Live The Land

In this episode of Live the Land, host Franny Waisman sits down with Yigal Dilmoni, former CEO of the Yesha Council and current leader of American Friends of Judea and Samaria (AFJS), to explore the connection between Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, national security, and Israel's future.

Twenty years after leaving his home in Gush Katif, Yigal returned to Gaza following October 7, not as a resident, but as an IDF combat officer. He shares emotional memories of returning to the communities where he once lived, firsthand experiences from the battlefield, and his conviction that civilian communities are essential to Israel's security.

From the strategic hills overlooking Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport to the biblical significance of Shiloh, Hebron, and Mount Gerizim, Yigal explains why he believes Judea and Samaria represent both Israel's historical heartland and a critical component of its defense.

The conversation also tackles difficult questions about Gaza, Palestinian Arab self-governance, Israeli sovereignty, education, and the future of Jewish communities.

The discussion begins with Yigal's personal journey from living in Gush Katif to helping establish Avnei Hefetz in northern Samaria, a community that grew from four families to approximately 700. After October 7, Yigal returned to Gaza as an IDF reserve officer, where visiting the former Jewish communities left a lasting impression on him.

Yigal shares stories from his military service, including an encounter with a young Palestinian Arab girl near his unit's position. He describes how these experiences reinforced his views about the difficulties of fighting Hamas while protecting civilians.

The conversation then turns to the geographical vulnerability of Israel's coastal population centers. Yigal compares the distances between Gaza and communities attacked on October 7 with the much shorter distances separating parts of Judea and Samaria from major Israeli cities and security installations. He argues that Jewish communities create a civilian presence that helps sustain military and intelligence operations.

Franny presses Yigal on the future of the region, particularly how Israeli sovereignty might work alongside a substantial Palestinian Arab population. Yigal presents a vision built around stronger security, changes to Palestinian Arab education, expanded Jewish communities, and forms of local Palestinian Arab self-governance. The discussion explores the difficult political and moral questions surrounding these proposals.

Finally, Yigal introduces the work of American Friends of Judea and Samaria, explaining how visits to biblical sites and strategic overlooks can transform visitors' understanding of the region. He highlights the organization's educational initiatives and support for agricultural farms.

The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions about Yigal's favorite biblical destinations, influential historical figures, and Israeli political leaders.

About the Guest

Yigal Dilmoni is the former CEO of the Yesha Council and a leader of American Friends of Judea and Samaria (AFJS). With more than 25 years of experience in community development, public advocacy, and leadership in Judea and Samaria, he has played an active role in shaping the region's growth.

Yigal helped establish Avnei Hefetz in northern Samaria, where he has lived for approximately three decades. He is also an IDF reserve officer who served in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria following October 7.

Through AFJS, Yigal works to strengthen relationships between Judea and Samaria and supporters abroad, educate international audiences, and provide practical assistance to agricultural communities.

Ready to see Judea and Samaria for yourself?

Discover the biblical landscapes, growing communities, and strategic locations discussed in this episode through the Judea and Samaria Experience.

This free referral service connects visitors with local guides, meaningful destinations, and unique experiences throughout the region, thanks to the generous support of Texans for Safe Israel.

Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com to start planning your visit.

What does it take to build a new Jewish community in the hills of Binyamin, and why are some Israelis choosing to establish their homes on remote hilltops despite the security challenges?

On this episode of Live the Land, host Franny Waisman sits down with Yehuda Twersky, CEO of the Binyamin Fund, reserve officer, and resident of the newly established community of Ma’oz Tzur (Ma’ale Shomer), overlooking the area near Ramallah and Ben Gurion Airport.

After serving 582 days in the IDF reserves, including fighting in Gaza and Lebanon, Yehuda shares how a powerful moment in Sajaiya changed his perspective from fighting to protect Israel to actively building its future.

Together, they explore the realities of establishing new communities in Judea and Samaria, the strategic role of agricultural farms, the controversies surrounding settlements and land ownership, and what it means to raise a family in a region facing significant security challenges.

