Chaim Friedman of LeChaim Tours is superb at helping his clients plan trips to Israel. He is incredibly knowledgeable of Israel’s geography and history, both modern and ancient. He also is a wonderful Bible scholar who made its stories come alive for my family. He can also document your trip with photographs. My family’s experience was one we will never forget.

Madeline Jason
Sherman Oaks
Review as seen in the LA Times

Dear Chaim,

Thank you for getting the pictures to us. We will be enjoying them for a long time. We view you as being an intuitive, empathic and knowledgeable individual. Your sensitivity and awareness of life and history transcend your age and occupation. You provided us with a comprehensive, compassionate and educational experience that has made our time in Israel one of the most memorable in our lives.

You were a cross between a history teacher and a guide but most of all a mensch. You listened to us and always tried to read between the lines. You made us feel like family while you were guiding us in a process of growth and renewal. You even gave us the opportunity to break bread with family that we never met but felt a connection and bond with. Throughout our visit you provided us with material to compliment what we were seeing and you were able to bring things into perspective for us. The maps, time lines and personal anecdotes solidified our experiences into our psyches forever. We extend our sincere

We would recommend you without reservation.

Peace and Health, Marlene and Alec Roth – Fort Lauderdale

I highly recommend Chaim Friedman. We used Chaim over Sukkot. He is professional, informative,and plans the trips with the participants in mind. For example, we were 6 adults, one in a wheelchair and two who have problems walking. In addition, we’ve already been “everywhere”.

He took us to places that were accessible for all and to places that we did not know about and probably would have never visited. He took us in a van and gave us history all along the way. Give Chaim a call. You’ll be glad you did.

Shirley Denkberg – Bet Shemesh

Hi Chaim,

We just wanted to thank you for a wonderful trip to Masada, Ein Gedi, Yam Hamelach and Kumran yesterday. Your professionalism and expertise throughout the tour were evident and much appreciated. We especially appreciated all of the extra touches (cold water…pictures…personalizing the tour for the intense heat and what our kids could handle!) We would definitely highly recommend you and hope to see you again soon!!

The Mezei’s – Manhattan

We would recommend you without reservation.

Peace and Health, Marlene and Alec Roth – Fort Lauderdale

The kids all enjoyed you and your activities. Thank you for your guidance in activities and directions, Israeli history lessons, feeding reluctant eaters, carrying tired or finicky kids, injury distraction, water spilling humor, flotation devices, chocolate creativity, medical consultations and overall calm demeanor.

Thanks for a great time. I will pass your name on to friends back in Teaneck.

Becky Katz – Teaneck

Thank you for an eye-opening experience that allowed us to see Israel through many unique lenses. We were enlightened by the ability to take in the country and its eclectic array of pieces with historical, archaeological, and natural views. The tours amalgamated those elements into a truly lasting experience and a resounding memory.

The Sultan Family – West Orange

Just wanted to let people know that we used Chaim Friedman to guide our family at the amazing archaeological site called “Sha’arayim” or “Tel Qeiyafa” which is a newly excavated site in our region. (See National Geographic from Dec. 2010). Anyway, Chaim gave a wonderful tour and knew how to interest all the different age groups in our family from age 9 – 76. I highly recommend working with Chaim.

He is interesting, easy going and has props!

Brenda Ganot – Bet Shemesh

Recently, we had family visiting from America and they went on a day trip with Chaim Friedman.

Chaim was a PLEASURE to work with. He gave them so many ideas about where to go, what to do, and even about renting a car. He really wanted them to save as much money as possible!!!

He took pictures of their day without even being asked. One thing they really liked about Chaim was that he didn’t get frustrated or annoyed when the kids interrupted while he spoke. As a tour guide, much of the day is spent listening to him and he did a great job explaining things but the kids weren’t quiet the entire time, It didn’t matter to Chaim, he kept on doing his thing so that the adults could hear what he had to say. He had tremendous patience, was very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to, and we highly recommend him if you need a great tour guide.

Elkie Walfish – Bet Shemesh

We recently had the pleasure of two private guided tours with our local expert tour guide, Chaim Friedman and would highly recommend him to locals and/or their visitors.

He was especially accommodating in terms of spending time on the phone suggesting different places we could visit and working with the physical limitations of aging grandparents. He had fold up chairs and an umbrella for shade to make things most comfortable. He has great maps for visual aids. He is very knowledgeable and has a passion for touring eretz yisrael so you can’t help but get excited about things you see along the way.

Finally, he is very patient, helpful and flexible and his rates are very reasonable. In the past we have toured on our own or joined organized tours, but hiring Chaim privately was really the best of both worlds since we could go exactly where we wanted at our own pace and benefit from his vast knowledge and expertise.

Sharona Shapiro – Bet Shemesh

I would like to endorse Chaim Friedman as a truly wonderful tour guide.

When my parents were visiting he took them on a number of tours. They came back raving about how much they had learned, how he had taken them to wonderful places, and what a kind and attentive person he was.

I can thoroughly recommend him as an excellent tour guide

Eve Finkelstein – Melbourne / Bet Shemesh

From: Sherry Zimmerman
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012
To: Bet Shemesh List

We second the recommendation! My 20-year-old niece and her 3 friends benefitted from Chaim’s well-planned, fun, and educational tour last week. They thought the trip was “amazing”, and recognized the effort and dedication Chaim devoted to making their 2 days in the Galilee the highlight of their trip to Israel. Their parents in Lakewood reported how much the girls raved about Chaim and the tour.

It didn’t surprise me – I recommended him to my niece because our friends had a great experience with Chaim (plus he’s a good guy and a great neighbor). It seems to me that Chaim does a fantastic job of catering to the interests of all of his clients, not matter what their ages – so you can enthusiastically recommend him for “young” families, teens and young adults, and senior citizens alike.

Sherry Zimmerman
________________

From: David and Rachel Kirshenbaum
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012

My in-laws were in town this past week and I thought they might enjoy a tour with Chaim Friedman. It was a tremendous success and something I think they’ll remember very positively for a long time to come. Besides being extremely personable as we all know, Chaim is thoroughly knowledgeable, makes a great presentation and comes meticulously well prepared, both academically and logistically.

I enthusiastically recommend Chaim for your visiting friends and family.
David Kirshenbaum

We wanted to sincerely thank you for making Tani’s Bar Mitzvah more special than we ever imagined. The tiyulim were perfectly designed for all of our guests. The stories and explanations you told were extremely insightful, well connected to Tanach, and most of all so interesting. Your warmth towards our family was truly special. The way you jumped right in and helped out even with our kids, especially the baby, was so meaningful to us. Our only complaint, if any, was that our time we scheduled with you was too short!!

We have already recommended you to friends and we will continue to do so!! Please feel free to use any of this as testimonial on your website too 🙂

Best Regards, Erica and David Sassoon – West Orange

“Chaim was an invaluable resource and trusted guide when our family visited Israel in December 2011. He organized a memorable sunrise hike up for our family at Masada and shared his deep historical knowledge to make that trip an educational experience for us and our children. Chaim also worked with us before our visit to help us organize our time well. He was everything you’d hope for in a guide – flexible, knowledgeable, friendly and open. We’d recommend his services wholeheartedly.”

David Goldberg and Patty Nasey – New York City