David's Land: Israel Tours & Pilgrimages

25/12/2024

🎄 A Season for Truth and Courage 🎄

On Christmas Eve 1943, Father Antonio Borsotto stood before his congregation in the small Italian village of Andonno and spoke a dangerous truth: “We have Jews in our midst this Christmas, and they are alone and hungry, forced out of their homes, hunted for no reason except for their being Jews.”

Father Borsotto gave shelter to Shlomo and Esther Szajdholc and their four children, risking everything to protect them. That night, he urged his parishioners to bring gifts to the hidden Jews. And they did—throughout the night, the villagers came, bearing food, clothes and love.

Because of this incredible act of bravery and compassion, the Szajdholc family survived the Holocaust. In 2014, Yad Vashem recognized Father Antonio Borsotto as Righteous Among the Nations, a title reserved for those who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

Let us be inspired by his courage to stand up for truth, even when it comes at great personal risk. In a time when distortion and denial seek to obscure the past, we are reminded that the truth must always shine bright.

25/12/2024

This Hanukkah, may we be blessed with the release of the 100 hostages, so they can finally celebrate with their families in safety, love, and peace. 🎗️🕎

24/12/2024

New rules for entering Israel starting January 1st.

The rules for travel to Israel have changed. Starting from January 2025, visitors from visa-exempt countries are required to obtain an ETA-IL(Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the state of Israel. An approved ETA-IL, indicates that you are allowed to travel to Israel and stay for up to 90 da...

24/12/2024

From Haifa, a city known for peaceful coexistence between members of all three monotheistic faiths, I wish my Christian clients and friends a Merry Christmas. May the year ahead bring peace to the Holy Land, a return of our hostages and a renewal of Christian pilgrimage tours to the land where the original meaning of Christmas can be most appreciated.

02/12/2024

When I share the story of the birth of modern Israel, David Ben-Gurion plays a central role. He was one of the greatest Jews of the 20th century and dedicated his life for the Jewish People.

02/12/2024

Before the war, so many of my Christian friends will remember me guiding them here, at the site known as "Caesarea Philippi." I look forward to sharing this place with you again soon.

An altar dedicated to the cult of Pan was likely converted to a banquet area by Herodian ruler Agrippa II, aligning with the account of Josephus, new research shows

07/10/2024

6:29AM

October 7, 2023.

The moment time stopped.

Beeri. Nahal Oz. Nir Oz. Reim. The Nova Festival. Kfar Aza. Sderot. Ofakim. Nirim. Holit. Zikim. Ashkelon. Sufa.

We remember the victims.

We pray for the return of the hostages.

02/10/2024

The year ending today has been the worst in the history of modern Israel. But a new year is now upon us. May the year ahead bring you health and happiness. But most of all, may it be a year that brings release for our hostages, protection for our soldiers and peace upon Israel. שנה טובה ומתוקה "Shana Tova u'Metuka" - a good and sweet year for us all.

30/08/2024

Just before Shabbat enters here in the Land of Israel, here are two Jewish prayers for the safe return of our hostages to their loved ones:

אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַנְּתוּנִים בְּצָרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה,
הָעוֹמְדִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה,
הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם, וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה,
וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה,
הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב.

For all our family of the House of Israel, fellow Jews who face anguish and captivity,
whether on sea or on land:
May the Divine have compassion upon them, and bring them from distress to relief,
from darkness to light, from subjugation to redemption,
now, speedily, soon, and let us say: Amen

Shomer Yisrael, Guardian of Israel,

We call out to You with fervent plea and prayer to bless and protect the civilian men, women, and children brutally kidnapped by Hamas and held captive in Gaza, along with the members of Israel’s Defense Forces missing in action or held captive.

May it be Your will, speedily and soon, to bring them out from darkness and the shadow of death. May the Holy One of Blessing break their bonds, deliver them from their distress, and release them swiftly back to the loving embrace of their dear ones.

Do all that must be done so that relief, rescue, and long life may be the lot of every one of the soldiers and the civilians who have been taken hostage.

