Franny Waisman opens the episode by connecting Passover’s third cup, biblical themes of redemption, and the story of Israel’s wine revival. She is joined by Professor Shivi Drori, an enology professor whose groundbreaking research focuses on indigenous Israeli grape varieties. Professor Drori explains how viticulture and winemaking are tied to permanent settlement in the land, and how Israel’s ancient wine industry declined over time, especially under Muslim rule when wine production was restricted and grape growing shifted toward table grapes.

Over more than a decade of research, Drori and his team surveyed the country, collected hundreds of wild grapevines, and identified nearly 100 unique indigenous varieties, including ancient wild ancestors. He also shares how they are working to connect present-day vines with archaeological grape seeds using DNA and seed analysis, revealing that some of these varieties may have been used as far back as 2,000 years ago. The conversation explores Israel’s opportunity to lead the wine world with truly local grapes, the surprising prominence of white wine in the ancient world, and the role wine continues to play in Jewish sanctification and identity. Franny frames the discussion as a story of redemption through restoration, bringing back to light what was never fully lost.

Professor Shivi Drori is an enology professor and leading researcher in the field of indigenous Israeli grape varieties. His work bridges agriculture, archaeology, genetics, and history, with a focus on uncovering the ancient roots of winemaking in the Land of Israel and helping shape its future.

* Wine in the Land of Israel is not just agriculture. It is deeply tied to settlement, identity, and continuity.

* Indigenous Israeli grape varieties may offer a unique future for the modern wine industry.

* Archaeology and ancient DNA are helping recover parts of Israel’s forgotten viticultural history.

* Redemption can be understood not only as escape, but as restoration of what was hidden or lost.

* Supporting Israeli wineries connects the present to a much older story rooted in the land itself.

00:00 Introduction and the theme of the third cup

02:10 Why wine matters in the story of redemption

05:00 Meet Professor Shivi Drori

08:15 How wine reflects permanent settlement in the land

12:40 Why Israel’s ancient wine industry declined

17:25 Rediscovering indigenous Israeli grape varieties

23:10 Ancient DNA and archaeological grape seed research

29:00 What ancient wine in Israel may have looked like

33:45 Israel’s opportunity to lead with local grapes

38:20 Wine, sanctification, and Jewish life

42:10 Redemption as restoration

45:00 Preview of the fourth cup and final reflections

Ready to discover how redemption can be found in the soil, the vine, and the story of the Land of Israel?

Tune in to the full episode for a fascinating conversation about archaeology, biblical history, and the revival of Israeli wine.

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

In part two of the winery series for Pesach, Franny Waisman interviews Ari Pollak from Tom Winery, a family-run winery perched high above the Jordan Valley in the hills of Samaria. Franny connects the winery’s story to the second cup of the Seder, exploring how redemption is not only about leaving behind the old, but about enduring, continuing, and choosing life through difficulty.

About The Guest:

Ari Pollak is a partner in Tom Winery in the hills of Itamar, where he works alongside Tomer Panini and his family to cultivate vineyards and produce wine rooted in the land and story of Samaria. Originally from New York, Ari made aliyah and built his life in Israel, where his connection to the land, faith, and memory all converge through the work of the vineyard.

Time Stamps:

00:00 The second cup of wine and the question of redemption

06:00 Ari shares the beauty and atmosphere of the vineyard

13:00 The family behind the winery

24:00 Biblical history, archaeology, and winemaking in Samaria

34:00 How the vineyard changed Ari’s perspective on life and faith

39:00 What visitors can experience at the farm

46:00 Torah reflection on the second cup and Yitzchak

57:00 Connecting perseverance, memory, and redemption

Ready to discover how wine, memory, and redemption come together in the hills of Samaria?

Tune in to the full episode for powerful insights, a moving personal story, and a deeper look at what it means to keep planting, even through pain.

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

In this episode, Franny Waisman opens a special four-part Pesach mini-series connecting the four cups of Passover to four standout wineries in Samaria, beginning with Tura Winery and the first expression of redemption: “I will take you out.”

