Testimonials

2012-11-07 15.56.49

“The trip to Jerusalem left me speechless it was so amazing. Debra did an outstanding job on the tour.”

Mark  May 2018

We just went on a food tour of Machaneh Yehuda with Debra. She is an amazing enthusiastic knowledgeable tour guide who goes out of her way to be accommodating .We have serious food concerns which include gluten free (celiac disease) and lactose intolerances. I had an absolute blast on the tour. I was able to taste all kinds of thingsI thought that I would just walk along and watch but because of Debra’s knowledge and caring attitude I walked away totally satisfied. Debra is a gem and the tour a delight.

Miriam B. February 2019

Debra Nussbaum Stepen is VERY highly recommended on this group as a Jerusalem tour guide, and she was so phenomenal. She’s got the magic touch with the kids, she kept them engaged and participating. It was a long day for the kids, from 10 till about 4, and even my 3 year old was having a good time throughout. My 6 year old later said it was the best tour he’s been on. She’s super knowledgeable and a great tour guide for adults as well. I’d say these 2 activities were honestly the highlights of our trip.

Anna . December 2018

I love touring with Debra. She knows her stuff! From planning the trip with all the arrangements of people, times, driver, vehicle, etc. to knowing what we are looking at along the way to our destination….the Jewish history of the land of Israel and the Tanach. Plus when we get to where we are going she has the most unique way of getting us to look thru the lens of time to view the site from a circular timeline. All inclusive. Her short trips around Jerusalem are so charming and very informative. I’ve lived her for 21 years and enjoy her local walks thru Nachlaot (the history is so rich) and the Jewish shuk with emphasis on food, Kashrut and the colorful history!

Michaela L. November 2016

We did a tour of Jerusalem today with Debra Nussbaum Stepen. It was an amazing experience. I explained to her what my kids were like and what they enjoy and she planned a tour for them that they absolutely loved. She spoke to my kids, kept their interest for the entire 7 hours, listened to their questions, and really made them feel like the tour was about their needs, something that was very important to me. She is animated, interesting, and beyond knowledgeable about everything the Old City offers. Highly, highly recommend her!

Renata V. October 2018

Thank you so much for your amazing tour!! It really was beyond our expectations. You were interesting, informative and your enthusiasm was contagious. I’m being completely truthful when I say that we can’t wait to I”YH come back to Israel and tour with you again.
Thanks so much for the wonderful pictures and enhancing our visit to Israel.
Debby

March 2018

Thank you so very much, Debra, for a most enlightening and fact-packed tour last Friday morning. . . .
We absolutely loved learning some surprising details for the first time (and also “refreshing” the ones we had forgotten!) about the neighborhoods we visited as part of your “19th-Century Jerusalem: The Race for the Holy Land” tour.
You are a conscientious and highly professional guide who is clearly passionate about her subject matter, and your enthusiasm is mamash contagious . . . we loved every moment of your well-planned and most enjoyable tour, and we look forward to joining you on many others, אי״ה. . . .
Vivi & Marc June 2014
I cannot describe my impression of Israel other than to say it is simply awe inspiring. Thank you to every person I had the pleasure of meeting in Israel—especially to my amazing tour guide Debra Nussbaum Stepen who made me realize how hard working a good tour guide really is! A good tour guide in Israel is truly worth her cost in touring, seeing how physically active she has to be, knowledgeable of countless details and facts, the time she spends answering people’s questions, being sensitive to particular needs of individuals in the group, walking for countless hours in the heat or the cold and lastly putting her heart into her work. Thank you Debra, and to every amazing tour guide who leaves us with a lasting and memorable impression of our great, holy land! Thank you also to every person in this group who has contributed to comments and posts with great advice and suggestions! Toda Raba!! Blessings to all
Rachel   December 2017
We hired Debra Nussbaum Stepen this week for a one day family tour for 9 people ranging from grandparents to young children of the Old City and excavations. Debra really engaged everyone – especially the younger children and everyone had a blast. She was also extremely helpful and accommodating to one of our members who needed a wheelchair – helping us navigate the old city in the best way so this person could have as full as an experience as possible.   
Anna M. December 2018
Had an amazing first trip to Israel!! Debra Nussbaum Stepen was amazing- she was very helpful at organizing activities for the week and gave a very wonderful tour of the Old City – highly recommend working with Debra if you are planning your visit Thank you Debra!
 
Lauren P. December 2017
I want to shout out to Debra Nussbaum Stepen. We toured with Debra for 3 days. Our first day was a walking tour of the Old City in Jerusalem, the 2nd day was Masada and the Dead Sea and of course a camel ride, the 3rd day was Yad Vashem and a walking tour of the Mahane Yehuda Market. We were 9 people. Family and friends who came to Israel for my daughters wedding. We were an eclectic group of all ages ranging from 23 – 73. Not only is Debra Nussbaum Stepen extremely knowledgeable and a fantastic tour guide but she took care of us like we were her family! She is energetic and passionate and at the same time she had a calming effect when personalities within our group clashed a little. She knew how to cater to each individual personality and she made it work for all of us!! I HIGHLY recommend her!!

Sheryl Schwartz Peters   October 2018

We did a tour of Jerusalem today with Debra Nussbaum Stepen. It was an amazing experience. I explained to her what my kids were like and what they enjoy and she planned a tour for them that they absolutely loved. She spoke to my kids, kept their interest for the entire 7 hours, listened to their questions, and really made them feel like the tour was about their needs, something that was very important to me. She is animated, interesting, and beyond knowledgeable about everything the Old City offers. Highly, highly recommend her!

