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Episode 177 - Borderlines: Beyond the Border - Syria (featuring Ilan Schulman)

Headlines tell you there's a war on Israel's borders. But they don't explain why it matters, who's fighting, or how 50 years of history shapes today. 

Ilan Schulman - kibbutznik, IDF paratrooper, intelligence officer, and PhD scholar of Syrian cities - walks us through the real complexity. 

Syria isn't one nation but ~200 tribes loyal to different interests. 

Understanding jihadists requires reading the Quran, not just analyzing weapons. 

The Ottomans' 500-year control of this region echoes in today's geopolitics. 

Iran builds power through schools and hospitals, not just missiles. 

And the 1973 Yom Kippur War - which nearly destroyed Israel - reshaped military philosophy that still drives strategy today.

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Episode 174 - Inside Operation Israel (featuring Adi Vaxman)

What do you do when your homeland is under attack and you're thousands of miles away?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Adi Vaxman recounts the unforgettable hours of October 7 and the overwhelming helplessness she experienced as family members entered combat, friends fought for their lives, and Israel faced one of the darkest days in its history.

Rather than remaining paralyzed, Adi turned heartbreak into action by founding Operation Israel. 

What began with purchasing protective gear for soldiers has grown into an organization that has raised more than $11 million to fund medical equipment, drone defense technology, trauma recovery programs, and innovative battlefield solutions that are now influencing the IDF itself.

This conversation is a compelling reminder that while we can't all be on the front lines, every one of us has the opportunity - and responsibility - to do something.

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Episode 172 - Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (featuring Aaron Evans)

What does it mean to stand with Israel when the world seems to be turning against her?

In this episode, Aaron Evans shares how October 7th became a turning point that moved him from passive support to active involvement with Friends of the IDF. 

As antisemitism surged around the world, Aaron felt compelled to use his voice and resources to support Israel and its defenders.

The conversation explores biblical foundations for supporting Israel, the challenges facing younger generations, and the growing influence of misinformation on social media.

Most importantly, it shines a light on the men and women of the IDF - the people carrying the weight of defending Israel while balancing family, work, and the emotional toll of war.

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Episode 171 - A Biblical Look at Israel’s Economy (featuring Evan Liberman)

What does biblical stewardship actually look like in today’s financial world?

In this episode, Evan Liberman shares his journey from California to Israel, why he believes investing is a biblical responsibility, and how Wise Money Israel helps believers think differently about wealth, stewardship, and the future.

The conversation explores everything from the Parable of the Talents to diversification, inflation, Israel’s economy, and the unique role Israel plays in both biblical prophecy and global innovation.

Whether you’re an experienced investor or simply trying to steward resources wisely, this episode offers a compelling perspective on faith and finance.

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Episode 169 - ZAKA: Honoring the Dead, Saving the Living (featuring Marnix Van Ede)

What happens after tragedy strikes?

In this powerful episode, Marnix van Ede shares the story behind ZAKA, Israel’s volunteer emergency response organization known for handling some of the most difficult scenes imaginable. 

From terror attacks to natural disasters, ZAKA volunteers step into chaos to save lives and honor the dead.

Marnix also reflects on his own journey - from growing up in the Netherlands to encountering God in Israel and eventually serving alongside Jewish volunteers after October 7th.

This conversation offers a deeply human look at Israel, trauma, resilience, and the sacred responsibility of caring for people even in their final moments.

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Episode 164 - Why Narrative Matters More Than Ever (featuring Hillel Fuld)

In a world flooded with information, why does truth feel harder to find?

Hillel Fuld shares his journey from tech entrepreneur to one of the most recognizable voices advocating for Israel in the digital space. 

After October 7th, everything changed. What was once a growing business became a mission to bring clarity in the middle of confusion.

This episode explores the deeper battle behind the headlines - the fight for narrative, the spread of misinformation, and the responsibility each of us carries in shaping what others believe.

