Miiko Shaffier, an Orthodox Jew living in Be’er Sheva (less than 30 miles from Gaza), joins Abigail to give a detailed account of what it was like in Israel on the morning on October 7. As the mother of an IDF soldier, Miiko also shares her son’s experience of being called up to serve, her level of contact with him during the war, and a heartwarming story involving kneepads for her son’s unit.

Don’t miss this important episode that will help educate you about the current war and how it has affected families all across Israel.

To learn Hebrew with Miiko’s proven system, visit her website here.

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum joins Abigail to provide an update on the war in Israel, especially with the recent development of the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Fleur also discusses the hostage situation, providing an important caveat: this is not a prisoner exchange. There is no equivalence between releasing Palestinian prisoners who have been imprisoned for crimes of terrorism in exchange for releasing innocent Israeli civilians, including women and children.

Don’t miss this episode with crucial information about the war in Israel and what its future may look like.

Follow Fleur on X here.

As the Hamas-Israel war continues to rage, Rabbi Steven Weil, CEO of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, joins Abigail to provide an update from the front lines, what could happen if Hezbollah enters the war, and how Israel sets the moral standard for war.

Rabbi Weil also shares the story of Sgt. Rose Lubin, a courageous American Lone Soldier who served in the IDF and defended Southern Israel from Hamas terrorists during the October 7th attacks. Last week, Sgt. Rose was brutally stabbed by a terrorist in Jerusalem and succumbed to her wounds. May her memory be a blessing.

The FIDF is the Israel Defense Force’s only designated partner in the US, and the IDF has requested their urgent support. During this war, the FIDF is tasked with meeting IDF soldiers’ emergency needs, including temporary field hospitals, intensive care ambulances, hygiene kits, and plasma kits. Donate to the FIDF’s crucial work here.

Psalms that Rabbi Weil recommends using to pray for Israel: Psalm 120, Psalm 121, Psalm 130.

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel as we head to Huqoq, an archaeological site in the Galilee region. At Huqoq, we’ll meet back up with Dr. Jodi Magness, an archaeologist and director of the Huqoq Excavation Project, who has graciously agreed to give us a tour of the site.

Come along on the adventure to learn more about this ancient Jewish village, which Jesus himself may have visited. Plus, you’ll get to see the centerpiece of the site: Huqoq’s synagogue that is paved with beautiful mosaics, detailing biblical and non-biblical stories. After our discussion with Dr. Magness about the Jonah mosaic, you may leave wondering whether Jonah was swallowed by 1 fish or 3 fish!

Learn more about Huqoq and the excavations here, or visit Dr. Magness’ website here.

Israel is at war. On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the terrorist group Hamas launched a vicious surprise attack on Israel—on a Jewish holiday. It’s disgusting, sickening, and heartbreaking. Hamas is engaged in pure evil, trying to obliterate the nation of Israel, G-d’s nation, from this earth—but they will ultimately fail. G-d will protect his people.

As this war happens in Israel, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and others as to what is happening. That means we must confront evil: Hamas terrorists are raping women, murdering innocent children and families, taking hostages, shooting thousands upon thousands of rockets into Israel. Don’t run from evil—because then evil gains power.

On today’s episode, we meet Hillel Fuld, a Jewish man who boldly takes the stand for truth and for Israel on social media. He’s also the brother of a national hero of Israel, Ari Fuld, who was murdered in September 2018 by a Palestinian terrorist. Hillel shares about the attacks in Israel and what it’s like to be living there right now.

Don’t miss this episode: it’s the most important Virtual Voyage episode ever. Please share it with your family and friends. The world needs to know the truth.

Join me in praying that G-d delivers Israel from the hand of this evil terrorist group, Hamas. There can be no doubt: G-d is on the side of Israel and the Jewish people. We will see G-d’s miraculous deliverance of Israel from this evil war.

Important Information:

The Ari Fuld Project: https://arifuld.org
Magen David Adom in Israel (National EMS Organization): https://www.mdais.org/en
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/

Follow Hillel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HilzFuld

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel as we head back to Tel Hazor, the largest biblical-era site in Israel. We’ll again meet up with Dr. Shlomit Bechar, director of the excavations in the lower city of Hazor.

Come along on the adventure to learn what it’s like working on an archaeological dig—including what time you have to wake up. Plus, you won’t want to miss hearing about all Shlomit and her team found this summer at Hazor!

If you’re interested in learning more about participating in the 2024 lower excavations at Hazor, visit the website here or reach out via email: telhazor@univ.haifa.ac.il.

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel as we meet Dr. Yosef Garfinkel, an archaeologist who has directed excavations at Tel Lachish—a city you need to know about. Come along on the adventure to hear about Dr. Garfinkel's significant discoveries at this site, including evidence for the kingdom of David.

And you won't want to miss Dr. Garfinkel's exciting summary of the Assyrian invasion of Lachish led by Sennacherib, including the still visible Assyrian siege ramp constructed in a matter of weeks with millions of stones!

Learn more about Dr. Garfinkel and volunteering at the Tel Lachish summer excavations here.

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel for a visit to Tel Megiddo, the site most often associated with Armageddon from the book of Revelation, which describes a final end-of-world confrontation between God and forces of evil.

But can we actually call Megiddo the location of the future battle of Armageddon—or is it a different city altogether? Come along on this week's adventure to find out!