Testimonials
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Thanks for arranging a great trip to Israel for us. It was truly a remarkable vacation highlighted by our granddaughter winning the gold in basketball. A few minor flaws but you guys did a wonderful job, especially dealing with so many diverse personalities. We didn't go to closing ceremonies and were able to relax at the airport while waiting for our flight. That was a good choice.
Once again, thanks for your expertise and the manner in which Gil Travel conducted the tour.
Regards,
-Betty and Bob Starr, August 2009
Dear Iris and Igal,
On behalf of Maccabi USA, please accept my sincerest thanks for serving as our Official Travel Agents for the MUSA Mission and for Team USA for the 18th Maccabiah Games.
This Mission was truly exceptional- perhaps the best we’ve designed and executed. Our special events- the Shabbat Dinner, the B’nai Mitzvah, the Hilton dinner and the tours were outstanding. The Party at Arca was spectacular. These events had your special touch, Iris- warmth, charm, grace, impeccable good taste and attention to the smallest detail. Your dedication and commitment to providing the Mission with the best possible Maccabiah experience were evident throughout the entire trip.
Igal, I know how much time and effort you spent on arranging the flights for the Team and the Mission. Without the El AL Charter, it could have been a nightmare. But as always, you miraculously managed to get everyone to Israel and back. You are wonderful.
Susan was a fabulous asset to us, from working on the Mission brochure, to dealing with making arrangements for the Mission participants, to being a hard working member of our Team in Israel. I will send her a note to thank her.
You two incredible people played a critical and vital role in the success of the Mission. I know you both love this organization and that love is manifested in everything you do for us.
It has truly been my privilege and a delight to have worked with you on this project. You are very special to me and I am honored to call my friends.
With love and Maccabi thanks,
-Toni Wortman, President Maccabi USA, July 2009
Dear Susan,
I hope you've had a chance to rest and recuperate after our trip to Israel.
Thank you for all the work you did on the Mission. You were a fabulous asset, from working on the Brochure, to dealing with all the Mission participants and their special needs to being a hard working member of the MUSA Team in Israel.
I think this may have been the best Mission ever. The Missionaries seemed very happy and enjoyed the experience. Thank you for everything you did to make this Mission a great success. It is truly appreciated.
With love,
-Toni Wortman, President Maccabi USA, July 2009
Susan,
I think the mission was a huge success. People seemed happy and you contributed greatly to that good mood.
I hope you can take some time off to rest!
Love,
-Toni, President of Maccabi USA, July 2009
Thanks Susan!!! And thanks for making our trip such an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience!!! We loved everything about our trip and are knocking around here somewhat lonely this week.....it was wonderful!!!!!!
-Dana, July 2009
Dear Susan,
Just wanted to let you know again what a fabulous time we had being part of the Maccabia events. You, especially, did a wonderful job of creating an atmosphere of ease in taking care of everyone's needs. You paid attention to every detail in planning the trip even before we left. And, when we got there, we could experience the fruits of your labor.
Thanks again for all of your help and we look forward to planning more with you in the future.
-Joan and Chuck, July 2009
Thanks, Susan!
Got to tell ya, our guide, Noha Sadky, was FABULOUS!! Anyone you send to Cairo should request her specifically from RL Tours. The rest of the tour company was also excellent. They were always early and took care of everything. Noha is just the best tour guide we have ever had. And we have had many tour guides! Lucy got a little sick to her stomach and Noha made sure that we got some Pepto Bismol to take care of it. She is extremely knowledgeable about Egypt and the history of Egypt. She loves what she is doing and it shows! She just radiates and makes everyone feel included. We linked up with Arnold Davidson on the tour and Noha made everyone feel like family during our touring!!!
Thank you for setting up such a wonderful tour for us. We had a wonderful tome in Israel and on Egypt!!!
Best,
-Lynn and David Meyer, July 2009
Now that we are back from Israel, it is nice to look back on a hugely successful trip. The Maccabiah was a wonderful experience for everyone involved- from athletes to Mission participants.
