Growing up in Israel, Hanukkah was always a magical time for my family and me. I can still picture the excitement that filled our home as we gathered each night around our Hanukkiah (*). 

Let me tell a little bit about the Feast of Hanukkah:

Many years ago, during the Greek rule over the land of Israel, Jews were prohibited from practicing their religious traditions.

Fifteen years ago, the National Leadership Center (NLC) in Ariel was born from Heather Johnston's vision: to develop leadership in Israel, reconnect with roots, and foster faith. Today, that vision shines brighter than ever as the NLC stands as a source of strength during one of Israel's most challenging years.

In the midst of the challenging days of war, the National Leadership Center (NLC) offers a beacon of hope and comfort. Recently, we had the privilege of hosting two groups of over 100 teachers from schools in Jerusalem and Gush Etzion. The groups who visited us found solace in their shared experiences, leaving with a renewed sense of joy that shines in their eyes and echoes in their words after they depart.

Simchat Torah is a Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of Torah reading and the beginning of a new cycle. On this day, the final portion of the Torah, Parashat V'Zot HaBerachah (“And this is the blessing” - Deuteronomy chapters 33 and 34), is read, followed immediately by the beginning of the first portion of the Jewish calendar, Parashat Bereshit (“In the Beginning” – Genesis from chapter 1 till chapter 6:8).

In early August, we hosted the team from the National Leadership Center (NLC) at JH Ranch in California. In light of the events of October 7 and the ongoing war in Israel, the experiential learning leaders from the NLC and JH Ranch engaged in discussions centered around the classic book The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

Experiential learning on a high ropes course offers widows and orphans a unique and powerful means of processing grief. It compels them to step outside their comfort zones and interrupt established coping mechanisms such as withdrawal, isolation, and avoidance. Engaging in physically challenging activities, such as climbing a 50-foot pole and jumping to grab a trapeze, forces participants to confront their fears and anxieties in a controlled and supportive environment.

In the heart of anxiety, where grief and trauma grip every corner of society, there lies a beacon of light amid the darkness—the National Leadership Center (NLC). As Israel grapples with the ravages of war, the NLC emerges as a sanctuary, offering a path toward healing for those shattered by loss, trauma, and PTSD.

In this tale of resilience and redemption, we follow the journey of Sarah and her son, David, as they navigate the relentless uncertainty of grief and anger, seeking solace which seems so elusive.

The State of Israel abounds in trails, showcasing the beauty of the country and symbolizing the good and beautiful in it. The trails are different in nature and move from the green and blooming north to the infinite desert known for its virtues.

Like the Land of Israel’s trails, the Israeli society is also made up of different people from a variety of sectors of the social spectrum, and together they complement the human map of Israel.

“Our problem is that we think of ourselves as being the center of our world. We think of our lives as a story, and if we are Christians, as God being one of the characters in the story. We look for Him when we need him and expect Him to be grateful when we serve Him. He’s a lovely piece of our story, but we still think of it as our story. But it is not our story. It is God’s story.”

--Tim Chester

Since October 7 we have been working with those who were evacuated from their homes, refugees in their own land, we come across people from all walks of life. Children, youth, families, religious, seculars, right-wing, left-wing –you name it. But all are in the same situation: they were driven out from the place they once called “Home” – both in southern Israel near the border with Gaza, and northern Israel bordering Lebanon.

The Independence of the State of Israel would not be made possible without the sacrifice of those we remember.

At 13, every Jewish boy celebrates his Bar Mitzvah, marking a passage from childhood to maturity. As the boy climbs up the synagogue’s stage to read the Torah portion, he also takes much responsibility upon his shoulders.

Man's divine design was to be continually filled with revelation knowledge. In the Garden of Eden, humanity enjoyed direct communion with God, receiving divine insights daily. Adam and Eve conversed with God, gaining understanding directly from Him.

Satan disrupted this divine plan by tempting humanity to rely on their own reasoning. By suggesting that humans could attain godlike knowledge of good and evil, Satan proposed self-reliance and rationalism as alternatives to divine revelation (Genesis 3:5). This led to a shift from reliance on God's wisdom to human reasoning, resulting in a curse. As a consequence, humanity was cut off from the Tree of Life, losing the direct flow of revelation (Genesis 3:22).

The Feasts of God lay out His redemptive plan for mankind. God’s feasts are His appointed times. Passover stands tall as one of the most sacred occasions in the Jewish calendar, drawing families together for the revered Seder meal, a ritual steeped in tradition and history. Within its fabric lies a profound narrative, recounting the journey of Israel and divine intervention that secured their liberation. Here, we delve into five pivotal reasons why Passover holds such paramount importance.

Covenant can be defined as an agreement between God and man that cannot be broken. Covenant is the framework for all of the events in the Bible. The covenants of the Bible come in a consecutive series that logically build upon one another:

There are numerous lessons one can glean from Esther's astonishing story. An orphaned Jewess raised by her cousin Mordecai, Esther, with her beauty and favor, becomes the Queen of Persia. King Ahasuerus’ (Xerxes I) royal vizier, Haman, hated the Jews, particularly Mordecai, who would not bow or pay homage to him.

“Being Israeli is: to argue like crazy and then fight side by side. To travel in India and then look for the first flight home. To insist on coming to reserve duty even though you weren’t called up. To hold the tassels of your tallit even though you’re an atheist. To keep on hoping in spite of the atrocities. To be shocked by the clips (of war) and then shout AM YISRAEL CHAI.”

From time immemorial, the right to defend oneself from unprovoked aggression has been recognized in every civilization known to man. Indeed, the right to national self-defense in the face of attack has been recognized as an inherent right of states since the very emergence of international law. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right? Not when it comes to Israel unfortunately.

How many times have we heard the statement that “You never truly know or appreciate what you have until it’s taken away”? This brave Israeli paratrooper fighting in Gaza is sounding a clarion call to action: Appreciate your lives and your loved ones before it’s too late! Here are excerpts from his moving letter:

The world is moving forward, there is a plan here, evil is not here to stay, it is temporary. The nation of Israel is small but eternal and strong.

The world is moving forward, there is a plan here, evil is not here to stay, it is temporary. The nation of Israel is small but eternal and strong.