Transcript [00:00] I lost everything in the universe and [00:02] then showed up here in Israel. And for [00:04] like the first day I was really mad and [00:06] then I was reminded, oh no, that's how [00:07] pretty much everyone shows up in Israel [00:09] and every Jew ever for like the last few [00:11] thousand years. Like you come and show [00:13] up with nothing. And one night it was a [00:15] very little place. It was very literally [00:17] a choice of possibly be killed or use [00:21] every airline mile point that I had cuz [00:23] all my assets were frozen and fly to [00:26] Israel where I'd already started the [00:27] aliyah process and make a new life with [00:30] nothing. [00:30] >> Welcome to this episode of [00:32] Shouldertoshoulder, a podcast where a [00:33] pastor and a rabbi get to the heart of [00:35] issues that matter to people of faith. [00:37] I'm Pastor Doug Reed here with my friend [00:38] Rabbi Pesakwiliki and on this episode [00:41] we'll be having a conversation with [00:42] American Israeli actress who currently [00:45] serves as special ambassador for the [00:47] ministry of Eliah Diane Neil. Before we [00:50] jump into our conversation, please like [00:53] our Facebook page and join our Facebook [00:54] group, the Shouldertoshoulder community, [00:56] where you can interact with Pesak and me [00:58] all week long. The best way to support [01:01] this podcast is to go on over to [01:02] Patreon, subscribe to [01:03] Shouldertoshoulder. For just $10 a [01:05] month, you'll get exclusive access to [01:08] shoulder-to-shoulder Bible study [01:10] starting in Genesis chapter 1 from Rabbi [01:12] Pesak and myself. We're so excited to [01:15] have you come there and hear those [01:18] episodes. We've been doing them for a [01:19] number of years and we're adding more [01:21] and more each and every month. We're [01:24] grateful for our sponsor, Israel 365 [01:26] News, which is the place for you to go [01:28] and get your news and information before [01:29] going to anyone else. Go on over to [01:31] israel365news.com [01:34] to check out some of their articles and [01:36] be sure to read Rabbi Pesak and my [01:37] columns. Peso each and every week. [01:40] Israel 365 has incredible products and [01:43] initiatives going on. What are we [01:45] supporting today? [01:47] Well, at Israel 365, we don't just talk [01:49] about standing with Israel. We give [01:51] people around the world meaningful ways [01:53] to do it. We are fighting Jew hatred or [01:57] call it anti-semitism, whatever term you [01:58] want. And we are advocating for Israel [02:01] and teaching people, equipping them with [02:02] the right information so they can [02:04] advocate for Israel. We're also working [02:05] to get the truth out about Israel in [02:08] front of more people. We're also [02:10] educating Christians around the world, [02:12] bringing young leaders here to [02:14] experience the land of the Bible for [02:15] themselves. And through Israel 365 [02:18] charity, we at Israel 365 are caring for [02:21] widows, orphans, Israel's heroes, and [02:24] families who need our help. So, if you [02:26] believe in this work and you want to [02:27] stand with Israel in a tangible way, I [02:30] invite you to support Israel 365 today. [02:32] Just go to israel365.com/give. [02:36] That's israel365.com/give [02:40] and we will put this link in the [02:41] description of this video on YouTube and [02:43] we'll put it in the description of the [02:44] podcast. So, uh please do that. So, [02:46] again, if you believe in standing with [02:47] Israel, help us turn that belief into [02:49] action. Support israel365 today. [02:52] israel365.com/give. [02:55] So important listeners, stop on over [02:57] there and do what you do. Well, Pesak, [03:00] we're excited for this conversation. I'm [03:02] here in Buffalo, which currently is 66 [03:05] degrees. It is like fall. I have a [03:07] hoodie on. Football season has started. [03:10] I've got my Eagles uh mug. We had a [03:12] preseason game Saturday. It was a [03:13] wonderful We played the Patriots, which [03:15] our producer Scott is a New England fan. [03:18] And uh it was a was good game. We didn't [03:20] They won. We lost, but it was uh it was [03:23] fun. But it's it's beautiful here in [03:25] Buffalo. It's 66 in August. [03:28] >> Ah, Doug. Doug, you know, you we could [03:30] talk about the weather all day long, but [03:31] I got to tell you what I've been [03:33] thinking about lately is is how, you [03:37] know, God is just orchestrating [03:39] everything going on. And you see it [03:41] every day in the Middle East. And the [03:43] way just the way Israel, you know, [03:45] despite all of the hate, Israel is [03:47] getting stronger. Israel. Israel is a [03:50] place full of people, happy people, [03:53] building families, optimistic about the [03:55] future. Our economy is booming. We're [03:58] defeating our enemies. I mean, it is if [04:01] you just if you just stop listening to [04:03] what's being said out there by everyone [04:04] and you just pay attention to what's [04:06] going on and all these countries [04:07] criticizing Israel. We saw this week, [04:09] you know, they're all attacking Israel [04:10] for expanding the city of Jerusalem, for [04:13] building more, you know, between Ala [04:15] Dumim and the city of Jerusalem. and all [04:16] these countries are are are are freaking [04:19] out because their cherished idea of a [04:21] two-state solution is is under threat, [04:24] which is exactly the point. It should be [04:26] under threat. I mean, there's such a [04:27] thing as losing. And uh you know, I [04:29] think, you know, when you do an October [04:30] 7th, you should lose. Uh but that's a [04:33] separate topic. But I just look around [04:34] me and and I as I walk the streets of [04:37] Israel every day, I'm just like, "Wow, I [04:40] cannot believe where I am at this time. [04:43] It's just unbelievable." So yeah, I'm [04:45] I'm not belittling the conversation [04:46] about the weather and I'm happy that the [04:48] well I'm not happy the Eagles lost. I [04:50] couldn't care less. But but got to say [04:53] Doug, you know, I cannot wait till you [04:56] and your family get to Israel. Just [04:57] before we bring in our guest, [04:58] >> how's the family doing? What's on tab [05:01] for the reads in the up in the coming [05:02] weeks? I've been looking at at the reads [05:04] are here. I've been looking at the [05:05] YouTube channel. I'm not seeing too much [05:06] new content there, Doug. Yeah. So, we [05:08] started homeschool and that's eaten into [05:10] the kids editing and video time for the [05:12] YouTube channel, but uh they they've [05:14] started homechool and soccer. The boys [05:16] are are busy with uh soccer right now. [05:19] But September, we pick up uh full board. [05:22] I'm booked uh every Sunday till April [05:24] 4th uh in churches across the country [05:27] talking about Israel uh as I travel and [05:30] kind of listen. [05:32] >> Every Sunday uh I I leaned on a few [05:34] friends at Christmas time. Christmas [05:35] time's tough to book guest speakers. Uh [05:37] but I have a few friends bringing me in [05:39] and uh going to let me tie it into uh [05:42] their sermon series or whatever they're [05:43] doing. But very excited to get back on [05:45] the road. But the next couple weeks [05:47] we're here in Buffalo. Uh like I said, [05:49] my boys are uh into soccer right now. So [05:51] I've been sitting at the soccer field uh [05:53] cheering them on, yelling, all that. But [05:55] it's eating into editing time. We have [05:57] not gotten a new video up in about a [06:00] month on our YouTube channel. And I [06:02] really want them to do it. I don't want [06:03] to have to do another thing. So, it's [06:05] kind of a fun family project that we're [06:07] letting uh the kids learn how to shoot [06:09] video and edit and kind of track our [06:12] travels. And uh they don't always get [06:14] the the best angles of me because my my [06:16] 8-year-old