Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 13
October 20, 2024
How Alex Jimenez Transformed Her Passion into a Thriving Travel Community
In this exciting episode of Make Your Own Map, Lisa Niver welcomes her longtime friend and founder of Travel Fashion Girl, Alex Jimenez. They dive into Alex���s incredible journey from a corporate fashion career to building a thriving travel community, reflecting on the transformative power of travel, the importance of community, and the courage to take risks. Alex shares her experiences with Women���s Travel Fest, the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood, and how she continues to inspire others with her passion for travel.
“I wanted to be in the fashion industry for as long as I can remember. I wanted to own my own business since I was 6.”
“What is the worst that can happen? I took three months off and wouldn’t have a job when I got back, and that actually did happen.”
“Traveling is refreshing and rejuvenating. Just a little more challenging to get up and go nowadays.”
“Reflecting on the person who did that originally and how brave I was then… Looking back at 25-year-old me, I think���WOW! you did that.”
“It’s always worth the risk and I thought, well, what’s the worst that can happen?”
Introduction:
Welcome to this episode of Make Your Own Map! Today, I am thrilled to have Alex Jimenez, the dynamic founder of Travel Fashion Girl and Women���s Travel Fest. Alex and I have been friends since 2012, and it���s been incredible to witness her journey from a fashion blogger to a trailblazer in the travel community. In this episode, Alex shares her inspiring story, from overcoming challenges to taking bold risks. Tune in to hear about her latest ventures, the power of travel, and how she continues to make a significant impact in the world of travel and beyond. Click here to read about when Alex interviewed me in 2012.
Lisa and Alex in Thailand in 2012Show NotesOrigins of Travel Fashion Girl: Alex discusses how Travel Fashion Girl started, focusing on packing lists and traveler interviews.Impact of Community: Alex reflects on taking over and merging Women���s Travel Fest with Travel Fashion Girl.Balancing Personal and Professional Life: Insights into managing multiple roles as a new mom and entrepreneur.Inspiring Others: Alex���s commitment to empowering others through her work and community efforts.Overcoming Pandemic Challenges: Alex���s resilience and the evolution of Women���s Travel Fest during and after the pandemic.Taking Risks: Alex���s approach to risk-taking and how it has shaped her career.Balancing Multiple Roles: The challenges of managing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and travel.Future of Women���s Travel Fest: Exciting plans for the upcoming event in LA.Reflecting on Achievements:: Alex looks back at her adventurous past and her bravery in taking risks.Travel as Refresh: How travel remains a source of rejuvenation and inspiration for Alex.Supportive Friendship: The value of ongoing support and friendship between Lisa and Alex.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Women's Travel Fest (@womenstravelfest)
Welcome to Make Your Own Map! I���m Lisa Niver, and today���s episode features a conversation with the incredible Alex Jimenez, founder of Travel Fashion Girl and Women���s Travel Fest. Alex and I go way back, and I���m thrilled to have her on the show to share her inspiring journey from a corporate fashion career to becoming a leading voice in the travel community. We���ll dive into her experiences with risk-taking, community building, and the transformative power of travel. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired!
Lisa Niver
I am beyond thrilled and excited to have my very good friend, Alex from Travel Fashion Girl, here with us on the podcast. Alex, you are amazing. Welcome.
Alex Jimenez
Lisa, I’m so thrilled to be here today with you. Thank you so much for having me.
Lisa Niver
So, for people that don’t know, Alex and I have been friends since 2012. We actually met when she was living in Thailand in the Travel Blogger Think Tank house, and that was really the beginning. My website started in 2010, so it was early in my website, and you were very involved in early internet, evolving social.
It was almost before social. We met because you tweeted at me.
Alex Jimenez
I remember when I started Travel Fashion Girl, I was always on Twitter, and really that was the main original place I met people. I was following your blog and your social, and you were in Hua Hin. And I said come to Koh Samui and you did.
Lisa Niver
This was twitter in 2012. I wasn’t sure if it did anything. And not only did you tweet, come to Koh Samui, you invited me and said you’d interview me for Travel Fashion Girl.
Alex Jimenez
That’s true. I had just launched Travel Fashion Girl, the month or two months before you came, and I was doing an interview series on the blog, showcasing different travelers, not just fashion styles, but how they packed, what they packed.
I still love that. That’s the origin of how I started Travel Fashion Girl, interviewing people on the road. So, you were one of the people that I interviewed, literally, on the road.
Lisa Niver
I loved that you thought I had fashion style. I was so excited. I thought I would change all my plans to meet this woman.
And we’ve been friends ever since. And you grew Travel Fashion Girl from an idea to an enormous community. So, tell people about Travel Fashion Girl, because I think one of the early things was the packing list.
Alex Jimenez
Yes. So, the reason why Travel Fashion Girl existed was because I’d been backpacking, essentially, for five years long term at that point. And I was so tired of packing all the wrong things and overpacking.
And I wanted to pack lighter. So, I started interviewing people on the road, other travelers like you and finding out, well, what did you pack? How did you pack?
Are you happy with what you brought? It was information that I didn’t find online.
