavi
Director of Guides & Educational Programming (Israel)
Born in Haifa and raised in Kiryat Tivon, Efrat has been guiding since her army days after passing the Guide certification course in 1997. Initially specializing in leading tours in the Judean Desert and Jerusalem, Efrat moved to Tel Aviv and led tours all over Israel. In her search for knowledge, Efrat found the time to study law and passed the bar in May 2008, and is a certified lawyer. Efrat lives near Netanya with her husband and son.

Batya Lebinger
Program Manager - Special Groups (North America)
Batya was born and raised in the New York area.  She studied Elementary Education at the University of Pennsylvania.  After a stint as a kindergarten public school teacher, she joined Authentic Israel as the official "Jack of All Trades".  She works on a variety of different projects, but most importantly, you can always count on her to bring the cookies!

Delphine Miller
Tour Operator - Family Programs (Israel)
Born in France, Delphine graduated with a degree in marketing before moving to England to study tourism. She lived there for five years, met her Israeli husband and they moved to Israel in 2002. They now have two children. Delphine works with family groups touring in Israel. Delphine lives with her husband and two children in the Tel Aviv area.

Aaron Robbin
Program Manager - BBYO Passport (North America)
Aaron Robbin worked for the BBYO Great Midwest Region in Chicago from 2007-2011 as a Program Associate.  Aaron has successfully staffed and survived several BBYO Passport Programs, including ILSI, Trek West USA, Euro-Quest Mediterranean, Israel Journey, and Eco-Quest Costa Rica as well as numerous BBYO Domestic Summer Programs. Aaron holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management and Administration and a Masters in Elementary Education. He taught math and social studies in public schools in several suburban Chicago school districts. Aaron lives with his wife in Maryland.

Anne Robbin
Program Associate - Israel Outdoors (North America)
Anne grew up in Pittsburgh (go Steelers!), and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Architecture, Design, and Human Factors. After working at the Pittsburgh Jewish Federation, Anne moved to Chicago to be the Director of Youth Activities at one of the largest conservative synagogues in the area. While in Chicago, Anne received her Masters in Jewish Professional Studies at Spertus. Anne and her husband recently relocated to the Washington DC area, and they are expecting their first child in the spring.
Lisa Rubin
Tour Coordinator & Events Planner (Israel)
Born in the United States, Lisa is a graduate from Stern College of Yeshiva University. She made aliyah 20 years ago. Lisa has been working in the tourism Industry for over 10 years and it all started in Shiloh the Biblical heartland of Israel, where she resides with her husband and children. Her specialty is in individual and group tours and Lisa is well known for her tour coordinating and event planning of Bar /Bat Mitzvahs and weddings in Israel.

Lane Schlessel
Sr. Program Director - BBYO Passport (North America)
Lane A. Schlessel, MSW has been with BBYO for 24 years and associated with the organization as a member, advisor, board member and professional for nearly 32 years. Lane received his undergraduate degree in social work from the Ohio State University and a Master's in Social work from St. Louis University. He has directed BBYO's Israel programs since the late 90's. Lane lives with his wife in Cleveland, Ohio.

Rachel Schonwald
Program Manager - Masa & Special Groups (North America & Israel)
Rachel, originally from Oklahoma City, received her degree in religious studies and management at Indiana University. Since joining Authentic Israel, she has worked as BBYO Registration Manager, and now manages our Israel Pathways Masa Program. In January 2011, Rachel and her fiance made aliyah and now reside in Tel Aviv, where they spend their time eating as much hummus as possible and relaxing on the beach.

Carine Warsawski
Marketing Director (North America)
Born and raised in the Boston area, Carine graduated from Bates College with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies. She conducted her honors thesis research on civil religion in Israel while on a Hoffman Fellowship, and played with the Israeli National Women’s Ice Hockey team on the side. Carine comes to Authentic Israel from the Union for Reform Judaism, where she served as the Assistant Director of Marketing & Recruitment for NFTY in Israel and MASA programs in New York City.

Robin Weiss
Director of Family Programs (Israel)
Born in Brooklyn and a graduate of the Yeshiva of Flatbush and Brooklyn College, Robin has lived in Israel for over 30 years with her husband and children.  Robin has over 17 years of experience in the field of incoming tourism working with individual travelers and families, synagogue groups, and large organizations. As the manager of our Families & Individual Travelers Department, she takes great care to ensure that our guests have a wonderful and meaningful visit in Israel.

