In this podcast, I speak with Lt. Col. (Res) Eyal Dror, who was the commander of the Operation Good Neighbor (2016-2018), one of Israel's most daring and biggest humanitarian operations. We talk about his new book Embracing the Enemy, which outlines the details of what it was like to run this massively challenging, yet fulfilling mission where the Israel Defence Forces helped, rescued and treated thousands of Syrian civilians (mostly women and children) who were caught up in the midst of an ugly civil war.

Dror lives in the beautiful north of Israel and today runs geopolitical briefings in the Golan Heights for political and media delegations, as well as interested groups of individuals.

You can know more about this super important operation and learn about how compassion and love can bring even the seemingly worst of enemies together by listening to our conversation, and more importantly by getting the book Embracing the Enemy.

Click here to buy the book.

You can learn more about Lt.Col. (Res) Eyal Dror and his work here

Series 2: Breaking Bread, Breaking Bias

Episode 1

I'm excited to introduce a new series, "Breaking Bread, Breaking Bias", aimed at combating antisemitism through food. This educational project highlights the diverse culinary history of the Jewish people, with a focus on Mizrahi heritage, to address the rise in global antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment.

At a time when efforts to erase Jewish diversity—Sephardic, Mizrahi, Indian, Ethiopian, Ladino, and Asian Jews—are growing, and when Israel is wrongly portrayed as a “white colonialist” entity, we seek to reclaim our narrative.

I’m proud to introduce two inspiring Jewish educators, Jennifer Abadi and Sarah Sassoon. Together, we’ll showcase the evolution of Jewish cuisine over 2,000 years of diaspora, using food to build bridges, share culture, and foster respect while countering antisemitism.

'Geulah' (גאולה) is a Hebrew term meaning "redemption" or "deliverance." In Jewish tradition, it refers to the ultimate spiritual renewal, marked by the Messiah's arrival, the Temple's rebuilding, and an era of universal peace, justice and spiritual awakening.

Ruth of the Bible is a timeless role model of faith and unwavering loyalty. Today, I had the privilege of interviewing a modern-day Ruth for our podcast: Reverend Hayley Ace. An ordained Christian minister based in London, a proud Zionist, and an energetic mother of six, Reverend Hayley has been at the forefront of advocating for Israel. Together, we discuss what it truly means to support Israel and the Jewish people, and why it’s crucial for Christians to raise their voices against antisemitism. Be inspired by her passion, strength, and her powerful message to Israel: 'You are not alone.'

In this podcast, I chat with Shulie Madnick, an Israeli-Indian food writer and culinary instructor. Shulie shares the vibrant history, culture, and cuisine of Indian Jews, reflecting on her experiences growing up "Indian Jewish" in Israel, life in the U.S., and the impact of the October 7th massacre on Diaspora Jews - both personally and professionally.

In today’s episode, I am chatting with Akiva Ariel, Head of Public Relations for Beyadenu, an Israeli nonprofit advocating for Jewish rights and sovereignty on the Temple Mount. With so much misinformation and controversy surrounding this significant site, it’s crucial for listeners to gain insight into the realities of permitted worship on this highly contested ground.

Living with his family in the biblical region of Samaria (West Bank), Akiva provides valuable insights into Jewish-Arab coexistence in the area and addresses the topic of so-called "extremist" settlers. He also shares his personal story of being called up for IDF service as a non-combat reservist and what that experience entailed.

My guest today is Gidon Ariel, founder and CEO of Root Source, an organization dedicated to promoting respectful relationships between pro-Israel Christians and Jews. Gidon spent close to a decade in advanced Jewish studies institutes (Yeshivas) and the Israeli Army. After 20 years in the Tank Corps, today he is a reserve officer in the IDF Spokesperson’s office. A pioneer in Jewish-Christian relations, Gidon is a seasoned Hebrew and Judaism instructor and public speaker. He lives with his family in the suburb of Hebron, an ancient Biblical city.