is like way down here. I look [06:18] like Superman everywhere I go. I'm like, [06:19] "Hold the camera up here, buddy." So, [06:21] it's a it's a lot of fun. [06:23] >> Well, yeah. And for any viewers who are [06:25] new to this podcast, the Reeds, Pastor [06:28] Doug Reid, and his family, his wife and [06:31] four kids, will be moving to Israel [06:34] where they're going to continue doing [06:35] the great work that they do for Eagle's [06:37] Wings and other work that they're going [06:38] to be doing there in Israel. And they're [06:40] documenting their journey as they travel [06:42] across America, sharing about Israel in [06:45] churches across America. And uh you [06:47] know, especially at a time like this [06:48] where there's so much uh you know, so [06:51] much talk about the downturn in support [06:53] for Israel, the Reeds are out there on [06:54] the front lines and picking up the [06:56] family and moving and uh my family can't [06:58] wait to finally meet you. [07:00] >> So, it's going to be exciting. U I guess [07:02] we should bring in our guest. You know, [07:03] she's been waiting and listening so [07:05] nicely. So, Diane Neil is a is an [07:08] actress. I don't know if she needs much [07:09] of an introduction. She's been on some [07:11] pretty famous shows. I'm not a TV [07:13] watcher, so I have to admit, you know, [07:14] Diane and I have become friends over the [07:16] last few months. And uh it was it was [07:18] kind of interesting. I I think she she [07:20] found it kind of refreshing that I had [07:21] never heard of her. But uh without [07:23] further ado, let's bring in Diane Neil, [07:25] who now lives in Israel and is doing [07:27] very important work for the ministry of [07:30] of Aliyah here in Israel. And she is a [07:31] living example of aliyah. Diane, welcome [07:34] to the Shoulderto-Ser podcast. [07:36] >> Thank you so much, gentlemen. Gentlemen, [07:38] thank you so much for having me. I'm [07:39] like rabbi and pastor. It's so good. I'm [07:42] like, pastor, I'm trying to figure out [07:44] like what's like a good combination of [07:46] the of the two of you guys together. But [07:48] um I I love it. And you know what, [07:51] Pastor Doug, I am going to talk about [07:53] the weather. And [07:56] like if you don't mind because you know [07:59] when you talk about God or Hashem, [08:00] right, which is which is what we say a [08:02] lot here. Um and and his hand and [08:05] everything. So today I did not know that [08:09] I was not going to be in the studio with [08:12] uh with Rabbi Waki, right? I had no like [08:15] they had no idea. So I'm on the way here [08:18] and I [08:21] like most people it was really funny. I [08:23] I lost everything in the universe and [08:25] then showed up here in Israel and for [08:28] like the first day I was really mad and [08:30] then I was reminded, oh no, that's how [08:31] pretty much everyone shows up in Israel [08:33] and every Jew ever for like the last few [08:35] thousand years. It's like you come and [08:36] you show up with nothing. So I have like [08:38] a $500 Scod which is a a checkmade [08:42] vehicle and it's um sorry it's a really [08:47] funny car and I love it and I'm really [08:49] happy with it and it feels sporty cuz [08:51] it's a stick. But on the the drive here, [08:53] which is like about an hour and 15 [08:55] minutes from where I live, um to the [08:57] studios, uh I ran over the world's [09:01] biggest piece of metal that fell off a [09:03] truck in front of me and my tire [09:06] instantly shredded. I mean, just like [09:08] blew up like, you know, where you're [09:10] just like this and you have to get over [09:12] to the side of the road as fast as [09:13] possible. And I was like, come on, man. [09:17] And it is not 66° here. I checked at the [09:22] time because I was like, I need to know. [09:24] It was 39 where I stopped. So, in [09:27] >> F that's like 100 degrees. [09:30] >> Like 100 100 something. You're like, [09:35] >> here's the cool thing. And like this is [09:38] the kind of thing you you just don't [09:39] even understand about about Israel. [09:42] Within a minute, [09:45] a really guy a really hot guy. Sorry, I [09:48] should have really in a in a really nice [09:50] car who didn't speak a word of English [09:52] and my Hebrew struggling is a really [09:54] kind way to say it. Uh stopped. He got [09:58] my spare out. He smiled. We tacked it. [10:02] You know, I did the thingy while he's [10:04] doing the bolts. And um [10:08] we even pumped air in the spare tire cuz [10:11] it probably hadn't ever been put on. And [10:16] then he [10:18] made sure that I got back on the [10:21] highway. So this is on the highway. [10:24] And then he led me, even though he [10:25] wasn't coming here, he was coming to [10:27] Jerusalem. He led me all the way here in [10:29] his car to the main gas station where I [10:32] could talk to you Pasak where I could [10:34] make sure everything was going. And then [10:36] that's where I found out, oh, it's not [10:38] there. I'm like, yeah. But here's the [10:40] amazing thing, right? It just gets [10:42] better and better because I was excited. [10:44] I'm like, "Oh, perfect. I'm going to see [10:47] I'm going in to see the rabbi." And they [10:50] have the world's most beautiful I mean, [10:53] Rabbi Julie's office, but she um the [10:56] most beautiful office of all time. [10:59] >> Their offices are gorgeous. It is true. [11:01] >> It's gorgeous. And I didn't know that um [11:03] the rabbit wasn't going to be in today, [11:04] but around the corner are like all the [11:07] best tiger shops in Israel. And we're at [11:11] there aren't any. So I'm like this is [11:13] perfect because over the next few days [11:15] I'm like Hashem God's looking out for me [11:17] because if this had happened at any [11:20] other point, right? Like these old [11:21] tires, dry rot, all that kind of stuff. [11:23] I'm like I wouldn't be in this situation [11:25] where I could have kind of limped along [11:27] that last like 10 kilometers here with [11:29] that guy been where I could get a new [11:32] tire. [11:34] He tells me he's like, "I'm not there. [11:36] We're doing this online." And I'm like, [11:39] guess what? My friend [11:42] who I only found out worked out worked [11:45] with PES at Israel 365 who I'm going to [11:48] start working with, which is amazing. My [11:52] friend Bang works here and lives down [11:54] the street. He came, unlocked it for me, [11:58] set this up so like my phone is kind of [12:00] stuck in in like a window just like it's [12:03] like holding there precariously. and I'm [12:06] in Rabbi Tulie's office and then he's [12:08] going to help me go get tires. And and [12:10] it's one of those things if id known, [12:14] you know, like if things had worked out [12:15] differently, [12:17] I wouldn't be able to go get my tires [12:18] fixed today, it probably would have [12:21] happened somewhere else cuz obviously [12:23] that, you know what I mean, the tires [12:24] are old and that spare was real janky. [12:27] And [12:29] that perfect person like stopped by. But [12:32] that's also the thing about Israel. [12:33] People don't realize like anything that [12:36] happens, everyone will help you. [12:40] If it hadn't been him, it would have [12:41] been someone else. But it was him and it [12:45] was within a minute. And um and even [12:49] like Ben showing up and leaving his kid [12:52] and you guys waiting you what 45 minutes [12:55] for me as I tried to sort everything out [12:58] and him leaving his kid. like this is a [13:01] country where um you know and you'll [13:05] understand this um Pastor Doug being [13:08] Christlike [13:10] and I'm sorry I'm going to keep I'm [13:12] going to go for a little bit because [13:14] this is something so one of my uh [13:16] degrees is and one of the things like [13:18] JNS all these people they want me to be [13:20] in some kind of think tank because all [13:22] my degrees are uh national defense [13:24] strategy and policy randomly my [13:26] specialty