Chicago born Jake Firsel has degrees in Anthropology, Archeology and Education

  • Born in Chicago, Illinois
  • B.A. in Anthropology, the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Graduate of Northwestern University’s Archaeological Field School
  • M.A. in Education, Northwestern University
  • Makes Aliyah in 1977. Attends the WUJS Institute in Arad
  • Joins the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Serves as a combat medic in the Nachal Infantry Brigade.
  • Moves to Nazareth-Illit. Marries a local girl, daughter of Holocaust survivors.
  • Father to 3 boys, Manny, Chen and Lee

 

  • Graduate of Ministry of Tourism Guides’ Course, University of Haifa branch
  • Moves to Kibbutz Ein-Gedi on the shores of the Dead Sea and guides intensively in area (1989-1993)
  • Guides for the Nature and Parks Authority, Zippori (Sephoris) branch
  • After years of  “tourist drought,” opens Jacob’s Dream Tours
  • Since 1988, a licensed tourist guide