“Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.” - Zechariah 4:6. For decades, Israel has been celebrated as the “Startup Nation," a hub of entrepreneurship, innovation, and high-tech ingenuity. A desert that bloomed, Israel's tech ecosystem is largely considered a model of resilience and growth. And, that label is well-earned. But, it only tells part of the story.

Amid the noise of geopolitics, military strategy, and shifting alliances, the spiritual dimension of Israel’s regional role is often overlooked. And yet, I believe it is the deepest and most enduring. As a rabbi, a teacher, and the director of the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center and Blickle Institute, I have seen with my own eyes that when faith enters the conversation, not as a problem to be managed but as a foundation to be embraced, a door opens. Not just to peace, but to purp

Known in Hebrew as Peki'in (פקיעין), this village is notable for its diverse population, comprising Jews, Druze, Christians, and Muslims.