Fun Joel's Israel Tours

04/06/2025

It was a real pleasure guiding Shuk Machane Yehuda for the Land of the Bible TV show, on the Daystar network. Episode just premiered. Check it out!

Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehudah Market is a vibrant showcase of Israel’s diverse Jewish communities, offering traditional foods, colorful personalities, and a ric...

30/10/2024

Just a reminder that I am still running a sale on prepaid tours/gift certificates, for a few more weeks! Save money, while helping a tour guide who has been hurt financially by the war (me). I'd greatly appreciate it!

As I wrote previously:
A year of war has meant very few tourists. And of course, that has hurt financially. To help combat some of the losses I've had, I'm running a Holiday Sale on prepaid tours and gift certificates. All purchases are 10% off the normal price.

I'd really appreciate any purchases that any of you make, and PLEASE feel free to forward to others as well!

For more details: https://www.funjoelsisrael.com/sale/ or email me at [email protected]

Thanks!

16/10/2024

So I've gotten some reservations, so far, but not yet enough to guarantee I can run these. If you or someone you know is looking for stuff to do next week during chol hamoed, please get in touch! These are going to be short and interesting tours, leaving you with plenty of time to do other stuff! :-)

Email me, if interested, at [email protected]

13/10/2024

Coming to Israel for Sukkot? Live here, and just looking for something fun and interesting to do?

I'm running four separate walking tours during the holiday, tracing the development of Jerusalem as a modern city. Join me for any or all of them!

Monday, October 21
10 AM - Noon: Mishkenot Shaananim
Learn about the history of the very first neighborhood built outside of the Old City walls.

1:30 - 3:30 PM: Nachlaot
Explore the alleys, communities, and micro-neighborhoods that make up this beloved part of Jerusalem.

Tuesday, October 22
10 AM - Noon: Rechavia
Uncover the stories and architecture of the first truly modern neighborhood in Jerusalem.

1:30 - 3:30 PM: Jaffa Road
In the short distance between Machane Yehuda and Rivlin Street, we will see all the phases of Jerusalem's growth as a modern city, and also visit secret gems hidden right beneath our noses.

Advance registration is required, so I can ensure I have enough participants. For reservations or inquiries: [email protected]

Each tour costs $30 or 100 NIS

10/10/2024

A year of war has meant very few tourists. And of course, that has hurt financially. To help combat some of the losses I've had, I'm running a Holiday Sale on prepaid tours and gift certificates. All purchases are 10% off the normal price.

I'd really appreciate any purchases that any of you make, and PLEASE feel free to forward to others as well!

For more details: https://www.funjoelsisrael.com/sale/ or email me at [email protected]

Thanks!

30/05/2023

Loved sharing a deeper view of Machane Yehuda Market AND of Jewish Food in general with travel and food writer/blogger/video dude/podcaster Joe Baur recently. Enjoy the results:

I never felt like I deserved to go to Jerusalem. It’s a city that in my imagination oozes religiosity. Only those who said “Next year in Jerusalem” and meant...

31/03/2022

I'm quoted extensively in this article discussing the history of the Shabbat stew. Of course, this is also the subject of the book I'm writing, so I know a thing or two about it. ;-)

Enjoy!

Cholent, the venerated Shabbat stew, has become a Thursday night ritual in Jerusalem. How did this happen, and where are the best places to get some?

07/03/2022

Not sure if any of you are in the following locations, but if so, I will be interviewed later today (March 7, 2022) on the radio for various morning shows about tourists returning to Israel, now that virtually all travel restrictions have been lifted. If you'd like to hear me, tune in!

(NOTE: Times are listed in Eastern Time. Adjust accordingly.)

WERC Birmingham, AL
07:50 AM ET

WILS Lansing, MI
09:05 AM ET

WTKS Savannah, GA
09:15 AM ET

KURV McAllen, TX
09:53 AM ET

WIOD Miami, FL
10:20 AM ET

02/03/2022

Want to join one of my virtual shuk tours?

I'm excited to be doing my first of two scheduled virtual programs for the Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan. This one is my shuk tour, and is scheduled for next Wednesday, March 9th.

All the information via the link:
https://mmjccm.org/programs/virtual-taste-shuk-machane-yehuda

Shuk Machane Yehuda, Israel's famous outdoor market, is the beating heart of the city of Jerusalem. It reflects the history of modern Jerusalem, while providing food for (and by) the diverse communities who regularly shop there. Explore the shuk's highlights and hidden gems in this virtual tour with...

21/01/2022

How many countries' foods are represented in the Shuk? The multicultural food we find there is indicative of the incredibly diverse nation that the Jews are!

Israel, and particularly Jerusalem, display extreme diversity. The multicultural food we can see in a single outdoor market highlight this.

03/12/2021

Was interviewed yesterday on The World for public radio in the States, about the omicron variant, and its effect on Israel's tourism.

https://theworld.org/media/2021-12-02/omicron-s-impact-israeli-tourism

Really hoping that all of you who want to come here are able to do so, very soon!

Israel closed its borders to travelers last weekend following the first news of omicron. And it's had a direct impact on tourism. Host Marco Werman speaks with Joel Haber of Fun Joel's Israel Tours, whose walking tours of Jerusalem have been hit with cancellations.

18/08/2021

Ever wanted to join one of my shuk tours in Machane Yehuda Market, but were unable to? Well here's your chance, wherever you are right now...

This coming Monday, August 23, I'll be presenting a Virtual Shuk Tour via American Jewish University. It will be a great time, and you'll learn all about the amazing and diverse foods available in the market!

Sign up to attend at https://learning.aju.edu/event/tour-a-virtual-taste-of-jerusalems-famed-shuk-machane-yehuda/