From Urban Dreams to Desert Roots: How a Tel Aviv Couple Found Their Faith

Welcome to Tushia Farm, located in the far southern community of Be'er Milka. Nestled just near the Egyptian border, this farm is an oasis of life with fruit trees and a meticulously cared-for vineyard, all growing in arid desert soil. It’s no surprise that visitors of all sorts trek specially to experience this unique slice of paradise. However, this location also means a palpable disconnection from Israel’s bustling center.

Owners Gal and Roni Tushia warmly welcome guests, ranging from soldiers to students from military preparation programs, who often come to assist with the farm work. Even so, the farm's remote location means bonds with neighbors are sparse.

"There are just four settlements around us, with the nearest one being a 20-minute drive," Roni explains. "The nearest city, Be’er Sheva, is an hour away, meaning no one just 'pops by'—visitors come specifically to see us because we’re not on any main road."

But for the couple, it's more than just isolation; it’s a spiritual connection. "The land brought us back to our Jewish faith," they reveal. "For 18 years, we were far removed from both agriculture and spirituality, until this surprising and enchanting transformation unfolded."

“What is Hashem?”

"Gal and I originally hail from Tel Aviv, and we met during university," shares Gal. "Both entrenched in the television industry—Roni in production and commercials, and I in music and sound for reality shows and news—our first 'miracle' was simply marrying, quite the rarity in our circles. Our dreams were clear: to become global citizens and nurture careers beyond Israel's borders. Back then, we lacked ties to Israel or its people, disconnected from Torah, mitzvot, Shabbat, or holidays as we frequently traversed the Israel-London, Israel-Rome circuits."

One day, an invitation for a performance at a Berlin festival seemed like the change they sought. Yet, an unexpected encounter with cash payments left Gal feeling oddly 'bought as a Jew,' turning Berlin into a catalyst for returning wholeheartedly to Israel.

Back in the heart of Tel Aviv, in a quaint house with an untamed garden, something unexpected blossomed. "One day, I cleared the weeds and felt compelled to plant something," Gal recalls, describing how tomato seeds from breakfast became a thriving plant. "Harvesting that first tomato, something I'd grown with my own hands, was a profound connection to the earth."

Meanwhile, Roni was embarking on her own profound journey; becoming pregnant with their first child shifted her focus and priorities. Though oblivious to Gal’s growing bond with the land and spiritual stirring, Roni was nurturing life in a different yet equally meaningful way.

Discovering Light in the Synagogue

Gal's quest for meaning led him into a synagogue, a place he’d barely visited beyond his bar mitzvah. The welcoming embrace of a tallit and the rhythmic chanting of the Torah brought unexpected joy and a newfound lightness.

Back home, though, Roni worried about this newfound 'obsession.' Yet Gal couldn’t shake this calling, finding solace and simplicity in the rituals of Shabbat at the synagogue, enhancing his spiritual quest and inevitably drawing even Roni's curiosity.

An intriguing suggestion from a friend to ‘make kiddush’ opened yet another door. “I was clueless about kiddush,” Gal admits. “But, curious, I learned to recite the blessings over wine, eventually inspiring me to plant a vineyard, transforming desert sand into wine.”

Moving to the Desert

Gal’s dream to nurture what they eat, ironic for a city-born man, pulled them towards the Southern Negev, encouraged by discovering free land via internet searches. “At first, it seemed outlandish,” Roni laughs, recalling moving their modest city home to the desert, spurred by Gal’s unyielding adventurous spirit.

In this serene enclave, surrounded by nature's quiet magnitude, Gal’s link with the divine deepened. Weekly treks to a Jerusalem yeshiva became another part of this spiritual awakening, alongside nurturing budding vineyards back home.

Finding Faith Amid the Harvest

This transformation echoed deeply during their first sabbatical year as farmers. For Gal, the year was an opportunity to delve into Torah study at Jerusalem’s Machon Meir. “My spiritual journey intensified through learning alongside much younger students, enriching our lives as we embraced this new chapter.”

In time, the entire Tushia family found their place in Jerusalem, children in religious schools, Roni exploring Jewish teachings—finding their roles within a thriving community before returning to Be'er Milka, infused with purpose and anchored by faith.

Now, visitors continually marvel at how desert sands yield such vibrant life. Their farm, a beacon of growth and spirituality, attracts repeat groups eager to see and experience its wonders firsthand, even drawing helpers from overseas following recent geopolitical unrest.

“Today, we truly comprehend the Talmud’s insight: ‘When will redemption draw near? When Israel produces abundant fruit, the end is near.’ Each day, we witness the miraculous fruits of Israel and look forward to bringing them to Jerusalem,” Gal concludes, sharing how the land led them to a deeper Jewish identity and a sense of hope and fulfillment rooted in both soil and soul.