In this podcast, I speak with Lt. Col. (Res) Eyal Dror, who was the commander of the Operation Good Neighbor (2016-2018), one of Israel's most daring and biggest humanitarian operations. We talk about his new book Embracing the Enemy, which outlines the details of what it was like to run this massively challenging, yet fulfilling mission where the Israel Defence Forces helped, rescued and treated thousands of Syrian civilians (mostly women and children) who were caught up in the midst of an ugly civil war.
Dror lives in the beautiful north of Israel and today runs geopolitical briefings in the Golan Heights for political and media delegations, as well as interested groups of individuals.
You can know more about this super important operation and learn about how compassion and love can bring even the seemingly worst of enemies together by listening to our conversation, and more importantly by getting the book Embracing the Enemy.
Click here to buy the book.
You can learn more about Lt.Col. (Res) Eyal Dror and his work here
Series 2: Breaking Bread, Breaking Bias
Episode 1
I'm excited to introduce a new series, "Breaking Bread, Breaking Bias", aimed at combating antisemitism through food. This educational project highlights the diverse culinary history of the Jewish people, with a focus on Mizrahi heritage, to address the rise in global antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment.
At a time when efforts to erase Jewish diversity—Sephardic, Mizrahi, Indian, Ethiopian, Ladino, and Asian Jews—are growing, and when Israel is wrongly portrayed as a “white colonialist” entity, we seek to reclaim our narrative.
I’m proud to introduce two inspiring Jewish educators, Jennifer Abadi and Sarah Sassoon. Together, we’ll showcase the evolution of Jewish cuisine over 2,000 years of diaspora, using food to build bridges, share culture, and foster respect while countering antisemitism.
'Geulah' (גאולה) is a Hebrew term meaning "redemption" or "deliverance." In Jewish tradition, it refers to the ultimate spiritual renewal, marked by the Messiah's arrival, the Temple's rebuilding, and an era of universal peace, justice and spiritual awakening. In this enlightening episode, join me in a heartfelt conversation with Rivkah as we delve into the growing wave of "Torah Awakening" among Christians who stand steadfastly with Israel. Together, we explore the universal wisdom of the Torah and what it means to live in these transformative "Geulah" times.
Delve into this inspiring talk about Rivkah's own journey to becoming an observant Jew, the increased interest among Christians to connect with the timeless truths of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) from a Jewish context as well as what it means for the Jewish people to be a "light unto the nations".
What do Torah observant Jews think of Jesus? Join us in this podcast episode as I continue to foster respectful dialogue and strengthen relationships between Jews and Christians united in worship of the God of Israel. #geulah #redemptivetimes #jews #Jesus #Christians
Ruth of the Bible is a timeless role model of faith and unwavering loyalty. Today, I had the privilege of interviewing a modern-day Ruth for our podcast: Reverend Hayley Ace. An ordained Christian minister based in London, a proud Zionist, and an energetic mother of six, Reverend Hayley has been at the forefront of advocating for Israel. Together, we discuss what it truly means to support Israel and the Jewish people, and why it’s crucial for Christians to raise their voices against antisemitism. Be inspired by her passion, strength, and her powerful message to Israel: 'You are not alone.'
In this podcast, I chat with Shulie Madnick, an Israeli-Indian food writer and culinary instructor. Shulie shares the vibrant history, culture, and cuisine of Indian Jews, reflecting on her experiences growing up "Indian Jewish" in Israel, life in the U.S., and the impact of the October 7th massacre on Diaspora Jews - both personally and professionally.
In today’s episode, I am chatting with Akiva Ariel, Head of Public Relations for Beyadenu, an Israeli nonprofit advocating for Jewish rights and sovereignty on the Temple Mount. With so much misinformation and controversy surrounding this significant site, it’s crucial for listeners to gain insight into the realities of permitted worship on this highly contested ground.
Living with his family in the biblical region of Samaria (West Bank), Akiva provides valuable insights into Jewish-Arab coexistence in the area and addresses the topic of so-called "extremist" settlers. He also shares his personal story of being called up for IDF service as a non-combat reservist and what that experience entailed.
My guest today is Gidon Ariel, founder and CEO of Root Source, an organization dedicated to promoting respectful relationships between pro-Israel Christians and Jews. Gidon spent close to a decade in advanced Jewish studies institutes (Yeshivas) and the Israeli Army. After 20 years in the Tank Corps, today he is a reserve officer in the IDF Spokesperson’s office. A pioneer in Jewish-Christian relations, Gidon is a seasoned Hebrew and Judaism instructor and public speaker. He lives with his family in the suburb of Hebron, an ancient Biblical city. Join our conversation as we chat about the continuous Jewish presence in the area of Hebron and all of Judea since biblical times, in today's world where history is trying to be rewritten by Israel's enemies. Gidon shares about what it is like to live in the 'settlements' and has a message for anyone in the world with an opinion on settlements in the West Bank: "reach out to a settler and talk to him". I am giving you the opportunity through this podcast to hear how 'settler' actually is, and what he thinks about coexistence with his Arab neighbours. Find out from an actual person who lives in the West Bank/Judea before you make up your mind about the issue of Israeli settlements with information from the media.
In this episode, I am talking to Alon Penzel, author of the recently published book "Testimonies without Boundaries. Israel, October 7, 2023." This groundbreaking book is the first one of its kind to be published, with uncensored accounts of the Hamas massacre of defenceless civilians in Israel (both citizens and foreigners) from medical professionals and survivors. This is one of the most heart-wrenching and important interviews I have ever done as Alon shares some of the harrowing details from his book, which he's written in order to commemorate the lives that were lost, at the expense of his own mental state. Shortly after the black Saturday massacre, Alon started his research, interviewing and documenting oral testimonies. Listen to this podcast to understand why we cannot afford to forget October 7! You can buy the book on Amazon https://rb.gy/kyk7bh WARNING: Sensitive content!! Alon Penzel is an Israeli spokesperson,author, journalist, social activist and TV anchor. He served in the Israeli military as the spokesperson fit the foreign press, in the Unit for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).