About Us

Madeleine Cohen - A Brief Biography

Born in Rabat, Morocco, Madeleine arrived in Israel as a teenager and joined Kibbutz Ma'Abarot. Graduating as the youngest person ever from the Tadmor School of Hotel Management in Hertzlia, Israel in 1963, Madeleine worked in the Reservations Department for the new Caesarea Hotel, then owned by the Baron DeRothchild. After accumulating 14 years of hotel experience in Israel, Madeleine moved to Chicago in 1976, and joined a local Travel Agency to develop tourism to her homeland of Israel.

In 1980, Madeleine was appointed as Midwest Sales Representative for Kopel Tours, the largest Israel Tour Operator at that time. Finally, in 1983, Madeleine Cohen launched out on her own with the creation of Bell Wholesale Travel, Inc, which has now become one of the leaders in Israel Travel in America. Expanding their Christian Marketing efforts Bell Wholesale Travel, Inc. opened a specialized operations in the Dallas, Texas area on September 1st, 1998.

Special Achievement Award

An excerpt of a letter sent July 17, 1998 to Madeleine from the Government of Israel, Ministry of Tourism North America

GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM NORTH AMERICA July 17, 1998 Dear Madeleine, In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the State of Israel, the Israel Ministry of Tourism some months ago made the decision that it would present awards to fifty American individuals who have made the most significant contribution to the successful fifty-year development of Israel's tourism industry... ...it gives me great pleasure to inform you that the Israel Ministry of Tourism has decided to present you with a FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY ISRAEL TRAVEL AND TOURISM AWARD. This award comes in particular recognition of your unique role in the development of American tourism to Israel and I send you my congratulations. The awards will be presented by the Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, Minister of Tourism Mosh Katsav... Again, please accept my heartiest congratulations, which I look forward to conveying in person. Shalom, Arie Sommer