Rabbi Natan reflects on Sinai's synagogue journey to Israel undertaken not as tourists, but as members of a people bound by shared history, responsibility, and hope. Through encounters in the south, the north, and Jerusalem, we witnessed resilience, complexity and connection, and the quiet ways Israelis continue to build a future amid uncertainty. Along the way, we were reminded that Jewish peoplehood is not rooted in agreement or distance, but in presence and relationship. What we carry home is not answers, but a deeper commitment to one another and to Israel.

This episode of Seeking Sinai explores the extraordinary story of Stan Andrews, a young American who left home in 1948 to fight for Israel’s survival and helped lay the foundations of the Israeli Air Force. Rabbi Natan Trief speaks with author Jeffrey Weiss, whose new book Fighting Back uncovers Andrews’s forgotten legacy and the generation of volunteers who saw Israel’s struggle as their own. Together, they reflect on what Andrews’s courage teaches us about Jewish peoplehood, solidarity, and Zionism in the wake of October 7th. The conversation invites listeners to consider what it means to “fight back” today — not only with weapons, but with unity, pride, and faith.

In an age of deepfakes, algorithms, and moral outrage, Zionism faces new challenges in how it’s seen and understood. In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Danny Schiff, an expert on Israel, Jewish peoplehood, and the digital age. We speak about truth, curiosity, and Jewish identity in a rapidly shifting media landscape, and together we explore how Zionism can speak meaningfully to a generation shaped by social media.