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Episode 163 - What’s Really Happening in Iran (featuring Shah Afshar)

What do Iranians actually think about what’s happening right now?

In this powerful and personal conversation, Shah Afshar offers a rare insider perspective on life under the Iranian regime and the current conflict involving Israel and the United States. His story challenges assumptions and brings clarity to a complex moment.

But this isn’t just political. It’s deeply personal and spiritual. Shah reflects on oppression, hope, and what it means to hold both justice and compassion at the same time.

This episode invites listeners to move beyond headlines and into a deeper understanding of people, faith, and the possibility of freedom.

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Episode 162 - Ambulances in a War Zone: Magen David Adom (featuring Uri Shacham)

What happens when emergency responders become targets?

In this gripping conversation, Uri Shacham of Magen David Adom shares what it means to serve on the front lines of Israel’s most intense moments. 

From the horrors of October 7th to ongoing missile attacks, Uri brings listeners into the real-time tension of responding to crisis while under threat.

But beneath the chaos is something deeper. A calling. A shared mission that transcends background, belief, and fear. Thousands of volunteers across Israel step into emergencies not because it’s safe, but because it matters.

This episode is a raw and honest look at courage under fire, the power of preparation, and the quiet strength of people committed to saving lives no matter the cost.

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Episode 158 - How to Read News About Israel (featuring Nicole Jansezian)

In a world where Israel is headline news every day, most people are trying to interpret events through a fog of bias, misinformation, and instant reaction culture. 

We sat down with longtime Jerusalem-based journalist Nicole Jansezian to ask a simple question that’s not simple at all: 

How do we know what’s actually true? 

What unfolded was an inside look at the fractured media landscape inside Israel and the ideological forces shaping the region.

Nicole helps us slow down and understand why the Middle East defies the easy categories most Westerners reach for. 

Israel’s political divisions don’t map onto America’s left-right spectrum. Palestinian society is not monolithic. And both sides live with historic, cultural, and religious dynamics that rarely show up in the headlines. 

When we oversimplify, we miss the deeper story - and the deeper human reality.

This conversation is for anyone who wants discernment in an age of propaganda. We explore why speed has replaced accuracy, why influencers often outrun truth, and why we need a long view shaped by Scripture, not by algorithms. 

For Christians seeking to understand Israel, this isn’t just geopolitics - it’s about returning to the story God has been telling since Genesis and learning to see the world the way He sees it.

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Episode 139 - Through the Eyes of a Watchman (featuring William Koenig)

From White House briefings to the streets of Jerusalem, William Koenig has seen prophecy and politics collide. 

In this episode, he shares a front-row account of how world leaders unknowingly advance biblical timelines, the media’s war on Israel, and the spiritual battle shaping public opinion.

It’s a sweeping journey - spanning history, geopolitics, and the promises of God - that calls believers to watch, pray, and stand with Israel. Koenig’s perspective bridges the gap between breaking news and eternal truth, revealing patterns that echo the words of the prophets.

Whether you follow headlines or study Scripture, this conversation will equip you to see the times we’re living in with clarity and conviction.

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Episode 134 - Is Israel Starving the Palestinians? (featuring Yair Pinto)

October 7 changed everything.

Sirens wailed. Missiles fell. Terrorists infiltrated. Yair Pinto, a Messianic Jewish IDF reservist, was thrust from his home into a war zone. But that was only the beginning. 

As bombs exploded around him, a darker battle unfolded - one not of bullets and tanks, but of headlines and hashtags.

From the front lines of Gaza to the propaganda war online, Yair has been fighting for truth - armed with his Bible, his camera, and an unshakable faith in the God of Israel.

In this gripping conversation, he tears through the media lies, explains why aid is piling up unused in Gaza, and lays bare the spiritual war waged against the Jewish people.

But this isn’t just about geopolitics. It’s about promises. About faithfulness. About a God who hasn’t changed His mind - and a world that’s forgotten He ever made a promise to begin with.

