In this episode of Live the Land, Franny Waisman sits down with Leah and Moshe Goldsmith, among the founding families of Itamar, to hear the remarkable story of their journey from New York to the heartland of Israel. From living without running water and electricity to rebuilding after devastating terror attacks, the Goldsmiths share what it means to turn challenges into opportunities and remain deeply connected to the land, people, and story of Israel.

Leah and Moshe Goldsmith recount their decision to leave New York and make Aliyah during the pioneering years of the settlement movement. Drawn by a deep connection to Torah, Jewish history, and the land of Israel, they helped establish Itamar when it was little more than a hilltop with generators and limited infrastructure.

The conversation explores the community's growth, the challenges of pioneering life, and the profound sense of mission that sustained them. The Goldsmiths reflect on painful moments, including the murder of members of the Fogel family in a 2011 terror attack, and explain how the community chose to respond not with retreat but with renewed building and expansion.

They also discuss raising children in a place shaped by both idealism and sacrifice, efforts to bridge divisions within Israeli society, and misconceptions surrounding life in Judea and Samaria. The episode concludes with practical travel recommendations and an invitation to experience the region firsthand.

About The Guests

Leah and Moshe Goldsmith are among the founding residents of Itamar, a community in the Shomron. After making Aliyah from New York in the 1980s, they became part of the pioneering generation that helped establish and develop communities throughout Judea and Samaria. For decades, they have been involved in community building, education, agriculture, and strengthening the connection between the Jewish people and the biblical heartland of Israel.

Time Stamps

00:00 Endings Become Beginnings

02:15 Meeting Leah and Moshe Goldsmith

06:10 Leaving New York and Making Aliyah

12:30 The Early Days of Itamar

20:45 Living Without Running Water or Electricity

28:20 Yosef, Shechem, and the Biblical Heartland

37:15 Terrorism, Loss, and Community Resilience

46:40 The Fogel Family Tragedy and Rebuilding

55:30 Raising Courageous Children

1:03:10 Farms, Hilltops, and Post-Oslo Growth

1:12:00 Bridging Divides in Israeli Society

1:19:20 Responding to the "Settler Violence" Narrative

1:26:15 Travel Recommendations in Judea and Samaria

1:31:00 Final Reflections

Ready to discover the stories behind Israel's modern pioneers?

Tune in to the full episode to hear how one family helped build a community in the biblical heartland and why they believe every challenge can become the beginning of something new.

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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 welcomes Aaron Lipkin, founder of Lipkin Tours, for a fascinating conversation about biblical archaeology in Judea and Samaria, the Israelite settlement period, Mount Ebal, and the controversial “curse tablet.” Together, they explore how archaeology, geography, Tanach, and academic debate all intersect in one of the most significant biblical sites in the land of Israel.

Aaron Lipkin is the founder of Lipkin Tours, where he leads educational tours throughout Judea and Samaria with a focus on biblical archaeology, Jewish history, and the physical geography of Tanach. His work helps visitors connect the stories of the Bible to the actual places where they unfolded.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Why Evidence Feels Fragmentary

11:29 Academia vs Bible Debate

19:53 Covenant Ceremony Explained

22:49 Drone Tour of Shechem

25:03 Proofs of Joshua’s Altar

30:52 The Cursed Tablet Find

36:03 Why Visit Judea Samaria

Tune in to the full episode for a powerful conversation on biblical archaeology, Mount Ebal, Joshua’s altar, and the enduring significance of Judea and Samaria.

Franny Waisman sits down with Naomi Kahn, Director of Regavim’s International Division, for a powerful and highly political conversation about illegal building, land use, archaeology, environmental damage, Oslo, sovereignty, and the battle over Israel’s heritage.

Key Questions Explored in the Episode:

What does Regavim actually do?

How is illegal building changing the map of Judea and Samaria?

Why are archaeological and religious sites under threat?

What environmental dangers are affecting Israelis and Palestinians alike?

