He stood by the door, slightly bent over as if recovering from a punch to the gut and yet he had a smile on his face, warm words, and a hug for friends and family. I’ve been to many Shiva houses. This is the first time I’ve seen a grief-stricken father greet those who came … More He commands us to smile
No father should have to bury his son. Osheri Moshe Butzchak was just 22 years old. His name means “My joy.” The eldest son, first grandson, the light of his father’s eyes, worshipped by his younger siblings. My camera could not take in a wide enough angle to show all the people who came to … More “Osheri, light of my eyes”
The battlefield of Gaza is unequal. The IDF is stronger, better equipped, and well-trained. And yet Hamas has the advantage. They have knowledge of the terrain that we do not. They know where the openings to their terror tunnels are, where there are weapons caches, and what is booby-trapped. And from what we are hearing, … More Hamas has the advantage
On Thursday, we went to pay our respects to the family of Cpl. Asif Luger, a 21-year-old soldier who was killed in action in Gaza. We didn’t know the family, but we went as Am Yisrael, a family that hadn’t met yet. We are the Nation of Israel. We too have sons in the army. … More Different parents, same desire
Before being fully awake, I found myself with tears streaming down my face. It’s an Israeli habit to check the news first thing in the morning, especially during a war. The news? Nine soldiers dead. Later in the day, the number would increase to thirteen. Helpless, I sat frozen. It is impossible to truly comprehend … More We are not the Jews of the Galut
Ours is the most moral army in the world. The people of Israel like that. We want to be moral and good. We don’t like the idea of fighting or killing. The IDF is the Israel Defense Force (not the Israel Attack Force) for good reason. We have no desire to attack anyone. The mission … More The most moral army in the world needs to fulfill the promise of Never Again
The media, including the Israeli media, has depicted a tiny fraction of the horror perpetrated by Hamas. There are not enough words, images, or smells to convey the enormity of what happened (and is still happening as they continue to attack us). There are also not enough words to describe the heroism of the people … More This time we have Warriors of Zion on our side
It’s cold outside. The rain beats on the windows and thunder rumbles in the distance. Night is approaching and the warm bed beckons with the promise of a cozy embrace. The closeness of comfort seems so utterly wrong, knowing that he is outside, alone, in the dark, setting off for a night of strenuous effort. … More Mother of Soldiers
What will the morning bring? A day like any other – kids going to school, grown-ups going to work, home, food, showers, sleep – or, perhaps there will be a war? In larger countries, in calmer places in the world, it is unnecessary to consider these possibilities. Things don’t change that fast. The threats aren’t … More A new IDF Chief of Staff – with love, awe and determination
There seems to be a lot of confusion about Hanukah – to the point where it appears to be deliberate. Let’s begin with what it’s not about. 1. It’s not a Jewish Christmas In many circles, Hanukah seems to have become an imitation Christmas – a holiday of food, lights, decorations, and gifts. This is … More From the Maccabees to the IDF: 6 things you need to know about Hanukah
Inspiration from Zion: This is a Love Story 