And now, as I was preparing to publish this article, the first siren went off — not because there are incoming missiles, but because the attack has begun on Iran and we are to be ready for whatever might come next.
Happy Purim. There will be no celebrations now but hopefully, when this is over, there will be. … More From Persia to Iran – the holocaust that wasn’t
Jewish texts are profound. Nothing is random. And yet, I am still surprised by how relevant the ancient texts are, as if they were written for modern-day events. It shouldn’t be a surprise. Ancient texts that remain intact over hundreds and thousands of years are those that remain relevant—those that people in every generation decided … More Hanukah, hostages and heroes: in those days, in this time
Many of us are screaming in our heads at how long it is taking to finish the job in Gaza (I know I am). The frustration is intense — which makes it all the more important to remember that, slowly and methodically, NILI is at work. NILI is the Israeli task force charged with ensuring … More The “Good Boy” Who Slaughtered Jews
On October 7th, the invaders came, intent on destroying Jewish life.Killing wasn’t enough. They wanted to torture and humiliate. To steal our joy and our future. They thought that if they brought the Holocaust to Israel, they could break us.And they did bring the Holocaust to Israel – with fire, slaughter, and even plans to … More How the Jews became more Jew-y
What could feel more home-like? A perfect tableau: a freshly baked pie, charming knick-knacks, and the peaceful greenery outside the kitchen window… an incomprehensible contrast to what my mind knows happened here. Kibbutz Re’eim. Peaceful. Lovely. 97% heaven. An older couple invited us in for coffee. They told us about their children and grandchildren. About … More We can’t shut the window on October 7th
Ditza Or makes many secular people uncomfortable. Her clothing marks her as a religious Jew, which, for some, is unsettling in itself. But it isn’t her appearance that disturbs—it’s her words. Ditza’s son, Avinatan, is being held hostage in Gaza. To most of the world, he is known as Noa Argamani’s boyfriend—the handsome man who, … More “My son will remain a hostage in Gaza until we decide.”
What happened here on October 7th? We came to help farmer Rami harvest his cherry tomatoes — red, yellow, orange, and chocolate-colored. Though he has foreign workers, there was so much work to be done that he welcomed the extra help. We had never been to Mavki’im before — a small moshav north of Gaza … More October 7th – a farmer’s story
This is a photo (I didn’t take) of my friend Tzvika Mor at his grandson’s brit. Every brit is special. This one has added layers of meaning and a message for us all. The brit (which means covenant in Hebrew) is the circumcision ceremony performed when a Jewish boy is eight days old. At this … More A brit and the lessons in a single photo
Normally, I write stories. This is a different kind of story – a real conversation I had online with Jews who don’t live in Israel but follow the situation closely, support Israeli causes, and even participate in Israeli groups. Which is why their perspective was so upsetting. It is one thing when hateful people spout … More Q&A with Jews Who Don’t Realize They Are Anti-Israel
“I hope I don’t see you again.” That’s not something normal people say to their neighbors. But these are not normal times—even for Israel. And when I said it, I got a smile, a hug, and the same words back: “I hope I don’t see you again either.” When the siren screams at 3:00 a.m., … More Israeli whiplash: from the bomb shelter to a ceasefire
Inspiration from Zion: This is a Love Story 