A Concealment Within a Concealment

One of my absolute favorite Hebrew songs is “V’Afilu b’Hastarah” or “A Concealment Within a Concealment.” I play it in the darkest of my trials to remind me that G-d is present always – even when I can neither see nor feel Him. He is there standing beside me… within me… even in the most hidden, dark parts of my mind and emotions. The song is often sung at funerals here. And it has sustained many during the hostage crisis.

https://youtu.be/9vJH1r8_d3U?si=Jq3CHfv0WtmrvWa4

I had been praying (along with much of Israel and many others throughout the world) that the hostages in Gaza would lean on G-d to sustain them. That He would be a source of hope and strength to them. The stories that are beginning to emerge this week from those who were held in captivity for two years are a testimony to the answer to prayers and the faithfulness of the Holy One and Merciful Father.

“They were starved. A piece of bread in the morning and a spoonful of rice at noon, if they were lucky. That was it. They faced punishments, including physical abuse. No light. No water. No showers. Constant mental stress and fear. Every time the negotiations failed, their treatment would become more extreme. They were dealing with psychopaths.” – Rom Braslavski’s uncle

These are some of their stories:

Rom Braslavski

Rom was held alone by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. He endured both extreme physical and psychological torture. He was offered extra food if he would convert to Islam, or at least fast on Ramadan (they withheld food anyway), or read the Koran. He was abused each time he refused. “it’s important for ROM to maintain his Jewish identity because they tried to force him to convert,” his mother reported. “They tried to tempt him with food and small gifts. He didn’t break down and did in’s do it.”

During a three month period last spring, the abused increased. “Several times a day, thy would beat ROM with a whip and with things that I will not even mention. He absorbed it. He told me, ‘Mom, I always knew G-d was with me and that it would come to an end.”

At some point, after being given just half a pita in the evening every day, and living with hands and feet handcuffed, Braslavski managed to wiggle out of his chains due to weight loss. He found a terrorist’s uniform and a lighter in the pocket. He tried to cook some pasta he found by lighting a book and the uniform inside the tunnel. However, the smoke attracted the attention of civilians outside. He was whisked away by his captor before he could be lynched. Every night he would say the “Shemah” prayer. Before his release, ROM was held with the bodies of slain hostages. He never gave up his faith.

Segev Kalfon

The first thing they do now each morning is to put on their prayer shawls and tfillin (phylacteries) and say morning prayers.

Segev Kalfon, 27, was kidnapped while fleeing from the Nova music festival. He said that he managed to fast the two Yom Kippur holy days that he was in captivity. He counted down the days, weeks and months to the best of his ability. While a hostage he was held shackled hands and feet to a cage in an underground tunnel without light or hygiene. He endured physical and psychological terror, yet held fast to his Judaism which gave him the strength to endure. “I dreamed of crying out ‘Shemah Yisrael’ to the terrorists. In the darkest place, I succeeded in seeing the light.” When asked what message he wants to convey to the public, he responded ‘Emunah, Emunah, Emunah (faith): strengthen your Emunah.”

Matan Angrest

Matan Angrest, now 22 years old, was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. He suffers from acute asthma. Matan asked his captors for a Jewish prayer book. They found one for him after several months of asking. He used it to pray three times a day while in captivity under horrid conditions. He suffered from severe burns in his hands and underwent a medical procedure without anesthesia or follow up care. He was beaten so badly he sometimes lost consciousness. He still bears many injuries from the severe torture. This past Friday, he left the hospital to attend the funeral of his commander, Cpt. Daniel Perez.

His strong ties to his Jewish roots kept him sane. Simple prayers were uttered in darkness. With faith and unity Israel will always succeed was his comment. He desires to go back into Gaza to recover the body of his friend, Itai Chen.

Evyatar David

Evyatar came to the forefront of the world’s attention just a little over two months ago. Hamas released photos and videos of him in a deep underground tunnel, visibly starving to death and forced to dig his own grave. After releasing false photos of “malnourished Gazan children” who we found out had other severe conditions or who were Ir@qi children from 2016, this footage marked the beginning of the end for the terrorist group.

The relaxed musician received phone calls from his favorite musicians, and on Thursday was invited to join the popular Israeli group Hatikcah 6 onstage to sing “V’yehi Ohr,” “Let There be Light,” a reference to the week’s Scripture passage in Genesis 1.

https://youtube.com/shorts/8DQjhLJT_GU?si=7io2Au2zdv3Pr7Y4

Omer Shem Tov

Omer was in the hostage group returned last February. Taken from the music festival, he was often submitted to extreme abuse, starvation, and psychological torture. He stated that Hamas ordered him to carry out an attack against IDF soldiers. “They put booby traps in the house that was above the tunnel. Then they said to me: “Omer, when the soldiers arrive at this house you blow it up like this.” “I told then,”no.” ‘And they told me ‘You won’t do it, we’ll shoot you in the head.’ I told them: ‘Then shoot me in the head.”

He has spoken throughout the world of the faith that held him through captivity. At the beginning of his captivity, Omer was above ground for 54 days with hostage Itai Regev. “One day a bomb fell fifty meters from us. It was a dud. That was the first time I met HaShem (G-d).”

While held 40 meters underground in total darkness, Omer recalls how he began speaking to G-d each night – not to ask for anything, but to just have a conversation. He would ask the Creatir of the Univese how He was? What was He busy doing? In a pitch dark tunnel, with no space to stand, Omer found his way through prayer. He thanked G-d for each breath he was able to take. For every crumb of food he was given. Eventually, he says he could feel G-d’s presence so strongly, it made him smile- even in the darkness. “I could feel Him. Really, really feel Him standing there with me.” In the last five days the battery of his one flashlight finally ran out. “ I prayed that G-d would get me out of the tunnel. Two hours later, his captors arrived and took him out of the tunnel. After two days, the Hamas commander demanded that he be put back into the tunnel, to return him in the morning. That night, the IDF bombed that tunnel. “It was the second time I met HaShem.” Omer stated. He was protecting me from certain death.

There are many more stories of faith and light to share. Even in the concealment within the concealment, He is there. Horrible things may happen around us and to us, but He is there with us. He suffers with us. He comforts us. He strengthens us and He picks us up.

From one of my favorite prayers:

“Your love sustains the living. Your great mercies support the falling, heal the ailing, free the captives. You keep your faith with those who sleep in the dust. Whose power compares with Yours? You are Master of Life, Death and Deliverance. Holy is Your name. And holy are those that praise You each day.

The greatest miracle is the “hottest trend of secular youth in Israel today.” It was reported on Channel 14 news last night. It is truly a phenomenon what is happening. The youth are keeping the Sabbath fully. Since 7 October, more people are reading Scripture and attending services regularly. “Tens of thousands of Jewish youth in Israel, raised without any religious upbringing, after October 7, they started to see the hostages return speaking of a newfound faith. There’s a thing where people return from Gaza tunnels speaking of G-d. And it’s affecting everyone. They’re experiencing a religious event. Not all of them, but most. Take Omer Shem Tov. Every time I hear him, I say, ‘Wow! This guy is incredible! These people are now on such a high spiritual level. The things they are saying. (Cut to clip: Former hostage: “The thing to remember is gratitude to HaShem. For all things. For small things. Say thank you.Blessed be G-d. When you just say, ‘Blessed be G-d for everything that comes to you, in the end, you…HaShem will be there with you and He will help you.’ ) Host: These words were from the stoner at the rave. He was taken from Nova, long dreadlocks and beads. Look at him now!” (Screen flashes to a before and after photo …. This is a seen miracle. Blessed be HaShem.

Tears of Sorrow; Tears of Joy 17 October, 2025

It’s been a long couple months, but we are back safe and fairly sound (still recuperating) from our adventures in England and Amsterdam. My son graduated university with a masters in Public Policy and is now looking for employment in the E.U. His fiancé lives in the Netherlands, so we took a short trip to visit with he family there.

After a most glorious and incredibly jam-packed stay in London, most of our time was spent in the gorgeous English Derbyshire countryside (they pronounce it ‘Darbysher’) with our daughter, her husband and two small children. They’ve requested not to post photos of names of the kids, so….the newborn granddaughter was teeny, tiny, soft and gentle. Holding a baby again – well, there’s absolutely nothing like it! The grandson turned two last week. An incredibly smart and inquisitive and fast as lightening adorable little imp who is both a bundle of joy and a mischievous imp into everything. He thinks he can cook, make a pot of tea, and drive a car…. all very dangerous. But he is amazing and we love them all so much.

We were able to take quite a few long weekend trips together: Chatsworth Estate where Pride and Prejudice was filmed; the Medieval estate, Haddon Hall; quaint villages and hamlets. Small artisanal dairies (Red Leicester, Stilton, Cheddars), charity shops and antique shops emptied our wallets. I had to buy two more huge suitcases!

Rosh haShannah was the start of the Jewish fall festivals. I decided to attend synagogue in Leicester. It was a large, stately red brick building, quite historical from the 1800s. They used to have a school and community center across the street, but it was sold several years ago as the Jewish population had dwindled and the upkeep of the properties too costly. Now the buildings are an Islamic center and a mosque. The once upscale neighborhood of large brick townhouses are now marked by trash outside and Palestinian flags flying from every home. Burkas and hijabs are standard fare. I was more than shocked that there was no police presence outside. Not a good feeling. It was actually quite terrifying as I was scouting out the place for unsavory suspects. In addition, there was no armed quart at the doors (a given in California, unheard of in Israel). Services were absolutely lovely, but not terribly well attended.