If you care about truth, about Israel, and about the God who wrote the end from the beginning - you need to hear this.

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Episode 133 - From the Bomb Shelter Capital of the World (featuring Michael Beener)

On October 7, 2023, the city of Sderot became one of the first places Hamas unleashed its brutal assault. But right there - in a city riddled with bullet holes, bomb shelters on every corner, and stories of terrorized children - there’s something unexpected: life. 

In this gripping and emotional episode, we sit down with Pastor Michael, leader of City of Life Ministries, just steps from the rubble where terrorists stormed and slaughtered innocent police officers on that Shabbat morning.

He takes us into the chaos of those early hours, the miracle that spared his apartment building, and what it’s like to raise a family under rocket fire - with just 15 seconds to run for cover. 

But this isn’t just a story of survival. It’s a story of spiritual resistance. Of staying. Of blessing. Of building a community that not only endures, but proclaims hope in Yeshua despite pressure, persecution, and war.

This episode reveals what the global headlines miss: how God is still writing His story in the land of Israel - even when the world wants to erase it.

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Episode 132 - The Massacre In Syria No One’s Talking About (featuring Mansor Ashkar)

While global attention remains locked on Gaza, another atrocity is unfolding across the border in Syria - and almost no one is talking about it. 

In this episode of The Jewish Road Podcast, Matt and Ron Davis speak with Mansor Ashkar, a prominent Israeli Druze leader, to expose the silent ethnic cleansing of the Druze people by radical Sunni factions.

These are Israel’s allies - men who serve in the IDF, who have bled and died protecting Jewish lives - now watching their extended families be slaughtered just across the border. 

Some have taken matters into their own hands, crossing illegally into Syria in an attempt to rescue their relatives. 

This episode is not only a wake-up call - it’s a moral reckoning. Why is the world silent? And what does this mean for Christians and Jews who claim to care about justice?

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Episode 131 - Tasting Prophecy (featuring Daniel & Alana Elliott)

What happens when Christians fall in love with Israel - not just the idea, but the land, the people, and yes...the wine? In this episode, Matt and Ron welcome Daniel and Alana Elliott, founders of Israeli Good Wine, to tell a story that starts in the rocky hills of Samaria and ends with something far deeper than just a good vintage.

You’ll hear how a trip to Israel led Daniel to rethink his theology, how a verse in Jeremiah led an Israeli couple to plant vineyards on ancient hills, and how wine became more than a drink - it became evidence that God is keeping His promises. 

From encountering the land to challenging replacement theology, this episode uncorks spiritual insight, prophetic fulfillment, and plenty of wine wisdom (including whether putting ice in red wine is ever okay).

If you've ever wondered what Psalm 23 has to do with a wine bottle, or what it looks like to “taste and see” that the Lord is good - this one’s for you.

Our guest, a Jewish believer and elite IDF soldier, shares how he’s been sustained through nearly 600 days of combat, what the Bible says about Gaza, and why the real hope for peace isn’t political - it’s prophetic. 

You won’t hear this anywhere else.

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Episode 130 - Faith Under Fire (featuring Chaim Malespin)

We sat down at the Sea of Galilee with an Israeli special forces commander just hours after he returned from the front lines in Gaza. What followed wasn’t just a conversation - it was a collision of war, faith, and the kingdom of God. 

In this powerful and emotional episode, we talk about everything from blowing up terror tunnels and rescuing hostages to the unseen spiritual battle raging behind the headlines.

Our guest, a Jewish believer and elite IDF soldier, shares how he’s been sustained through nearly 600 days of combat, what the Bible says about Gaza, and why the real hope for peace isn’t political - it’s prophetic. 

You won’t hear this anywhere else.

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Episode 129 - An Iranian Christian View of the Iran-Israel Conflicts

What happens when a Muslim from Iran meets Jesus in America - then watches his homeland go to war with Israel? 