Franny launches a series exploring top wineries in Samaria through the lens of the four cups of Passover and the four expressions of redemption.

This first episode focuses on Tura Winery and the opening stage of redemption, “I will take you out.”

Franny is joined by Vered Ben Saadon, who shares the complicated story behind her family, her journey to Jewish identity, and what it meant to plant vineyards and build a winery on an empty mountain in Samaria.

About The Guest:

Vered Ben Saadon is one of the founders of Tura Winery, a pioneering winery in Samaria established in 2003. Born in Holland and raised in Israel, Vered brings a deeply personal story of family history, Jewish identity, and resilience. Through her work, she has helped build not only an award-winning winery, but also a powerful expression of Jewish return and rootedness in the land.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Why Wine Matters

03:25 Four Cups Framework

04:51 First Cup Mindset

06:55 Meet Vered Ben Saadon

07:27 Wine Redemption

08:15 Vered’s Origins and Aliyah

16:21 Planting First Vineyards

17:57 Building Through Conflict

20:17 Living With Uncertainty

23:04 Prophecy in a Bottle

28:45 What the Wine Says

33:17 Noah, Wine, and Redemption

42:14 Plan Your Visit

Ready to discover how wine, faith, and the land of Samaria come together in one remarkable story?

Eliana Passentinis shares pieces of her journey from growing up in San Francisco to moving to Israel as a child, her early resistance to Hebrew and Israeli life, and the unexpected path that eventually led her to help build some of the earliest hilltop communities near Eli.

She reflects on the intensity of those pioneering years, including a tense first Shabbat that could have ended very differently, and a powerful moment the next morning when something unexpected happened on the hill. Along the way, Eliana speaks about the unique spirit of the Binyamin region, the deep historical layers surrounding Shiloh, and how living in these places can change the way people understand the land and its story.

Through years of hosting visitors and guiding tours, Eliana found herself having conversations she never imagined—from travelers searching for connection to surprising encounters with diplomats and policymakers. She shares why those face-to-face moments can shift perspectives in ways arguments rarely do, and why places like Shiloh, the wineries of Binyamin, and the desert landscapes of Nahal Prat carry meaning far beyond what most visitors expect.

Ready to think differently about the impact good conversations can have?

Tune in to the full episode for a thought-provoking exploration of encounters versus aguments.

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Key Questions Explored in the Episode:

Is ambiguity more dangerous than open conflict?

What does sovereignty over Judea and Samaria actually mean in practice?

How did the Oslo Accords shift the national conversation?

What changed after October 7 in the public discourse around sovereignty?

Can clarity and conviction create the conditions for true shalom?

Summary of the Conversation:

Franny Waisman opens with a personal story of volunteering with her son on a hilltop in Judea and Samaria, where planting trees and uncovering ancient pottery sparks a deeper reflection on peace and ambiguity. She is joined by Nadia Matar, co-founder of Women in Green and a longtime sovereignty advocate, who presents the case that the absence of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria creates instability and danger. Matar traces her activism from opposition to the Oslo Accords to the 2011 push for full Israeli sovereignty over Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. She argues that ambiguity legitimizes competing national claims and erodes security, especially in light of October 7. The episode closes with a Tanakh-based reflection that true shalom emerges not from avoiding struggle but from clarity, responsibility, and moral conviction.

About The Guest:

Nadia Matar is a sovereignty activist and co-founder of Women in Green, a grassroots movement advocating for Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. A prominent voice in the national camp, she has been active in public policy debates since the Oslo era and continues to promote a vision rooted in Jewish historical and biblical connection to the land.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Ambiguity and Peace

05:39 This Is Our Land

09:25 Hearing the Land

11:20 Women in Green Origins

12:52 Oslo and Activism

16:54 Sovereignty Plan Push

18:29 Zionist Response Hilltop

22:45 What Sovereignty Means

28:07 Residency After October 7

29:02 Relocation and Sovereignty

30:20 Ideology Over Economics

31:42 Europe Warning and Mosques

32:23 Joshua and Gradual Conquest

33:16 From Extreme to Mainstream

35:26 Sovereignty as Mission

36:39 Land Is Alive

42:28 Ambiguity Versus Peace

43:07 Spies Panic and Clarity

51:46 Psychology of Not Deciding

54:46 Accountability of Clarity

Ready to think differently about peace and sovereignty?