I had decided that we would go to synagogue for Yom Kippur in Manchester, a much larger city. Except every single one of us including the kids came down with the flu. That was the day an armed Arab terrorist ran into a group of synagogue-goers before shooting and stabbing his way through the crowd. He claimed to have explosives tied to his body. Thankfully police were close by and he was neutralized. I’d had an ominous feeling that something awful would happen.

Since then, in world news, the flotilla to Gaza with Greta Thunberg, Susan Sarandon and other notables made their way to Israel supposedly carrying lots of aid for the residents of Gaza. Only, they were stopped by the IDF navy before they could enter war zone. The boats carried absolutely no humanitarian aid. About 100 activists had abandoned the flotilla and decided to reach Gaza through the Israeli border by foot. They were promptly arrested. The BBC only reported Thunberg’s statements of “dehumanization and torture in the Israeli dungeon.” They had to sleep on hard mattresses on the floor and the sandwiches given them were very dry. A guard pulled Greta’s hair at one point, which was her version of torture.

All of the BBC news was absolutely antithetical to Israel. Every report spoke of genocide and forced starvation of the Palestinians. Israel, the colonial aggressor, was indiscriminately bombing and leveling civilian areas according to BBC. And Prime Minister Kier Starmer publicly recognized Palestine as a state at the UN. Also, while we were in the UK, there was a march in London led by Tommy Robinson. A few days after Charlie Kirk was assassinated, the rally was anti immigration, pro Israel, standing for taking back Western civilization and culture which is disappearing in Britain. The BBC reported about 60,000 participants but aerial footage estimated the rally neared 800,00 people.

The week following, a woman was arrested for waving the Union Jack in public, and scores of elderly and disabled people throughout the country were arrested for social media postings that were deemed “upsetting” because they came against the government or were anti immigrant, flags of England and of the UK started popping up everywhere. Soon every town had flags and banners hanging. Houses were proudly hailing their red, white and blue, and the Union Jacks were waving from most highway overpasses. It seems the Brits are beginning to wake up.

Everyone now knows about the Trump MidEast deal and all the fanfare that went with it. I’ll write more about that deal in another post, but we are crying tears of joy that 20 hostages were released alive after exactly two years of living hell. Hamas was supposed to release all live hostages and return the 29 dead bodies they were keeping within 72 hours of the signing of the deal.

Israel set free 195 Jihadi prisoners serving life sentences for mass murders, planning massacres of Israelis, car rammings, multiple stabbings, and detonating bombs in grocery stores, nightclubs and on busses. They also released 2000 additional prisoners, most were terrorists caught in Gaza for committing the 7 October atrocities and for fighting as “civilian” Hamas militants.

We were all glued to the internet crying tears of joy as our prayers were answered. Thank you HaShem! 20 live hostages were brought back to their border. All Israel was blazing with joy as the grief of exactly 2 years finally seemed to be ending. The returning men were welcome,ed with tears, hugs and kisses by their families. And the entire country was dancing and singing. Such a part, the likes that Israel had never seen. Thousands of people were rejoicing at the Western Wall. Also thousands dancing in praise to G-d at the Nova music festival site.

As expected, Hamas has delayed and has not returned the promised bodies they are holding. At first, 4 people were brought back. Then four more, one of whom was identified as a Gazan, not an Israeli. Two more were returned after extreme threats and pressure by Trump, Israel and several Arab countries. The other 20 cannot be located, or so they say. As far as John and I are concerned, the agreement has been violated and now is the time to disarm them completely. No questions asked. No more time given. No more excuses accepted.

Footage is being shown from inside Gaza that Hamas is publicly executing hundreds of Gazan civilians in the streets in order to to reassert their control. It seems that families are fighting families, with different clans trying to gain dominance. It’s being reported that Khan Younis and Gaza City are experiencing all-out chaos. And those openly associated with Hamas are unwilling to disarm or give up power. So much for Phase 2.

It’s nearing Shabbat prep time, and I still have loads of laundry and unpacking to do. We’re still fighting nasty coughs and the creeping crud, and both John and I are more than a bit exhausted. So much other stuff happened while we were away (deaths in the family; infighting within a group I was in…I was on the Board of Directors of an Inter-religious Dialogue group. The “Israelis” (me included) were invited to retire due to political unease. This has dragged on for weeks now and I’m drained.) Being with my kids and grandkids was a tremendous blessing and source of joy, but it is so wonderful to be back home in Israel. There is no other country like this one on earth. Shabbat shalom.

On. A Positive Note. War Stories. Day 695. 31 August, 2025

I thought I’d leave things on a positive note. This will be my last post for awhile (unless something major happens, which I pray it does not) as we will be leaving for 6 weeks in the UK and Netherlands visiting family and friends.

Israel sends humanitarian aid to Sudan. Israel has been sending humanitarian aid to Sudan as they face a severe shortage of resources needed to combat the cholera epidemic they are experiencing. Included in the pallets of aid are gloves, masks, sanitizing liquid, water purification systems, medicine, hygiene kits and food.

Israeli resilience. A fighter in the Netzach Yehuda battalion, Sagi D., had his leg ripped off when 3 RPGs were fired at his unit. His best friend was killed. Sagi was medivac’ed to Sheba Medical Center in critical condition where he was placed in a temporary coma. He survived his injury. He survived the coma and sedation. He survived the deadly infection that attacked his body. Yet he never broke. At Sheba’s shikum (rehab center) he continues to train…with one leg and the heart of a lion. He won’t give up. He never stops. He is the Israeli definition of a hero.

Answered prayers. Exactly one year ago, at the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul, Agam Berger’s mother and sister (Agam was one of the 7 female soldiers abducted by Hamas terrorists into Gaza) prayed at the tomb of a famous rabbi for her release. Last Tuesday, Agam, her sister and her mother all gathered together at that same place to give thanks to G-d for her homecoming. They prayed for the safety and quick release of the remaining 50 hostages.

A True Nes/Neis (a nes is a miracle in Hebrew.

Another nes. Soldiers escape kidnapping attempt. A couple weeks ago, a squad of Hamas terrorists surfaced from two separate terror tunnels. They were dressed as civilians but carried guns and a portable missile launcher. It was all captured by Israeli drone footage. They were attempting to surprise and kidnap 15 IDF soldiers, but the group was alerted by intelligence and managed to to stave off their attackers. 12 terrorists were killed. 3 managed to run back to their tunnel. The plan to kidnap was foiled. One IDF soldier was lightly wounded.

Innovations in Medicine. There was a medical breakthrough at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. On 21 July, surgeons performed the first ever minimally invasive brain surgery through the eye socket. They removed a rare skull base tumor without opening the skull. Thanks to the teamwork of neurosurgery, oculoplastics and ENT specialists, the young patient regained her health with minimal disruption to vision and appearance. (Credits, Jonny Daniel’s) It was a milestone in patient centered neurosurgery.

Prayerful and Powerful Beginning. Elul is the month where Jewish people examine their consciences and repent of their sins before the L-rd as a way to prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days. Israeli super superstar Omer Adam held a sold out concert last Wednesday. He began the concert by leading the entire audience in the Slichot prayers of repentance. That’s my country for you. Welcome to Israel. Absolutely everyone joined in.

Amazing announcement from an Israeli kid…. Get the hankies out. So eloquent!!!!

Long Awaited Wedding! American-Israeli citizens living on Kibbutz Kfar Aza were kidnapped on 7 October, 2023. Aviva was returned in December of 2023, but Keith lingered in the terror tunnels until this past April. Their daughter, Shifa, who was engaged at the time, vowed not to get married until both parents could be there to celebrate by her side. Last Monday, her dream was realized.

A Prayer for the Children. Some pop stars in other countries sing about breakups. About body shaming. About fast cars and drug use. There are cute songs and dance songs. In some cultures, they sing of war and death. But in Israel it’s quite different, poignant and refreshing, in fact. We went to a concert a couple weeks ago. Hanan Ben Ari. I wish I had recorded it, but I was able to find this piece with English subtitles. This YouTube upload is 3 years old, but Amen – For the Children remains a popular song today.

https://youtu.be/gkmUhUw30Yg?si=oO0ef7uhRBV0179Dw

Two beautiful videos. Every Friday, Israeli singer, Omri Goren, sings with his little nine year old daughter. The first song in Hebrew is about waiting for (the hostages) to return home to their loved ones and the waiting arms

https://youtube.com/shorts/Dbd_xrybLg4?si=YEhzsl8gAfRTzDjs

Here, Omri (also an IDF reservist) sings to his newborn son before the Shabbat starts. He sings Psalm , my favorite…I look towards the mountains from whence comes my help….

https://youtube.com/shorts/RVQGGXuKAGU?si=_4bChWfcsfWwsnIN

And one last absolutely adorable video. I just can’t stop watching it. It’s sooooo cute. My grandson was playing in my daughter’s garden. He took one of the mesh vegetable protectors as a knight’s helmet. He’s 16 months and trying so hard to speak. Enjoy…

The Good, the Evil and the Ugly. War Stories. Day 690. 26 August, 2025.

