Sitting at his desk late one afternoon, Yonatan Kuztiz reflected on the personal journey that ultimately led to his election this past February as the mayor of Karnei Shomron. “Ten years ago, then mayor Herzl Ben Ari told me: “You will be the mayor of this town one day,” Yonatan recalled. “And here I am.” … Read more
A modern-day pioneer, Menachem Zur grew up in Beit El, located right near the site where Jacob saw a ladder reaching the Heavens with angels ascending and descending its rungs. The vision was an apparent reminder for the Hebrew Patriarch that Divine Providence would help him persevere as he left the Promised Land. Menachem can … Read more
Growing up in Los Angele’s San Fernando Valley would broadly categorize Shoshana as a Valley Girl. But that term, a cultural stereotype of youth focused on affluence, materialism, fashion, and beauty, stands in stark contrast to Shoshana Bloch. So how did an American young woman from LA turn into a pioneer living in an isolated, … Read more
Mina Brody grew up in a secular home in the sleepy agricultural community of Migdal, known as the birthplace of Mary Magdalene. Migdal was a small pioneering village then. Mina spent her childhood surrounded by farm animals, raising chickens, and caring for her family’s many pet cats and dogs. There is no doubt this environment … Read more
Sandy Bloom, raised in the US with a love for Israel, spent the year after high school on a kibbutz. She studied Bible, worked in the fields, and grew to love the people of Israel. The year was 1973 and when the Yom Kippur War broke out, the crisis made her feel especially connected to … Read more
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 and more giving that, step by step, will make the world a better place. Yochanan Eliyahu was born in India … Read more
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 playing outdoors, barefoot, using the entire community as one big playground. But just beyond the small, pastoral neighborhood, were extremely … Read more
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 in Western Samaria, but his journey there was long and winding. Shmuel was raised in the coastal city of Netanya, … Read more
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 eventually. Often during this time of immense emotional upheaval, we feel overwhelmed, but also wholly and profoundly alone. Consumed by … Read more
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 seen. To him, every stop along the way was just that – a layover, a stepping-stone leading him to Israel, … Read more