Yehuda also introduces the Binyamin Fund's ambitious healthcare initiative, the Nanasi Medical Center, and explains how it could transform access to medical care throughout the region.

Key Questions Explored in the Episode

- What motivates families to establish new communities on the hilltops of Judea and Samaria?

- How did Yehuda's experiences fighting in Gaza and Lebanon influence his decision to build a community?

- Why do many new communities begin as agricultural farms?

- How does Yehuda respond to accusations of land grabs and settler violence?

- What is it like raising children in a community facing ongoing security threats?

- How could the Nanasi Medical Center change healthcare access for residents of Binyamin?

Ready to discover what it takes to establish a new community in Judea and Samaria and understand the people working to shape Binyamin's future?

Tune in to the full episode of Live the Land for a firsthand look at military service, community building, regional development, and the challenges of life on Israel's hilltops.

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

What if one of the greatest mysteries of the Beit HaMikdash could be rediscovered inside a bakery in the Shomron?

On this episode of Live the Land, Franny Waisman sits down with Eliezer “Leslie” Seidel, a former high-tech professional who left a 25-year career to pursue baking, Jewish bread history, and eventually one of the most fascinating culinary mysteries in Jewish tradition: recreating the Lechem HaPanim, the Temple showbread.

Seidel shares how his research for The Jewish Bread Bible led him to conclude that the most uniquely Jewish breads were those of the Beit HaMikdash. That realization launched a decade-long effort, together with Prof. Zohar Amar, Machon HaMikdash, and other experts, to reverse-engineer a bread whose original method disappeared nearly 2,000 years ago.

From ancient coins and forgotten Rashi manuscripts to durum wheat, archaeology, laboratory testing, and the halachic challenge of creating bread that rises without becoming chametz, this conversation explores what it takes to bring an ancient Temple tradition back to life.

00:00 – Temple Bread Mystery

03:26 – Meet Eliezer Seidel

11:50 – Workshops and Jewish Bread

16:23 – The Only Truly Jewish Bread

19:09 – The Lost Secret of Beit Garmu

24:36 – The Professor Amar Breakthrough

27:40 – Reverse Engineering the Loaf

32:04 – Ancient Coins and Rashi Clues

34:57 – What the Coins Reveal About Its Shape

35:30 – Hunting for Early Rashi Manuscripts

37:16 – The Vatican Digitized Manuscript Mystery

39:11 – The Firkovich Manuscript Breakthrough

42:51 – Making Bread Rise Without Yeast

46:49 – The Halachic Solution and the Secret

51:09 – Workshops and the Temple Mission

54:08 – The Growing Temple Movement

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

What can archaeology reveal about the kings, cities, and events described in the Bible?

Franny Waisman sits down with Dr. Yair Almekeyas, head of Midreshet Shomron, for a journey through the biblical history and archaeology of the Shomron. Together, they explore Sebastia—the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Israel—along with Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim, Joseph’s Tomb, and other sites where the biblical story can still be encountered on the ground.

Franny recalls studying Sebastia during her tour-guide training and the frustration of learning about an extraordinary archaeological site that was often difficult to visit. Dr. Yair Almekeyas explains how access is gradually improving as permits, infrastructure, and organized tourism expand.

Yair introduces the work of Midreshet Shomron and explains how field schools combine education, hiking, research, and a direct encounter with the land. He discusses efforts to create new walking routes, including an ambitious 500-mile trail through Judea and Samaria, allowing visitors to experience biblical geography on foot.

The conversation then turns to the rise of the Northern Kingdom. Yair explains why Omri selected Shomron as his capital and explores how the city’s location, terrain, and surroundings made it an ideal political and strategic center. Franny and Yair compare the Bible’s moral judgment of Omri and Ahab with archaeological and historical evidence showing that their kingdom possessed significant wealth, military strength, and international influence.

They also examine the Samaria ivories, Assyrian depictions of conquest, Samaritan origins, Joseph’s Tomb, Mount Ebal, and the challenge of telling the story of a site containing many layers of history. Throughout the episode, Yair emphasizes that the Shomron should be understood not only through modern politics, but also through its biblical, archaeological, and cultural significance.