is Iran because I I never [13:29] needed a a degree for school. So, I've [13:31] actually been going to Harvard since [13:32] 2009. So, I've just been taking whatever [13:34] I felt like and never knew I was going [13:36] to end up here. And one of my degrees in [13:38] neuroscience and neuro communication, [13:41] neuroscience of motivation. [13:43] And [13:45] last summer, I kept thinking about cuz [13:48] everyone says be nice, be kind, be [13:51] Christlike, be a mentor, all these [13:54] different things, but they all mean [13:55] different things to different people. [13:58] And I was I was trying to narrow it down [14:00] into something that was scientific and [14:04] actionable that was like a definition [14:05] that everyone in the world could [14:07] understand. And this is what I could [14:10] come up with. [14:13] Ask don't tell. [14:16] Include don't exclude. [14:19] And the third part is with no [14:21] expectation of outcome. So, the example [14:25] is like if you had a neighbor and he [14:27] came and stole your barbecue without [14:28] asking you and had a wicked crazy [14:30] barbecue the next weekend and didn't [14:33] invite you, you'd be pretty ticked off, [14:36] right? [14:37] But if he came over and he said, "My [14:40] barbecue's dead." He's asking, not just [14:43] take me, and um we're having a big [14:46] barbecue next weekend, and I'd love to [14:48] include you. You don't have to bring [14:50] anything, but do you mind if I borrow [14:51] your barbecue? So you'd be asked and [14:54] you'd be included, right? And then one [14:57] of my friends who is uh an amazing uh [15:02] Christian sister none in the in the [15:04] states, she said, and then add the last [15:07] part of no expectation of outcome. So [15:10] like this guy today [15:13] that helped me, there was no expectation [15:16] of outcome. He didn't expect anything. [15:19] He didn't want anything. [15:22] the [15:23] >> he just wanted to help. So anyway, I [15:28] love it is my [15:31] it is my absolute favorite thing about [15:33] Israel. [15:35] And that's a a beautiful segue into the [15:37] beginning of our conversation. Why is [15:40] why Israel? Why did you move? You had [15:42] obviously a uh booming career in the in [15:45] the States and uh you're famous. Why why [15:49] move to Israel? Why pack it all up? Uh, [15:50] do you speak Hebrew? How when did you [15:53] get there? Give us give us the genesis [15:55] of why I go to Israel. [15:57] >> It's a it's it's a it's a completely [15:59] random. The the very short version is I [16:02] I like to call it I was Jonah into being [16:04] here. It was I got the full Jonah. It [16:08] was full biblical baby. I I [16:12] So I'm mostly like reconstructionist and [16:15] reform as we called it in uh New York, [16:18] right? Holiday heave. That's that's [16:20] pretty much where we were. And um you [16:23] the entertainment crowd and actually uh [16:26] Rabbi Pesak listening to your episode [16:29] recently about everyone in Hollywood and [16:31] the Marvel movies signing the thing that [16:33] that was fascinating cuz [16:36] man you're dead on with that. But um [16:39] >> let me just explain what what she's [16:41] talking about here. I made a video on on [16:43] this on uh well if you're watching on [16:44] YouTube on this channel on my channel [16:46] about uh a whole bunch of these all the [16:48] stars of the Marvel movie like 20 stars [16:51] of the Marvel movies like Cumberbatch [16:53] and and uh and Cheetel and all these [16:55] guys. They put out a statement uh [16:58] calling on the on the on the governments [17:01] of the world to demand the release from [17:03] prison of Marwan Burgguti who is one of [17:06] the worst Israeli he's one of the worst [17:08] terrorists in the world and he's sitting [17:10] in an Israeli prison on five murder [17:13] convictions [17:15] and and there and these H and then and [17:17] there's this campaign in among the woke [17:19] progressives to turn him into Nelson [17:21] Mandela. Uh anyway, that's what that's [17:23] what the video was about. running for [17:24] office, too. I mean, like the the whole [17:26] thing is absolutely mindblowing. [17:29] >> Yeah. He's going to get elected [17:30] president of the Palestinian Authority [17:31] from prison. A murderer. [17:34] >> Wow. [17:34] >> And and everyone's going for this and [17:36] and it was but it was really interesting [17:37] when I was hearing you speak about it [17:39] and you were talking about how Yeah, it [17:41] does. It comes from your [17:42] representatives. Every Oh, it's cool. [17:43] Yeah, of course it's good. And it [17:46] doesn't even m like you don't really vet [17:49] it because you hear it's good. And [17:51] that's and that's a story for another [17:52] day. But um coming here it was uh I [17:56] always knew I was supposed to be here [17:58] and I always knew that [18:02] the only thing that matters in in life [18:05] is is doing God's work. That's that's [18:09] really it. And so even in my entire [18:13] career I was really lucky um [18:17] that I never had to compromise my [18:19] morals. Like I decided early on I was [18:20] never going to do sex. I was never going [18:22] to do nudity. I was never going to I [18:23] mean, the fact that I actually even got [18:25] to have a career for 25 years, never [18:27] doing anything like that is um [18:32] really amazing to me and another [18:34] testament to um how merciful like [18:40] God is and how much he cares [18:42] and how much how he's invested in [18:45] everybody's life in a way to set them up [18:46] for something else. But I was I was [18:49] pretty resistant to come here knowing it [18:51] one day or speak Hebrew and [18:55] was really enjoying life. And uh then I [18:58] ended up having like a stopper. So if [19:01] you're on like procedurally copters, you [19:02] end up with like a lot of people to give [19:04] you an example. One of my friends from [19:07] another from NCIS, she bought every [19:09] house in the culde-sac she lives in and [19:12] there's like a thing and nobody goes [19:14] like it's it's because there you have so [19:15] many people always trying to me. I'm [19:17] like, "Whatever, man." Like, "I don't [19:18] care." Um, I was wrong. [19:22] Sometimes you're wrong. And so, um, it [19:25] was really getting it was getting really [19:27] dire. And, and during this time, uh, my [19:31] father passed away. And good for him. He [19:34] did it in like 30 seconds. [19:37] You know, when you see people die over a [19:39] long time, uh, you're like, "Rock on, [19:42] Dad. Good for you." [19:44] And [19:46] he and my mother at the time have been [19:48] married 54 years. I'm the youngest. And [19:53] my mom got so depressed. [19:56] So this is like 2021. [19:59] And I said, "Mom, [20:03] let's have one last great adventure. [20:06] Let's make Ali up. Let's go. Let's go." [20:10] you never know when it was really going [20:11] to happen. But we start working with [20:13] nevish benevish. We start filling out [20:14] our paperwork, all this kind of stuff. [20:17] And in the meantime, I am just being [20:19] hunted like an animal. [20:22] And that's happening criminally while [20:24] civily the same person is suing me for [20:26] hundreds of millions of dollars over I [20:28] think 22 times in regular court. So I [20:33] can't go anywhere. I can't do anything. [20:34] Draining money. Worried about my mom. [20:38] And cuz we're the we're the last. Um I [20:42] have uh one older sister that's still [20:44] living and she's [20:46] um on disability for mental illness and [20:49] not the way people think. It's pretty [20:51] funny. She's like criminally insane, but [20:53] she's wicked smart and very dangerous. [20:55] And so it's like it's a it's a tough [20:58] it's a tough um situation that we're the [21:00] only gang left and [21:06] like God. so often does [21:11] if he's telling you to do something and [21:12] then you aren't doing it and you aren't [21:15] doing it and you aren't doing it, he [21:17] will make sure