In the rugged, mountainous region spreading over parts of northern Iraq, southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran and northernSyria lies Kurdistan, the home of an ancient Iranic people group. Dwelling among them in isolated communities were Jews who had lived there since the Assyrians brought them from the northern kingdom of Israel in the eighth century BC.
Continue Reading »Everyone seems to have an opinion on why the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wages war. In the midst of International Criminal Court arrest warrants, ceasefires and UN resolutions, it’s easy to forget that at the heart of this complex conflict are the Israelis who serve as soldiers. These men and women, often depicted in the
Continue Reading »Every holiday in Israel comes with its own special food customs. Tu BiShvat, or the New Year for Trees, is no different. Celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Shevat (usually in February), the holiday originated as a way to calculate the age of trees. Leviticus 19:23–25 prohibits eating fruit from trees during
Continue Reading »Israel and the Jewish people were thrust into the international spotlight more than one year ago in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre by the Hamas terrorist organization. For the first few days, as the world watched Israel weep over her 1,200 victims and the 251 hostages swept away to Gaza, the Jewish
Continue Reading »The world has witnessed a different kind of tsunami in the 11 months since Hamas attacked the people of Israel on October 7. This is not a tsunami of ocean waves caused by an earthquake, but a tsunami of hatred—hatred of a nation, Israel and of a people group, the Jews. Logically, we should
Continue Reading »Since the reestablishment of the Jewish state in 1948, Israel has faced existential threats from hostile neighbors, terrorist militias and non-state actors. Central to the preservation and security of the state has been Israel’s excellence in military innovation, mastery of intelligence gathering and covert spy missions—with plots only Hollywood could imagine. To the host
Continue Reading »Just over one year ago, Israel was plunged into the dark night of war. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a horrific terror attack, sparking a war that continues to wage on. Nearly one year later, on October 1, 2024, I was in an airplane flying to Israel when Iran fired nearly 200 ballistic
Continue Reading »As rocket sirens screamed across Israel on October 7, 2023, the urgent wail of ambulance sirens joined the cacophony in the south. Dozens of emergency vehicles belonging to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national ambulance and emergency medical services, responded to the flood of calls from civilians facing Hamas terrorists. International law prohibits targeting
Continue Reading »David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, once said “If an expert says it can’t be done, get another expert.” These 11 words perfectly express the mindset held by the founders of the modern State of Israel. They faced many challenges, not the least of which were the well-equipped armies of their Arab neighbors who
Continue Reading »Kubbeh is a hearty meat-filled semolina dumpling which originated among Jewish communities in the Levant and then brought to Israel by Iraqi Jews coming home after millennia in dispersion. Kubbeh can be eaten on its own as a savory snack or light meal, but in winter, these nuggets are usually simmered in bright red
Continue Reading »This month, we are at the one-year anniversary since the Hamas invasion on October 7. One year. How does one capture a year of trauma, loss, agony, miracles, triumphs, tragedies, anger, sorrow and just about every other emotion you can think of? On October 7, Hamas invaded our country. Make no mistake, this wasn’t just
Continue Reading »For centuries, the West—anchored by Europe and the United States—has shaped the world’s political, economic and cultural landscape. However, we are living in times where the global balance of power is undergoing a seismic shift. The rapid rise of China, coupled with its significant financial influence globally, is redefining that global order. And as the
Continue Reading »All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. All other materials are property of Bridges for Peace. Copyright © 2025.
Website Site Design by J-Town Internet Services Ltd. - Based in Jerusalem and Serving the World.