Dr. Yair Almekeyas is the head of Midreshet Shomron, a field school dedicated to teaching the history, geography, archaeology, and natural landscape of the Shomron. He holds a PhD and works to make the region’s biblical sites more accessible through education, guided tours, hiking trails, and tourism initiatives.

00:00 Dr. Yair Almekeyas

05:53 What Is Midreshet Shomron?

07:51 Walking Through the Bible

09:39 Mount Ebal and the New Trail

14:20 Why Yair Loves the Shomron

16:29 Understanding the Region Beyond Politics

18:59 Joseph’s Tomb Trivia

24:51 Reconsidering Omri and Ahab

27:59 Samaria Versus Jerusalem

33:01 Jerusalem and Samaria Compared

34:11 The Origins of the Samaritans

35:40 Meeting the Samaritan Community

39:30 Revisiting the Legacies of Omri and Ahab

42:27 The Ivory Palace of Samaria

46:31 Evidence of the Assyrian Siege

47:58 How to Tour Sebastia’s Historical Layers

50:49 Politics and Archaeology

52:19 Shomron’s Major Sites

Ready to walk through the places where biblical history unfolded?

Tune in to the full episode and discover the archaeology, stories, and landscape of ancient Shomron.

What happens after a 2,000-year dream comes true? In this episode, Franny Waisman explores the challenge of transforming the return to Jerusalem and the Land of Israel from an extraordinary miracle into everyday life. Joined by Eyal Turgeman, they discuss building communities in Judea and Samaria, supporting local Israeli businesses, and creating meaningful connections to the land through people, products, and purpose.

Franny opens with the iconic image of Rav Shlomo Goren sounding the shofar at the Western Wall in 1967, reflecting on how historic moments eventually become daily reality. Eyal Turgeman shares his family's journey from central Israel to Nokdim and later Sde Boaz, explaining how each move strengthened their connection to Jewish life and the Land of Israel. He describes Sde Boaz's unique blend of religious and secular families living together in mutual respect.

The conversation explores Eyal's work with Harei Zahav, helping develop communities throughout Judea and Samaria, and his leadership at Lev HaOlam, a subscription box initiative created in response to the BDS movement. Rather than focusing on politics, Lev HaOlam connects supporters around the world with Israeli artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs through carefully curated monthly boxes that tell the story of Israel through high-quality products and personal narratives.

Eyal also reflects on how October 7 reshaped one of Lev HaOlam's planned boxes into a message of resilience with the "Am Yisrael Chai" collection, and shares his vision for the future growth of Judea and Samaria through tourism, agriculture, and vibrant communities.

Eyal Turgeman is the CEO of Lev HaOlam and works with Harei Zahav to help build and strengthen communities throughout Judea and Samaria. Living in Sde Boaz with his family, he is passionate about connecting people around the world to Israel through meaningful experiences, supporting local businesses, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the biblical heartland.

00:00 Life in Sde Boaz and community building

15:40 Developing communities across Judea and Samaria

21:10 The story behind Lev HaOlam

29:30 Fighting BDS by supporting Israeli businesses

46:20 Tourism, agriculture, and the future of Judea and Samaria

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Could the Temple service actually be renewed—and are the Kohanim prepared to carry it out?

Franny Waisman speaks with Yehoshua Landau, founder of Mamlechet Kohanim, about transforming the laws of the Temple from theoretical study into practical preparation. Landau explains how Kohanim are learning the procedures, garments, and responsibilities needed for avodah—and why he believes the greatest obstacle to renewing the service is not practicality, but national will.

Yehoshua Landau shares how growing up as a Kohen in Brooklyn, moving to Israel, and living in Jerusalem’s Old City led him to establish Mamlechet Kohanim. Inspired by the Chafetz Chaim’s emphasis on preparing Kohanim for redemption, Landau created a practical training program to teach areas of Temple service that are rarely studied in a hands-on way.