What did Oslo really create legally?

Where can people go to better understand the reality on the ground?

Naomi Kahn explains how Regavim monitors land-use issues across Israel, maps changes on the ground, and uses legal action to push the Israeli government toward enforcement and policy clarity. The conversation explores the political, historical, archaeological, and environmental challenges facing Judea and Samaria, including threats to ancient sites, illegal construction, pollution, and the long-term implications of Oslo and Area C.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Mapping Land and Court Battles

07:07 Archaeology Under Threat In Israel

10:47 Systematic Heritage Erasure

16:52 Environmental Crisis and Pollution

21:57 Personal Wake Up Call

25:24 Must See Vantage Points

31:27 Oslo and Legal Reality Check

40:02 Biblical Lens and Hope

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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 discuses Batya’s ceramic studio, Mud on the Mountain, to explore how clay, prayer, motherhood, birth, war, and the rugged beauty of Judea and Samaria all come together in her work.

Timestamps:

00:00 Why Itamar Hilltop

05:22 Daily Life and Prayer

08:56 Land-Inspired Ceramics

19:02 Pottery and Ancient Roots

24:35 Potter Metaphor in Faith

35:25 The Torah of Pottery

41:21 Jeremiah Potter Lesson

44:22 Becoming Vessels of Light

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

This episode explores why so many Tanach-era spices feel almost mythical today, how their plants and growing knowledge disappeared from the Land of Israel, and what it means to revive them in the very region where they once grew.

Guy Erlich is a farmer in Almog, who has spent 17 years rebuilding a living collection of biblical medicinal and perfume plants, including Balm of Gilead, frankincense, and myrrh.

Together, they discuss the mystery of the ancient balsam, the connection to ketoret and the Beit Hamikdash, desert agriculture, healing oils, Ein Gedi’s lost secrets, and the deeper spiritual idea of resurrection in nature.

00:00 Mythic Bible Spices

01:10 Lost Balm of Gilead

01:52 Meet Guy Erlich

02:27 Farm of Frankincense

04:50 Balsam Identity Mystery

07:04 How Revival Began

11:05 Building a Plant Collection

13:52 Healing Oils and Covid

17:56 Smell, Soul, and Temple

21:20 Miracles in Desert Farming

24:50 Past, Future, and Temple Talk

29:33 Funding, Support, and Visits

33:19 Rapid Fire Wrap-Up

37:06 Resurrection and Prophecy

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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 of Live the Land, host Franny Waisman shares her experience at a weeklong somatic healing retreat and sits down with Jackie “Nava” Fuchs, a yoga therapist and somatic healer based in Tekoa. Together, they explore how the body holds onto unprocessed experiences—and what it actually looks like to begin releasing them.

From practical grounding tools (like breathwork, yoga nidra, and vagus nerve regulation) to deeper ideas about connection, vulnerability, and healing through the land itself, this conversation bridges somatic therapy with the lived reality of Israel today.

They also connect these ideas to timeless TaNaK narratives—offering a powerful lens on disconnection, transformation, and what it means to truly return to oneself.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or constantly “on edge,” this episode offers a grounded, honest look at what healing can look like—without bypassing the pain.

Timestamps

00:00 Somatic Retreat Awakening

00:34 How Unprocessed Stress Lives in the Body

02:21 Meet Nava Fuchs

04:35 Tekoa’s Landscape & Healing Environment

14:02 Meditation & Releasing Inner Constriction

19:23 Three Daily Grounding Practices

21:39 What Is Somatic Healing, Really?

23:54 Trauma-Sensitive Yoga for Resilience

32:00 Why Healing Requires Connection

33:26 The Human Need for Connection

35:08 Understanding the Vagus Nerve

35:32 5-Minute Tools to Calm the Body

37:07 Healing Through Connection to the Land

46:55 Healing as “Returning”

48:42 The Torah of Healing: The Root of Disconnection

Key Questions Explored in the Episode:

How can artifacts and museums help us better understand Tanach?