that decision happens. [21:20] So, um, like Jonah, I got in the belly [21:24] of the whale. And one night, it was a [21:26] very little, it was very literally a [21:29] choice of [21:32] possibly be killed [21:35] or use every airline mile point that I [21:38] had cuz all my assets were frozen and [21:41] fly to Israel where I'd already started [21:43] the aliyah process and make a new life [21:46] with nothing. [21:50] And I don't know about you guys, but [21:53] that's what I when I always think about [21:54] it. And that is one of the things [21:57] that we have 3,000 well 5,786 years of [22:01] history. When it's a a choice of live or [22:04] die, it's always live. [22:07] And so I I came here with [22:11] the smallest carryon and that was in the [22:14] end of 2022 [22:17] and finished making aliyah. So I [22:19] couldn't work, I couldn't do anything. I [22:21] lived off um [22:26] the charity of others. I spent some [22:27] nights in like women shelters and [22:31] uh [22:38] I couldn't buy food. I didn't eat it. [22:42] That day I went to the airport in New [22:45] York. [22:46] my best friend [22:49] and his husband and like you you find [22:52] out his husband who's a Jewish doctor [22:55] who I keep trying to convince to come [22:56] here. [22:58] They gave me an envelope of $2,000 [23:01] and that's all I had to live on for [23:04] about a year except for the charity [23:05] other people. people would invite me for [23:07] shabas and then send me back to this [23:10] little place my um in really scary [23:13] neighborhood but it was all right that [23:15] my uh friends from congre my [23:16] congregation were helping me pay for [23:19] and I'd have that food for like a week [23:22] until the next shop [23:35] being did was make me and legitimately [23:38] since this is I was prepared to talk to [23:40] you past talk about politics and [23:42] everything going on. But I um especially [23:46] like I ran for Congress like this is [23:47] that's my you know that's my thing. [23:50] But I also realized [23:53] when I I got here there's so many people [23:55] that are better at that than I am. Even [23:57] if I have all the information and I know [23:58] that stuff and I like it. I love to [24:00] debate. You're better at that. Shabas [24:02] person was better than death. You guys [24:05] take it over. [24:08] I'll talk about this part. [24:16] >> Sorry. It was just it was the most I [24:18] just feel like [24:21] how much does God love you [24:24] to give me that much of life experience [24:28] that you can understand [24:31] everyone. By the way, quick tip [24:33] everyone. If you ever want to give [24:34] things to like a women's shelter um or [24:37] any kind of shelter, those little [24:39] airplane kits because the lights are [24:41] always on. You need the eye mask. The [24:42] earplugs are amazing cuz people make [24:44] noise talking. kids crying and a [24:48] toothbrush. It's the It's kind of the [24:49] greatest thing that you can donate. So, [24:52] >> and again, forgive me for like drinking [24:54] and putting on chapstick. It was hot. We [24:55] were out there for a long time in that [24:57] tire. [24:57] >> It was a lot of tire work. [25:00] >> Wow. [25:01] >> Sorry. Um, so Diana, I want to I want to [25:04] ask you about I mean this is a very [25:05] powerful journey and you and uh you know [25:08] you're when you say you were Jonah over [25:10] here you know uh you know you think back [25:13] to you think back to after World War II [25:16] when you know the Jews coming over from [25:17] Europe who were in internment camps or [25:20] they came across on boats and there's [25:22] all kinds of different ways people have [25:23] made it to Israel and everyone has their [25:25] struggles and you're obviously very in [25:27] touch with how God has kind of held your [25:30] hand through all of [25:32] Um, considering when you came, [25:36] it was not long after that that this war [25:38] broke out that October 7th happened. [25:41] >> Yeah. [25:42] >> So, could you talk about [25:44] >> the date is um the eyides of March, [25:46] which I think is hilarious. So, it's [25:48] it's it's March 15th, [25:51] 2023. [25:52] >> Oh, that's the day and that's the date. [25:55] >> That's my that's my date. [25:56] >> Oh, that was your early on date. Wow. [25:58] >> Yeah. Yeah. [25:58] >> So, it was really it was really not long [26:00] after that that October 7th happened. [26:02] >> Yeah. And um [26:05] well, what I and what I thought was [26:07] really interesting and one of the [26:08] reasons I postponed it and and and I [26:10] think I know what you're talking about. [26:11] A lot of a lot of Jews in the diaspora [26:14] um and just people around the world [26:16] generally, they just have no I didn't [26:19] have any understanding. So, like when my [26:20] grandmother died, who's of, you know, [26:22] the Holocaust generation, she said, and [26:26] it was 2008, and I I always thought I [26:27] was going to have like a thousand kids [26:29] and, you know, that kind of thing. [26:30] Nothing ever works out the way you think [26:31] it's going to. But she said, don't give [26:33] your kids Jewish names. And I was like, [26:36] grandma, like, are you serious? [26:39] And she said, yeah. And I'm like, I [26:42] can't even think we're past that. And [26:45] how wrong was I? How wrong was I? And it [26:49] started when I ran for for Congress. It [26:51] was upstate New York. It wasn't your far [26:53] upstate, Pastor Doug. Like it wasn't [26:54] that far. It wasn't Buffalo, but it was [26:56] from like Albany to the top of New York [26:58] City. It was New York 19. Massive [27:00] district, right? [27:01] >> Bigger than the state of New Jersey. And [27:04] um and so it was wild. And you know, I [27:08] write God with like a hyphen, you know, [27:10] out of respect and you things like that. [27:12] And I would tweet things. And the Jew [27:15] hate [27:17] that started coming my way. This is in [27:19] 2018 [27:21] was shocking. [27:25] So I got that early taste of it. And [27:32] that's right, Rabbi. I'll let you [27:34] finish, but I you know I would say to [27:37] because it happens so [27:40] I think you know when you look up in the [27:42] leadup to World War II and actually any [27:44] of the times right you know we're [27:45] talking Spain in the time of my monities [27:47] ramba and any of these major right it's [27:50] never usually incredibly fast it's like [27:53] the frog in the boiling water and and I [27:57] would say to anyone at all [28:00] uh from the states I'm changing it's [28:02] really fine But [28:05] your money's not going to save you. [28:09] The people you think your friends are [28:11] not going to save you. [28:13] Your fame is not going to save you. [28:19] What's going to save you is being the [28:21] the best Jew that you can be, the best [28:23] you Jew you can be, [28:26] and coming home. [28:29] And this is hard. [28:33] and come now because if um like mine [28:37] Jonah if you don't make the decision [28:40] life will make it for you and it's never [28:43] usually the way you want it to be. [28:46] >> Wow. [28:47] >> Wow. [28:49] Go ahead. [28:50] >> That's that's an incredible journey. [28:52] That is not how I thought your journey [28:54] was going to be. I I've had other [28:56] conversations with folks who've made [28:59] Ellie for various reasons and all of [29:02] that, but that's that's incredible that [29:03] that has been your journey and your [29:05] story. And I and I think it's beautiful [29:07] and I think you should tell it more and [29:09] more. People should hear that cuz the a [29:11] lot of people think you have to have a [29:13] ton of money to make aliah, that you [29:15] have to learn Hebrew, you have to uh [29:17] people it keeps people from doing uh [29:21] what the Bible's called them to do. And [29:23] to your point, you know, I think of uh [29:26] scripture, you know, some trust in [29:28] chariots, some trust in horses, but [29:30] we're going to trust in the name of the [29:31] Lord. And