Israel Beyond Headlines
The last time I was in Israel was in 2019 to accompany my elderly father so he could spend time with our family there. My husband, Mike, and my brother, Alan, made a similar trip with him in 2021. Those were wonderful trips, filled with family, laughter and new memories.
Fast forward to 2026. Mike and I were returning to Israel to celebrate our son’s marriage with relatives and friends. But this visit would be unlike any of our previous trips. What began as a family celebration became a moving journey through history, unexpected encounters, and the remarkable resilience and humanity of the Israeli people.
From the Nova site and October 7 memorials to Jerusalem's ancient streets and archaeological discoveries we discovered stories that rarely make the news. In a world where much of what we know about Israel comes through headlines and competing narratives, these stories offer a perspective based on personal experience, historical discovery, and human connection.
Come along. Look closer. Share it with others. Discover Israel beyond headlines.
Post 2: Should We Go?
Two days before we were to leave for Israel, rockets shot by Iran began raining down on Israel. Should we still go?
Post 3: We Didn’t Want to Go
Visiting the Nova Music Festival October 7 massacre site was not a priority. Who’d want to see where hundreds of people were shot, butchered, mutilated, gang raped?
Post 4: Standing at the Nova Site
Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw at the Nova Music Festival October 7 site in Israel.
Post 5: What Remains
So many cars. So many who never made it home. See the visual aftermath of October 7.
Post 6: Making Beauty From Destruction
What do you do with something meant to destroy you?
Post 9: A Very Different Sticker Culture
A public wall in Israel isn’t just a space for expression like it is here in the U.S.
Post 10: A Highlight We Nearly Missed
The most meaningful experiences are often unplanned.
Post 13: No Strangers Here
We’d never met this Israeli family. What happened that evening surprised us.
Post 14: Walking Between Ancient and Modern Worlds
One of the most significant discoveries in Israel is a surreal mix of ancient and modern.
Conclusion: The Stories We Carry
A heartfelt reflection on the people, stories, unexpected connections, and enduring resilience that made this journey through Israel unforgettable, and why looking beyond headlines matters more than ever.