Susannah Schild, at The Blogs

Susannah Schild

Creator of Hiking the Holyland

Jun 27, 2024, 2:21 PM

Guide to Israel’s Outdoors: Summer 2024

Summer – what a wonderful time of year! As a kid, I remember looking forward to summertime pretty much all year long. Summer meant freedom, early morning swim practice in an Olympic Pool, and as much ice cream as...

Dec 13, 2023, 8:33 AM

Faith, light, and miracles

To my dear friend in the US, It was great speaking to you the other day. Your last message got me thinking… I know this war isn’t easy on any of us. In Israel and abroad, Jews are suffering. Many of...

Dec 10, 2023, 11:59 AM

Hope for the holidays: Shmini Atzeret to Hanukkah

Last week, on a drive out to Tzomet HaGush to buy Hanukkah supplies: candles, oil, and wicks, I noticed something mind-blowing. Next to the turn, a big sign screamed: “Sukkot for Sale!” With regular life on hold, nobody had ever...

Nov 26, 2023, 12:42 PM

The secret superpower of the Jewish people

12 tactical army vests. 30 multi-tools. 270 ski masks. I sat in bed on Saturday night with this shopping list at hand, the glow from my laptop illuminating the room in faint light. Seasoned online shopper that I was, I...

Nov 15, 2023, 9:51 AM

Israel at war: Supermom no more

Dear Son, It’s been almost three weeks since we last heard from you…how’s it going over there in Gaza? This probably comes as no surprise, but I wanted to let you know that we mothers have everything under control. While you soldier on in...

Nov 12, 2023, 1:20 PM

No Jew Hatred Here

Dear God, It’s me again. Times are tough right now for us Jews. I know You know that. All day and every day, my lips are full of prayers. You hear them: Please keep my son safe on the battlefront. Please...

Nov 9, 2023, 7:59 AM

Israel at War: Escape to Dream Land

My dear son, I have nowhere to send this letter and no way to hear back from you, but I guess I’ll write it anyway…how are things going today in Gaza? Did I ever tell you that for the past two...

Nov 6, 2023, 2:43 PM

No Place Like Home

It’s another typical day in Israel, Autumn 2023. Except there are no typical days. After hours of working in front of the computer I need a break, so I send a WhatsApp to a friend, and we agree to meet...

Nov 2, 2023, 9:42 AM

Faces of strength in battle

My son is on the battlefield in Gaza. So many scenes play through my head as I search for meaning in this horror; what do I have to console myself with but my own imagination? It’s Summer, 2021… After a surprise...

Oct 29, 2023, 4:46 PM

Happy Birthday, to My Soldier Son

My dear son, It is with a mixture of many feelings that I write this letter. Today is your birthday. 21 years ago, you were born on a cool, autumn morning in Englewood, New Jersey. What a happy day! Even before...

About Me

Susannah Schild is the creator of Hiking the Holyland, Israel's premier English language hiking website and author of From Southerner to Settler: Unexpected Lessons from the Land of Israel. You can find out more, see the book, and join group hikes at hikingintheholyland.com

Contact Me