To strive for accuracy in reporting. To write with moral clarity. To try to have empathy and to be able to see different sides of a story. To know history and to try to see a path forward. To be relevant and to “entertain” to a point. And to try to present hope and encouragement in a darkened world. It’s not always easy to bring it all together and to keep the proper perspective.

My parents lived (as first generation, full Americans) at the time of the Holocaust. My dad served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. My two uncles who spoke Yiddish helped liberate the death camps. My grandparents on both sides were able to escape the pogroms of Eastern Europe/Russia and the gas chambers and concentration camps of the Nazis in time. Many of my relatives “didn’t make it” and only their pictures remain. The older generation had firsthand stories to tell.

It was always “us” (the Jewish people) and “them” (everyone else). I don’t think it helped that I grew up in the South at the time of segregation, both racial and religious. I vividly remember signs on hotels and restaurants and on the gates of the country club/golf course/swimming pool that said “No Negroes. No Jews. No dogs.” True fact. Often I was the only Jewish kid in my class. Our was the one house in the neighborhood without Christmas lights. It was an area in the country where the KKK was present and active. Outwardly, we did not show any signs of Judaism for our own personal safety.

I grew up with a fear of Christians. They were the ‘other.’ I knew all the atrocities committed throughout history at the hands of the Christians. It wasn’t pretty. Forced exclusions. Blood libels. Ghettoes. Killings. Inquisitions. Expulsions and Holocausts. We were different. We were Jewish. We ate different foods and stayed away from certain foods altogether. We celebrated different holidays. Even spoke a different language (my parents, although well educated professionals, spoke mostly Yiddish at home).

As I grew older, left home and entered university and later the world, most of my friends were various denominations of Christian. The older I became the more I realized that not all Jews are good and not all Christians are bad. We are all human. We are all fallible. We have a good inclination and an evil inclination and are faced with temptation to do the wrong things every single day.

That said, and to be fair, I do not approve of the actions of all Jewish Israelis here. I understand many of the ultra Orthodox still carry a fear and dislike of the “other,” but this past week’s defacement of signage is wrong. Groups of Jewish teens spray painted in black over the highway signs pointing to churches like Capernaum and Tabgha here in the Galilee. The signs for the Mount of Beatitudes were defaced. As were other Christian holy sites signage. It is disrespectful. It is wrong.

I find it repugnant when some of the extremely religious Jewish youth spit on Christians or heckle priests and monks in Jerusalem. It is unacceptable behavior. Fear or no fear. Bad history or none. It does nothing to advance dialogue, community-building or peaceful living.

Many Bible believing Christians are the greatest friends and supporters of Israel. We share the same foundation. The same values, and many of the same Scriptures, prayers and roots. We cooperate in work to preserve the same freedoms, work ethics, education, culture and ideals that form Western civilization.

Here in the Holy Land all Israeli citizens have full rights according to the law. It matters not if one is Jewish, Christian, Druze, Muslim or Baha’i. We share the same benefits – access to health care and education and freedom to worship in the way we choose. Yet age old tensions exist and are very real.

I cannot begin to imagine the Catholic parishioners’ plight in Gaza at this time. At the very beginning of the conflict, the IDF encouraged them to leave for safer places. Several countries and parishes abroad offered to take them in, but for some reason, they decided to stay in their homes and their church. Even the women and children. In the middle of a war zone.

I have been asked why we chose to stay in Israel despite the war. John and I discussed our situation, which was completely different than the families in Gaza. We were not near a front or in a war zone. Israel has spent their money on multiple layers of defense to protect their citizens. Everyone has a fortified room in their home or apartment or nearby. There are concrete bunkers everywhere. Early warning systems and sirens alerting us of the trajectory of any incoming missile. Plus, John and I have extreme faith in G-d and have never once felt our lives were in danger. We do not have children or other family here.

The Holy Family Parish has been well stocked with all the supplies they need. They have received material help from Medical Mission Board, Aid to the Church in Need, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Catholic Charities, the Vatican, and individual church donations. In addition to UN and international aid, there are warehouses in Jordan chock full of everything from dry goods to hygiene products, medicines to generators, water and fuel.

Yes. It is a war zone. Yes. They have made the choice to stay and not evacuate. Yes. They have been hit by an accidental IDF tank shelling which unfortunately and sadly killed three people and did minor damage to the outside roofing structure of the church. At the beginning of the conflict two women were shot just outside the church (despite what was originally reported) by snipers. That is a true tragedy. But if you look at their church services posted to social media and YouTube, the people are clean and fed. There is electricity. There is always incense and candles and fresh floral arrangements on the altar. That is a good thing. I am glad they have their immediate needs met.

I understand the need to be a light and to be strong in the face of adversity. Partially for this reason, and partially because they had supplies and protection, Holy Family Church has taken in hundreds of their non-Christian neighbors seeking sanctuary or shelter. The church offers a small bastion of security for these people because the IDF neither targets Christians nor their holy sites, despite what you might hear. I have received verifiable information from four separate and trustworthy sources, and I cannot reveal their names at this time for obvious reasons, that Hamas has not booby trapped or targeted this building because they have “protektzia.”

Living in the Middle East, I have learned the term “protektzia.” It is a known fact that there are Russian Mafia who control some of the Russian Israeli population and Muslim/Bedouin Mafia. If a targeted business or family refuses to pay the ‘protektzia money’ they can expect damage and harm to building, home and family…even leading to death. A prime example of this is in Bethlehem (and now Nazareth). Palestinian Muslim thugs demand high payment/graft from the Christian business owners in return for not having physical harm done. As a result, the Christian population has dwindled as they move to safer countries providing refuge.

One of the reasons the church in Gaza has not been hit is that they are paying large sums of money directly to Hamas for protection – the money they get from charitable donations. So, I’m hoping it is inadvertently, at least at first, that terrorism is supported. Also, I have heard directly from priests who have visited that their fresh fruits and vegetables and meat come at an exorbitant monetary price and from those who have been hoarding the stolen food to sell at Black Market cost. Directly from the terrorists. It’s a tangled web.

There is one particular Catholic aid organization run by an American man, that on the surface is slick and glossy and uses some great deception tactics to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. The founder is extremely anti Israel and anti semitic to a degree I have not seen before. He has appeared on EWTN and many podcasts and religious sites making a plea for money. And he has disseminated blood libels like nothing I’ve ever witnessed from a Christian. Absolute dangerous falsehoods. I will not mention his name, but if you are Catholic, you have probably seen his appeal. I have no doubt his original intentions were to be an aid and lifeline for suffering humanity. But something is just not right.

He claims that “Israel had dropped a 2000 pound bomb on the oldest church in Gaza founded by James himself. These were the original believers and the church has stood for over 2000 years.” This is completely false. The IDF does not have a 2000 pound bomb (that’s why they called I the US to help with Iran’s nuclear sites) and they have not targeted and destroyed a Gaza church. He states that “Israel is purposely starving and targeting the poor Christians of Gaza.” Another falsehood. On his presentations he shows the horrific and absolutely pathetic (arousing pity and emotion) photos of the sick children that he says are starving. These are the photos that the BBC and New York Times among other outlets have had to recant as not telling the whole story. The children had preexisting medical conditions. He displays the photos of children lined up with pots and pans begging for food through a metal fence. That entire video has been proven to be a ‘Pallywood’ staged event. The videos and pictures are heart wrenching.

This man talks about the sordid living conditions. Not having fuel or access to clean water. He has reported that just last week Israel bombed two warehouses of diapers and cans of formula and baby supplies. Another falsehood. The warehouses in question were proven upon investigation to be weapons storage units for the Hamas terrorists. Lastly, he says that over 50 of his men were shot and killed while trying to deliver the aid trucks.

I have heard from my four sources who know this man that he has paid tens of thousands of US dollars and European euros to hire Hamas operatives, and sometimes these armed escorts have been shot by other Hamas terrorists who attempt to subvert the deliveries. His libels about the Israeli army have been picked up by Catholic outlets and podcasters and are leading to vast hatred of Zionists, Israel, Jews…and also Christian Zionists, who he also badmouths. His language is incendiary and he always ends his pitch with a plea for monetary donations.

At present the parish is in a vey precarious position. Last Thursday, the IDF started mass evacuations of Gaza City. They handed out tents, yoga mats, sleeping bags, food and hygiene boxes, water and had medics to care for any minor medical problems. The priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, reported that they had received tents and directives and were preparing to leave against their will. They do not know what will be left when they return. It is war and it is not pretty.

The next day, the priest said he had not received any word of evacuation. They had not been given tents or supplies or any direction whatsoever. They were staying put. The IDF has plans to move in and completely clear out the area of terrorists. Because of the dignity and value of innocent civilian life, evacuations of women, children and elderly has already begun. It is mandatory. Yesterday Fr. Romanelli said they were evacuating. It is all quite confusing.

There is strong reason to believe that these poor parishioners are being used as human shields, as pawns by Hamas. That is their modus operendi. If any of these poor people, G-d forbid, is hurt, the onus will be on the evil Israelis (Jews). The church is most likely going to be booby trapped by Hamas or brought down by the IDF as the neighborhood will be an active military zone. I pray that is not the case. I ask you to pray for the protection of these people. They are in an awful place.