I think, you know, you can [29:33] trust in your fame, you can trust in [29:34] your job, you can think it's going to be [29:35] okay, but unless you're in the middle of [29:38] doing God's will, that's the safest [29:40] place to be. Even if it puts you in [29:42] Israel, uh, which is in the middle of a [29:44] really bad neighborhood, uh, you know, [29:46] God is still, uh, protecting, still [29:48] watching over, and still doing it. I [29:49] think it's absolutely beautiful. Well, [29:52] and part of what you're saying, pastor, [29:54] is that you you have to be [29:57] you have to know God's will, right? And [30:00] so part of that, like for me, which is [30:05] has never stopped my whole life, is [30:09] reading my scriptures every day, praying [30:12] and dabbing every day. And and even like [30:16] last night I um [30:19] one of my friends was sent me this thing [30:21] as I was going to bed and I was trying [30:23] to decide what scriptures to read and I [30:24] was I started I I went back to Lot [30:28] and Lot's wife and I kept thinking [30:34] why was it so bad [30:37] that her turning around why why was that [30:40] worth her being turned into a pillar of [30:42] salt? [30:44] And I'm sitting there and one of the [30:46] things I love and you guys will both [30:47] understand this of as men of God that so [30:51] much of like the Tanakh, the Old [30:53] Testament and um [30:57] it's question and answer, right? [30:59] Especially when you're with the [31:00] prophets, they're they're like, "What do [31:01] you do? What do I do? What do I do?" [31:03] Like there it's a dialogue. And so I was [31:06] having my my own little dialogue with [31:08] Hashem last night. He said, "Well, [31:10] what?" [31:12] And he said, "It's not that she looked [31:14] back. [31:16] It's that she looked back with longing [31:21] already." Because it took a lot of [31:22] convincing to kind of get them out of [31:24] there anyway, and they just got out of [31:25] there in the nick of time. Again, they [31:27] didn't want to go. It's really hard to [31:29] give up everything you have or to [31:30] sacrifice or anything like that. They [31:34] didn't really want to go, but they got [31:35] out in the nick of time. and her looking [31:38] back [31:41] was because she was already, [31:45] oh, remember how great that life was [31:51] instead of having faith [31:53] and looking forward and knowing that the [31:57] best was yet to come even though all [31:59] they had was what they were carrying. [32:03] And I really needed to hear that last [32:05] night because if someone had told me [32:07] like a year and a half back into being [32:09] here because my mom got [32:13] um awful cancer hasn't gotten to make [32:16] it. But um [32:19] a year and a half I've been here. You [32:22] have no idea how hard I've been trying [32:24] to like find the job. And when I got [32:27] invited to be the ambassador of Aliyah, [32:30] it was like when there was that whole [32:31] brew haha of all all these, you know, [32:34] celebrities that were taking money and [32:36] more to support Israel. And um and that [32:40] was another one, you know, I got on my [32:42] knees and I asked I'm like, "Man, I am [32:45] broke, son. [32:47] Sorry, God. God, I we get casual [32:49] sometimes." [32:52] Then I and I'm like [32:56] and it was very clear don't take the [32:57] month. So, I haven't gotten paid a dime [33:00] since I've been in Israel. And again, [33:03] this 16 months. And it's because of [33:06] people like Israel 365 [33:09] and my friends. And I have I have no [33:11] idea. Like, I barely make it. Like, I [33:15] guarantee there will be some miracle [33:17] that will pay for this tire. [33:21] And but that also shows you too [33:26] when [33:29] because to me [33:32] I've always believed in Moshe [33:36] and I've always known that he's coming [33:42] and I do think everything is hastening [33:46] and it's really interesting cuz you know [33:48] my friends especially any anyone left. [33:51] They're just like, "You're out of your [33:52] mind." Um, and I feel like I've never [33:56] been more sane because it's so [33:57] unbelievably clear and that getting to [34:01] chance a chance like you guys coming [34:02] here to prepare the way [34:06] >> and um [34:11] and I would assume that both of you [34:13] believe in a mushik. The point of [34:16] departure might be the name. [34:18] >> Sure. [34:19] >> Right. [34:20] um [34:22] >> you know whether he's coming for the [34:23] first time or the second time, you know, [34:25] things like that. [34:26] >> Yeah. And you know what? Like it it I'm [34:28] like as long as he comes like that's I'm [34:32] good with that. And and I always remind [34:34] and I remind um cuz uh you know my dad [34:38] my dad was Christian. He saw that he's [34:40] so funny. Uh and and I always remind [34:42] somebody one of my good friends ultra [34:45] orthodox was asking he's like what what [34:47] am I going to do? What what if it is [34:48] Jesus? And I'm like, you know what? If [34:50] it is Jesus, [34:53] remember, he didn't really have a lot to [34:54] do with that stuff that came for 2,000 [34:57] years after him, he's just a good Jewish [34:59] kid from down the road, like in the [35:02] weird part of town. [35:05] And I'm like, [35:06] >> don't hold Exactly. Don't hold Jesus [35:09] responsible for all the atrocities [35:11] committed against us in his name. It's [35:14] not his fault. [35:14] >> It's kind of forgiveness. Like that's [35:16] kind of his jam. So, like you're gonna [35:18] be fine. [35:19] >> I like that theology. I like your [35:21] theology, Dan. [35:23] >> Like, and if it's not him, you're gonna [35:26] be awesome, too. Have you, you know, [35:27] have you read all the stuff? You know, [35:28] that great rabbi name and the sages say [35:31] Mashiach. Like, either way, we're going [35:33] to be cool. And um so I feel like as [35:38] long as I can stay in touch, you know, [35:40] with with God that every minute [35:44] of every day cuz it gets hard. You know, [35:46] you want to curse and like, man, I miss [35:48] nice things. I I I like living in more [35:51] than 200 square ft. Like I miss all my [35:54] houses and my fun toys. I had a lot of [35:56] toys. Like you don't have kids and you [35:57] have a lot of disposable income. Like I [35:58] had a lot of toys. [36:01] I had a lot of cars and a lot of fun [36:03] things. [36:04] and and you realize none of it matters. [36:08] It's all just passing through. It is [36:10] really all just passing through. And the [36:13] only thing the only thing that is really [36:16] yours cuz it is not the breath in your [36:18] lungs. It is nothing. It is simply your [36:21] agency. [36:24] And that is what you get to lay down on [36:26] the altar. [36:28] Your free will, [36:31] >> what you do with it. Yep. [36:33] That's it. [36:35] That's it. [36:37] And um and people always they mistake [36:41] like hope or then faith, you know, [36:43] they're just like, "Oh, that's, you [36:44] know, wishful." I'm like, "Man, [36:46] faith is crazy. [36:49] Faith is is like hope." Yeah. But it's [36:51] hope with like an insane amount of [36:53] courage. [36:56] And courage isn't like bravery, right? [36:57] Courage is being [37:00] totally afraid cuz you know the [37:02] consequences [37:04] or the possibilities [37:06] but you do it anyway. And that's what I [37:08] think about like when I I've been [37:10] visiting a lot of the the hostages, the [37:12] kids in the IDF down bases everywhere [37:15] and the amount of courage [37:19] that's like in our veins that's in the [37:21] is Israeli people especially as well as [37:25] the Jewish people as well as like the [37:28] participating Zionist Christians, you [37:30] know, the righteous [37:32] and Um, [37:39] I think it makes so God so happy in a [37:43] world where there's so much horror. [37:48] Anyway, [37:50] I'd love to ask things about you, but [37:54] that brings us to I wanted to ask you [37:55] about October 7th because I've I've [37:57] heard