Israel Diary

Dining with Dignity

by Sara Yoheved Rigler

A unique Jerusalem enterprise feeds the soul, not just the body.

The Rooster, Redemption and the Sea

by Toby Klein Greenwald

A Story for Tisha Ba'av

Practicing Rescue

by Barbara Sofer

Don't confuse knowing what to do in a terror attack with getting used to it.

I'm a Survivor

by David Arenson

Kenny Sachs, a New Jersey native, always wanted to defend Israel. He finally got his chance and is grateful to be alive.

Sorry, I Can't Come to Your Wedding

by Yaacov Bash

A powerful and ironic reminder that God runs the world.

Broken Wings

by David Arenson

Mrs. Feinhandler may not be able to run, but she sure knows how to fly.

Arthur Cohn: Guardian of Zion

by Toby Klein Greenwald

The Academy-award winning producer has made films throughout the world, but his heart is in Jerusalem.

Through the Eyes of a Soldier

by Alexander Landa

As an Israeli soldier disturbing the daily routines of Arabs, I began to question the validity of what I was doing. It didn't take long for me to find the answers.

It's Time to Get Angry

by Jeffrey Dunetz

I am angry with myself and with other Jews in the Diaspora for not being angry enough.

The Swifts and The 13 Holy Soldiers

by Danny Verbov

Reminders of what it means to be a Jew.

Can a Country be Born in a Day?

by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

God has brought His people home and promised to one day give them peace. No people need it more. No people have earned it more.

Breaking Down the Walls

by Debby Friedman

Having lived in Israel for the past 25 years, I am calmed by the knowledge that prayer is a potent force for security.

Essay Contest: "What Israel Means to Me"

by Aish.com Staff

The top five entries, in honor of the 56th anniversary of the State of Israel.

My Arab Neighbors

by Sara Yoheved Rigler

A rude awakening after the death of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

An Army with a Heart

by Nahum Finkelstein

The IDF's duty is not only to defend the country, but to strengthen the weaker elements of Israeli society as well.

Helping Kids Recover

by Sherri Mandell

You never return to who you were after terror rattles your world; you become somebody else.

Who's Minding the Bus?

by Sara Yoheved Rigler

Re-examining the attitudes behind our security measures.

Am Yisrael Chai

by Barbara Sofer

The indomitable spirit of Israel will be very much alive next week at a very poignant wedding.

So You Want to Move to Israel?

by Sarah Azulay

When I told people that my husband and I, with our five kids in tow, were moving to Israel, they thought I was crazy. At some level, I wondered the same thing.

Family Aftermath

by Carrie Devorah

Chezi Goldberg was murdered in a Jerusalem bus bombing, leaving a wife and seven young children.

Israel's Untold Story

by Lee Wolfe

No sound, no fury. The international silence once again thunders in Israeli ears.

Remembering Chezi

by Rabbi Ephraim Shore

Chezi Goldberg z"l, who was murdered in last week's Jerusalem bus bombing, cared and took responsibility for others. He was a true disciple of Moses.

If You Don't Cry, Who Will?

by Yechezkel Chezi Goldberg

Chilling words from Chezi Goldberg z"l, a 42-year-old father of seven, killed in the recent Jerusalem bus bombing.

Found in Translation

by Miriam Katz

The Spanish couple on the textbook was breezy and carefree. The Italians were beautiful and moody. Now I'm living in Israel learning Hebrew and it's a whole different story.

My Name is not Susan

by Dani Schneider

It's not the worst thing in the world, but I hated going through life with everyone mispronouncing my name.

Adi's Angel

by Sara Yoheved Rigler

An amazing hour with a miracle worker.

Environment Priority

by Gilad Skolnick

There is one country in the world that has devoted over a century to reforestation and greening the land. And I'm not talking about the United States or Liechtenstein.

Light from Eden

by Barbara Sofer

Three days after Adam was buried, Shoshana and her husband, Dov, decided to try to have another baby.

Reclaiming the Dream

by David Arenson

After Ariella was wounded in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem, she and her parents took the next logical step: they moved to Israel.

The Spirit of Alisa

by Stephen Flatow

When my daughter was murdered by terrorists in Gaza, her influence grew stronger still.

Mission to Care

by Aish.com Staff

How a triathlon in Hawaii benefited victims of terror in Israel and changed two families from New York forever.

The Moral Paradox

by Barbara Sofer

There's a fine line between self-criticism and Israel-bashing. In times of national danger we have to be scrupulous in not erring on the bashing side and abetting the enemy.

Remembering David Applebaum

by Dr. Joe Djemal

I'm reeling from the pain and the emptiness. Something feels wrenched out of my chest.

Our Heroes and Theirs

by Jonathan Medved

Our heroes were fighting to save lives. Their heroes were sowing death and destruction.

On the Bus with Mayor Bloomberg

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Why should the mayor of New York City be the only person to ride an Israeli bus without fear?

Did You Hear the Bomb Last Night?

by Rabbi Eric Coopersmith

We can still hear the echoes of last night's bomb that killed 20 innocent people.

The Blessing of a Broken Heart

by Sherri Mandell

After terrorists murder her son, a grieving mother journeys back towards life and faith.

Welcoming the New Israelis

by Judy Lash Balint

Believe it or not, there's a wave of immigration from the U.S. to Israel.

Should We Not Dance?

by Liba Pearson

A Jerusalem resident's personal reaction to the bus bombing.

Remembering

by Sherri Lederman Mandell

Perhaps we fear that by remembering our losses, we'll be unable to move forward.

48 Hours Of Grief

by Emuna Braverman

Some of those lost in the recent terror spasm.

Loving the Land of Israel

by Sara Yoheved Rigler

The spiritual power of God's special place.

Passage to Israel

by Tim Collie

Despite the hardships of adjusting to a new country amid the threat of terrorism, these Florida families wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Our Journey Home

by Esther Ohayon

Having attained our personal, professional, and spiritual goals in Toronto, we decided to realize the dream that our ancestors prayed for but could not fulfill: living in Israel.

Preparing for War_

by Sarah Shapiro

It's not the unconventional weapons I'm getting ready for.

The Iraqi War and Me

by Chaya Rivkah Jessel

The fate of the captured American soldiers has made a surprising impact on my day-to-day life.

Purim Masks and Gas Masks

by Rabbi Ephraim Shore

Just when my son thought the Purim fun was over, his eyes sparkled at the thought of a donning a different kind of mask and starting a new Purim again.