Shah Afshar was born and raised in Iran, shaped by a shame-based culture, a devout Muslim family, and the pressure to uphold family honor. But everything changed when he encountered a group of joyful American college students and heard the name of Jesus - not as a prophet, but as Savior.

In this episode, Shah shares his powerful journey from Islam to Christianity, the cultural weight of honor and shame, and what he sees unfolding in the Middle East today. 

With a foot in both worlds, he gives insight few can offer: why 80% of Iranians quietly cheer when Israel strikes military targets…and why Persians and Jews have a deeper shared history than most realize.

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Episode 128 - Is This the Spark? - Iran, Nukes, and the End of Negotiation

The ground is shaking beneath Israel. And most of the world isn’t paying attention.

Fresh off a 17-day trip through the land - along war-torn borders and ancient prophetic fault lines - we return with a warning: something is building. 

The people are exhausted. The hostages are still missing. Iran is preparing for war. And while embassies evacuate, the Church scrolls past in silence.

This episode isn’t casual listening. It’s a wake-up call. The stage is being set. And if we’re not watching, praying, and standing with Israel, we’ll miss what God is doing right in front of us.

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Episode 125 - IDF Soldiers Speak Out - Why They Left Everything to Fight for Israel (featuring Max Long & Noy Leyb)

They had jobs. 

They had plans. 

Then October 7th happened.

Two IDF soldiers left their comfortable lives to fight for Israel. Now, they’re walking through NRB wearing shirts that say, “Ask me anything.” 

And the world needs to hear their answers.

This isn’t just a war in Israel - it’s a war of truth. 

Hamas hides behind civilians, while the world looks away. Universities echo propaganda. Social media spreads lies. 

And Jewish voices? They’re being silenced.

But these soldiers aren’t backing down. 

They’ve seen the tunnels. 

They’ve held the evidence. 

They’ve lost friends in the fight. 

Now, they’re exposing the truth and calling Christians to stand with Israel - before it’s too late.

If you think you know what’s happening in Israel, think again.

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Episode 124 - It’s Not Just Political - Why the War for Israel Is Spiritual (featuring Moshe)

Israel is exhausted. 

The war has stretched on for 15 months. 

The weight of it - physically, emotionally, spiritually - is crushing. And yet, as the world watches, the narratives surrounding Israel are being twisted beyond recognition. 

Lies, conspiracies, and political maneuvers flood the headlines, and the church is left asking: 

What is actually happening?

In this episode, we sit down with Moshe Sigulim - an Israeli with deep personal ties to the military, the land, and the people of Israel. 

He’s lived through war. 

He’s lost friends. 

He’s seen firsthand what’s at stake. 

And he’s here to cut through the noise.

We’re talking about the spiritual and political storm surrounding Israel, the unsettling rise of global anti-Semitism, and why the world is obsessed with placing Israel at the center of every conflict. 

But more than that, we’re wrestling with prophecy, the longing for peace, and the hard truth that Israel is searching for a savior - just not the Savior.

If you care about Israel, if you want to see through the media fog, if you want to understand what the Bible actually says about the days we’re living in - this episode is a must-listen.

Because what’s happening in Israel isn’t just political. 

It’s spiritual. 

And it’s unfolding right before our eyes.

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Episode 123 - Why Silence in the Church Is Dangerous for Israel - and Gospel (featuring Moshe)

There’s a growing question in our culture - why should we care about Israel?

The answer is bigger than politics, bigger than history. It’s biblical.

Since October 7th, the conversation has changed.

The battle isn’t just on the ground - it’s in the media, in our churches, and in the hearts of believers. 

Anti-Zionism is on the rise, and many don’t even see it.

In the first episode of this two-part conversation, we sat down with Moshe Sigulim, a Messianic Jew who holds citizenship in Israel, Canada, and the U.S., to unpack the spiritual war behind the headlines

From ancient antisemitism to modern-day propaganda, we expose the undercurrents shaping how the world sees Israel - and why the church cannot afford to stay silent.

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