you talk about this before and I'd [37:59] like you to share with our audience that [38:00] you're you know, you're uh obviously, [38:03] you know, we've all gotten a taste so [38:05] far in this conversation of how you [38:07] process things and how you, you know, [38:09] you're very in touch, you know, with, [38:11] you know, with God and stripping things [38:12] down to what matters most. and you come [38:15] to Israel and a few months later, [38:18] you know, the ground shifts under our [38:20] feet and the whole world changes. [38:24] What and and now since then you've met [38:26] with former hostages, you've met with [38:28] some of the injured soldiers, you've met [38:29] with all kinds of people who've gone [38:31] through this. Could you share some of [38:33] your reflections on on that because [38:36] you're kind of like an insider but also [38:38] an outsider because you kind of came [38:40] just before it and you and you know so [38:42] you're at at the one hand participating [38:45] in Israeli society but also kind of [38:47] observing it. [38:48] >> So give me your sense of of what you saw [38:50] during that time period. [38:51] >> That's that's one of those things that [38:52] like I always think and and I think that [38:54] with politics too, you know, you got [38:56] like that person that just move because [38:57] I'm a New Yorker, right? So you get that [38:58] person that moves to New York City and [39:00] like within a week they're like let me [39:01] tell you about the politic and you're [39:02] just like you don't know anything kid [39:06] and so [39:10] um it was it was it was so the amount of [39:14] so like the personal hate started when [39:16] because I I dropped the deal you know [39:17] it's very liberal and it's really funny [39:20] I I you know you put country before [39:21] party and I'm like well obvious clearly [39:24] if we're asking the Republicans to do [39:25] that we should do the same and I did [39:27] that that was insane and like sued by [39:29] everyone and and got to be outside both [39:30] the bubbles and I'm like oo not a [39:33] Democrat anymore. I'm just going to put [39:34] it that way. And then that was a lot of [39:37] hate. And then when I made Aliat, that [39:40] was just an extreme amount of hate. And [39:43] then I uh filmed a movie, a really cool [39:45] movie called Jerusalem 67 in September. [39:48] By the way, there's the difference [39:48] between acting here is like I made 300 [39:50] shekels a day, which is like $100, but [39:53] it was awesome. And [39:55] and then I flew back because remember [39:57] I'd come with nothing, right? And and I [40:00] only had a tiny bit left and it was in [40:02] my mom's house. So I'm like, "Okay, I'm [40:03] going to go back." I flew back the last [40:05] week of September 2023 and my ticket to [40:08] return here was October 11th. So I was [40:11] there in the States [40:14] and I'm [40:14] >> Oh my goodness. [40:16] Wow. So you weren't even here? [40:19] >> No. [40:20] I mean it just it just like happened in [40:22] that and um [40:28] and you know it starts [40:32] happening and and I am again like when I [40:35] say fortunate I mean thanks God for [40:39] prepping me for for anything like you [40:42] know I was in 911 [40:44] just down by the north tower I've been [40:47] in huge plane crash I mean like there [40:49] There's nothing. 15 earthquakes over [40:51] 7.0. I've lived all over age. I zipped [40:54] up a lot of bad. I just I have lived a [40:57] lot of really crazy stuff. And but this [41:01] is the crazier kind. And I'm And I'm [41:03] watching it happen. [41:06] And I'm trying to get a hold of [41:07] everybody and nobody knows what's going [41:09] on, right? [41:11] Nobody knows what's going on. [41:15] And because so many of my friends, you [41:17] know, all my the people that are still [41:18] with me are my friends that have been my [41:20] my best buddies since I was eight that [41:22] don't have anything to do with [41:23] entertainment and they're [41:27] by the night of October 7th, [41:30] people were telling me it's Israel's [41:32] fault. [41:36] By October 8th, the new rabbi at my very [41:41] liberal former congregation in New York [41:43] City [41:45] was protesting for Palestine. [41:48] Ended up getting arrested. [41:50] >> Wow. [41:50] >> For protesting for Palestine sitting in [41:52] the middle of Fifth Avenue. Yeah. [41:54] >> Um [41:57] I mean look, [41:58] >> one of my friends I mean that's the [42:00] state that's the state of a lot of [42:02] liberal reformed Judaism today. [42:07] and and and and one of the things that I [42:09] and I try and explain this like last [42:11] night I was talking to one of my [42:14] buddies. So I'm watching this all happen [42:15] and then again I believe it was um and [42:20] obviously like horrifying and by the way [42:22] I I watched the footage. I watched the [42:26] footage I do a it's the one of the very [42:30] beneficial things about not having kids [42:32] and things like that. I can help [42:35] agencies do things that are very [42:36] difficult like identifying bodies, [42:38] things that are really hard for other [42:40] people. I got that neck, like paying [42:42] taxes. I'm like, I'm I've never had to [42:44] do that my entire adult life, so like [42:46] I'm I'm not good at anything normal. Um, [42:48] but like that stuff. Okay. And I [42:53] watched a a kind of butchery [42:58] and savagery. [43:00] And that was one of the things that [43:02] people do not understand about Israel. [43:04] They're called the Israeli Defense [43:06] Forces for a reason. It's not the [43:10] Israeli conquer forces. [43:13] The kids come home like every other [43:14] weekend. They're defending their [43:17] homeland. And and biblically [43:21] it is very very clear [43:24] that yes sometimes you have to kill and [43:27] sometimes you have to wipe everyone out [43:29] like Saul. Sometimes you have to do that [43:32] but you don't take any pleasure in it [43:36] because they're also God's children. [43:40] This was glee. [43:43] And I also wanted to know what I was [43:46] coming back to. [43:49] And um obviously you know my flights [43:52] everything was closed were delayed. My [43:55] favorite thing was that the uh emergency [43:58] flights [44:00] were Israelis being picked up in America [44:03] to come back here and fight. They [44:06] weren't everyone evacuating. It was [44:08] everybody coming home and lol flying [44:10] them home. But since I hadn't turned in [44:13] the IDF like I couldn't get on one of [44:14] the flights. And then a week later, my [44:16] mom was diagnosed with um several types [44:19] of stage four cancer, [44:22] >> which was a blessing because [44:25] I didn't have any money after so many [44:28] millions in legal fees, right? I I [44:31] probably wouldn't have been able to [44:32] afford another ticket. [44:34] And I I got to stay home and be with [44:36] her. And when I finally came back, [44:39] forgive me. [44:42] When I finally got to come back about a [44:43] year and a half ago, [44:46] all these people were like, "Oh, hello. [44:48] Hello time to make aliyah and hello." [44:49] And I'm like, "It's the best time. This [44:52] is the best time because now we know [44:53] where we stand. It's clear as day." [44:57] And one of the things I try, first of [45:00] all, I'm like, "Is anyone aware of like [45:02] basic math and how algorithms work?" [45:05] because like okay 15 million people and [45:08] the few you know the supporters like [45:09] like you pastor and then even just [45:12] numbers right just even if you're [45:14] promoting stuff you've got like uh 2.2 [45:16] two billion Muslims, right? Or anyone [45:18] supporting them. And so you're pumping [45:21] information out on scales that are [45:23] vastly different. It like, you know, [45:24] it's like point of a pin to this and [45:27] then the algorithm picks up this and [45:29] picks up this and picks up this. That [45:31] doesn't mean it's not true. It just [45:32] means there's more of it