At a desert farm near Mitzpe Yericho, participants train with a full-size mizbeach and learn about priestly garments, washing the hands and feet, handling offerings, blood procedures, ketoret, and other elements of the avodah. The program uses substitutes rather than animals, and graduates receive certification upon completion.

Landau argues that national offerings could potentially resume on an altar on the Temple Mount even before the Temple is rebuilt. He estimates that at least 120 trained Kohanim would be required to begin the daily service. He also discusses Jericho’s historic connection to the Temple, Mamlechet Kohanim’s Shavuot reenactments of the Shtei HaLechem offering, and his belief that the primary barrier is a lack of collective desire rather than a lack of practical ability.

About the Guest

Yehoshua Landau is the founder of Mamlechet Kohanim, an initiative dedicated to preparing Kohanim for the practical responsibilities of the Temple service. Originally from Brooklyn, he moved to Israel 12 years ago and lived in Jerusalem’s Old City. His work combines traditional Torah study with hands-on training intended to preserve and restore practical knowledge of the avodah.

Ready to discover how Kohanim are preparing for the possible renewal of the Temple service?

Tune in to the full episode to explore the practical training, Torah sources, and national vision behind Mamlechet Kohanim.

Can religious, secular, and traditional Jews build one community without anyone being asked to compromise who they are?

Host Franny Waisman speaks with Rachel Ben Sira about life in Rotem, a tiny Jordan Valley community overlooking the biblical route through which the Israelites entered the Land of Israel. Founded by one determined woman on an abandoned army outpost, Rotem has developed into a rare meeting place for Israelis with profoundly different religious and political identities.

Rachel discusses the beauty and difficulty of raising religious children in a genuinely mixed community, the disagreements that continued after October 7, and what allows neighbors to remain connected despite their differences. She also reveals the Jordan Valley’s hidden attractions—from enormous natural springs and spectacular winter landscapes to biblical sites, agriculture and a café so popular that visitors have arrived by helicopter.

Rachel traces Rotem’s story to Shira Amosi, who returned from Ethiopia inspired to create a simple, authentic life connected to the land. Searching for a community open to every kind of Israeli, Shira eventually settled alone on the remains of a former army outpost. Without regular electricity or running water, she posted notices inviting others to join her. Slowly, a community began to grow.

Today, Rotem intentionally includes religious, traditional and secular residents without forcing anyone into a shared middle ground. Rachel explains that this openness is inspiring but also complicated. Questions involving Shabbat, synagogue life, youth activities, music and standards of dress continually require families to decide how to participate while remaining true to themselves.

The conversation also explores Rotem’s dramatic surroundings. Its hills become intensely green during winter and stark desert during summer, yet beneath the heat are enormous natural springs such as Ein Sukkot. From Rotem, visitors can see landscapes connected to Israel’s entrance into the land, Jacob’s journeys, and the story of Balak and Bilaam.

Despite the Jordan Valley’s remoteness and difficult climate, its communities, farms and schools continue to expand. Rotem alone has a waiting list of more than 100 families seeking a quieter, more connected way of life.

Ready to experience the Jordan Valley beyond the highway?

Tune in to discover Rotem’s remarkable story, explore the region’s hidden springs and biblical landscapes, and hear what this unusual community can teach Israel about unity without uniformity.

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

In this episode of Live the Land, Franny Waisman sits down with Rabbi Yehuda Glick to discuss resilience, purpose, and why the future of Israel depends on building—not merely enduring. Rabbi Glick shares his personal journey through profound loss, his decades-long advocacy for Jewish access to the Temple Mount, surviving an assassination attempt, and the vision behind Amitsim, an organization helping young widowed families rebuild their lives. Together they explore how the Temple Mount, Judea and Samaria, and compassion for others are all part of creating a brighter future for Israel and the world.