The Catholic Church has called for a complete ceasefire and “end to the barbarity in Gaza.” There is no mention of the release of hostages or of the complete disarmament of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Daesh. They have also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state, which has rewarded Hamas and caused them to cease all negotiations. In their eyes, they have won international support and therefore are victorious.

It is the blood libel of targeted attacks, intentional starvation, genocide that have the power to incite violence and antisemitism. Three weeks ago I received an email from a subscriber who follows some of these well-meaning, but vitriolic religious pundits. I was shaken to my core. It was a picture of Crusaders with his message below:

Do you not think it is time for another Crusade? It is time to rid the Holy Land of the Jews and the Muslims. Deus veult. You cannot be both American and Israeli. It is time to make your choice.

I still have lots and lots of Christian friends and supporters from all denominations. I cherish them deeply. But this. THIS. It scares the hell out of me. This is why some Jewish people are still wary and have a fear of the other…..

In this photo, the child had leukemia and was flown on a special transport to Jesu Bambino Pediatric Hospital in Italy. Hassan died last week.

Weimar 1935. War Stories. Day 689. 25 August, 2025.

These next two features will be my last postings for the next couple months…unless something happens, which I pray it does not. John and I are going to England to be with our son as he graduates (I’ve never been to London!!). Then the three of us will head up to the beautiful English countryside to spend time with our daughter, son-in-law and their two little ones. We shall make day trips, a weekend in the Netherlands and an excursion to the Peak District in England. It should be fun. I can’t wait. Castles. Manor homes. Antique stores, charity shops, local farms. potteries and museums, tiny villages and giggling children whose tiny little hands fit into yours. And British accents. And afternoon tea. Hopefully, it will be a peaceful and welcomed respite from the troubles of the world.

For me and for my fellow Jews, it’s beginning to feel like history is in repeat mode. It’s 1935/36 Weimar (Germany) all over again. We have all heard the slogan, “Never again.” Never again to the antisemitism. To the exclusion from restaurants, hotels, shops. Never again will our jobs be restricted. Will our properties be defaced. Will our children and our own bodies be beaten up. Will we be hunted down. But it is happening all over again. Friends from California, New York and New Jersey and Boston are writing me that they no longer feel safe. My neighbor’s family has just made Aliyah to Israel from South Africa. Even in Praetoria they were beginning to feel the unsettling. The storm clouds are gathering. And history seems to be repeating itself with very few people standing up for the Jews.

Antisemitism is reaching a point of no return. Hundreds of thousands of haters are marching through the streets of Sydney, Melbourne, Berlin, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Malmo, Bruges, Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester, Leicester, Dublin, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and Detroit…disguising themselves as human rights activists who just care about the plight of the poor Palestinians in Gaza. It seems to be becoming a daily occurrence.

In the grandest of all ironies, the media is pushing the line that the Jews have become the modern day Nazis. They feed the world lines about how Israel intentionally starves little children and drops 2000 pound bombs on the oldest church in existence. The IDF shoots civilians lined up for aid indiscriminately, as for sport. They burn down churches. The Jews target Christians.

They are all pedophiles. Like Epstein and Weinstein. As the Rothschilds, they control the world’s banks and they run Hollywood. It was the Jews that were responsible for 9/11….and they control your life. The Jews are behind the random canceling of certain news pundits, musicians and artists.

Netanyahu is Hitler. He is a Fascistic dictator who is prolonging the war. He does not seek compromise or negotiation. He just wants to hold onto power. He dictates to Washington. He will lead us into World War III. The Jews are bent on taking over the world in a grand cabal. Just look at their flag. The Jewish star is actually a satanic hexagram and it was invented in 1886.

Israel is merely a political state founded in 1948 by the British with no actual legitimacy. It has no right to exist. Israel is a colonial and apartheid state. The Jews claim Biblical basis for settling in ‘Isreal’, but actually the Church holds the claim since Christianity replaced Judaism when the Jews rejected and killed the Messiah. They lost their claim to land or people. They are the perfidious synagogue of satan.

These are all 100% claims I’ve been keeping track of. I seriously have them in files. Written files and video files. The articles and voices come from high up government and church officials. Prime Ministers. Ambassadors. Patriarchs and priests. World renowned pastors and evangelists. Pundits and news commentators. Rock stars and celebrities. Authors. Mayors. And then comments from the masses. I have thousands of them. Literally. It’s a documentation of history.

I spend a lot of my time paying close attention to politics and what is being said. I’m a watcher. Things are reaching a critical point. Jews are being openly assaulted with impunity in the streets. New York, London, Los Angeles, and throughout Europe. What we are seeing now is Germany, 1937. From Palestinians supporters. The pro-Gaza people. Not just Muslims and Islamist fanatics but progressively woke Europeans and Americans. Regular folk. University professors. School teachers. Even the LGBT2spirit+ crowd.

Last week, in Paris, an olive tree planted to commemorate the life of Ilan Halimi, was cut down. It was planted 14 years ago to remind the world of the Jewish man, kidnapped and tortured for 24 days in Paris. He was found naked, handcuffed to a railroad track and died on the way to the hospital. His body gave out. Now his tree is no longer.

Also, just this past week, the Jewish Community Center, Temple, and walls just off the Woodland Hills/Reseda, California (my old neighborhood!!!!) were spray-painted with swastikas, anti Israel and anti Jewish graffiti. Parents are afraid to walk their children to school. It’s in the Wilbur area, for those of you who are familiar…also, in Seattle, a synagogue was vandalized with swastikas and the word ‘gas’ in red spray paint.

Earlier this month, 50 Jewish children coming home from two weeks at summer camp were kicked off a Veuling Airlines plane for quietly singing. Their 22 year old counselor was handcuffed, thrown to the ground, kicked and arrested.

In Chatel, France, vacationing Jewish families awoke to find their cars graffitied with the words “Free Palestine” and other slurs painted across their vehicles. When the person who rented the 4 families their vacation homes found out that a Jewish group was “congregating” in one of the homes (there were 9 adults and 13 children having a Shabbat service), she evicted them all from the properties immediately, refusing a refund.

Just this week, a woman in Leeds, England was accused of striking a Jewish man with a metal pole and throwing hot coffee in his face. “This is because you killed babies in Gaza,” she was heard screaming.

My son was going to take his girlfriend to Athens in two weeks to propose to her. They have, thankfully, cancelled that trip. You see, in just the past weeks Israeli families have been forced out of their hotels for being Israeli. Young Jewish men wearing kippas (yarmulkes) have been severely beaten. Greece is no longer a safe vacation spot for Israelis or Jews. In several countries, soldiers who served in the IDF are being doxxed and ejected. A couple of former soldiers on vacation have been arrested for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Greece, Brazil and Malaysia.

So long as the Free Palestine movement refuses to denounce their violent tactics, and so long as government officials and peoples of the world stay silent, Jews will continue to be open targets of violence and hatred. Hamas, Hizbulla, ISIS and others are truly terrorist organizations. Praising these groups incites more violence against Jewish people.

This past Saturday, a Jewish man and his friend sat in a local pub in Manchester, England. discussing politics. The man was not visibly a Jewish, but was overheard defending Israel. Another man came up and spat on him. He then proceeded to punch the Jewish man in the face, leaving him with a black eye and two broken teeth. Also in Manchester, two men drove around “shooting” visibly Jewish families with a water gun. This is not just playful sport. It is targeting people because of their religion. The videos went viral online. Authorities interviewed the two and called it a “harmless joke.”

Six days ago, a London hospital was plastered with posters reading “Zionism is Poison.” They were only removed after one patient’s complaint. This was at University Hospital, and spokespeople say they acted quickly to dismantle the inflammatory protests in order to ensure the safety and feelings of well being for all patients. UK Lawyers for Israel are demanding a full investigation. UCLH Chief Executive, David Probert issued a swift apology, reaffirming the hospital’s dedication to inclusivity for all. Security personnel were instructed to remain vigilant in order to provide a safe atmosphere.

In Vienna, Austria, an Uber driver attacked a Jewish family last week. The occupants were the two parents and their children, ages 10 and 13, and their 76 year old grandparents. They were en route to a birthday party. When the driver heard their Israeli accents and found out they were, in fact, visiting from Israel, he began shouting “murderers” and “child killers!” He refused on the spot “to transport child killers,” forced the family out and physically beat the father. Uber temporarily suspended the driver and the family is filing criminal charges. “ If decisive action is not taken against this, by politicians and the rule of law, as well as by civil society, by individual activists on the streets or in social media, in editorial offices and by cultural workers, by teachers and others in our society, then there will soon be no place left for Jews in Europe,” Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community of Vienna wrote on Facebook.

On 8 August (this video has gone viral), Montreal multiple onlookers stood idle and filmed the incident as a Jewish man was severely beaten in broad daylight in front of his children. He was pushed into a fountain and his kippa kicked beyond reach. Antisemitism in Canada is out of control. For some, the anti Israel, anti Zionist rhetoric has spilled over into anti Jewish vitriol. In Canada, even the very conservative, Catholic author and podcaster, Mark Mallet, has fallen into this. I will address this particular case later in the week.

Three firebombs were thrown at a synagogue in Obninsk, Russia, just over a year after it was targeted in another arson attack. That was 12 August. Last month, a Melbourne, Australia synagogue was firebombed with 22 .families inside. Thank goodness the fire was contained at the door. It could easily have become deadly. Only over a mile away, that same evening, an Israeli restaurant was attacked as protestors stormed in, overturning tables and shouting “Death, death, to the IDF.”

