Mt. Bental: In one site you can see deep into Syria, the border area, the site of one of the great tank battles of the 20th century, Israel’s tallest mountain, and also enjoy a good cup of coffee. … Read More
The Blog
Israel: People, Torah, Land
“Submission” by Michel Houellebecq: Book Review
“Submission” by Michel Houellebecq describes the takeover of France by the Muslim Brotherhood and has been widely attacked as Islamophobic, but it’s real target is modern, secular humanism. … Read More
Why You Should Keep Your Plans to Visit Israel
The news looks scary. Here’s why you should keep those plans to visit Israel this summer. … Read More
Monocausal Reductionism and the Danger of Sloganeering
Reducing complex realities to single causes is always tempting, but perilous. An old Hungarian professor taught me why, and how to avoid it. … Read More
David v. Goliath, The View from Tel Azeka and the Elah Valley
This is where Israelite pride was restored, the Philistine yoke thrown off, and the meteoric rise of the future king David began. See and learn more from the vantage point of Tel Azekah overlooking the site of the battle. … Read More
Where to Stay and for How Long in Israel, Your Itinerary
Figuring out where in Israel to stay and for how long is complicated. I break it down here and make it simple. … Read More
Staying Safe in Israel: Security Awareness
Israel is a surprisingly safe place to travel, but the challenges here may be different to what you’re used to. Here’s everything you need to know to stay safe on your visit. … Read More
In Praise of the Brave IDF Heroes on the Gaza Border
If you only get news about Israel from CNN you may think that headline must be either satirical or written by a moral monster. Think again, and have a listen. … Read More
New Review from New Friends
Once in a while, if you’re lucky, you get a reminder why you do what you do… … Read More
Jerusalem Day, Yom Yerushalaim #51
Today in Israel we celebrate the day 51 years ago when Jerusalem was reunified under Jewish sovereignty for the first time in two thousand years! … Read More
The Unstoppable Israeli Demographic Juggernaut
A chorus of Jeremiahs have been predicting Israel’s demographic demise since before the state was born. They could not have been more wrong. … Read More
Making Sense of ‘West Bank,’ ‘Judea and Samaria’ and areas ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’
The origin and meaning of terms referring to the ‘West Bank’ or ‘Judea and Samaria’ and the different areas there are really confusing. Here’s what they mean and how they got to be as they are now. … Read More
Saul’s Death and David’s Curse: Mount Gilboa
Saul’s death, David’s curse, Gideon’s army, Elisha’s miracles, and more took place here in the Jezreel valley. … Read More
Staying Safe in Israel, Summer and Winter, Advice and Resources
Ten teenagers on a school hike were recently killed in a flash flood. The most dangerous thing for a tourist in Israel is the weather. Here are some tips to keep yourself safe. … Read More
Special Torah Themed Tours
Day tours are usually defined by geography. What happens when you build a tour around Torah values and ideas? … Read More
Israel’s 70th Independence Day
On the 5th of Iyar 5708 (May 15, 1948), the two thousand year dream of an exiled people to return home was fulfilled. Three years after the Holocaust, the Jewish state took up arms, with the help of G-d, to chart our own destiny. And we have the audio!!!
Fire up the grill and have a listen to prepare for Thursday’s festivities! … Read More
Holocaust Remembrance Day: What’s Left to Say
Over seventy years after the Holocaust, what’s left to say about it? That’s the question Thane Rosenbaum addresses in a recent article. We take up that question, discuss his answer, and also ask whether the Holocaust is really so different, where it stands in Jewish history, and what does it demand of us? In this week’s Jewish Geography Podcast. … Read More
When is the Priestly Blessing on Passover and Sukkot in Jerusalem
Twice a year, during the intermediate days of Passover and again on Sukkot, masses of people descend on the Western Wall plaza to be blessed simultaneously by hundreds of priests, Cohanim. Here’s the formula so you’ll always know which day it’s on. … Read More
How Much Should I Tip in Israel?
One of the most common questions I’m asked as a tour guide in Israel is, “How much do I tip …?” Here’s the answer for the most likely cases! … Read More
Passover Playlist for Our Times
Anti-semitic attacks in France got you down? Hamas and Hezbollah on your mind? Have no fear. Here’s a little timeless, [mostly] Jewish, musical wisdom to get you into the holiday spirit! … Read More