Rabbi Yehuda Glick reflects on his lifelong mission to help build Israel's future by strengthening both people and place. He shares how personal tragedy shaped his commitment to supporting widowed families through Amitsim, an organization focused on empowering surviving parents and ensuring children continue to thrive. He also recounts his decades advocating for Jewish rights on the Temple Mount, the challenges he faced—including harassment and a near-fatal assassination attempt—and why he believes the Temple Mount remains central to Israel's spiritual mission. Throughout the conversation, Rabbi Glick calls on listeners to move beyond survival toward building stronger families, communities, and a future rooted in hope and responsibility.

Rabbi Yehuda Glick is an educator, activist, former member of the Knesset, and one of the leading advocates for Jewish access and prayer on the Temple Mount. After surviving an assassination attempt in 2014, he continued promoting dialogue, religious freedom, and peaceful coexistence. He is also the co-founder of Amitsim, an organization supporting young widowed families, and is actively involved with the Shalom Jerusalem Foundation.

00:00 – Getting Used to Reality

00:59 – Surviving vs. Building

05:16 – Finding Home in Otniel

08:48 – The Mission of Amitsim

11:26 – Supporting Widowed Families and Orphans

22:20 – Becoming a Temple Mount Advocate

34:56 – Escalating Harassment

36:36 – Becoming "The Most Dangerous Man in the Middle East"

37:30 – Surviving the 2014 Assassination Attempt

41:40 – Grassroots Change and Political Progress

43:58 – The Gaza War and Israel's Future

Ready to discover why building the future requires more than simply surviving?

Tune in to the full episode to hear Rabbi Yehuda Glick's remarkable story of resilience, faith, and his vision for Israel, the Temple Mount, and the generations still to come.

Follow Rabbi Yehuda Glick and Help Support Amitsim

Temple Mount activity

WWW.ShalomJerusalem.org

Amitsim

WWW.Amitsim.com

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

What if the plants of the Land of Israel are more than scenery—what if they are living commentary on the Torah, medicine, and the story of the Jewish people?

Franny Waisman speaks with Amir Kitron, founder of Isbe Kedem/Kedem Herbs, about the powerful connection between biblical plants, the Land of Israel, and modern healing science. Amir explains how the extreme environmental stress of the southern Hebron Hills produces rare plants rich in protective compounds, which Kedem uses to develop natural cosmetics and medicinal products. The conversation explores anti-aging research, DNA protection, collagen repair, hair restoration, biblical hyssop, ancient extraction methods, mind-body healing, archaeology, tourism, and hope for Israel’s future.

About The Guest:

Amir Kitron is the founder of Isbe Kedem/Kedem Herbs and holds a PhD in chemical engineering. His work combines scientific research, natural medicine, biblical plants, and the unique ecology of Judea and Samaria to create plant-based healing and cosmetic products.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Origins of Kedem Herbs

03:42 Desert Stress Science

06:58 Anti Aging Breakthroughs

09:20 Biblical Herbs and Hyssop

14:58 Mind Body Healing

25:30 Plants, Water, and Miracles

28:25 Land Connection and Identity

34:23 Archaeology and Psychedelics

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Can happiness survive unimaginable loss? And what does it mean to choose faith when life no longer makes sense?

In this episode of Live the Land, Franny Waisman explores the hidden beauty of Western Binyamin—a region filled with biblical history, lush forests, and some of Judea and Samaria's most remarkable natural springs.

She is joined by Ephraim Rimel of Neve Tzuf (Halamish), who shares his extraordinary journey of rebuilding after a devastating car accident in 2019 that claimed the lives of his wife, Tzippi, and newborn daughter, Noam, while leaving him paralyzed and his young son critically injured.

Together they discuss life in Neve Tzuf, the biblical landscape surrounding the community, raising children through tragedy, building a blended family, and why true happiness is a choice rooted in gratitude rather than circumstances.

Ephraim Rimel is a resident of Neve Tzuf (Halamish) in Western Binyamin. Following the tragic loss of his wife and newborn daughter in a 2019 car accident that also left him paralyzed, Ephraim has become an inspiring voice on resilience, faith, gratitude, and rebuilding life after unimaginable tragedy. He shares practical wisdom about family, perspective, and choosing hope in the face of adversity.