out there to [45:34] see. [45:36] And in the last uh couple days, I've [45:41] been working with an organization that [45:43] was trying to I [45:47] ambitious as hell. Part of the White [45:49] House office to dradicalize the Levant. [45:52] I kid you not. I'm like, let's go for [45:55] it. Don't think it's going to work, but [45:57] let's give it a try. Like, why not? And [46:02] yesterday ended up I I spent from 3:00 [46:05] in the morning until about midnight last [46:07] night [46:09] um [46:10] helping deal with a a hostage situation [46:13] in Gaza [46:15] where the different rival clans in Hamas [46:19] had kidnapped the bunch of the teachers [46:21] and the CEO. These are their own young [46:23] women. These are their own friends. [46:26] These are their own people. [46:28] interrogated them. We're not sure if [46:30] they were tortured yet. Um, these are [46:34] gazins [46:36] who are teaching dozens in gazin schools [46:42] and there's no problem with it. And [46:47] there's no problem. There's it's a goes [46:50] back to like psychology and Henry James. [46:53] They're just different roots and it [46:54] doesn't mean they're any less than. And [46:56] I don't believe in calling anyone [46:58] animals or monsters because animals and [47:00] monsters don't have the ability to be [47:02] accountable. But if you're human, you [47:05] absolutely can be accountable. So [47:07] they're human. They're just a lot of [47:09] people with different wiring. [47:11] And and then at the same time when I got [47:14] to take a break for a few minutes at [47:17] sunset on the beach where I I live north [47:19] of Tel Aviv [47:21] um in my tiny little spot cuz you know [47:23] when you lose everything you have like [47:24] one thing you like and I'm like all [47:25] right I can't even face the beach but I [47:27] face the street but I got a little place [47:28] on the beach and I went down and it's [47:34] you know Arab Muslim Israeli families. [47:39] It's Drew's families. It's Christian [47:41] Israeli families, it's Jewish Israeli [47:43] families, everybody's having fun. And [47:45] and I'm not kidding. This I This is not [47:47] even hyperbole. Every victim I've talked [47:50] to, everyone that was a hostage, [47:53] everyone that watched their family [47:54] murdered in front of them, the mayor of [47:56] Eshko down south, the head of security, [47:58] everyone from the north to the south. [48:00] I've been from Lebanon to the other day [48:02] I had a foot in Gaza and like a foot in [48:05] Egypt. And if I like then I could have [48:06] put, you know, an army here. [48:09] One thing they all say, I'm like, "What [48:10] do you want?" Like, "What what would you [48:12] say?" Cuz they're like, "No one helped [48:14] us. We watched the most incredible [48:16] violence, you know, this peace. [48:20] Peace." [48:23] And so when I try and explain to people, [48:25] I'm like, [48:28] "How do you negotiate or come to terms [48:32] with people [48:34] who do not value life? Not even our [48:38] lives, [48:40] the lives of their own children. [48:45] And I don't have an answer. [48:50] >> Yep. [48:51] >> Anyway, um and and so to me it's it's [48:55] Jew hate. I call it Jew hate. Uh I try [48:58] and remind everyone too, this is a [49:00] Mediterranean country, man, which is the [49:01] Middle East. It's Mediterranean, baby. [49:03] It's beautiful. Come visit. Everyone's [49:05] like, "Is it scary?" I'm like, it's not [49:07] scary. It's the most awesome place on [49:09] earth. It's the most awesome place on [49:12] earth because of like the guy that [49:13] helped me today or the day when Trump [49:15] said like, "Hey, we got everybody's [49:17] backs." And it was like, you know, [49:19] talking about it. It that feeling that [49:22] we all knew we were going to war. We all [49:24] knew what it was going to be like. We're [49:25] all getting stuff ready for our mcbots [49:27] and the mods. Like, we knew it was going [49:28] to suck, right? We knew ballistic [49:31] missiles were going to be fired at us [49:32] for we didn't even know how long, when [49:34] it was going to start. And the entire [49:37] country, this entire group of people [49:40] from the the farretted to the most [49:43] secular everywhere from Jude and Samaria [49:46] right to where Ireland everywhere [49:49] everyone was willing to risk their lives [49:54] for the 100 million people in Iran we've [49:57] never met. [50:00] where you're in the states, Pastor Doug. [50:03] Where have you seen that kind of unity, [50:06] that that purpose? [50:09] It almost doesn't exist. It was um [50:15] >> it was almost euphoric, right? Like it's [50:17] it's like you know when those moments [50:19] that you you can feel like the spirit of [50:21] God in a way [50:26] that's so profound. I got [50:30] You know, Diane, I gotta tell you, you [50:32] know, I've lived I've lived in Israel [50:34] for over 30 years. I've raised my kids [50:36] here. [50:37] >> Um, a number of them have served in in [50:40] this in this war and combat roles. And [50:45] you know it hearing it from you from [50:48] someone who kind of came just a couple [50:50] years ago and the way you're describing [50:52] that that really powerful social [50:54] cohesion and that power that the [50:57] inspirational aspect of what Israel is. [50:59] You know in the opening of this podcast [51:00] I was saying to I was saying to Doug how [51:03] you know sometimes I just sit back and [51:05] look around me and say like oh my gosh [51:06] this is the greatest place on earth. And [51:09] it's good for us to hear that and to be [51:10] reminded of it because when you live in [51:11] Israel it's kind of like normal. Yeah, [51:13] you know, you grow up. We're going to go [51:14] to the army. We're all in this together. [51:16] >> But going through these types of traumas [51:19] together, no one wishes it on us, [51:22] >> but the positive impact of the social [51:25] bonds that are that are built in this [51:28] nation and the way people feel about [51:30] each other, it it translates into that [51:33] guy helping you with your flat tire [51:35] today. It's all the This is all the same [51:37] thing. This is all Israel is Israel is [51:40] the great it's the greatest I mean you [51:42] know forget about all the theological [51:43] stuff and the biblical stuff. This is [51:45] the greatest society on earth. [51:47] >> Yeah. It I mean like I I I hate to say [51:49] it and I love like like clearly like if [51:52] you run for Congress and I read [51:53] everything from you know Plato's [51:55] Republic all the way back on I was going [51:57] to all the gang you know what I mean and [51:59] the um everything in between twice [52:02] because I wanted to see how the I love [52:03] the founding fathers. I love I mean you [52:06] could go back to Solon the great like I [52:08] in in ancient Greece in the beginning of [52:10] all this kind of great constitutional [52:11] law I love this stuff this place [52:15] and people forget too they're like it's [52:17] the only dem yeah yeah it is the only [52:18] democracy in the Middle East but it's [52:19] also a theocratic dem democracy but in a [52:22] way where God has added whether you can [52:27] that's one thing fun thing about being [52:29] Jewish you're Jewish whether you believe [52:30] in God or not I always think that's [52:31] incredible But one of the one of the [52:36] amazing things like and I you'll [52:39] remember this when I first got here and [52:40] since you guys have been talking for [52:41] that long. Do you remember the Supreme [52:43] Court protests and I was living in one [52:46] of the [52:47] >> Yeah. I was living in one of the NY [52:48] neighborhoods where like that was going [52:50] on. I mean it was a good thing I [52:51] couldn't even afford bus ride, right? [52:52] Like let alone a car. So it's like okay [52:54] the aon's like blocked up for the next [52:57] like 10 hours. Like the highway okay [52:59] it's fine. I'm not going anywhere [53:00] anyway. Um but and so everyone