Gila Isaacson, at The Blogs

Dec 2, 2024, 6:34 PM

The Soul of Israel lives in these small moments

In the midst of our most challenging times, it's the small moments that reveal the true heart of Israel – not in grand gestures or political statements, but in the quiet threads of compassion and tradition that weave through...

Dec 1, 2024, 3:21 PM

When your son’s friend dies in Gaza: A mother’s heartbreak

There's a particular kind of heartbreak in watching your child learn that death doesn't just happen to other people's friends. Today, as Zamir Burke is laid to rest, I'm watching my son face a reality that no 20-year-old should have to...

Nov 28, 2024, 7:13 PM

My IDF soldier’s commander plays Brawl Stars – Here’s why it matters

There's something surreal about knowing your son's commanding officer in Gaza plays Brawl Stars. It hits you at odd moments - between checking the news and sending care packages, between prayers and sleepless nights. These boys leading our boys into battle...

Nov 18, 2024, 6:30 PM

The scariest noise in Israel these days (It’s not what you think)

In Israel today, no sound carries more weight than a knock at the door. Not the wail of sirens, not the boom of Iron Dome - just a simple knock that freezes time and shatters worlds. Every Israeli knows what...

Nov 13, 2024, 12:41 PM

Featured Post

The Haredi world: My love-hate relationship with a life I almost lived

There’s comfort in never having to shoulder life’s big decisions alone, yet it makes me want to scream 'Think for yourself!'

Nov 11, 2024, 12:04 AM

Would *you* really join the army if you were Haredi? I wouldn’t

When I really think about it (and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it), I am forced to admit something to myself. And that is that if I were Haredi, there is no way on G-d's good...

Nov 7, 2024, 2:58 PM

Raw faith: Finding G-d between the sirens

The siren wails. Again. My hands shake as I grab my phone and water bottle, muscle memory kicking in as I run to the shelter. But I'm not just running on adrenaline – I'm running on faith. Raw, unfiltered, sometimes-questioning-but-never-breaking...

Nov 6, 2024, 11:48 AM

Why guilt-tripping the ultra-Orthodox into joining the IDF doesn’t work

There is a lot of anger in Israel these days. One issue which comes up time and again is that of our Haredi brothers and sons not serving in the IDF. The anger towards them is understandable and even justified....

Nov 5, 2024, 2:41 PM

‘Normal life’ in Israel these days? There’s nothing normal about any of it

So, it's like this. A source I highly respect confirmed that Iran was going to attack us last night. Now, thankfully he was dead wrong on this one. But that didn't stop me from getting my safe room ready, for the...

Nov 4, 2024, 11:16 AM

Cry, my beloved country – But hating Haredim is not the answer

The National Religious / dati leumi have had a difficult two weeks, to say the least. The amount of dead and wounded soldiers, always devastating, has reached excruciating levels. When you look at the numbers of new widows and...

About Me

Gila Isaacson is the proud Israeli mother of five sons who've grown from energetic boys into remarkable young men, including a warrior in the IDF who makes her heart swell with pride. When she's not following her sons' latest adventures or worrying like any good mama bear, she's pursuing her passion for journalism at Jfeed, where she continues to tell the stories that matter. The midnight chases may have ended, but the pride and love only grow stronger.

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