There’s a small mountain in the northern Negev desert, surrounded by Arab villages and Bedouin encampments, where one Jewish family has planted their flag and refused to leave. No fanfare. No government program. Just conviction, land, and a commitment to the biblical promise that every inch of this soil belongs to the people of Israel.
But because of you, our supporters got to Umm Darajon on February 25th. Standing on that hilltop, you understand something you simply can’t learn from a news article.
That’s what Israel365’s Hebron Hills Day Tour is for.
The day began at Susya, one of the largest Jewish cities built after the destruction of the Second Temple. Because no later civilization built over it, the ruins stand largely intact, a 2,000-year-old testament to Jewish life in Judea. The prophet Ezekiel wrote, “I will settle you in your own land” (Ezekiel 36:24), and Susya is what that promise looks like in archaeology.
From there, the group moved through a winery crafting boutique wines from the desert, a Kosher lunch at Cafe Ronel with 50 pioneering families who chose to rebuild Jewish life in the Hebron Hills, and a stop at Herbs of Kedem, where indigenous Dead Sea plants are being turned into natural healing products. Gershon Fern, one of our participants, put it simply: “The story of its founding was so touching and the food was delicious. I would definitely want to go back.”
When a supporter wants to go back, it means something landed. They didn’t just see Israel. They felt connected to it.
And then came Umm Daraj.
A tall mountain rising out of the northern Negev, surrounded by Arab villages and Bedouin shanties. Not the Israel that appears in travel brochures. But one man and his wife have planted themselves there, quietly spearheading a return of Jewish life to a part of the land most people don’t know needs reclaiming.
Guide Yoav Etzion led the group through it. Gershon called it “quite remarkable and inspiring.” Standing on that mountain, it’s hard to argue with that.
This is exactly why we do it. These aren’t sightseeing excursions. They’re a form of chizzuk, strengthening, for participants and for the communities they visit. When a pioneering family in the hills around Hebron sees a busload of supporters arrive for lunch, they know the world hasn’t forgotten them.
The Bible doesn’t call us to support Israel from a comfortable distance. “Do not stand idly by” (Leviticus 19:16) is as much about active presence as it is about protection. Trips like this one put people in the story.
None of it happens without you. The logistics, the coordination with local communities, the ability to bring supporters to the places that need to be seen, it is people like you who make Israel365’s work possible.
Your continued support means we can continue running these trips. A contribution of any size ensures that communities like the one at Umm Daraj know they’re not standing alone.
Because they’re not. Not as long as you’re with us.