Yori Yalon on Faith, Jerusalem, and a Life Guided by Jewish Purpose

Yori Yalon is a father of three, and a presidential correspondent covering Jerusalem and the Jewish world for Israel Hayom, residing in Mevaseret Zion.

Winds of Change

“I grew up in the Beit HaKerem neighborhood of Jerusalem and later in Mevaseret Zion, the eldest son of my parents, Gabi and Bracha, together with my brothers Dan and Or. My connection to Judaism began with the kiddush my parents made sure to recite on Friday nights. One childhood memory deeply etched in me is how my father took me, my brother, and our cousins on foot to the Western Wall on Yom Kippur, an experience that strengthened the Jewish hold on my soul.

“After we moved to Mevaseret Zion, my father served as chairman of the local Shinui party branch and was also a member of the local council’s leadership. From him I learned the value of involvement in community life, driven by a constant desire to improve society. My primary connection to Judaism, however, came from my mother Bracha, an exceptional educator of a kind rarely seen today, who grew up in a religious home. To this day, I feel that the Jewish foundations within me, which are now flourishing, exist thanks to my mother and her parents.”

Candles and Soul

“My maternal grandfather, Rabbi Zerubavel Shoshani of blessed memory, and my righteous grandmother Hanna of blessed memory, who immigrated from Persia, planted within me the roots of Jewish connection. My grandfather Ernst, who immigrated from Germany, instilled in me a deep love of humanity, and I hope some of his elegance and dignity rubbed off on me. I miss that complementary contrast between East and West, which was so beautifully expressed in the bond that formed over the years between my German grandfather Ernst and my Persian grandmother Hanna. Together, they harmoniously blended Judaism and Zionism within me.

“To this day, whenever I see a rosemary bush, I am reminded of Grandma Hanna, her head covered with a scarf, reciting the blessing over rosemary during Havdalah. I approach the rosemary, and its scent brings back a sweet childhood memory.

“In recent years, as my Jewish awakening deepened, I decided to visit the graves of my maternal grandparents to pray for the elevation of their souls. The tombstones were dirty, and after cleaning them I purchased candle holders and lit memorial candles. I felt that I had brought joy to my late grandfather Rabbi Zerubavel and my grandmother Hanna. To my amazement, a short time later, the exact amount of money I had paid for the candle holders returned to me in an unexpected way. To this day, I am convinced this was a sign that my modest gesture touched their hearts as they watch over me from above with kindness.”

May It Never End

“Thank God, I begin every day with the morning blessings, putting on tefillin, reciting Shema Yisrael, and praying, which grants me inner calm and further strengthens the faith beating within me. Through prayer and faith, an ongoing transformation is taking place within me, and my hope is that my journey toward the heart of faith and Judaism will never end. Knowing that God is always by my side makes me happy and content with my lot.

“The more a person believes, the less dependent they become on material things. Another source of happiness for me is helping others. One of the most important ways, in my view, is donating blood, which gives new life to the sick. I see blood donation as a value of immense importance and hope many will understand the significance of this act, which is purely good.”

A Light unto the Nations

“I make kiddush every Friday night. This mitzvah holds special value and great importance for me. I try to bring others closer to Judaism with goodwill and a warm smile. Every Shabbat when my children are with me, I make kiddush and recite the blessing of hamotzi together with my parents, my children Lihi, Adi, and Ariel, and also my brother Or, his wife Laura, and their daughter Daria. They connect deeply to the kiddush.

“On Shabbatot when my children are not with me, I make kiddush with friends, most of whom do not do so in their own homes. There is immense importance in spreading the unifying goodness of Judaism, especially our heritage and beautiful tradition as the chosen people, meant to serve as a guiding light for other nations.”

A Light of the World

“It may sound far-reaching, but today I feel deep in my soul that I have a mission: to spread love of God, love of the Jewish people and Jerusalem, alongside unconditional love in every possible way. Every morning during my prayers I ask the Master of the Universe to guide me and help me glorify His name publicly, and of course the Jewish people, the chosen nation.

“Thanks to divine guidance and personal providence, I strive to exalt God, the people of Israel, and Jerusalem. On my Facebook page I post photos of myself putting on tefillin and photos of my prayer book, which I was privileged to receive from Rabbi Eliyahu Pinchasi, who guided me together with his brother Rabbi Meir Pinchasi. These are two important rabbis from whom we will hear much more in the future.

“Beyond that, I cover the Office of the President for Israel Hayom, and as part of this role I occasionally travel with President Reuven Rivlin to document his official visits around the world. On our most recent trip to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in Auschwitz, Poland, and to Germany, I took my tefillin with me. My grandfather Ernst was forced to flee Germany in fear of the Nazis before the Holocaust, and I merited returning there as a believing Jew, proud of my Judaism.

“I put on tefillin in Germany and felt it was my personal victory. One of the traits that defines me most is my boundless love for Jerusalem, our eternal capital. As part of my connection to Jerusalem, I feel a strong need to frequently visit the Jewish Quarter, the magnificent Hurva Synagogue, the Small Western Wall, King David’s Tomb, and of course the Western Wall, which moves me anew every time. I post from these places and from viewpoints overlooking the one and only Jerusalem. Thank God, many people in Israel and around the world identify with my messages, which I strive to convey with a smile and in a positive spirit.”

Words of Consolation

“Throughout my journalistic career I have experienced moving and fascinating moments in Israel and around the world, including the privilege of accompanying Jews from the United States, France, and Ethiopia on their journey to immigrate to Israel. Yet the experience that remains etched in my memory more than any other is one of loss.

“In my work covering President Reuven Rivlin, a friendship developed between me and the President’s wife, Nechama Rivlin. Her genuine care, simplicity, humanity, and her actions on behalf of disadvantaged populations captured my heart.

“When her health deteriorated, I prayed for her recovery, but after some time she passed away. By virtue of my role, I covered her funeral for Israel Hayom. During the ceremony, tears filled my eyes, and I struggled to write about the President’s painful farewell to his beloved wife. After the eulogies ended and the dignitaries left the section of the great leaders at Mount Herzl where Nechama was laid to rest, I approached the President in his grief to offer a few words of comfort. I will never forget the President’s words or Nechama’s memory, whose image continues to accompany me.”

And You Shall Tell Your Children

“If during my lifetime I succeed in increasing the spread of love of God, and no less importantly, unconditional love in every possible way, educating my children in the path of Judaism, observing the mitzvot, and performing acts of kindness, I will know that I have left my mark.”