Meet The Experts - Ayelet Tours, Ltd.

Meet The Experts

When you are ready to plan a group tour for your community or your family, there is no better first step than to talk to an expert at Ayelet Tours. Travel involves an infinite number of moving pieces – hotel rooms, guides, rentals, reservations, meals, flights, insurance, special requests, program logistics and more. Booking your group tour with the experts at Ayelet Tours will save you hours of bottomless internet research and connect you to a network of trusted travel professionals. You will also gain access to guidance throughout the pre-tour planning process and during the tour itself. We are here to help make certain that your dream becomes a reality!

Diane Rubtchinsky

Founder and President Diane Rubtchinsky, began her professional life as a teacher for troubled youth. After many challenging and rewarding years in education, while still raising her 3 children, Diane needed a change. In the mid-1980s (aka ancient times), she began planning tours for family and friends. Soon she connected with a local travel agency to print tickets and use an extra desk in the office. While there, Diane planned and escorted her first Israel tour in 1984 – an interfaith journey led by Rabbi Martin Silverman and Bishop Howard Hubbard from her home-town of Albany, NY. It was on this tour that Diane’s dream of an agency specializing in Israel and open to every faith and nationality was first conceived. Read More

Jeff Rubtchinsky

Ayelet Tours’ CEO Jeff Rubtchinsky, grew up in Albany, NY and spent many a grade school afternoon at the Ayelet office stamping or filing brochures, the travel world equivalent of starting in the mail room. Read More

Seffie Epstein

Seffie Epstein has been working in Israeli tourism for more than 30 years. He began as a hotelier in Jerusalem, continued his career as an Israeli tour coordinator, and in the early 1990s moved his entire family to Albany, NY to help manage day to day operations at Ayelet Tours. Read More

Doron Epstein

An Israeli native, Doron moved as a child with his family to Albany, NY. There, his father helped run Ayelet Tours for close to 2 decades, and Doron grew up as an Israeli in America.
With high school graduation, Doron returned to Israel to join the IDF. Upon completing his mandatory service, Doron continued through the IDF officer training course, then spent several years commanding troops in Gaza and elsewhere, including during operation Pillar of Defense. Read More

Bill Cartiff

For over 25 years, Tour Leader Bill Cartiff has dedicated himself to leading Jewish groups around the globe. Following his passion, and living by the adage that “Not all who wander are lost,” Bill has led thousands of Jewish travelers to over 60 countries touching all seven continents. Read More

Izzy Khamani

Born in Israel, Izzy spent his formative years in South Africa. He returned to Israel as a young adult with a better accent to call Israel home once again. His transcontinental journey has nurtured a unique perspective strengthened by his many years as an Israel specialist and tour operator crafting immersive trips both in Israel and around the globe.Read More

Our Team

Our program development experts are backed by our outstanding operational and customer service team, many of whom have been at Ayelet for well over a decade (or two…or even three!). All of us are dedicated to providing our tour participants with personalized attention, making sure their travel experience is first-rate not just during the trip, but throughout the planning process.

 

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