Meet Israeli Pioneers

Acts of kindness do not exist in a vacuum – they transform the world. Believing in a child, helping him become a better version of himself, can set in motion a chain reaction of success, gratitude

 Rachel Noach grew up in Bet Hagai, a small community in Judea. In her childhood home, prayer, observance of Biblical values, and Zionism took center stage. Her childhood was magical and innocent, with summers spent

Shmuel Junger didn’t know it at first, but looking back, it’s clear that living in Samaria was always God’s plan for him. Today Shmuel lives with his wife and four children in Zufim, a community

All of us have experienced tragedy and loss. Whether it be the passing of a grandparent, a parent, a sibling or close friend, or, God forbid, a child, loss catches up with all of us

  It’s hard to move houses or towns. Even harder to move countries. But Rabbi Benjy Myers doesn’t see it that way, when reflecting on all the places he’s lived and all the countries he’s

Chaim met Naava as a teenager through the religious Zionist youth organization Bnei Akiva. Their early lives paralleled each other: both were raised in New York and both were very active in their respective Bnei

When Mina was eight years old she moved with her family from Petach Tikva to Kiryat Arba. She was the first daughter of Moshe and Chaviva Tzachor, and although she had two older brothers, Mina

  When Ahrale was a child he had the same dreams that any other child has: He wanted to be a superhero with super powers. He would tie a blanket around his shoulders for a

Anyone who has ever visited “Ach Sheli Gibor” knows that it is a special place. Hebrew for “my brother, the hero”, Ach Sheli Gibor is a sandwich shop-minimartrest stop all rolled into one. Located at

Though Aviva was only nine years old when her family made Aliyah from Canada, she remembers clearly, feeling wonderfully excited. She was young enough not to be nervous about making the move and was ready

It is an unlikely love story. Mali is a “Sabra”, a native born Israeli and Yaakov is from Mexico. When Yaakov was 11 years old, the family moved to Jerusalem. Yaakov and Mali had both

Daniel Ehrlich has been a leader in Jewish and Zionist education for over thirty years.  Today, he guides tour groups all over Israel. Just one day touring with him, and you immediately sense the passion

Political advisor, spokesperson, activist, author, journalist and blogger are just a few of the many hats Yisrael Medad has worn during his impressive fortyfive year career working for the people of Israel in the Land

It was a hot summer day in August of 2005. Close to 10,000 Jews had been forcibly evacuated from their homes in Gush Katif just a few days earlier and Sondra Oster Baras, Israeli director

If you’ve ever visited the Jordan Valley, chances are you’ve met Shulamit Kaminsky, CFOIC Heartland’s liaison for the Jordan Valley. Just one year after marrying Arnie in New York, Shulamit made Aliyah to Israel in

Energetic, amazingly warm and spirited are words that best describe Anat Safrir, a one-of-a kind charity powerhouse in Samaria. These attributes, coupled with her ideology, and “can-do” attitude make her a natural leader. Born and

During the Second Intifada—the Palestinian uprising between 2000 and 2004, when even the most dedicated pioneers were tempted to leave Samaria to seek safer pastures, the Ben-Saadons were defiantly establishing roots in the area. In

Growing up, Moshe recalls hearing the shoemaker’s story. People would come to the shoemaker with shoes that needed repair. And this wise man would talk and listen as he worked, unerringly uncovering and discovering a

Natan Greenberg, known back then as Johnny, grew up in the U.S. He visited Israel for the first time at the age of 12 and he was hooked. His second visit was a few years

Noah’s Magic Touch Twelve years ago Noah Mandelbaum was a kindergarten teacher for four and five year olds in Carmei Zur, a community in the Etzion Bloc. A chance encounter with a Jerusalem family introduced

Born in Detroit, Michigan, David Goldman made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) with his family in 1975, when he was thirteen years old. After high school he enrolled in a Hesder Yeshiva program, combining mandatory army

  The voice of Gush Katif can be heard from the scattered exile of hotel rooms, dormitories, tent cities and high-rise apartment buildings all over Israel. Not a voice of divisive political mudslinging or baseless

Determination in a Desert Outpost It takes special people to settle the Judean Desert. And there is little in Chaya and Shimon Ben-Dor’s cosmopolitan upbringing that would foretell the ability to successfully adapt to the

  Nahala is proud to introduce some of the brave pioneers who make their home in the communities of Judea, Samaria & Gaza, and trust you will find these very special people an inspiration. American-born