Saturday, a 65 year old man wearing a kippa was brutally beaten by three men in Paris. He was on his was to synagogue at 10am when a car stopped in front of him. Two passengers got out pretending to ask for directions and began brutally beating him with kicks and punches and metal rods. His Star of David necklace was torn off his neck and he was doubled up on the sidewalk. The attackers are still at large.

Two months ago in Alexandria Egypt, a Canadian/Israeli dual citizen was gunned down as he was touring the land. Egyptian authorities claim it was a robbery gone wrong, but a militant group claimed responsibility. They claimed they “killed the Jewish man in retaliation for Gaza” and posted images of the shooting as proof (way too graphic to display here).

Yesterday, German activists were doused with red paint as they held up posters of Israeli hostages in a Frankfurt park. Sasha Stawski, a 55 year old real estate agent, and president of the antisemitism league was hosting a public demonstration to raise awareness of the 50 captives still being held by Hamas. 20-30 people, some wearing Friedrich Merz masks over their faces, pushed the germ up aside violently. Anti Jew and anti Israel chants erupted and four women doused the activists with cans of red paint. Frankfurt police were called in to disassemble the crowds. They said they would be increasing their presence in the area. No arrests were made. The Jewish community in Frankfurt and throughout Germany has been seeing an uptick in anti Jewish violence since 7 October.

Last Saturday in Cologne, Germany the wheel chair basketball championship was underway. The team from Great Britain all turned their wheelchairs around in protest of the Israeli team. One of the Israeli players stated, “It felt like they were humiliating us and bringing unrelated issues onto the sport court.” Antisemitic slurs are being hurled at football games across Europe. German Düsseldorf football league unsigned Jewish athlete Shon Weissman after fan backlash over his hiring. That was August 9 of this year.

These are merely a few of the hundreds of reports I’ve been keeping track of. All are downloaded or perinted out and filed away for safekeeping and documentation.

Qatar is funding the educational systems and universities (yes, along with China) in the U.S., across Europe, Canada, and the Middle East. Mufti Hamid Patel, head of the Office for Standards is the Chief Education Minister in Great Britain.

In New York, a new police patrol system has gone into effect complete with official squad cars and uniformed officers. It is the Salaam Aleikum Patrol of Muslim police. Mamdani, an anti Israel, anti Jewish, Communist Islamist is in the lead for New York mayor. Most of the mayors and regional council officials in England, France, Belgium and Sweden are Islamists. In the Belgian city of Antwerp, 26 Jewish homes were marked with red paint, red handprints and triangles. Just last week, a Muslim woman went out in the hot weather with her shoulders uncovered. A group of ‘Muslim brothers’ passing by, surrounded and brutally beat her. Many parts of London and Paris are now “no-go zones.” Enter at your own risk. Sharia laws strictly enforced. And it is coming to cities like Dearborn, Michigan.

So few people throughout the world are taking this seriously. Jews are being targeted globally. it is being proclaimed by protestors, political figures, pastors and pundits that Jews are genocidal thriving colonizing pedos with no claim to a homeland or history, who are hell bent on controlling the world. Then people cannot seem to figure out why in the world Jewish property is being defaced and Jews are being beaten and disembarked and refused service on the streets of Europe and America? The crimes are being ignored and normalized and the Jewish people are downright scared.

In my next posting on Wednesday or Thursday, I will be discussing modern day blood libels. These are actual complete fabrications, made-up stories against Jews in order to promote violence and eventual extermination of that ‘pernicious race.’ It is an article that traces the history from the early 400’s to modern times. It has resurfaced today through modern outlets and is a warning sign of things to come-

Tomorrow we are traveling down to the Gaza Envelope for a story I’ve been commissioned to write on the 3rd anniversary of 7 October. I will be also visiting one of the kibbutzim that was attacked as well as shelters and the Nova Festival site. We will conclude the trip by spending time at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv. I have four interviews set up and will do one special remembrance blog post on this. I will interview a member of the regional council, an IDF soldier in the reserves who has served five tours in Gaza, a resident of Nahal Oz Kibbutz, and a paramedic.

We Witness Miracles War Stories. Day 695. 21 August, 2025.

A friend recently reminded me of the goodness of the L-rd. Living here in Israel, John and I are a believing and praying people. We have seen so many prayers answered from large to small almost on a daily basis (We are still waiting for some to be answered. For some of you Special Ones who read this blog, know that your prayers are being lifted up by us on a daily basis.)

It’s really hard for us to be in a state of unbelief or disbelief as we encounter archaeological sites that absolutely prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the words in the Scriptures are at the very least historically accurate. We have visited the oldest city gate in the world that has been uncovered. It’s from pre-Canaanite times and is the place where Abraham met with the kings to discuss the ransom of his nephew, Lot, who was taken captive. You can read the exciting story in Genesis 13. It’s in Dan, on the Lebanese Border. We׳ve visited so many places that attest to the veracity of the Bible, so…..

Anyway, one of our daily prayers is for the protection of all the IDF soldiers, wherever they are stationed. We pray this in the morning and at dinner. But we have added: protect them from every booby trap and every kidnapping attempt. We have received multiple answers to prayer on this one…

In yesterday’s news –

Yesterday in Khan Younis, Gaza, more than 20 Hamas terror operatives emerged from a tunnel in an ambush attempt on an IDF encampment. They approached firing machine guns and RPGs. Some terrorists actually breached the encampment, engaging in close combat with the Kfir Brigade troops. The IDF radioed for backup and airstrikes killed 15 operatives while 8 escaped back into the tunnel. A kidnapping attempt of 4 soldiers was narrowly averted. The IDF is actively pursuing the remaining operatives. An extensive investigation is underway to draw all necessary conclusions. Hamas has continuously tried to kidnap soldiers throughout the conflict. So far, all their attempts have proved unsuccessful. 3 Israeli soldiers were wounded and medivac’ed to local hospitals in Israel. – Hamal News

In other news, we all keep hearing about “settler violence.” It’s big news. “Settler violence” is the grossly over exaggerated stories of the Jewish families living in Judaea and Samaria (West Bank). Many are farmers and shepherds. The farmers have extensive vineyards and orchards. They grow dates, pomegranates, grapes, olives, and herbs and spices among other things. Many are artisans, making food, wine, ales, cosmetic products, candles, crafts and spice blends. Many are shepherds, grazing their herds of sheep and goats…and cows…across the fields to graze.

I’ve spoken with residents in Tekoa, Itamar, and Efrat. I have read police reports and incidents reports from the Binyamin and Yesha Regional Counsels. There are thousands of incidents of Arab gangs who pull up the plantings of the Israelis, who lie in wait for them in ambush. There are videos of gangs ambushing settlers, throwing large rocks at them and the livestock. There are videos of these marauding gangs setting fire to the grazing pastures of the Israelis. Yet all you hear about is settler violence.

These gangs are not ignorant. They stage attacks and wait for the shepherds to defend themselves, filming everything so that it looks like the settlers are the instigators, not the defenders. And it makes international news.

Today marks the one year yarzeit (memorial of a death) of the murder of Yonatan Deutch, a Maglan Unit soldier who was on his way to Ofra (community in Samaria) to see his fiancée, Emunah. At Mehola Junction on Route 90, just south of the West Bank border line, his car was ambushed and shot at by West Bank terrorists. His car veered off the road and he was shot multiple times.

In the exact spot where his life was cut short, his family and friends chose to respond not with despair, but with hope and strength. They opened a pop-up coffee shop, ‘Cafe Jonni.’ Here travelers can stop for refreshment and remembrance. It is a sign of Israeli resilience. It is a statement to the Arabs and to all the world that “Am Yisrael chai,” the People of Israel live.

As of this morning, the Magen David Adom paramedics were called to the scene of another Arab attack on Israeli shepherds (settlers). One was injured very lightly by a bullet that strafed his head. The other shepherd was shot and is in fair condition in a regional hospital. They were driving in a semi protected ATV, called a Ranger, which overturned while herding their cattle. The pair were ambushed. This is the story from i24 News:

Because i was informed that my blogposts are just way too long, i shall end it here on a positive note.

In other news, just in time for the new school season and the fall holidays, a Nefesh b’Nefesh sponsored plane load of 225 new olim (immigrants) landed at Ben Gurion Airport yesterday morning. These families from the United States have decided to make the exciting journey to live in Israel. The youngest is 9 months old and the oldest is 82. There were also several Lone Soldiers, coming by themselves to enlist in the army. May their absorption and Aliyah experience be easy, joyful and smooth as they transition to their new lives as full Israeli citizens.

They were met at the airport with bands, balloons and crowds of well wishers

We Do Have a Life…

So yes. To answer several of your many questions: I am seeking counsel. I am seeking a trustworthy confidential, nonbiased clergy in the U.S. to speak with about touches of PTSD and to discuss information I have uncovered (to publish or keep hidden? That is the dilemma).

And yes. John and I do have lives. Besides researching and writing (news and features articles as well as articles on religion for other media outlets), we do have other things we do. I love to garden and grow my own heirloom, organic vegetables. We both try to spend at least an hour a day keeping up with the yard and garden.

