About Us

Israel Outdoors is an official provider of trips funded by the Taglit-Birthright Israel gift. As a part of the Tlalim - Authentic Israel organization, Israel Outdoors has been involved in organizing innovative educational tours in Israel for the past 30 years.

We are proud to be the most popular Taglit-Birthright Israel program provider, and it has been an honor to share the Israel experience with over 20,000 alumni over the past ten years from the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and Russia!! Check out our Vision Statement to learn more about our philosophy.

Israel Outdoors brings you to the big highlights of Israel...as well as Israel's off-the-beaten-path charm. As our name implies, we believe that the beauty of the land is Israel's single greatest treasure. What makes our program unique? We believe that the Israel Outdoors experience combines the perfect mix of informal education, an always laid-back atmosphere, and a spirit of adventure. Learn More: Why Israel Outdoors?

Meet Our Staff

Here are some of the Israeli and American office staff working year round behind the scenes to ensure your Taglit-Birthright Israel experience with Israel Outdoors is successful.

Roi Porat
Managing Director - Israel Office
Born and raised in Rishon L'Tzion, Roi served in special forces in the IDF for seven years and completed his service as an officer. Roi started his professional career as a guide for Authentic Israel and subsequently received a degree from Tel Aviv University in business administration. He lives in Rishon L'Tzion with his wife and two children.

Avi Green
Managing Director - North America Office
Born in Jerusalem and raised in Philadelphia, Avi graduated with a masters degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and subsequetly worked in Jordan on an Arab-Israeli economic cooperation initiative funded by USAID. Returning to the States, Avi co-founded the Israel Outdoors project in 2001 after years of hiking and biking Israel's countryside. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife and daughter.

Oshrit Fallach
Israel Outdoors Operations Manager (Israel)
Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Oshrit has been working with Taglit-Birthright Israel groups since 2005 as well as managing several other projects. Recently married, Oshrit currently lives with her husband in Holon.

Nate Edelstein
Program Manager (North America)
Nate was born and raised in Sacramento, California and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Broadcast News and a Certificate in Jewish Studies. He also studied in Israel at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and worked in media and public relations for the Israel Baseball League. Nate later went on to work for Major League Baseball Productions before moving to Washington, DC and joining the Israel Outdoors team.

Batya Lebinger

North American Staff Coordinator (North America)
Batya was born and raised in the New York area.  She studied Elementary Education at the University of Pennsylvania.  After a stint as a kindergarten public school teacher, she joined Authentic Israel. She works on a variety of different projects, including recruiting and training North American staff on Israel Outdoors trips. Most importantly, you can always count on her to bring the cookies!

Lauren Krol
Program Associate - Israel Outdoors (North America)
Lauren was raised in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a degree in Art Studio. She has staffed many trips in Israel and has even celebrated Shabbat in Egypt. She spent a few years working with university students, developing campaigns and educational programs for more than 75 campuses across the U.S.A. and Canada. Lauren has also worked with top journalists, politicians, historians and human rights activists. She hopes everyone enjoys their Israel Outdoors Birthright trip and that it’s the first of many Israel experiences!

Anne Robbin
Program Associate - Israel Outdoors (North America)
Anne grew up in Pittsburgh (go Steelers!), and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Architecture, Design, and Human Factors. After working at the Pittsburgh Jewish Federation, Anne moved to Chicago to be the Director of Youth Activities at one of the largest conservative synagogues in the area. While in Chicago, Anne received her Masters in Jewish Professional Studies at Spertus. Anne and her husband recently relocated to Washington DC, and they are expecting their first child in the spring.

Adele Bassin
Trip Guide (Israel)
Adele was born in South Africa from where she made Aliyah to Israel. Before becoming a guide, Adele studied psychology and has worked in the legal field in Israel. But like many other guides, she decided that she had enough working indoors and prefers to be outside and working with people. Adele lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children.

Dror Kidron
Trip Guide (Israel)
Dror is an 8th generation Jerusalemite from the famous Sherizli family who immigrated to Jerusalem in 1807 from Thessaloniki, Greece. He has a B.A. in Geography from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is currently completing a M.A. in Israel Studies. Dror served in a special paratroopers unit in the Israel Defense Forces. His last position was a rescue force commander and medical care team leader. After completing his military service, Dror was responsible for designing and managing outdoor programs. Given his experience, he is considered a specialist in running young leadership seminars and Israel studies programs, as well as training new guides through the Youth Department of the Ministry of Education. Dror has worked with groups of all ages, aiming to share the love he has for the country of Israel, a country rooted in history and legends. He spreads his passion and knowledge through stories, informal education, and touching the land of Israel with the intention of creating a unique and successful experience. Dror lives with his wife, Efrat, and their three children near Jerusalem.

Erez Landau
Trip Guide (Israel)
Born and raised in Haifa, Erez served as a medic in the Israeli air force. Upon completion of his military service, Erez traveled through Central and South America for a year, exploring new cultures and different lifestyles. Upon his return to Israel, and after building and nurturing his love for traveling and working with people, Erez enrolled in a course of study to become a tour guide in Israel. While studying to become a tour guide, Erez worked as a guide on a horse ranch in a community close to the Sea of Galilee. In 2006 Erez became a licensed tour guide working with Israeli youth, Jewish students, and tourists from all backgrounds. When not working or traveling the world, Erez lives on Kibbutz Neve Yam.

Yinon Kahalani
Trip Guide (Israel)
Yinon grew up on Moshav Sde Ilan in the Galilee and currently resides in Yavne'el in the mountains overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Yinon has been guiding trips for over 10 years after leaving a career as a private investigator. A guitarist and a natural traveler, Yinon's favorite place for vacations is the Far East. He studied psychology in the Tel Aviv University, using his knowledge in various ways to serve the IDF in national security.

Einat Nuri
Trip Guide (Israel)
Einat grew up in a small community north of Shomron. Einat was able to fulfill her dream to be a tank instructor in the IDF, and at age 21, traveled to Virginia to be a counselor at a JCC camp. The experience of learning about Jewish communities outside of Israel changed Einat and instilled in her a dream to work with Jewish youth from around the world. Einat received her BA in Jewish History from Ben Gurion University while working as a guide for American and British Jewish youth. Einat completed Israel’s two year tour guide course, and is now studying for her masters degree. Einat feels very privileged to be able to follow her dreams and believe in what she is doing. She loves hiking, especially in Israel’s Negev desert. Einat currently lives in Tel Aviv.

Yaacov Shabbat
Trip Guide (Israel)
Yaacov was born and raised in Jerusalem. In addition to being a tour guide for 12 years he has a passion for photography, which he studied at Hadassah College.  After spending 4 years living in Montreal, Canada, Yaacov now lives with his wife and two sons in Maale Adumim, right outside of Jerusalem.