THE TLALIM GROUP

Authentic Israel is part of the Tlalim Group, an organization engaged in a diverse set of activities in the fields of travel, education, media, and technology.

Moshe Porat
CEO & Founder
Raised in Kibbutz Urim, Moshik started his career in informal education as the head of the guiding department for the Noar Oved VeLomed Youth Movement. Building on this experience, Moshik founded Tlalim as a company focused on strengthening the connection of the Jewish People to their identity and to the Land of Israel. Since its founding more than 30 years ago, Tlalim has grown and expanded into a number of related fields. Currently Moshik serves as the CEO of the Tlalim Group and is the proud grandfather of five grandchildren.

Gen. Elazar Stern (Ret.)
Chair of Educational Committee
Elazar Stern began his IDF career as a paratrooper, rising to the rank of General in charge of human resources and education. He created the army’s Nativ conversion program and initiated Poland trips for officers. He is perhaps best known for deepening the love of and connection to Judaism within the military.

OUR FAMILY OF GUIDES

At the core of any travel experience in Israel is the role of the guide. Authentic Israel works with a diverse spectrum of guides. Although they all come from different backgrounds, they all bring a passion and energy for sharing the magic of Israel.

Adele Bassin
Trip Guide (Israel)
Adele was born in South Africa from where she made Aliyah to Israel. Before becoming a guide, Adele studied psychology and has worked in the legal field in Israel. But like many other guides, she decided that she had enough working indoors and prefers to be outside and working with people. Adele lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children.

Yinon Kahalani
Trip Guide (Israel)
Yinon grew up on Moshav Sde Ilan in the Galilee and currently resides in Yavne'el in the mountains overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Yinon has been guiding trips for over 10 years after leaving a career as a private investigator. A guitarist and a natural traveler, Yinon's favorite place for vacations is the Far East. He studied psychology in the Tel Aviv University, using his knowledge in various ways to serve the IDF in national security.

Dror Kidron
Trip Guide (Israel)
Dror is an 8th generation Jerusalemite from the famous Sherizli family who immigrated to Jerusalem in 1807 from Thessaloniki, Greece. He has a B.A. in Geography from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is currently completing a M.A. in Israel Studies. Dror served in a special paratroopers unit in the Israel Defense Forces. His last position was a rescue force commander and medical care team leader. After completing his military service, Dror was responsible for designing and managing outdoor programs. Given his experience, he is considered a specialist in running young leadership seminars and Israel studies programs, as well as training new guides through the Youth Department of the Ministry of Education. Dror has worked with groups of all ages, aiming to share the love he has for the country of Israel, a country rooted in history and legends. He spreads his passion and knowledge through stories, informal education, and touching the land of Israel with the intention of creating a unique and successful experience. Dror lives with his wife, Efrat, and their three children near Jerusalem.

Erez Landau
Trip Guide (Israel)
Born and raised in Haifa, Erez served as a medic in the Israeli air force. Upon completion of his military service, Erez traveled through Central and South America for a year, exploring new cultures and different lifestyles. Upon his return to Israel, and after building and nurturing his love for traveling and working with people, Erez enrolled in a course of study to become a tour guide in Israel. While studying to become a tour guide, Erez worked as a guide on a horse ranch in a community close to the Sea of Galilee. In 2006 Erez became a licensed tour guide working with Israeli youth, Jewish students, and tourists from all backgrounds. When not working or traveling the world, Erez lives on Kibbutz Neve Yam.

Einat Nuri
Trip Guide (Israel)
Einat grew up in a small community north of Shomron. Einat was able to fulfill her dream to be a tank instructor in the IDF, and at age 21, traveled to Virginia to be a counselor at a JCC camp. The experience of learning about Jewish communities outside of Israel changed Einat and instilled in her a dream to work with Jewish youth from around the world. Einat received her BA in Jewish History from Ben Gurion University while working as a guide for American and British Jewish youth. Einat completed Israel’s two year tour guide course, and is now studying for her masters degree. Einat feels very privileged to be able to follow her dreams and believe in what she is doing. She loves hiking, especially in Israel’s Negev desert. Einat currently lives in Tel Aviv.

Yaacov Shabbat
Trip Guide (Israel)
Yaacov was born and raised in Jerusalem. In addition to being a tour guide for 12 years he has a passion for photography, which he studied at Hadassah College.  After spending 4 years living in Montreal, Canada, Yaacov now lives with his wife and two sons in Maale Adumim, right outside of Jerusalem.