Linda Nesvisky has over 30 years of experience as a tour guide both in Philadelphia and in Israel. Her particular interest is American Jewish history. Her Shalom Philly Tour incorporates readings from letters of Philadelphia Jews of the Colonial and Federal periods, illuminating the lives of such renowned figures in American Jewish history as Haym Salomon and the remarkable Gratz family. As visitors weave from Philadelphia’s Old City to Society Hill and beyond, they gain knowledge of the entire Jewish contribution to the nation’s first capital. Visitors also learn about how the creation of the U.S. Constitution resonated profoundly with the Jewish notion of “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world).

With her training in art and art history, Linda is also an enlightening and engaging guide to Philadelphia’s aesthetic and architectural wonders, such as the spectacular City Hall, the stunning Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the city’s great museums, including the recently completed National Museum of American Jewish History

Linda’s lively tours highlight the City of Brotherly Love’s great multi-ethnic history and society and have proved popular with students and adults of all ages. Tours may be customized for individuals or for groups of any size. Tours can be conducted in Hebrew or English, half day or full day.

Individual rates are $25 per person for a 2 1/2 hour walking tour. A flat group fee is $160 for 8 to 30 people. Larger groups will require an additional guide. Tours can be extended to include other sights of Jewish interest for an additional $40 per hour. Tours can be customized to include walking and driving tours when groups arrive by bus.

Below is a Google Map of a typical tour.

View Sample Shalom Philly tour in a larger map

Some visitor’s groups who have taken the tour:

  • Crane Lake and Eisner URJ Camp
  • University of Pennsylvania Jewish Studies
  • Rabbinical Reform College
  • Hadassah groups
  • Sunday school groups
  • Synagogue and youth groups
  • ORT
  • Senior Centers
  • JCC Asperger’s NY group
  • United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism