The Tour Guide: "I Opened the Ark and the Group Broke Into Uncontrollable Tears"

For 20 years, Shraga Schmidler has been guiding tours, leading groups and individuals, both domestically and internationally, across all routes and sites. Throughout his work, he has experienced many special events, but there are instances he cannot forget.

Such was the case with a group of travelers from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "I toured with them in the north," he recounts, "and among other places, we visited the ancient synagogue in Peki'in – the oldest active synagogue in the world, existing for over 1000 years. I was astounded by their excitement when we reached the synagogue. When I opened the ark and the tourists saw the ancient Torah scroll, they all broke into tears. It was incredible, considering the group was non-religious, and the connection between them and synagogues seemed thin at best, yet such emotion emerged. I left that tour stunned, feeling that no matter where the Jewish people are in the world and in exile, everyone feels the holiness and connection to what happens here in the land of Israel. There is no doubt the sacred history of the land touches us all."

All Year Round

When Schmidler speaks about the land of Israel, you can hear the love in his voice. "I was always drawn to the land; I connected to the nature and spaces and loved traveling through them," he shares. "The history of Israel also fascinated me. I especially loved examining where biblical events took place – where things happened and if evidence can illustrate them. That's how I came to work in guiding. Although some think that tour guides only work in the summer, it's not true. People go on trips all year round, and the real challenge is to guide groups to sites that suit them, the season, their character, and their interests."

For example, a couple from Belgium came to him. He accompanied them for a few days, guiding them through several interesting sites. During the tour, they told him the primary reason for their visit was to relax after a challenging period of fertility treatments. "On a whim, I changed the route I had originally planned for that day and took them to the Ari Synagogue in Safed, where there is a 500-year-old Elijah's Chair. Tradition in Safed says that those who sit on the chair and pray are blessed with children. Apparently, I hit the mark. The couple was so happy to be there; the husband and wife prayed on the chair for a long hour with great emotion, and after some time, they even called to inform me that they had become parents."

Synagogue in Safed (Photo: Mendy Hechtman / FLASH90)

Schmidler always travels, but he says the summer is, of course, the busiest time of the year when demand for tours and guides is enormous. "These are days when you can get into the water and splash around, which appeals to many travelers," he explains. 

Currently, he finds himself busier than ever, leaving almost daily from his home in Safed to various tours, mainly in the north – the most sought-after and attractive area in Israel. "I must mention my wonderful wife, who stands by me throughout the journey," he emphasizes. "We are blessed with a large family, and I strive to balance work and home, but of course, without my wife, who is a true Eshet Chayil, I couldn't do a thing."

And who mainly travels these days?

"I meet everyone – foreigners, Israelis, and many students and families. By the way, there is an interesting phenomenon of families who go on a trip and hire a guide to prepare a schedule, lead them to sites, and tell them about history. Often, these are families who know the area, and they want someone to take them to less known sites, understanding that this is the way to better know the country."

What are the most sought-after destinations at this time?

"There is mainly a demand for water sites and springs, like the Banias, Hatzbani, and Dan Stream," he answers. "Additionally, there is great interest in holy sites, and since I live in Safed, I guide many tours in the area, especially in the old city and synagogues. I have countless stories and legends about the righteous who lived here. Every alley has a story; it's very interesting and moving."

The Banias (Photo: Yossi Zamir/ Flash 90)

New Show on Hidabroot: "Derech Eretz"

These days, Schmidler is adding a new project to his repertoire, joining the video magazine team of the Hidabroot website with its new show – 'Derech Eretz,' where in each episode he will recommend a different site to visit.

"We decided to launch this show understanding that the people of Israel love and want to travel, but aren't always sure where they should go," he explains. "Personally, I can mention just this week I guided a class at a school, and the teacher told me that last Passover he went on a trip with his wife and children on what was said to be an easy trail suitable for small children. They started walking down the trail, with some of the children being carried, and barely managed to walk by themselves. At a certain stage, they realized something was wrong since the path was long, filled with thorns and rocks. When they called a knowledgeable relative, he was shocked and told them: 'Not only is the trail not suitable for children, but it's also meant for experienced hikers, and all the information you received about it was wrong.' The story ended rather poorly, as they got stuck with the little children without water or food, not knowing exactly where they were. Ultimately, they were rescued by a search and rescue team that reached them by evening, and this is just one example that shows why it's so important to only go on a trail when you know all the details about it."

Schmidler emphasizes that this is precisely what he aims to offer in the Hidabroot show: "My goal is to present in the show all the beautiful and interesting sites in Israel from a traveler's perspective. Each time, we will highlight a different site, explain how to reach it, what to do there, and who it's meant for, providing both historical background and practical guidance on-site. The final aim is for people to know the land of Israel, see its beauty, and most importantly, love it."

According to what criteria were the sites chosen?

"We tried to represent sites of all kinds, mainly those suitable for families and groups, but there are also some intended for experienced hikers. I'm sure everyone who joins our program will gain a lot of important information, and mostly – they'll enjoy our beautiful land of Israel. For some reason, people sometimes think you need to fly abroad to see landscapes and nature, and that's not true. Israel is far more beautiful and interesting; you just need to get out and explore it."