Laura Ben-David, at The Blogs

Oct 9, 2024, 10:13 PM

A Soldier’s Sacrifice, A Family Reunited

A few weeks ago, Gideon Hanghal z"l, an IDF soldier from the Bnei Menashe community, was brutally murdered in a terrorist attack. He was the first Bnei Menashe soldier to die in the line of duty. As someone who has...

Sep 13, 2024, 4:09 PM

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From Manipur to Israel: A Bnei Menashe immigrant pays the highest price

First Sgt. Gideon Hanghal was killed in the line of duty, which should remind the Jewish state to bring his community home now (PHOTO ESSAY)

Oct 18, 2022, 1:15 AM

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Simchat Torah revolution

Woman holding a torah. [Laura Ben-David]

My eyes were misty as I was handed a Torah scroll and danced, with so much joy, surrounded by my daughters and granddaughters

Aug 7, 2022, 8:32 AM

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PHOTO ESSAY: Tisha B’Av in my backyard

View of Herodion from my neighborhood of Tekoa [Laura Ben-David]

Imagine looking out from the fortress Herodion, when it was still held by Jews, as the Temple fell to Rome. You see as far as the Temple. And you watch it burn

May 4, 2022, 5:34 PM

Independent on Independence Day

Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel's Independence Day - has always been special in my heart. Well since the first time I heard of it in 8th grade that is. Back then, the non-Zionistic, Jewish school in New York that I...

Oct 14, 2021, 6:33 AM

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PHOTO ESSAY: The long overdue aliyah of the Bnei Menashe

It took 27 centuries, but now what a privilege to witness this incredible parade of smiling, happy, flag-waving people at Ben Gurion airport, as if in a dream

Sep 24, 2021, 9:58 AM

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PHOTO ESSAY: A priestly blessing

Birkat Kohanim, Sukkot 2021. [Laura Ben-David]

When you don't like traffic or crowds or early mornings, rushing to the Western Wall for Sukkot prayers doesn't sound like a good way to spend your vacation...

May 19, 2021, 4:59 PM

Reflections of beauty and hate

Here's just a little bit of beauty to counteract so much ugly. There’s a war going on here. War is always ugly. And scary. And unpredictable. People -- on all sides -- are losing their homes. Their livelihoods. Their...

Oct 9, 2020, 3:28 PM

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Early mornings, pandemics and Sukkot

If musical instruments and singing were a regular part of Orthodox services, as they were today, I would probably become a regular

Jul 21, 2020, 5:22 PM

Something about Akko (in photos)

There's something about Akko – or Acre as it is also known – that draws me in, the layers of ancient civilization, preserved for us to roam endlessly, fueling our imaginations, the ever-present sounds and smells of the sea,...

About Me

Laura Ben-David is a photographer, public speaker and Israel advocate. Inspired by her Aliyah experience, Laura began writing and never stopped. She is the author of the book, MOVING UP: An Aliyah Journal, a memoir of her move to Israel. She has spoken all over the world about Israel, Aliyah and other topics, often with beautiful photographic presentations. Formerly the head of social media at Nefesh B'Nefesh, Laura is the director of marketing at Shavei Israel as well as a marketing consultant.

Contact Me