Tune in to the full episode for a thought-provoking exploration of clarity, conviction, and the future of Judea and Samaria.

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Franny opens with a powerful image: a lone light glowing on a remote hilltop in the Southern Hills of Hebron. She introduces the theme of connection, rooted in the meaning of Hebron, and welcomes Ayala Bar-On, head of the foreign desk for the Regional Council of the Southern Hills of Hebron.

Ayala shares the region’s vast geography, nearly one million dunams stretching from forested highlands to the Judean Desert, and her journey from working with Jewish federations through the Jewish Agency to launching an international desk that builds partnerships rather than only donations. She describes creating real relationships between Israelis and Jews abroad, learning from Diaspora challenges such as antisemitism, and strengthening mutual responsibility.

The conversation moves from biblical resonance, including King David’s refuge in the Zif Desert, to modern pioneering efforts like hilltop farms. Ayala highlights local gems such as Lily Chocolate in Otniel, local wineries with award recognition, and ancient First Temple period sites. The episode closes with Franny’s Torah reflection contrasting Moses’ blessings to Joseph and Judah, exploring Achsah’s request for springs in Judges, and unpacking how the demanding land of Judah shapes leaders who embody both tenderness in Torah and fierceness in battle, like King David.

About The Guest:

Ayala Bar-On is the head of the foreign desk at the Regional Council of the Southern Hills of Hebron. With a background in Jewish Agency work and engagement with Jewish federations worldwide, she now focuses on building meaningful partnerships between the region and Jews and Christians abroad. Her work centers on connection, shared responsibility, and bringing the story of the Southern Hills beyond politics and into lived experience.

Time Stamps:

1. 00:00 A Flickering Light in the Hills: Who Chooses to Live Out Here?
2. 01:09 Why the Southern Hills of Hebron Matter and the Big Question
3. 03:33 Meet Ayala Bar-On: Seeing the Land Beyond Politics
4. 06:02 Building Global Bridges: How Ayala Started the International Desk
5. 10:01 Bible Comes Alive: King David, the Zif Desert, and Living the Text
6. 12:39 Hilltop Farms Explained: Pioneers, Misconceptions, and Security Reality
7. 17:08 Ayala’s Family Story: Aliyah, English, and Connecting Jews Worldwide
8. 21:58 Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel Picks: Chocolate, Wineries, and Ancient Sites
9. 26:20 A Vision for the Southern Hills: Joyful Tourism, Chocolate, Jeeps and Wine
10. 27:33 A Heroic Story from October 7: Rescue, Loss, and Unity Across Communities
11. 31:27 Rapid-Fire: Biblical Guests, First Impressions, and a Must-Read Book
12. 35:02 Why This Land Produces Resilient People: Opening Tanakh and Leaving Preconceptions
13. 36:50 Judges and Achsah’s Dry Land: Digging Deep for Springs and Depth
14. 40:38 Bounty vs. Prayer: Joseph and Samaria Compared to Judah’s Spiritual-Military Calling
15. 45:19 King David’s Blend: Softness and Fierceness Forged by the Hills of Judah
16. 47:49 Final Takeaway and Challenge: Balancing Courage and Sensitivity

Ready to experience the Southern Hills of Hebron for yourself?

Tune in to the full episode for powerful insights on connection, courage, and the legacy of King David

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Key Questions Explored in the Episode:

How can Jewish identity remain hidden for generations and suddenly reawaken?

What role does the Land of Israel play in revealing spiritual truth?

Why is Susya such a uniquely powerful place, historically and spiritually?

What does it mean to live Jewish history, not just study it?

In this episode, we speaks to Aryel Tsion, who shares his remarkable transition from Christian clergy in Holland to an Orthodox Jewish life in the ancient community of Susya. Aryel reflects on the inner questions that led him to uncover his Jewish roots and the moment those questions turned into action.