Also, I study both Tanya and Scripture with the wife of the chief rebbe of Tsfat every Monday and Thursday morning. It gives me perspective on life, and I love to study. I lead a Torah study on Thursday nights through Partners in Torah. It deepens my faith and I love to share all the interesting and relevant tidbits from the Hebrew. My partner is amazing and she challenges me to do better in my life as well. John and I have another group on Tuesday evenings and once a month we facilitate a couples group (international group). This next meeting we will be discussing combatting antisemitism. So that takes care of some of our spiritual life.

Every Monday-Thursday I try to spend 60-90 minutes in the pool to keep mobile and flexible. Every community in Israel has its own community swimming pool. Most have Olympic sized swimming pools. Because we live in a larger city, the municipality has built the “Country Club” (Jews allowed) with tennis courts, workout/fitness rooms, sauna, steam room, indoor Olympic pool, huge outdoor pool, jacuzzis, spa/massage rooms and classroom for Pilates, Yoga, Feldencrais, Karate, Spinning, and other classes. Classes are offered throughout the day and evening. Membership is a nominal fee. All classes included. Lockers and spa treatments are extra.

We just ended the worst heat wave of the year (I hope), so our activities were quite limited all last week-

But when the weather is good, we like to go for hikes in nature. Another great thing about living in Israel is the appreciation and love for nature. The JNF has planted so many forests, which are always within a few minutes drive. There are hiking trails everywhere. Mountains, gentle hills, forests, lake trails, beach trails and trails that follow wadis (canyons), streams and rivers. We have our favorite places, and love to find new trails close by where we can walk the dog. We especially love the trails leading to spectacular views! And those are abundant!!

Our latest project has been another fun one. Back in the States, I had an antiques shop for over 25 years. I sold mostly China, crystal, silver, jewelry and smalls, but also had furniture and art. It was a fun and productive outlet. I would occasionally find or buy old furniture, refinish and then resell it. Just a couple weeks ago, John found a mid century modern china cabinet on the side of the street. People throw away some amazing things here. He rescued it and shlepped it home. Nice piece, but it had a huge and ugly bright orange base that had to go. We decided to paint the entire piece white and replace the door knobs. I’ve ordered some gorgeous blue and white toile wallpaper to go on the back wall. Can’t wait for it to arrive!

So those are just a few of the things we do. There’s lots more. There are always new things to see and new places to discover here. Especially in the archaeological community. We try to keep abreast of the new digs with exciting findings in our area. The locations are usually within an hour drive. We have nearby wineries and local farms where we can get honey and produce. Artisanal dairies are a popular place to visit here for different cheeses, yogurts and other dairy products.

Plus cooking. Unlike in America, where there is plenty of pre-prepared food (everything from elaborate salad mixes to side dishes and entrees), in Israel – at least up here in the periphery- it’s much harder to find. There are a couple places that offer pre-cooked meals to pick up on Friday morning for the Shabbat. That’s about it. So I do all my cooking from scratch, which takes longer, but is fresher and healthier.

I’m always learning new ethnic recipes from the many cultures that are here. The Israeli palate is entirely different that the Western palate, the spices are very different. It took me awhile to get used to cinnamon andcloves to be used with meat; turmeric in everything; pickled everything; sumac and zata’ar. But I’ve learned to incorporate flavors of the Middle East into much of my cooking. I’m really hoping to get some Ethiopian recipes in the near future, as I’ve just made friends with some lovely Ethiopian women.

Another benefit of living here is that it has proven to be the perfect launch for trips to Europe. For us, flying to Europe from Los Angeles was cost prohibitive. In Israel there are flights and cruises across the Mediterranean. Since moving here, we have traveled to Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, England and Scotland. We try to get to the U.S. once a year to visit family. In September we are going to England, Amsterdam and maybe a stopover in Italy before we return. Our son in London graduates and we have that adorable new grandbaby to visit with our daughter’s family in the Midlands. We will be gone for almost two months.

So for the curious, and for those who have urged me to “get a life,” we have one here. Whether getting together with friends or volunteering to pick vegetables and fruits or just driving to discover new places, it’s all been part of this wonderful adventure.

A Great Dilemma. War Stories. Day 679. 15 August, 2025

I haven’t written this week. I’ve been brooding. Despondent. Unsettled. There are days when I feel like my investigative reporting is getting me nowhere. Hitting a brick wall and bouncing back to me silent. Some of the news that I uncover makes me literally sick to my stomach. It contradicts the mainstream media and social influencers, the pundits and high profile international speakers. It’s not popular. And so many people just want fluff and niceties. An escape from the “depressing news” that I write. So thank you to my regular subscribers and readers who are sticking with me to know the truth.

I think my Jewish DNA makes me prewired to whine, murmur and complain, just like my ancestors in the wilderness. So indulge me for a paragraph or three.

I was awake and waiting news about the difficult labor and delivery (which led to an emergency cæsarian) of one of my daughters the morning of October 7, 2023. At 06:29am, I started getting the red alerts, which were scattershot all over Israel and incessant for over 30 minutes. Missiles and rockets were being launched from Gaza in a way that never happened previously and I knew something major was happening.

Because there was no coverage on any of the Israeli news sites, I had a hunch to switch to AlJazeera, MemriTV, TikTok and Instagram. And there it was in plain view. All of it. The Hamas terrorists were breaking through the border fences and going on a murderous rampage. I sat and watched glued to the screens for 6 1/2 hours. I forced myself to look, if only for the sake of history.

Trigger warning: sensitive material. You might want to skip this paragraph, but I do pray you will stick with me. I watched as terrorists threw grenades into shelters packed with young people. I witnessed Hamas operatives spray portapotties and ice cream freezer chests with bullets as kids hid for safety at the Nova Music Festival. I saw women being stabbed in the back multiple times as they were raped. Cars being set ablaze with people inside. Elderly women being kidnapped and brutalized by the civilian population as they entered Gaza. A mother and her two young children and the family dog being led, terrified, captive into Gaza. A young boy being made at gunpoint to go to his neighbors and speak to them in Hebrew that they would be safe if they opened the saferoom door….then shot. Little girls, young sisters shot as they tried to climb out the window of their house. Terrorists enjoying the food in the refrigerators of the people they were attacking. The laughter of the terrorists as they cut the breast off a young woman and started to play soccer/football with it.

I internalized it all. Numb for days as my son was called up to reserve duty along the Syrian border. Not knowing what would come next. Over the next few months, I attended six military funerals. My son lost several friends and classmates. We up here in the North endured two separate missile attacks from Iran. We ran to shelter as Hizbulla entered the war from Lebanon, forcing the evacuation of border communities, missile barrages coming at all hours of the day and night. I never cried. The numbness had worn off, and I was never fearful, relying fully on the Lord, but everything was internalized.

Even though it became more peaceful in the North, the rest of the country was still dodging missiles daily from the Houthis in Yemen, from Gaza, and then again from Iran in what is now called the 12 Day War. We were never in peril, but it was still unnerving. Neighbors with babies and small children had husbands serving in Gaza for repeated tours of duty, never knowing if they would see their loved ones again. Yet the Israeli people remained strong and determined to live as ‘normal’ lives as possible. And we did. But it wasn’t easy.

Through it all, my outlet was writing. We saw what was happening. We heard through soldiers and from people who were living through what would be turned into sick and twisted Anti-Israel propaganda. By the time the narrative reached the mainstream, it was pure fabrication. The world was relying on reporting directly from Hamas… that they were living in an open air prison; that Israel would not provide them with aid, fuel, electricity, clean water or food. It was reported that Israel was genociding the Palestinians, who were justified in resisting ‘the Occupation.’ That violent West Bank settlers were targeting Christians. The IDF was specifically raiding and demolishing churches. That they were starving the Gazans. And the world saw the carefully staged photographs and the world believed the lies.

The Hamas propaganda machine was working overtime. Demonstrations took place on university campuses throughout the Western world. No, it was just about the Zionists, they said. The evil Israeli army. Netanyahu was the satan controlling the world. And by the end of October, 2023, Jewish students were barred from even walking on their campuses and from attending classes. The encampments grew violent. There was destruction of property. Yet, no one in administrative power did anything to stop it.

In France, Jewish homes were marked with red swastikas and red triangles. IDF lone soldiers on leave to visit family in South Africa and Brazil were doxxed and arrested on trumped up humanitarian rights violations. Couples vacationing in Greece who were identifiably Jewish were beaten. An Israeli and American couple who worked for the embassy were murdered in D.C. A Jewish woman, Holocaust survivor, set on fire and killed in Colorado. A congressman’s home burned on Passover. Synagogues set ablaze worldwide.

This was more than just a stance against Israel. It was about the Jooooooz. There were angry demonstrations in London, New York, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Chicago and Los Angeles. Women in burkas, veiled from head to toe waving Palestinian flags. Young men spraying crowds with green and red smoke bombs. Young pink and blue haired youth with kheffiyahs wrapped around their bodies. Masked individuals shouting for Justice in Palestine and Free Palestine. From the River to the Sea, Palestine (all of Israel) will be free…. Of Jews. And much of the world stood with them. Or did nothing.

Just two weeks ago world leaders, Macron of France and Starmer or the UK followed by Australia and Canada and a few other countries including the Vatican, called for full recognition of a two state solution…a free Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. And what was the result?

