March was an exceedingly busy month for us at the CFOIC Heartland Israel office for one very good reason — we were inundated with tour groups visiting with us from all over the world. I am not sure why so many people chose March for their visit but it was wonderful! We had the privilege … Read more
Hope Despite the Tragedy of Ofra Tuesday, March 7, 2017 I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Australia where I spent 10 days travelling and speaking in three states: New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. It was my seventh trip to Australia in as many years and each year I feel more gratified … Read more
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 September is here and with it comes so many new beginnings. School starts on the 1st of September and children begin pre-school or school on that day. Often Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, also begins in September but this year Rosh HaShana is late and will only begin in early … Read more
Tuesday, July 5, 2016 I spent last week in the UK on a speaking tour. I met people and addressed audiences in England, Scotland and Wales and enjoyed every minute of it (except the cold rainy weather of course!) But arriving in Great Britain just 2 days after the dramatic results of the Brexit … Read more
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 This has been a very political few weeks in Israel and I know many of our friends outside of Israel find it difficult to keep it all straight. So I thought I would try and clarify things a bit. A year ago, there were national elections in Israel and the … Read more
Tuesday, June 2, 2015 Security is something we often take for granted in Israel. Ever since the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948, Israel has had to defend itself against enemies from both within and without. Our Arab neighbors have tried time and again to destroy us, launching wars and attacks across … Read more
Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon passed away yesterday afternoon. It is an opportunity to review the life and legacy of this man who for so much of Israel’s history held positions of leadership and influence. Beginning in Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, Sharon distinguished himself on the battlefield, rising to become one of Israel’s … Read more
It started snowing on Wednesday evening and kept snowing. On Thursday, Judea was covered in snow, in Gush Etzion and in Hebron. I was supposed to meet a tour group in Hebron that day but it was cancelled — there was no way to get anywhere near that area. Where I live, in Karnei Shomron, … Read more
President Francois Hollande landed in Israel yesterday for what would be the longest visit of this French president in a foreign country. The visit could not happen at a more opportune time. Just last week, negotiations between the western nations and Iran broke down when France refused to approve the concessions that the other western … Read more
A terrible tragedy occurred on Friday. Sraya Ofer, a 61 year old retired colonel in the Israeli Army was axed to death by Arab terrorists in his home in the Jordan Valley. His wife Monique managed to crawl towards the highway and call for help, but it was too late for her husband. Monique was … Read more