It took a team effort to make it the success that it was. Please know how appreciative I am, and the organization is, for all your hard work that went into it.. There were some special times created which will lead to wonderful memories created.
Thank you for the role that you played in our success. The staff of Gil and Kenes did a wonderful job; our staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to get the job done. The partnership and cooperative attitude were key.
The feedback we have received has been exceptional- it is always nice to hear that our collective hard work paid off- big time...
Toda raba on behalf of everyone who benefited from your efforts.
-Jed Margolis, Executive Director Maccabi USA, July 2009
Hi Susan,
Hope you had a wonderful time in Israel. We had the most awesome trip. I wanted to thank you for all your help in planning this trip. The short time we were on the mission was great and the hotels all worked out nicely. Thanks again.
-Nancy Chase, Maccabi USA Mission, July 2009
Susan,
First, thank you for making out trip to the Maccabiah Games and the Holy Land a FABULOUS experience. Second, everything has worked out beautifully on the Cairo trip. Noa is our fabulous guide.
Thanks, hope you got home just fine!
PS. The Sofitel is GREAT!!
-Lynn and David Meyer, July 2009
Dear Iris and Igal,
On behalf of Maccabi USA, please accept my sincerest thanks for all of your hard work organizing our Mission and Team programs, making travel arrangements for the entire US Delegation and for being incredible assets to our leadership team in Buenos Aires. Our special events- the Boat Cruise, Estancia Day and the tours were outstanding. The Tango Dinner was spectacular as was the cocktail party with Los Tenores. Gracias for your professionalism, your impeccable good taste, your attention to the smallest detail and your dedication and commitment to providing the Mission and Team USA with the best possible Pan Am experience. Each of you played a critical and vital role in the success of this project.
Thanks to the incredible leadership of Phyllis, we assembled an outstanding group of leadership, managers and staff to ensure that the needs of our athletes and supporters were attended to. You helped us deal with each situation in a professional and reassuring manner, from the normal issues associated with the Pan Am Games to the very difficult situations we faced relating to transportation and obtaining timely information about competition schedules. Both of you should be awarded a personal gold medal for working long hours in sometimes trying conditions for the benefit of our athletes and Missionaries.
Look back with pride on what we accomplished and how well you helped us deal with the hourly challenges we faced. The success of Pan Am is not measured by the size of the Team USA, the American Delegation or by the number of medals won, but rather by the total athletic, cultural and Jewish experience. In spite of the difficulties we faced, the e mails we are receiving indicate that the overwhelming majority of our Team and Mission members returned from Buenos Aires with new friends and great memories, a renewed sense of Jewish identity and pride, and with a stronger connection to Israel and to the Jewish People.
More significantly, in these troubled times for Jews, together we helped send a powerful message that the best, the brightest, the strongest and the most physically adept of the Jewish people are ready to stand up and join together in a display of Jewish strength and unity.
Thank you for all you have done- you have been a magnificent Team. I cherish your friendship and I look forward to sharing the 18th Maccabiah in 2009 and future international Maccabi events with you.
With warmest Maccabi Regards.
-Toni Wortman, President,Maccabi USA Sports for Israel
Susan,
I just want you to know that this is a team effort! We have been a great team for 5 and a half years, and we are going to continue to succeed together!
You have done an amazing job with the flights and dealing with all the potential Mission people and I want you to know how much I and Maccabi USA appreciate the hard work and time you have put in. This is not an easy task, and as usual we have exceeded our expected numbers.
-Ami Monson, Program Director - Maccabi USA
Hi Donna,
I am so grateful to you for working this out. Please pass on my thanks and appreciation to your manager as well. I hope, one day, to be able to plan a trip to Israel through Gil Travel. I have always heard and read about the trips Gil Travel plans, and now I know that Gil also has tremendous staff, as yourself, and conducts its business with the utmost integrity and sincerity.
Again, my thanks and appreciation for facilitating this.
-Laurie Albert