Hamas stopped negotiating for the release of the remaining 51 hostages. They have declared a victory. Terrorism and false propaganda has been rewarded by the worlds’ stance on the matter. The Gazans have continued to pump out staged photos of starving babies (despite the nourished mothers) and of children lined up behind a fence, rattling pans for ladles of watery soup. To add insult to injury, two six minute videos were released two weeks ago of truly starving and dying Israeli hostages. Taken from the music festival and from a bordering kibbutz, these two men have been living underground for nearly two years without access to food, clean water, clean air, light or medical treatment. And where is the Red Crescent (Red Cross has been changed to Red Crescent….in Israel Red Cross is Red Star of David, go figure, but I want to give equal information)? Yes. I am ranting. But there is grave injustice when the world only gives full coverage to only one side.

Last Friday I went to Jerusalem to interview some important figures in different denominations of Christian churches. I also spoke with “settlers,” actually very normal people with very normal lives and families in very suburban neighborhoods. The neighborhoods in small towns and cities just happen to be in Judaea, which some will call the Israeli Occupied West Bank. And I heard very conflicting stories.

Being active in Inter-Religious Dialogue in the United States, I inquired into the promise of dialogue. Both church officials told me that it was a thing of the past. “Dialogue is dead.” How disheartening. When I asked why, I was given the answer, “You can’t reason with these Jews.” How utterly heartbreaking.

I really am still going over my notes and debating if and what to write. I found the two people disseminating much of the lies: a doctor from Doctors Without Borders from North Carolina who was recruited to help in Gaza. He’s a very progressive secular Jew with no previous ties to Israel or Gaza. And he has told stories of the unbelievable atrocities against children and women at the hands of the “bloodthirsty and sadistic Israeli army.”

I know an aid worker, also from the States, who works to help the suffering Palestinians. Both people have spread absolute libels about what is happening. I have discovered verifiably that both work for Hamas. Both are asking for large sums of money to be donated to their personal charities. The aid worker has fed misinformation to the church officials and to the press. He has been featured by international media and has been interviewed by podcasters. I am reticent to mention his name or his foundation at this point, but he is asking (on each platform) to raise $400,000 U.S. dollars to get trucks to the starving civilians. He addresses Christian organizations he feels will spread the libels and be sympathetic listeners. If you recognize this, beware. He does nothing but talk of the targeted attacks on civilians by Israel and the forced starvation and genocide. He mentions that 50 of his men (he didn’t say they had Hamas ties) were killed in their attempt to deliver aid. And he wants your money.

I am not denying there are those that are going hungry in Gaza. I know there are hundreds of thousands of displaced people. It is horrible, but humanitarian aid is getting through. Even now, the terrorists that control the Strip hijack the trucks at gunpoint and take the food to their warehouses. They deliver the food to those who support them. It’s mob mentality: you work for us and we will take care of you. Don’t and you can starve. Then they sell off the rest of the goods at inflated prices in order to fund their war efforts.

In order to bring direct help, U.S. led Gaza Humanitarian Fund has been successfully controlling and distributing aid at set, reinforced sites. And now several European nations have joined in to airdrop or parachute pallets of food directly to the refugee camps.

The situation remains a huge mess. The IDF is still clearing out booby trapped homes and underground tunnels. The tunnels have been dug under residential areas, schools, mosques and hospitals, each with shafts leading outward to those buildings. They are heavily involved in house-to-house urban warfare, the most dangerous type of fighting. There are still plenty of heavily armed insurgents, not just from Hamas but from Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Al Nusra Front, Daesh and other smaller factions.

This week it was reported first from AlJazeera, then picked up worldwide, that the IDF purposely eliminated seven journalists, there just to document the news in real time. It was then discovered that five of them were upper level Hamas operatives, friends with Mohamed Deif and Yahya Sinwar. One was actually head of the propaganda division. Another was a senior Hamas member and terrorist who was wearing a press jacket and embedded in the press tent. There are photos to prove all this.

This morning, the news is that there was a targeted IDF attack on two of the aid distribution warehouses …. The ones that just happened to be filled with baby formula, diapers and bottles.

So I am dismayed. Disappointed when a news outlet has now refused to print my stories. Disappointed when I hear false narratives. Distraught when I see people in the West fall for it. Upset when I see Christians (and some Evangelicals) who once supported Israel and stood with Israel turn their backs and rebuke our government and our military and our civilians. When long time Conservative supporters buy into the libels of people like Tucker Carlson and revoke their friendship with the Jewish state.

This is causing a rift in the fabric of the West. To support the Islamists and welcome them in or to support Israel. To demand a cease fire or to demand the return of the captives and for the terrorists to surrender completely. To demand a two state solution or to grant Israel sovereignty over Judaea and Samaria. To hold the terrorists and their sponsors accountable or to tell Israel to back down.

There is an enemy who comes to sow mistrust and division where there once was truth and certainty. There is an enemy who comes to convince that evil is good and right is wrong. There is an enemy who comes to tell you that the oppressors are actually the victims. There is a culture of death and a culture of life. A culture of complete disregard for humanity and a culture that believes every person is created in the likeness of the Creator with dignity and worth. There is an enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy. To spread chaos. The enemy is slick and convincing and powerful.

Sometimes it is all too overwhelming. I do not know what to do with some of the information I have. I do not want to be a whistleblower. I am not scared, but I don’t like to stir things up. Please pray for my wisdom and discernment and that some of the information I have can get into the hands of sincerely good people.

Again, thank you for your readership. I promise that in the fall, I will resume writing about fun places to visit. Lifestyles, foods and recipes, culture and nature hikes. I pray for moral clarity and better days ahead. Shabbat shalom.

The Devil in the Details (Hunger Games 2.0). Day 666. 2 August, 2025

I’ve ruminated about this post all day. Shabbat, the Sabbath, is supposed to be a holy, peaceful day of complete rest from all the world’s madness. Today was most fittingly Day 666 in the war, for any inclined to be superstitious or prophetic. The war rages on – not only for the civilians of Gaza, for the hostages and their families, or the soldiers fighting an evil enemy, but the war rages on for the minds of the spectators of the world.

Just before Shabbat began (with a very real bang from the interception of a Houthi missile over Yerushalayim), Hamas released two videos of captive Israeli men taken from the Nova Music festival on 7 October, 2023. But I will come back to that….

In the past week, three very professional photographs were circulated throughout the world. They were supposed to be stark reminders of the cost of war and the effects of the Israelis who were starving the children of Gaza. Two pictures featured mothers (not starving) holding emaciated children. These photos truly tugged at the heartstrings of the world. No one wants to see starving, suffering babies. It is nothing short of horrific. The other photo showed a young girl screaming through iron bars, begging for food.

All three photographs, while incredibly moving and evoking both pity and horror, were not telling the truth. The two emaciated children had pre-existing genetic conditions – cerebral palsy and spinal bifida. The one boy, featured on the Sunday edition front page New York Times as well as the UK Daily Mail, le Monde and other newspapers and media outlets, had been flown by Israel to a pediatric hospital in Italy. He was not even in Gaza. The photo of the beautiful screaming girl was a picture dredged up from 2014. She was a Yazidi girl being taken away as a sex slave by ISIS in northern Iraq.

Hamas is playing sick games with propaganda at this point in the war. There is a true Hunger Games occurring for many innocent civilians not associated with any of the terror groups in Gaza. While tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid sit undistributed in the sun within Gaza’s borders, the world is made to think there is a huge Israeli inflicted famine. On the other hand, videos of gangs of armed Hamas hijacking the few trucks of food that did make it in to Gaza are ignored and go uncirculated. The press refuses to pick up that narrative.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMtJTGTJnlI/?img_index=1&igsh=MTkzb3BsdGZzNWRzOA==

The world is being fed the diet that innocent Palestinians are risking their lives to paddle into the sea for airdropped aid. Which is it? The media only shows one side. So, I did my own sleuthing, working on a hunch. Unbelievably, I got an advert for a restaurant in Gaza that is open and serving food. Lots of food. Fresh food. They were even offering 20% discounts to those who paid digitally. I went on Yelp, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram actively seeking out restaurants and cafes in Gaza. I checked the dates of their last postings. They had to be within the past three months to be considered. I found scores. More than 60. I will share just a few with you.

This clip features all the cafes and restaurants and grocers still open for business in Gaza

There is a great deception taking place. These are the true Hunger Games. Because the truth has been hidden, people are falling for the lies. It is no conspiracy. And the lies are having their intended effect. Because no one wants to see starvation.

Last week, after a series of PR wins, Hamas cut off all further negotiations and contact with international mediators. This comes after President Macron of France, followed by Kier Starmer of the UK, Prime Minister Carney in Canada, Bolsinaro in Brazil, Australia, Spain…. all stated they would recognize an official Palestinian state. In addition, at the UN in New York, the Vatican called for a two state solution and recognition of a sovereign Palestine. It comes just after Israel made significant concessions allowing for humanitarian aid to be distributed. The vast majority of Israelis today understand that the ridiculous notion of “land for peace” is dead.

Hamas now feels there is absolutely nothing further to gain from hostage deals or ceasefire agreements because they are winning the war on the global stage. They are being validated by the international community. Recognition of a Palestinian state rewards Hamas for its October 7 attack on Israel. It is now incentivized to not agree to a ceasefire.

