Whether you’re Jewish or love someone who is, Israel is a complicated place. Your HMI experience is designed to provide diverse perspectives and help you better understand the complexities of Israel’s history and current culture – all while you connect with your partner and other couples from your city.
Find your place in the Jewish community on one of our upcoming trips.
Upcoming Itineraries
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Meet Your Tour Educators

Hadara Arbel
Hadara Arbel has worked in Israel education and community building for nearly 20 years. A licensed guide since 2007, she specializes in religious history, geopolitics, art, and culture. She has led diverse groups across Israel, including political delegations and VIP missions. Hadara founded a peer network to support female tour guides and currently serves as Director of International Programming at Anu: Museum of the Jewish People. She holds degrees in Jewish Philosophy and Israel Studies from Tel Aviv University. Raised in Jerusalem, she now lives in Tel Aviv with her husband and four children. On her days off, you’ll find her hiking Israel’s landscapes.

Barak Berkovich
Barak Berkovich has been a tour educator since 2011, guiding visitors through Israel’s diverse landscapes. Born in Haifa and raised in Nahalal, he served as a logistics officer in the IDF’s Homefront Command. After working in banking and photography, he shifted to guiding, inspired by the powerful scenes he captured through his lens. Barak specializes in theology—especially the three Abrahamic faiths—and regional geopolitics. He loves sharing both ancient Jerusalem and Tel Aviv’s graffiti art scene. He lives in Kiryat Motzkin near Haifa with his wife and son.

Michael Even Esh
Michael Even-Esh is a tour guide and outdoor educator with over 40 years of experience leading groups across Israel. After earning a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, he moved to Israel in 1979, worked on a kibbutz, and served in the IDF. He’s guided for the Society for the Protection of Nature, the Ministry of Tourism, Birthright Israel, Christian and multi-faith groups, and families. Michael is also a licensed snake extractor for the Nature and Parks Authority and has translated two books for Yad Ben-Zvi. He lives with his family in Moshav Nov in the Golan Heights.

Lior Hochberg
Lior Hochberg is a seasoned tour guide who has led groups across Israel for the past 10 years. Born in Holon, she now lives in southern Israel with her wife Keren and their two children. A former IDF officer, Lior holds a degree in Israel Studies from Haifa University. She’s led diverse groups, including Honeymoon Israel and women’s desert adventures like “Queen of the Desert.” Passionate about nature and the outdoors, she especially loves guiding in the desert. In her free time, Lior enjoys exploring Israel, playing guitar, and spending time with her family.

Hillary Menkowitz
Hillary Menkowitz is a licensed Israeli tour guide with over 10 years of experience sharing the country’s history, culture, and religion. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Barnard College and an associate’s degree in Graphic Design from Parsons, which enhances her visual and cultural perspective. Hillary has led tours for synagogues, young professionals, youth groups, interfaith couples, families, university programs, and independent travelers. Her guiding style is fun and engaging, while also offering deep insight into the significance of each site.

Yishay Shavit
Yishay was born on a kibbutz in northern Israel and moved to Jerusalem in 2000, where he fell in love with the city. A history and hiking enthusiast, he began guiding at age fifteen through his youth movement. After serving in a tank unit in the IDF, he earned a bachelor’s degree in history, focusing on Indian Jewry and contemporary Jewry. Yishay is also a passionate political and social activist, committed to building a more just and equal Israel. When he’s not guiding, he enjoys spending time with his wife Noa and their two sons, Yotam and Assaf.

Jeremy Aron

Karen Ben Yehuda

Michal Granot

Keren Hananel

Avigail Kuperman

Shlomo Lipshitz

Ron Singer
Meet the Mifgash
HMI invites Israeli couples to join each trip as part of our Mifgash Program, providing participants with their authentic, firsthand perspective on life in Israel. These couples share their personal experiences, offering insight into the country’s culture, diversity, and complexities. Mifgash means “encounter” in Hebrew, and through meaningful interactions, our Israeli couples help illustrate the many facets of Israeli society—its vibrant traditions, diverse communities, and the different ways people engage with Jewish identity. Many alumni make lifelong, international friendships and keep in touch long after their Israel journeys.
Are you an Israeli couple interested in joining our cohorts as they explore Israel? Learn more and apply to be an HMI Mifgash couple!