You’d go to some forums and you’d see a packing list per se. It was really driven towards a male hiker at that point. — pack three quick dry tees, a pair of cargo pants that turn into shorts, and three pairs of underwear that you can flip inside out to get more wear out of them.
I remember looking at the packing tips from people in forums, again, not websites, and I didn’t find any resources that could help me.
I was trying to figure out–how can I do this? So, I started the packing lists, and they still really are the bread and butter even as the Travel Fashion Girl has evolved.
In order to pack efficiently, you’ve got to have a packing list. In order to have the right packing list, you’ve got to know what to pack. You’ve got to understand your destination and all the things.
And that’s expanded so much now. It all started with packing lists and how to pack. And now the community is growing and growing further.
Lisa Niver
The community is huge. And now you have products. So, tell people about your amazing Compass Rose packing cubes.
Alex Jimenez
Now the community is massive. I started by creating a website with packing lists and packing tips. I started a Facebook group in December 2013. So, it’s been over a decade. The business has grown tremendously. It’s always been because I’ve really listened to what the readers wanted, what the community wanted. This is my latest product, The Compass Rose travel accessories luggage scale.
Lisa Niver
Oh, that’s brilliant.
Alex Jimenez
I started Compass Rose travel accessories out of the need again, because the products that were out there in 2013, 14, 15 weren’t what people what needed. I started the product line with my slim packing cubes. I changed things up with mine, I made a YouTube video back in 2013 and it was on how I packed carry on only for full time travel.
I used another brand’s packing cubes. But I didn’t use packing cubes the way they were marketed by companies, which is to organize clothing, right? I use them, yes, to organize, but also compress the clothing.
So I devised my packing technique. When I imagined what the best packing cube would look like, obviously, you need the best materials, things that are not going to rip. So all of my materials for the compass rose travel accessories packing cubes are super hardcore. I wanted to make sure that they’re going to be durable.
You can put as much as you wanted in there, and they were going to close and zip and not tear like with other products that I’ve tested. Other packing cubes weren’t the right size. I was traveling carry on only and all the packing cubes were too large for carry on bags. They’re meant for regular size suitcases.
That was my the other major differences that I fixed the size made them specifically to fit the carry on size, even now that I have my larger packing cubes, they’re still meant to fit perfectly in a carry on. And in addition to that, let’s make them more functional. I color coded and added numbers.
So that way, the functionality, the ways that I use packing cubes myself was the focus. This all came from my personal needs, whether it was a website or the products like the cubes. The products that we developed were things that the community wanted, like the travel adapter, which I’ve also just relaunched.
I asked the community back then, What do you want us to produce? What are the products that you need? And then we did our best to make them happen and continue to do so now.
Lisa Niver
We should also mention that before you were living in Thailand, and before you were backpacking, you worked in the fashion world.
Alex Jimenez
I did. I that is my background. I worked in for the second largest company in the fashion industry. I worked there for six years before I quit my corporate job and went traveling.
So I do have that experience. And as a long-term traveler back in the day, before people were traveling with laptops and working remotely and nomads or whatever, I was trying to figure out how to travel long term. I kept thinking how do I keep going?
Lisa Niver
And I’m going to put a link in the notes to the video that we made together in 2012. When we went to the best lasagna in Thailand with the travel blogger think tank. So two things are very memorable for me about you of the many because we’ve been friends a long time.
We’ve seen each other in many countries. So one is that you wanted to interview me about fashion, which was a shock for me. And I did wear my shirt with stars because you made me feel like a star when you invited me to speak at Women’s Travel Fest which made me an international speaker because the conference was in Mexico.
So tell people about this incredible conference where you bring women together, you empower people. Women’s Travel Fest is connected to Travel Fashion Girl, but also separate. Women’s Travel Fest is coming to LA March 7-9, 2025.
Alex Jimenez
Well, thank you so much for coming, Lisa. That’s so sweet. I love it.
I love how you incorporate fashion into your emotional feeling and having me here today. So thank you. I appreciate it.
Women’s Travel Fest has been going on for over a decade. As I was saying before, I’ve always done what makes sense for the community. In 2019, I started holding in person meetups.
It was really sort of the next level. I was looking at starting a conference for my community. And then 2020 happened. And one thing led to another, I found out the Women’s Travel Fest, which was had been running for a decade already at that point, was going to be sold to somebody.
And I said, #1 I love this conference. It’s such a special space. And #2, I wanted to have a conference for the travel fashion girl community, why not combine the two, and may be able to continue this beautiful space that Kelly Lewis, the previous owner had created. I wanted to bring together that wonderful community and help it keep going and thriving, as well as have a place for my travel fashion girl community and merge them together. I had this vision.
This year was the first year I did it on my own. It was in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Lisa was a speaker. Thank you so much for coming over there and talking about how to be a PR Maven in which you absolutely are. It was it was a wonderful experience.
Next year for 2025, it’s going to be in LA, where I’m from. It’s never actually been in LA before. So that’s also pretty exciting. Join us March 7-9 2025. I can’t wait.