This mass international pressure on Israel has emboldened the terrorist regime who started the war. It neither brings anyone closer to peace nor does it bring the hostages home. To quote Winston Churchill, “ An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.” Former hostage, a dual British/Israeli citizen, Emily Damari, who survived Hamas captivity for 471 days states, “I am deeply saddened. This move does not advance peace. It risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message that violence earns legitimacy. By legitimizing a state entity while Hamas still controls Gaza and continues its campaign of terror, you are not promoting a solution: you are prolonging the conflict. Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace. Shame on you.”

Recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state in hopes that it will bring peace is like saying ‘let’s give more heroin and free needles to junkies in hopes that it will get them off drugs or at least keep them safe from hepatitis and AIDS.’ This movement is demonically addicted to lies, propaganda and violence. In 2005 the Gaza Strip (once part of Israel) was emptied of all its Jewish population and given over to the Palestinians. The offering of land in hopes for peace gave way to violence and jihad and acts of infiltration into Israel. This, in turn, led to years of thousands of missiles launched into Israel – two decades of kidnappings and murder and the taking of global dollars to build an underground network of terror tunnels. While the world turns a blind eye.

Please watch this important explanatory video aired on Fox News earlier today- (it’s 14 minutes long, but by watching even a few minutes you can get the general idea…) Brian Kilmeade interviewed Ambassador Huckabee after he had just returned from being on the ground in Gaza.

https://youtu.be/oB__YBGGF1s?si=2JUJVGEaAD3cPiRq

Thanks to these weak spineless global governments, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terror organizations have grown even more emboldened and powerful. Just two days ago, after the recognition of a sovereign Palestine was announced, two more hostage videos were released. These are the real Hunger Games. Yet the photos are not to be found on the world’s leading newspapers.

The first video, released on Friday morning by the PIJ, shows 22 year old Ron Braslavski, kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival, tortured and starved for 666 days. He is visibly broken both physically and mentally. His family is shaken by the images. Ron was one of the heroes of October 7, a hired security personnel. He had stayed behind to help those injured, before being taken hostage himself.

Just one comment: in the video of Ron Braslavski below it is said he is an IDF soldier. He is being made to read propaganda by Hamas. Ron had finished his service and contracted out as a security guard when he was kidnapped from the festival.

https://youtu.be/wJ2i3yDdjI0?si=ECeYp834EiltdsAd

You can see the poor man is in agony. If you can watch this footage and still call it justified resistance against an occupier, then you have buried your humanity long ago. Free Palestine is not a liberation movement, it is a murderous death cult. Built in underground tunnels, UNWRA schools and hospitals that hid missiles and weapons, they spew propaganda like Goebbels spewed Nazi propaganda…but today’s Islamonazis are much much worse, because they do not hide what they do…they take pride in their performance of evil and the world is silent.

Also, on Friday, Hamas released a new video of hostages Eviatar David. He is unable to see well without his glasses. His legs and hands had been shackled. He is being held in the dark with little food or clean water. He is only allowed to shower with a bucket of sea water once a month. We know this from previously released hostages who had shared a cell next to him.

Eviatar was seen for the first time since October 7 in another Hamas propaganda video released this past February. He is seated in a heavily guarded truck alongside Hamas-held hostage, Guy Gilboa Daniel. They were being forced to watch a group of hostages being released. This was an act of psychological torture.

In the video yesterday, we see Eviatar keeping a chart of what he was given to eat. Twice a week lentils. Beans once every two weeks. Many days there is no food for him at all. He is videotaped being forced to dig his own grave. This is reminiscent of the Nazis and of Stalin. Of the horrors of Babi Yar in Russia.

https://youtu.be/SG1mAl7hayw?si=UdlJSpWYxxmP3xgi

Just a few hours ago, his cellmate, former captive Tal Shoham released this message to the world:

https://youtu.be/BQptjZGjES0?si=oxclTOLtWvuvuLqh

There is real hunger in the world. And real starvation: a hunger for the truth; a starvation for moral clarity. One side feeds and moves innocent civilians from harm’s way. The other side holds captives in conditions worse than animals. One side proclaims liberation and freedom. The other side fights evil terror regimes. One side treats the wounded. The other side starves, chains, mutilates, rapes and burns. The headlines scream “famine,” but not for the true victims whose cries go ignored. It’s not just a war of missiles and grenades, it’s a war of distortion and propaganda. Of appeasement dressed as diplomacy. Where suffering is justified. There is a true Hunger Games being played out right now. There is a famine right now – of integrity. Of courage. Of truth. The devil is in the details. Refuse to look away. Speak up. Share this post with as many people as you can.

Because the truth needs to be seen and heard.

A Night of Inspiration. War Stories. Day 664. 31 July, 2025

Yesterday, John and I made a lovely day trip to Yerushalayim. We spent some quality time with friends in the Judaean Hills we don’t often see and I had an interview for a story I’ll be writing later. But the main reason we were there was for the Pulse of Israel Conference at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

We absolutely love Avi Abelow (founder of the Pulse and of 12 Tribes Films) for his straightforward and honest reporting of current events. Avi is a man of integrity and moral clarity, and is more than well informed and well connected than many. I can find background and details on the news that I don’t hear reported elsewhere. They are all very well verified and well backed up. A dual U.S./Israeli citizen, he has spoken both in Knesset as well as in the U.S. Congress.

Yearly, Abelow holds a panel discussion with such notables as Caroline Glick, President Isaac Herzog, Melanie Phillips, and members of Knesset and Ministers in Israeli government. This year, we were excited to hear the Ambassador from Panama, Ezra Cohen; social media influencer, Lizzy Savetsky; Knesset member, Amit HaLevi; MidEast scholar and professor, Mordechai Kedar; Rawan Osman and Ambassador Mike Huckabee. The line-up did not disappoint.

One of the panelists, Rawan Osman, a beautiful Syrian Muslim woman, raised in Lebanon, gave a short testimony of her awakening to the truth. She grew up under the specter of war and as a young adult, was a vehement hater of Zionists and Jews. Unfortunately, I did not video her talk, but I found her story on Prager U. So here it is for your viewing:

https://youtu.be/DruzFM253KA?si=yFpiA2FqpxbopBuN

Rather than bore you with commentary, I will share my video highlights. At 8:32 pm, in the very middle of the evening’s program, everyone’s phones started ‘screeching’ with the Red Alert siren. The bombs were aimed at Jerusalem. Thankfully, the auditorium was also a protected area. Only in Israel! We sit calmly and make jokes as a Houthi missile is hopefully intercepted overhead.

The forum continued without a hitch- Lizzie Savetsky, advocate for Israel, now residing in NYC, is originally from Texas. She got her start as a country western singer, so Ambassador Huckabee insisted she do her cowboy yodeling song for the audience.

Now, without any further ado, I present Ambassador Mike Huckabee :

In addition to these speakers, the two ending addresses that were delivered were filled with optimism and gave such hope. A little over two years ago, a British Israeli family of 6 was traveling from their home in Judaea for a Passover vacation on the Kinneret/ Sea of Galilee. They took two cars. One held Rabbi Leo Dee and two younger children. The other held the mother, Lucy Dee and their two older daughters, Maya,20 and Rina,15.

Lucy, Rina and Maia Dee of blessed memory

Swiftly an ambush happened and the women’s car was sprayed with bullets by Palestinian terrorists lying in wait for passing cars. It forced the women to crash the car off the side of the road where the terrorists opened the doors, shooting the three. The two girls died before help came. Lucy, was medivac’ed to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her wounds a few days later. It was horrific.

Rabbi Leo Dee

Rabbi Dee gave a wonderfully positive message about moving forward with the help of G-d. About overcoming. The fact that we are here in the Land of Promise, defeating our enemies around us, prospering and proud is a testimony to the Israeli spirit.

The last speech of the evening was by Avi Abelow. Also incredibly hopeful, he spoke about the open miracles that we have witnessed since the tragic day or 7 October, 2023. The fact that a country so divided and almost on the brink of civil war is now United and strong is a complete miracle. The fact that we are defeating our enemies and have relatively few casualties considering the length of the war and our opponents is miraculous. Despite the fact that we are in the middle of the war our economy is incredibly booming and our shekel is stable and strong is incredible. As antisemitism has reared its monstrous head and the persecution against Jews rages throughout the world, more Jewish people are deciding to make Israel their home. Aliyah is on the rise. This is an open miracle….along with all the Israelis living or vacationing abroad when the war started immediately deciding to return home. Who runs TO a war?? It’s the indomitable spirit of the Israeli people. This and countless other things points to G-d’s hand in all this. And we thank and praise and bless the Holy One, blessed be He.

Pulse of Israel CEO and friend, Avi Abelow

Parting shots of Yerushalayim, the walls of the Old City at night-

Addendum: I strongly recommend Pulse of Israel for correct reporting on current events in Israel. Clearly. Unapologetically and not at all worried about being politically correct, Pulse tells it like it is. Not only do they react to the darkeness, they shine a. Spotlight on it and are truly Lights of the World. In the chaos and through the pain, Avi Abelow is a witness to redemption and victory. Because he sees that through it all, a better world is being born through the hand of the Almighty.

His videos can be found on all social media, on YouTube and through Twelve Tribe Films.