The conversation weaves together personal story, biblical history, and archaeology, highlighting how the physical land itself plays an active role in spiritual awakening. Aryel explains how living among ancient ruins reshaped his understanding of Jewish continuity and faith.

Ultimately, the episode frames Jewish identity as something that may be concealed but never erased, and positions the Land of Israel as the place where that identity is most powerfully revealed.

About The Guest:

Aryel Tsion is a former Christian pastor from Holland who uncovered his Jewish ancestry and made the courageous decision to embrace Orthodox Jewish life. He now lives in Susya, drawing daily inspiration from the land’s ancient history, archaeological depth, and spiritual resonance.

Key Takeaways:

Jewish identity can remain hidden for generations and still resurface with force

The Land of Israel is not just historical; it actively shapes spiritual awareness

Living among ancient Jewish sites creates a tangible connection to Torah and history

Faith often requires leaving certainty behind to follow truth

Experiencing the land firsthand changes how Jewish history is understood

Time Stamps:

00:00 Meet Aryel Tsion

02:07 Aryel Journey to Israel

03:09 Discovering a Deep Connection with the Land

04:25 Life in Susya: Embracing Jewish Roots

06:01 Challenges and Faith in Judea and Samaria

11:20 The Archaeological Significance of Susya

24:11 The Unique Architecture of Synagogues

25:36 The Significance of Psalm 126

26:44 The Untold Story of Susya

33:38 The Importance of Experiencing the Land

40:09 The Covenant and the Land of Israel

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Tune in to the full episode for a journey that bridges past, present, and destiny.

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Franny Waisman sits down with Marc Provisor to explore the layered story of Ancient Shilo, a place that once unified the tribes of Israel and continues to resonate spiritually today. Marc reflects on Shilo’s biblical roots and how its history still shapes the emotional and spiritual experience of those who live there.

The conversation then shifts to Marc’s personal journey—serving as head of security in Judea and Samaria while simultaneously cultivating a deep artistic life. He shares what it means to live with constant tension, responsibility, and risk, and how community strength and faith play a critical role in sustaining daily life.

Finally, Marc opens up about art as a form of healing and resistance. From painting under fire to finding beauty amid conflict, he explains how creativity becomes a spiritual anchor, offering meaning, restoration, and hope even in the most challenging circumstances.

About The Guest:

Marc Provisor is an artist and former head of security in the Yehuda and Shimon region. Living in Ancient Shilo, Marc brings a rare perspective that bridges security, spirituality, history, and creative expression. His work reflects both the pain and the beauty of the land he calls home.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:24 Exploring Ancient Shilo

00:49 The Significance of Shilo in Biblical History

02:06 Unity and Spiritual Experiences at Shilo

03:47 Security and Art: Marc Provisor’s Story

05:43 Life in Shilo: Community and Reflections

15:29 Safety in Judea and Samaria

21:01 Marc Provisor’s Artistic Journey

23:29 The Healing Power of Art

24:22 Painting Under Fire

26:33 Rapid Fire Questions

29:47 The Beauty of Judea and Samaria

34:57 Balancing Unity and Conflict

36:20 The Spiritual Significance of Shilo

47:04 Invitation to Experience Judea and Samaria

Ready to experience the depth, tension, and beauty of Ancient Shilo for yourself?

Tune in to the full episode for a powerful conversation about land, spirit, art, and resilience.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Franny sits down with Ari Abramowitz to unpack the meaning of the Judean Frontier—a region where history, spirituality, and daily life intersect. Ari explains how this landscape has served as a testing ground and meeting place between the physical and the divine throughout Jewish history.

The conversation weaves together personal stories from life at the Arugot Farm, encounters with volunteers from around the world, and reflections on how presence on the land itself becomes an act of protection and nurturing. Ari highlights how simplicity and isolation strip away distractions and open space for inner clarity.

The episode closes with a powerful reflection on why the Jewish people were formed in the desert: not despite its barrenness, but because of it. The desert, Ari explains, remains a timeless setting for revelation, purpose, and renewed connection to Hashem.

