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Ori Katzir
Licensed Tour Guide
Ori Katzir (אורי קציר) is an Israeli licensed tour guide, historian, journalist, editor and lecturer, whose professional background combines historical research, political communication, journalism and tourism. He is an interesting example of someone who moved from the world of political and media communication into specialist historical tourism and storytelling.
1. Professional and academic background
According to his professional profiles, Katzir holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations and a master's degree in General History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His historical research has included the American Gold Rush.
He completed the Israeli Foreign Ministry's diplomatic cadet training course in 1994, but subsequently chose journalism rather than a diplomatic career.
He worked for approximately two decades in communications, including:
Political correspondent for the Itim News Agency.
Spokesperson and head of office for Ehud Barak.
Spokesperson for the Shinui party.
Spokesperson for the Israel Securities Authority.
Editor in various media organizations.
He also established and operated the historical and cultural blog Aplaton, which published numerous articles on history, culture and contemporary affairs.
2. His work as a tour guide
Katzir is listed as a licensed Israeli tour guide, license number 10631. His professional profile lists Hebrew and English as his working languages.
He has worked in incoming tourism, domestic tourism and outbound group tours.
His professional profile describes an emphasis on building original itineraries, including places and stories that are not necessarily familiar to the average tourist.
His guiding experience includes Christian pilgrims, Jewish families, organized groups, workers' committees and VIP visitors. He has also guided groups abroad, particularly in North America and Europe.
The Geographic Company has also published a profile of him, highlighting his historical background and experience guiding in the United States.
3. What do tourists say about him?
This is probably one of the more interesting parts of the public record.
TripAdvisor contains several testimonials from tourists who travelled with him.
A few examples:
A Canadian visitor described him as exceptionally knowledgeable about history, politics and religion, and praised his ability to create a tailor-made itinerary.
An American visitor who travelled with him in Jerusalem, Masada and the Dead Sea praised his ability to connect ancient history with contemporary Israeli society.
A group of 37 visitors described him as a wonderful storyteller who could move effortlessly from ancient history to contemporary events.
Another visitor particularly praised his ability to make even a short visit to Jerusalem's Old City educational, entertaining and full of discoveries.
One recurring theme in these testimonials is that he does not simply recite historical facts. He tells stories, incorporates politics and contemporary society, and adapts his explanations to the interests of his audience.
4. His historical and literary interests
Katzir's work has extended beyond tourism. He published an illustrated children's book called אש לי יום הולדת, and was involved in producing the Haggadah of Modi'in, a secular-oriented Passover text connecting the Exodus narrative with modern Jewish national history.
His writing has also appeared in the cultural journal Yekum Tarbut. Among the subjects represented there are historical fiction and poetry.
5. His current creative activity
There is another dimension to Katzir's work that is not adequately represented in the older professional profiles: his historical podcast, רגע היסטורי (A Historical Moment).
The podcast focuses on unusual, forgotten and often extraordinary historical episodes. Its subjects include strange rulers, bizarre criminal careers, forgotten political scandals, extraordinary acts of courage and unusual episodes from the history of different countries.
The idea is to turn historical research into accessible storytelling, with an emphasis on human drama, eccentric personalities and surprising historical events.
This is an important distinction: the podcast is not simply an extension of his guiding work. It is another platform for communicating historical knowledge, potentially reaching audiences who would never book a guided tour.
1. Professional and academic background
According to his professional profiles, Katzir holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations and a master's degree in General History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His historical research has included the American Gold Rush.
He completed the Israeli Foreign Ministry's diplomatic cadet training course in 1994, but subsequently chose journalism rather than a diplomatic career.
He worked for approximately two decades in communications, including:
He also established and operated the historical and cultural blog Aplaton, which published numerous articles on history, culture and contemporary affairs.
2. His work as a tour guide
Katzir is listed as a licensed Israeli tour guide, license number 10631. His professional profile lists Hebrew and English as his working languages.
He has worked in incoming tourism, domestic tourism and outbound group tours.
His professional profile describes an emphasis on building original itineraries, including places and stories that are not necessarily familiar to the average tourist.
His guiding experience includes Christian pilgrims, Jewish families, organized groups, workers' committees and VIP visitors. He has also guided groups abroad, particularly in North America and Europe.
The Geographic Company has also published a profile of him, highlighting his historical background and experience guiding in the United States.
3. What do tourists say about him?
This is probably one of the more interesting parts of the public record.
TripAdvisor contains several testimonials from tourists who travelled with him.
A few examples:
One recurring theme in these testimonials is that he does not simply recite historical facts. He tells stories, incorporates politics and contemporary society, and adapts his explanations to the interests of his audience.
4. His historical and literary interests
Katzir's work has extended beyond tourism. He published an illustrated children's book called אש לי יום הולדת, and was involved in producing the Haggadah of Modi'in, a secular-oriented Passover text connecting the Exodus narrative with modern Jewish national history.
His writing has also appeared in the cultural journal Yekum Tarbut. Among the subjects represented there are historical fiction and poetry.
5. His current creative activity
There is another dimension to Katzir's work that is not adequately represented in the older professional profiles: his historical podcast, רגע היסטורי (A Historical Moment).
The podcast focuses on unusual, forgotten and often extraordinary historical episodes. Its subjects include strange rulers, bizarre criminal careers, forgotten political scandals, extraordinary acts of courage and unusual episodes from the history of different countries.
The idea is to turn historical research into accessible storytelling, with an emphasis on human drama, eccentric personalities and surprising historical events.
This is an important distinction: the podcast is not simply an extension of his guiding work. It is another platform for communicating historical knowledge, potentially reaching audiences who would never book a guided tour.
Regions
All of Israel
Languages
EnglishHebrew
Capabilities
Licensed DriverWalking ToursMulti-Day Tours
Rates
Min 2h$525/day$365/half-day$455/day (multi)$785/day w/car+driver
Reviews
Specialties
Biblical & PilgrimageArchaeological & HistoricalNature & HikingDesert & NatureJewish Heritage