 Renata V. October 2018

Debra enhanced our trip to Jerusalem in a way that we could never imagined. Her knowledge and spirituality was exceptional. She was able to read our minds and guide us through an unbelievable journey that is ingrained into our hearts forever. We will return to Jerusalem. Debra, thank you for making our first trip to Israel an amazing experience.

 Deb S.  October 2018

Thanks to everyone who recommended various things for our holiday to Israel last month. Can’t remember who it was now but someone recommended Debra Nussbaum Stepen as a tour guide for us in Jerusalem, I’d been specifically looking for someone who would be good with kids (mine are 10,7 and 3). I’ve seen other posts on here asking for similar so wanted to say that Debra was exactly what I’d been hoping for, she‘d asked what the kids were interested in and tailored the trip and the things she talked about to their interests, she kept their attention the whole day (which is saying something), and even the 3 year old got something out of it, which I hadn’t been expecting – she keeps talking about leaving her note at the Kotel and was happily wandering around holding Debra’s hand. The special surprise extras that Deborah provided were a big hit too, especially with my 10 year old, but I’m not going to say what they were! 

Carrie R.- October 2018

Devorah,
We finally got back home after an exhausting and thrilling day. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, enthusiasm and love for Jerusalem with my family. We had an amazing time. All the best,

Dean- November 2018

Another vote for Debra Nussbaum Stepen. She was the highlight of our 3.5 weeks in Israel. I can’t begin to tell you how informative and engaging she is. My 7 year old who knows how to whine like he does it for a living didn’t let out a peep in 7 hours of walking in the heat of Jerusalem. She was amazing!

Renata V. October 2018

Today we had an amazing day with Debra! She kept us excited and informed and at the same time the kids involved. Each time we do a tour with Debra we leave excited for the next time!! Next trip you take we highly recommend Debra as your tour guide!!!

Dafna January 2019

Debra and I spent the entire day touring the neighborhoods of Jerusalem and ended up in machane yehuda. She is the best tour guide I ever had. She is knowledgeable, interesting, funny and relatable. She will tailor a tour to your specific requests. I can’t wait to return to Israel. She will be the first person I contact. The best!!!!!! Thanks

Risa D. February 2019

Thank you for the wonderful tour! This is an area that we have never really explored and we both learned a lot and really enjoyed! U brought the history to life for us and made it interesting with your  stories and tidbits    I especially enjoyed walking around beautiful yemin moshe and seeing where Rav Aryeh Levine lived and hearing stories about him! Your love of Eretz Yisroel comes through and its truly inspiring! We hope to c u on a tour again iyh! Ty
Tammy. December 2018

 

Thank you so much for the photos and our whole day. We all had a wonderful time. You were interesting, informative and engaging and we all felt we learned so much about the history of Jerusalem and will book up for another tour next time we’re in town. We won’t hesitate to recommend you to any friends we have traveling to Jerusalem.

Emma- October 2018

My colleague and I thank you for a wonderful tour. Your commentary was great. You showed us the lifestyle and ways of the Orthodox community. The stops for food were fantastic.I learnt a lot. I will be back to Israel next for a much trip to see more of the incredible Israel.

Howard A. July 2019 (Shtisel Tour)

We recently spent an amazing day touring Jerusalem with Debra leading our intimate group. She was very knowledgeable and inspiring and made our trip a much richer experience ….can’t recommend her strongly enough!….thanks for sharing your passion and insights with us Debra…much success!
Ben G. May 2014

 

Debra took my 19 year old yeshiva student son, a friend of mine and I to a tasting tour through Machane Yehuda Shuk in Jerusalem. She is engaging, fascinating, knowledgeable and connected. She was sensitive and knowledgeable about the complexities of kashrut and was able to easily tailor the tour to our needs. It was a wonderful afternoon with meaning and new appreciation. I would definitely recommend Debra as a tour guide

Alan February 2019

Thanks so much for the very informative, enjoyable and delicious tour. You were an excellent guide and I appreciate your patience with the elderly and preteen set.

Ellie S. February 2019

Debra, they could be the leaders of your fan club!!  They were so impressed with your knowledge and your caring.  It was such a great experience for them all. Thank you so much!

Judi L.  July 2019

Hi Debra :

Shopping for food is what people do all over the world for sustenance. Shopping in Israel for food, especially for Shabbat, is also sustenance for the soul. Your admiration for the righteous vendors was inspiring.  May 2014

I took Debra’s Shavuos in the Shuk tour last week and really enjoyed it! The history of the shuk was fascinating! Our group was diverse (all ages and from all over) and the shuk isn’t the easiest place to make yourself heard, but Debra did a fantastic job keeping the group engaged and together. She took us to a variety of vendors and gave us just enough time (not too much, not too little) to pick up a little something if we wanted to. I would definitely recommend this tour to both tourists and those living in Israel (like me!) who want to see the shuk in a whole different way. Thanks, Debra!

Ariella D. May 2014

Thank you for an outstanding morning and wonderful tour of machane Yehuda.  I have a new view of the shuk and am so happy that we did the tour with you.  We all had a great time and found the tour so informative and interesting.

Adi M. December 2018
Thank you Debra! We really enjoyed the tour and got a lot out of it. It’s always amazing that you can learn something new each time you go to Jerusalem.

Sarah D. April 2019

Just wanted to tell you Thank you!! The girls who went on the tour yesterday REALLY enjoyed it – and you as the tour guide especially! You did a wonderful job! They felt inspired and accomplished. They enjoyed seeing the Rabbi places
Thank you again…

Mrs. S.– June 2014

Debra is by far the best tour guide around! She is fully knowledgeable and has incredible enthusiasm and love for sharing Israel with her guests… I would go on any tour that she offers with knowing I will have a fabulous experience!
Atara R.  February- 2014