About The Guest:

Ari Abramowitz is a pioneer and educator living on the Judean Frontier, where he co-founded the Arugot Farm. His work centers on land stewardship, Jewish identity, and creating immersive experiences that reconnect people to Torah, history, and the Land of Israel.

Key Takeaways:

The desert is a catalyst for spiritual growth and revelation

Physical presence on the land is both meaningful and protective

Simplicity can deepen faith and clarity of purpose

Jewish history and identity are inseparable from the Judean landscape

The edge of the desert invites a return to essentials—faith, mission, and connection

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Judean Frontier

05:30 The meaning of living at the Edge of the Desert

12:40 Founding the Arugot Farm

21:15 Volunteers, healing, and transformation

30:10 Why the Jewish nation was formed in the desert

38:45 Spiritual purpose through simplicity

Ready to rethink what the desert represents?

Tune in to the full episode of Live the Land hosted by Franny Waisman featuring Ari Abramowitz for a profound conversation on land, faith, and spiritual clarity.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Franny opens with a personal story about her children’s education in Israel and the profound spiritual connection they are building to Torah through lived experience. That story becomes the doorway into Hebron: a place where text, land, and legacy meet in real time.

True connection to Israel comes through learning, experience, and presence.

Franny is joined by Yishai Fleischer, the international spokesperson for the city of Hebron, who unpacks Hebron’s central role in Jewish history and spirituality. Together, they explore Hebron as the burial site of the patriarchs and matriarchs, a city that has always been contested, and a place that is also secure and evolving in the present.

They discuss archaeological discoveries, the Biblical Highway Project that highlights Israel’s ancient routes, and the power of simplicity in building a lasting connection to the land. Through scripture, history, and personal insight, the episode frames Hebron not only as a memory of the past, but as a living link to the Jewish future.

About The Guest:

Yishai Fleischer is the international spokesperson for the city of Hebron and a leading advocate for sharing Hebron’s story with the world. He is a communicator, educator, and guide who brings biblical literacy, historical depth, and present-day perspective to one of Judaism’s most foundational cities.

In this episode:

1. Hebron is a foundational city in Jewish history and spiritual identity.
2. Ma’arat HaMachpela ties the Jewish people to the Avot and Imahot in a tangible way.
3. Hebron today is both contested and secure, with growing opportunities for tourism and education.
4. Archaeology and scripture together deepen the experience of “knowing the land.”
5. Identity and self-perception shape how we relate to Israel’s past and future.

Ready to deepen your connection to Israel beyond the map and the headlines?

Tune in to the full episode and discover Hebron—where it all began.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit judeasamariaexperience.com to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Franny Waisman introduces listeners to the idea of “Knowing the Land,” a unique field of study in Israeli universities that integrates history, geography, archaeology, and natural sciences.

True connection to Israel comes through learning, experience, and presence.

Franny is joined by Eve Harrow, a veteran tour guide and senior advisor to the Judea Samaria Experience. Eve shares personal stories of courage, advocacy, and life on the front lines of Israel’s contested regions, offering an unfiltered look at the realities of Judea and Samaria beyond headlines.

They discuss ancient and biblically significant sites, the meaning of courage in modern Israel, and how walking the land fosters a profound historical and spiritual bond.

About The Guest:

Eve Harrow is a highly respected tour guide, educator, and senior advisor to the Judea Samaria Experience. With decades of experience guiding visitors through Israel’s most historically and biblically significant regions, she is known for her deep knowledge, fearless advocacy, and commitment to connecting people to the land of Israel through lived experience.

In this episode:

1. “Knowing the Land” is both an academic discipline and a lived philosophy in Israel.
2. Physical presence and walking the land create a deeper historical and spiritual connection.
3. Judea and Samaria are complex regions best understood through firsthand experience.
4. Courage is an essential part of engaging honestly with Israel’s story.
5. True understanding of Israel emerges from learning, context, and personal encounter.

Ready to deepen your connection to Israel beyond the map and the headlines?

Tune in to the full episode and begin exploring the land—step by step, story by story.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit judeasamariaexperience.com to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.