What was daily life actually like in the biblical world?

Why does geography matter so much when learning Torah?

How does life on Israel’s desert frontier echo ancient realities?

What can modern visitors do to experience the land with more context and depth?

Franny opens with reflections on the recent ceasefire with Iran and frames the episode around a central idea: Tanach becomes clearer when read through the realities of its own world. Nachliel Selevan, a Tanach and history teacher, shares how archaeology, museum collections, and historical artifacts help students understand the economic, agricultural, and physical realities behind biblical stories. The conversation moves from Babylonian artifacts and Judean silver weights to life in Pnei Kedem, where desert living, farming, shepherding, and security concerns create a strong connection to the rhythms of ancient Israel. Together, they explore how land, climate, and geography shape Torah, and why visiting museums and engaging with material culture can restore depth and context to the biblical text.

About The Guest:

Nachliel Selevan is a Tanach and history teacher known for bringing the biblical world to life through archaeology, museum artifacts, maps, and historical context. Drawing from both scholarship and lived experience on Israel’s Judean frontier, he helps students connect Torah to the physical realities of the land, its history, and its culture.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome and War Update

00:30 Why Context Matters

01:40 Ancient Israel Daily Life

02:59 Meet Nachliel Selevan

04:33 Teaching Through Artifacts

18:36 Life in Pnei Kedem

23:49 Shepherds, Farmers, and Security

28:21 Two Worlds, One Life

30:31 Why Homeschooling Works

31:09 Schools in a Changing World

35:36 Caves and Survival Geography

38:41 Continuum of Biblical Life

39:52 Travel Tips Rapid Fire

41:47 Artifacts and Favorite Figures

46:28 Restoring Torah Context

47:23 Egypt vs. Israel Dependence

50:59 Farmer vs. Shepherd Mindset

Ready to experience Tanach with fresh eyes and deeper context?

Tune in to the full episode for valuable insights.

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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 visits Settler Winery and sits down with AY Katsof to explore a space that is far more than just wine. Through music, atmosphere, and intentional community-building, the winery has become a hub for connection, healing, and even relationships that lead to marriage.

The conversation weaves together themes from Tanach—particularly the vineyards of Shiloh following the chaos at the end of Judges—with the modern reality of life in Samaria. AY shares his vision of creating a place for the next generation to connect in a meaningful, grounded way, while Franny reflects on how this environment embodies the fourth stage of redemption: becoming a people.

About The Guest:

AY Katsof is the founder of Settler Winery, a unique wine and music venue located in the hills of Samaria. Originally from Los Angeles, he moved to Israel as a teenager and helped build a thriving hilltop community. Beyond winemaking, AY is an entrepreneur, community builder, and passionate advocate for connection through culture, music, and shared experiences.

Key Takeaways:

Redemption isn’t just leaving exile—it’s learning how to live together as a unified people

Wine has a unique power to bring people together and reveal deeper connection

Creating environments for authentic connection can impact generations

Ancient biblical themes are not just history—they’re actively unfolding today

Unity is built through shared experiences, not just ideology

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Fourth Cup and Final Episode

02:30 Entering Settler Winery: The Unique Atmosphere

06:45 The Origin Story of the Winery

12:10 Building a Community Through Music and Wine

18:40 Life on the Hilltop in Samaria

25:30 Wine as Connection and “Liquid Prophecy”

32:00 The Meaning Behind the Name “Settler Winery”

38:20 The Social Power of Wine and Gathering

45:10 Stories from the Winery: Healing and Relationships

52:30 Rapid Fire Questions

58:00 What Does Redemption Really Look Like?

01:05:00 Biblical Parallels: Vineyards of Shiloh

01:12:00 The Fifth Cup and Ongoing Redemption

Ready to experience what redemption looks like in real life?

Tune in to the full episode for powerful insights—and maybe even start planning your visit.

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

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.

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.