Live The Land

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 southe...

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 ext...

Would you ever hitchhike with a stranger? In Judea and Samaria, what seems dangerous to outsiders is often part of everyday life. In this episode, Franny Waisman sits down with Natalie Sopinsky to explore the realities of life in Judea and Samaria, the culture of connection that defines the region, and the life-saving work of Hatzalah Yehuda and Shomron. Franny is joined by Natalie Sopinsky, direc...

What role do ordinary people play in God’s plan for history? If redemption is already promised, do our choices still matter? In this episode of Live the Land, Franny Waisman sits down with Josh Waller, co-founder of HaYovel, to discuss his remarkable journey from farming in Tennessee to helping build agricultural communities across Judea and Samaria. Josh shares how a biblical vision inspired his...

What does it take to leave everything behind, move to the hills of Samaria, and build a community from scratch? In this episode of Live the Land, Franny Waisman sits down with Leah and Moshe Goldsmith, among the founding families of Itamar, to hear the remarkable story of their journey from New York to the heartland of Israel. From living without running water and electricity to rebuilding after d...

What if one of the most debated archaeological discoveries in Israel points directly back to the Book of Joshua? In this episode, Franny Waisman welcomes Aaron Lipkin, founder of Lipkin Tours, for a fascinating conversation about biblical archaeology in Judea and Samaria, the Israelite settlement period, Mount Ebal, and the controversial “curse tablet.” Together, they explore how archaeology, geog...

What is really happening on the ground in Judea and Samaria, and why does it matter for Israel’s future? Franny Waisman sits down with Naomi Kahn, Director of Regavim’s International Division, for a powerful and highly political conversation about illegal building, land use, archaeology, environmental damage, Oslo, sovereignty, and the battle over Israel’s heritage. Key Questions Explored in the E...

Batya Erdstein lives on a hilltop near Itamar, where she creates pottery inspired by the Land of Israel itself. In this episode, Franny Waisman discuses Batya’s ceramic studio, Mud on the Mountain, to explore how clay, prayer, motherhood, birth, war, and the rugged beauty of Judea and Samaria all come together in her work. Timestamps: 00:00 Why Itamar Hilltop 05:22 Daily Life and Prayer 08:56 Land...

Reviving biblical plants in the Judean Desert, Guy Erlich is bringing the Balm of Gilead, frankincense, myrrh, and ancient perfume plants back to life. This episode explores why so many Tanach-era spices feel almost mythical today, how their plants and growing knowledge disappeared from the Land of Israel, and what it means to revive them in the very region where they once grew. Guy Erlich is a fa...

What happens when fear, stress, and trauma don’t get processed—especially in a reality shaped by ongoing war? In this episode of Live the Land, host Franny Waisman shares her experience at a weeklong somatic healing retreat and sits down with Jackie “Nava” Fuchs, a yoga therapist and somatic healer based in Tekoa. Together, they explore how the body holds onto unprocessed experiences—and what it a...

How do museums, maps, and ancient artifacts change the way we read Tanach? In this episode, Franny Waisman sits down with Nachliel Selevan to explore how historical context, geography, and material culture can bring the biblical world back to life in a way that feels real, grounded, and deeply relevant. Key Questions Explored in the Episode: How can artifacts and museums help us better understand...

What does real redemption actually look like—not in theory, but in real life? In this final episode of the four-part winery series, we explore a place where music, wine, and human connection come together to reveal a deeper vision of what it means to truly become a people. In this episode, Franny Waisman visits Settler Winery and sits down with AY Katsof to explore a space that is far more than ju...

What if the story of redemption was hidden not only in the Haggadah, but in the very grapes of the Land of Israel? In this episode, Franny Waisman explores the powerful connection between archaeology, biblical prophecy, and Israel’s modern wine revival through a fascinating conversation with Professor Shivi Drori. Franny Waisman opens the episode by connecting Passover’s third cup, biblical themes...

What does a vineyard on a remote Samaria hilltop have to do with memory, resilience, and redemption? In this episode of the four-part winery series, Franny Waisman travels deeper into the hills to explore Tom Winery, where breathtaking views, family farming, and a deeply personal story come together in one unforgettable place. In part two of the winery series for Pesach, Franny Waisman interviews...

What can a bottle of wine teach us about redemption, resilience, and the story unfolding in Samaria right now? In this episode, Franny Waisman opens a special four-part Pesach mini-series connecting the four cups of Passover to four standout wineries in Samaria, beginning with Tura Winery and the first expression of redemption: “I will take you out.” Franny launches a series exploring top wineries...

What draws someone to build a life on a lonely hilltop with no water, no electricity, and no certainty about what tomorrow will bring? Eliana Passentinis shares pieces of her journey from growing up in San Francisco to moving to Israel as a child, her early resistance to Hebrew and Israeli life, and the unexpected path that eventually led her to help build some of the earliest hilltop communities...

Is the opposite of peace really war—or is it ambiguity? In this powerful conversation, Franny Waisman explores how clarity, sovereignty, and purpose shape the future of Judea and Samaria with Nadia Matar. Key Questions Explored in the Episode: Is ambiguity more dangerous than open conflict? What does sovereignty over Judea and Samaria actually mean in practice? How did the Oslo Accords shift the n...

What would make a family choose to live on a rocky hilltop without reliable electricity, Wi-Fi, or even running water? In this episode of Live the Land, Franny Waisman reflects on a lone flickering light in the Southern Hills of Hebron and explores the deeper story of connection, courage, and legacy that draws pioneers to this demanding landscape. Franny opens with a powerful image: a lone light g...

What happens when a place known for deep spiritual unity is also a focal point of modern conflict? In this episode of Live the Land , we explore Ancient Shilo through the eyes of someone who has lived its tensions and its beauty firsthand. Franny Waisman sits down with Marc Provisor to explore the layered story of Ancient Shilo, a place that once unified the tribes of Israel and continues to reson...

What happens at the edge of the desert—where civilization fades and purpose becomes clear? In this episode of Live the Land, we explore why the Judean Frontier has always been a place of spiritual transformation, resilience, and revelation. Franny sits down with Ari Abramowitz to unpack the meaning of the Judean Frontier—a region where history, spirituality, and daily life intersect. Ari explains...

What does it really mean to encounter Hebron—not as a headline or a controversy, but as an eternal city that anchors the Jewish story from its earliest beginnings? In Episode 2 of Live the Land , host Franny Waisman explores why Hebron remains one of the most powerful places to understand Jewish history, identity, and destiny. Franny opens with a personal story about her children’s education in Is...

What does it really mean to know the Land of Israel—not just to visit it, but to understand it deeply, historically, and spiritually? In this debut episode of Live the Land , host Franny Waisman explores how intimate knowledge of the land shapes identity, courage, and connection. Franny Waisman introduces listeners to the idea of “Knowing the Land,” a unique field of study in Israeli universities...