Favorite site or activity to guide and why? My favorite activities would be both desert hiking and wandering in the streets of Jerusalem (even though it’s completely different).  Trips in the desert illustrate for me the fact that I am on a piece of the earth. The land is bare, the open spaces are powerful, and the peace penetrates the bones. The sophisticated ways in which the flora and fauna help to survive in the extreme conditions here are fascinating and inspiring. On the other hand, a walk in Jerusalem is so saturated with history, every stone tells a story, and every alley, and path contains a host of people, names, and events that make the entire city one of the most fascinating places in the world.

What’s your best tip for first time visit in Israel? The best tip I’d give would be to explain that Israelis are very straightforward. Don’t be frightened by it and understand that it is part of the cultural character. The “Huzpa” is part of what makes us Israelis and there is no need to be offended by it, but to see the grace and humor in it.

Favorite Jewish/Israeli historical figure and why? My favorite Israeli character is Yosef Haim Brenner. Besides his exceptional writing and original ideas, he was brave and did not hesitate to go against convention. Brenner expressed in his writing the encounter between complex characters and their dealings with the world. His writing expressed the fate of the Jewish people, and Brenner was not ashamed to reveal his thoughts honestly and directly.