From Heritage and Landscapes to Solidarity and Resilience: Why I Guide Gaza Envelope Tours

When I became a tour guide, I imagined leading visitors through Israel’s breathtaking landscapes, ancient cities, and sacred heritage. I wanted to share 3,000 years of history, culture, and faith—stories that connect the past to the present.

But since October 7, 2023, everything has changed. The atrocities and massacres of that day reminded us of the darkest chapters in Jewish history—only this time, they unfolded here, in our own homeland. While I still take travelers to experience the beauty and depth of Israel and look forward to the return of thriving tourism, my work today has  somewhat shifted toward guiding tours of the Gaza Envelope.

On my tours across Israel I would speak of the golden beaches and vibrant life along the Mediterranean. Today, I unfold a map to show where music festivalgoers fled for their lives, where they hid from their attackers, and where too many met their end. I proudly described how Israel made the desert bloom; and now, I also take people to see burnt homes and desolate kibbutzim.

This is far from what I ever envisioned for myself as a guide. Yet it has become a mission.

We must confront this reality with open eyes. We must honor the memory of those murdered, and we must continue to pray for the well-being and immediate return of the hostages.

What sets these tours apart is that while we visit spaces that have already been turned into memorials—carefully planned in partnership with the families of the victims—they remain part of a story that is still unfolding. As we stand there, our soldiers are still fighting in Gaza, and 50 of our people remain captive in Hamas tunnels. The Gaza Envelope—and the way Israeli society continues to cope in the aftermath of October 7—is not a distant chapter in history; it is an ongoing reality.

The events of that day revealed the full spectrum of horror: the infiltration, murders, and kidnappings in peaceful kibbutzim; the music festival that turned into a massacre, where young people fled from their pursuers; shelters that became death traps; the heroic yet fallen observers who sounded the alarm; and the fierce battle at the Sderot police station, targeted by terrorists seeking to seize control of the city itself.

While I share all of these aspects in my tours, it is equally vital to highlight the extraordinary courage that emerged amidst the devastation. Police officers, civilians, and even festivalgoers risked their lives to save others. We meet survivors who are reclaiming their lives. We see communities that, despite their devastation, are rebuilding, creating, and choosing life.

These tours are about solidarity—with the victims, with the survivors, and with a nation determined to keep living, loving, and creating despite unimaginable pain.

To learn more about Gaza Envelope Solidarity Tours, visit Gaza Border Solidarity Tours on Your Israel Expedition.For information on upcoming group tours and other experiences, visit Your Israel Expedition Tours & Booking.

Join me in remembering, in bearing witness, and in standing together in solidarity.