Act on their behalf, Lord. Take up their cause without delay, so that You fulfill through them Your verse from Isaiah: “Those redeemed by the Lord will return; they will enter Zion with singing, and everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

So may it be Your will, and let us say: Amen.

13/08/2024

13/08/2024

Today is the saddest day of the Jewish calendar. The ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. Tisha B'Av is the day on which our tradition holds both the First and the Second Temples of Jerusalem were destroyed. A day on which many other tragedies befell the Jewish People in their tragic history in exile amongst the nations. It is said that 'baseless hatred' (fighting amongst the Jews) brought about the destruction of the Holy Temple. Today, more than ever, we must remain united to confront the new challenges threatening our people.

09/08/2024

Beautiful words of encouragement from Jerusalem. "Am Israel Chai" - The People of Israel live. Shabbat Shalom.

Tisha B’av is approaching. Israel is under unprecedented distress. Our heart breaks for so many hostages that are still held in captivity. This year our musi...

05/08/2024

Many will find comfort in the words of Psalm 121 during this very challenging time for Israel.

This setting of the psalm “Song of Ascents” is presented in honor of those who keep us and Israel safe.Music: Josef KardunerMusic Director: David EnlowSpecia...

04/08/2024

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem"

20/07/2024

For those of you who have toured with me in the past and know your Bible, the images in this clip and the words of the song will strongly resonate:
"If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy." Psalms 137:5-6

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30/06/2024

Enjoying your summer? Finding time to hit a beach in your home country? Well, Israel's blessed with some world class beaches. Place at least one of these on your bucket list.

11/06/2024

When I guide at the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Center, I typically stop at this photo towards the end of the exhibition. I tell the story of the little boy in the front row. But I also explain what was likely in the hearts of those young American Jews, soldiers in the US military, when they encountered the survivors of Buchenwald on that Shavuot holiday in 1945. Both survivors and liberators understood at that moment that no uniform nor passport could separate them from one another - they were brothers - one people. "Am Yisrael Chai."

The photograph below of the 1945 Shavuot prayer service in the liberated Buchenwald camp hangs in Yad Vashem’s Holocaust History Museum. Leading the service is Rabbi Herschel Schacter, a Jewish chaplain who was among the American liberators of Buchenwald.

Upon arriving at Buchenwald, the young Rabbi realized these prisoners were frightened of his uniform, which for them had been a symbol of oppression, he shouted out to them in Yiddish: “Yidden, ihr zeit frei–Jews, you are free!”

Outside the barracks, Rabbi Schacter was appalled by the horrific sights he encountered. His shock and dismay grew as he discovered piles of corpses awaiting cremation, and the deplorable state of physical and mental health among the surviving prisoners.

It was there that he encountered an 8-year-old survivor, ‘Lulek’ Lau, who warily watched the Rabbi from behind the tangled bodies of the dead. Rabbi Schacter picked up the little boy in his arms, and asked him how old he was.

“I’m certainly older than you” the young boy replied.

“Older than me?” asked Rabbi Schacter, startled… “What makes you think so?”

“Because you cry and laugh as a child, while I have forgotten how to laugh, and I can’t even cry... So tell me, which of us is older?” ‘Lulek’ responded.

Rabbi Schacter stayed in the liberated camp to aid in the physical and mental recovery of the living prisoners and to renew Jewish life and traditions, including celebrating the impending Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Seated in the front row of the Shavuot prayers was 8-year-old ‘Lulek’ Lau (pictured below).

One month later ‘Lulek’ immigrated to the land of Israel. He would grow up to become the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, and a leading voice for Holocaust remembrance and education worldwide: Rabbi Israel Meir Lau.

11/06/2024

It's also referred to as "Chag Matan Torah" (the Festival of the Giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai). And it's a biblical festival associated with the spring harvest in the Land of Israel. Jews around the world celebrate Shavuot starting this evening. To learn more about this holiday, check this out: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/shavuot-101/.
Chag Shavuot Sameach! חג שבועות שמח