thought, [53:05] "Oh yeah, and it was so evident [53:09] it didn't matter the second everyone [53:11] needed to come together." And I was at [53:13] the time remember like reservist pilots [53:14] were saying like, "Hey, we're not going [53:16] to fight if you know this." It was it [53:17] was it felt like I'm like, "Oh my gosh, [53:20] this chaos." No one knew if the young [53:22] generation was going to step up because [53:24] like they like to party. They like to [53:25] dance. You know, it was very different [53:27] than from other times of war. And man, [53:30] this is a different generation of [53:32] people. These [53:34] >> I have never seen kids like that. And [53:36] even [53:38] >> so I I have two two really good friends. [53:41] One from my getting less um reformed [53:44] congregation harsh. Hi guys. Um Temple [53:47] Harsh Shalom. [53:50] Hi Sher Ziggman. And hi Aliyah Ziggman. [53:52] Aaliyah super hippie dippy. It was [53:55] really funny. I was writing um a thing [53:56] for commander. She was graduating. She [53:58] just she's came. She's a lone soldier. [54:01] Grew up in like Beverly Hills, [54:02] Brentwood, right? Like, and um and I [54:07] wrote, "Hey," to her commander in this [54:08] great letter just to read. I'm like, [54:10] "Remember when we were Marxists? How [54:13] long ago that was, you know, and you [54:17] know, it's a joke, but it's also true. [54:19] We and how the world changes so much." [54:22] And that's actually one thing I would [54:23] want to say because you know liberal [54:27] Jews and like your brain is scrambled [54:29] right now and I have just come down to [54:32] it in this way. It's simply just good [54:35] versus evil. That's it. Pick the good, [54:39] don't do the evil. And same with [54:42] politics, same thing else. Go for what's [54:44] good. Leave the evil behind. [54:46] >> And also too Jews of the diaspora, you [54:49] guys don't know what it's like until you [54:50] come here. you don't know. Come here. [54:55] >> No, this has been so good. Your faith [54:57] and courage is just super inspiring and [55:00] uh thank you for sharing and being so [55:02] vulnerable. Um our audience is about uh [55:06] we we don't know the exact numbers but [55:08] it's a lot of evangelical Christians and [55:11] then also Jews uh from around the world. [55:14] What would you say to those Jews that [55:16] are waiting to come? What resources are [55:19] available? How would you direct them as [55:20] the ambassador for uh Eli in Israel? Uh [55:25] give us and then if there are Christians [55:26] saying how do I support? What are the [55:28] channels? Uh maybe we have we have a lot [55:30] of uh generous donors that uh listen to [55:32] this podcast. If they wanted to give to [55:35] help someone make how would they do that [55:37] too? [55:38] >> That that's actually one of the the best [55:40] things you can do because I know you [55:41] guys are are coming as well and uh I am [55:45] absolutely not going to sugarcoat this. [55:47] Even as the ambassador of Ali, right? [55:50] Like I have I have like BB's phone [55:52] number in my phone, right? Working with [55:53] the kind of everything else. I I have [55:56] not received one of my benefits. [56:00] I am running from agency to agency to [56:03] agency. It is a cluster and it's but you [56:07] know what? [56:09] I wouldn't change it for anything. And [56:13] um clearly I needed to be humbled. you [56:17] will probably have a much better [56:18] experience. And mine was also different [56:19] because I had to finish the process [56:22] while I was here. If you can finish [56:25] right now, they're doing all these [56:26] incredible things where you actually [56:27] finish the Elyia process on the plane. [56:30] You get your citizenship as you're on [56:32] the flight. Like it it's you land a [56:35] citizen. Like I've met a bunch of these [56:37] flights. They're incredible. [56:39] >> There are resources. Just learn about [56:41] them before you get here. again, I came [56:43] in like an emergency, so it's not like [56:45] your typical situation. Um, if [56:50] like my buddies that gave me that [56:51] envelope of cash and you want to support [56:54] people coming, that helps too because it [56:57] takes a minute to figure things out. If [56:59] you don't know Hebrew yet, um, if you've [57:02] been more secular of a Jew, it gets [57:05] pretty hard to adjust. And I would also [57:09] again I would invite every [57:13] Jew in the world to come home. [57:16] And [57:18] I would invite them to come home [57:22] again before they're forced to come [57:23] home. And I I do think that is in the [57:26] not too distant future. [57:28] Contribute. Let's build what we can [57:30] together. Life is not easy here, but it [57:33] is the greatest life I have ever known. [57:35] and I've had some pretty sweet life. And [57:38] um for all of our [57:43] evangelical friends, [57:46] I would say as I have loved you, [57:50] love one another. [57:53] this new commandment, [57:56] love one another, because by this shall [57:59] man know, [58:00] >> ye are my disciple [58:03] if you have loved one to another. [58:08] >> Beautiful. [58:10] >> So remember that support Israel 365. I [58:13] mean like the the amount of outreach to [58:15] help. I mean, they seriously they were [58:16] coming they're coming up with ideas [58:18] like, "Look, we don't actually need this [58:20] kind of thing, Diane, but we're going to [58:21] try and come up with something to help [58:22] you, you know, eat and get through life [58:25] and and the products that they sell and [58:29] the books are actually incredibly good. [58:31] Like, there's a beautiful one that I [58:34] just got a couple copies of. It's like [58:35] volume one and volume two of [58:38] prayers like beautiful regular [58:42] Jewish prayers and they're in Hebrew and [58:46] then they're transliterated so you can [58:47] learn it and then they're in the English [58:49] so you know what you're saying and [58:50] that's been really helping me learn. Um, [58:54] and [58:57] and the best support you can do [59:00] is learn the truth about the situation. [59:03] And I would highly recommend I have [59:06] listened to everyone in the universe [59:08] online. Most people are hyperbolic. They [59:11] don't have the information. They don't [59:12] vet even the sources where they get [59:14] things. Uh, Robert Pessup's [59:17] show is unbelievably accurate. I don't [59:20] even know how you find the time for [59:22] that. Seriously, Rabbi, like, it is [59:24] shocking. I mean, because that's one of [59:26] the things I found out when I was [59:27] running for Congress. It's not that [59:28] people want to be ignorant. It's they [59:31] don't have time and they don't know what [59:33] sources to trust. And man, I do a lot of [59:36] work with that, too. Rabbi Pasock, the [59:40] best I've seen that has anything to do [59:42] with the region, honestly. So, that's a [59:46] really great resource. and [59:50] find out the truth and then act on it [59:55] and stay close to God, right? Because [59:57] he'll tell you what to do. [59:58] >> And always stick up. That's the other [60:00] thing. If you're in a room with someone [60:03] that's saying something, even if there's [60:05] not a Jew around, be the person that's [60:08] brave and courageous, [60:10] be the person that does it. [60:14] >> All right. [60:15] >> Well, thank you, Diane. This has been [60:17] inspirational and I'm believing that [60:19] we're going to hear from folks that they [60:21] heard this episode and decided to come [60:23] home. That uh Jews are going to come [60:24] home because they listen to this [60:25] episode. And thank you to our wonderful [60:28] listeners for listening to today's [60:29] episode. If you enjoyed this episode, [60:31] please like, rate, share this podcast, [60:33] subscribe on Patreon, come on over to [60:35] Facebook, check us out on YouTube. Uh we [60:38] love to connect with our [60:39] shoulder-to-shoulder family and we'll [60:40] see you on our next
