The Virtual Voyage

Miiko Shaffier, an Orthodox Jew living in Be’er Sheva (less than 30 miles from Gaza), joins Abigail to give a detailed account of what it was like in Israel on the morning on October 7. As the mother of an IDF soldier, Miiko also shares her son’s experience of being called up to serve, her level of contact with him during the war, and a heartwarming story involving kneepads for

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum joins Abigail to provide an update on the war in Israel, especially with the recent development of the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Fleur also discusses the hostage situation, providing an important caveat: this is not a prisoner exchange. There is no equivalence between releasing Palestinian prisoners who have been imp

As the Hamas-Israel war continues to rage, Rabbi Steven Weil, CEO of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, joins Abigail to provide an update from the front lines, what could happen if Hezbollah enters the war, and how Israel sets the moral standard for war.Rabbi Weil also shares the story of Sgt. Rose Lubin, a courageous American Lone Soldier who served in the IDF and defended

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel as we head to Huqoq, an archaeological site in the Galilee region. At Huqoq, we’ll meet back up with Dr. Jodi Magness, an archaeologist and director of the Huqoq Excavation Project, who has graciously agreed to give us a tour of the site.Come along on the adventure to learn more about this ancient Jewish village, which Jesus himself may have visi

Israel is at war. On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the terrorist group Hamas launched a vicious surprise attack on Israel—on a Jewish holiday. It’s disgusting, sickening, and heartbreaking. Hamas is engaged in pure evil, trying to obliterate the nation of Israel, G-d’s nation, from this earth—but they will ultimately fail. G-d will protect his people.As this war happens in Isr

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel as we head back to Tel Hazor, the largest biblical-era site in Israel. We’ll again meet up with Dr. Shlomit Bechar, director of the excavations in the lower city of Hazor.Come along on the adventure to learn what it’s like working on an archaeological dig—including what time you have to wake up. Plus, you won’t want to miss hearing about al

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel as we meet Dr. Yosef Garfinkel, an archaeologist who has directed excavations at Tel Lachish—a city you need to know about. Come along on the adventure to hear about Dr. Garfinkel's significant discoveries at this site, including evidence for the kingdom of David.And you won't want to miss Dr. Garfinkel's exciting summary of the Assyrian invasion

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel for a visit to Tel Megiddo, the site most often associated with Armageddon from the book of Revelation, which describes a final end-of-world confrontation between God and forces of evil.But can we actually call Megiddo the location of the future battle of Armageddon—or is it a different city altogether? Come along on this week's adventure to find

Join tour guide Abigail in Israel as we visit Mt. Tabor, a mountain in Lower Galilee known for an Old Testament battle between the Israelites and Sisera and later the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. But how likely is it that the Transfiguration actually happened here, especially because its location is never directly stated in the New Testament? Abigail will o

On this exciting episode of The Virtual Voyage, we'll meet up with one of Israel's most incredible tour guides, Aaron Shaffier, and head to Zorah, the birthplace of Samson. Tour Guide Aaron leads us to an old industrial park—and you won't believe what we'll find.Here's a teaser from Judges 13: "And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the LORD went up