Lisa, hopefully you’ll be there as well. And ‘ll get a chance to see you in person again. That’ll be your third Women’s Travel Fest because you came to the one in New York in 2023 to support me. When I said, Lisa, you have to be there. I can’t tell you why it’s so important for you to be here. But you have to because nobody knew that Kelly was going to be handing the torch over to me, we were going to announce that I was taking over Women’s Travel Fest in New York. So thank you for being there, Lisa.
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(@lisaniver)
Lisa Niver
That���s one of the things that you’re discussing is that people need community. And you and I have been together through engagements, weddings, divorces. Now you’re a new mom.
So that’s another piece — one of the plates you’re juggling is raising your child in two countries and traveling as a business owner and seaking as an entrepreneur. You’re showing people how to show up.
It’s very impressive. So I think we need to take a breath and say, Alex is awesome. And for people listening, I’d love if you could speak for a moment, because I know that you’ve been very honest in your writing and on social media that there have been struggles and challenges.
So maybe a lot of people, especially you mentioned, you had the meetups and then it was 2020, which is, of course, the global pandemic. It happened to all of us. It impacted us in travel, just like every other field.
So with struggles, which we all have, is there something that you turn to? What helps you in these challenging times to not quit? Because the way you get somewhere is, I always say, fall down seven, get up eight.
What refreshes you? What helps you think, okay, tomorrow I’ll try again?
Alex Jimenez
Wow, that’s like the worst question ever, Lisa. It’s so hard to answer. Oh, okay. It’s a challenging question for a million reasons.
Lisa Niver
Do you have a mentor or you have a mastermind support team or you hired another person? Is there a strategy that helped you that other people could access?
Alex Jimenez
Ultimately, it’s a community. So it goes back to that. This is the worst question ever because I still feel like a new mom and entrepreneur and investor and all these things that I do. I’m like, I’m so bad at…
Lisa Niver
Wait, okay, hold on. Can I reflect back to you what I think you do? Would that help?
Alex Jimenez
Okay.
Lisa Niver
So I noticed that one of the things you did for Travel Fashion Girl, I mean, for Women’s Travel Fest, was that you had a lot of things that were very grounding. There was music, there was journaling, you brought in experts to help. And then I noticed that you took yourself after the major conference to a new location.
You went to Japan and stayed in a capsule hotel. And I thought that for me, I imagined watching you do that, that it really shifted your perspective to focus on how you do love traveling and that you can still go on your own.
Alex Jimenez
Yes, there you go. Traveling is refreshing and rejuvenating. Just a little more challenging to get up and go nowadays.
But yes, that was very necessary. And obviously, that’s what’s helped me-traveling is what I am passionate about.
That’s how I ended up with Travel Fashion Girl and the journey and inspiring people to travel. And that’s also what Women’s Travel Fest is about. And it is about coming together for the love of travel and the impact that travel has.
And that’s a great reminder of how much I need travel in my life, because it has an impact on me. I think because traveling is so much more challenging right now for me to do as a relatively still new mom, it is really restorative. That’s what rejuvenates me, that’s what refreshes me.
And the theme for the Women’s Travel Fest in Playa del Carmen was the impact of how travel can help us as individuals, how it’s not just about taking pictures in front of a shrine, and posting on social media. It’s so much more. In allowing travel to actually have its impact, how it can impact you by being present, and giving it that opportunity.
And you’re right, because I don’t get to do it all the time, because on a personal level I feel like it has to be something I do every single day, like meditation or yoga. But it’s travel, I go, I travel, it lights me up. Without it, it feels like my spark is dimmed.
With travel, for me to take off, and travel alone –this year was a massive thing. Being able to go really rejuvenates my soul. That���s what I wanted to share with people through the music and the journaling, and helping people at the conference this past year be present, and be able to experience that the things that used to make me feel so good about traveling around the time when I met you. I would still travel with a journal and journal on the go. And really, I would be disconnected because I didn’t have a job online, right?
I didn’t have a reason to be online. It was wonderful to float around the world. I still do when I travel on my own. I do that. That’s why I don’t really share my travels online, because I’m just enjoying them being present. And that’s how I refuel myself.
But what keeps me going from a business perspective, is the community. Building these things for the community, whether its products, or the information that we shared on Travel Fashion Girl in 2020, everybody was devastated by the pandemic. But a part of the reason why Travel Fashion Girl came out of 2020 and came back stronger is that we listened to the community, what they wanted, what they wanted from us, how we could help them so they could help us.
And in this case, now, it moves on to the next part of Travel Fashion Girl, which we’re going to be officially launching soon is our new community that’s off of Facebook. It’s going to be a new private community. And that’s a really big deal.
It’s something that I would have never thought about doing. Something that scared me, and really something that wasn’t in my plans at all. But the community asked for it this year, due to, as you mentioned, some issues that we’ve encountered as a business with Google and Amazon and Facebook over the past year. So the solution to that was given to me by the readers.
And they said they want a community; they want to continue on. It’s humbling to know that, me starting a website about packing, how to pack, what to wear, it really became something so much deeper with people that love it. It became so much larger than that, something more meaningful. That’s what motivates me is being able to celebrate the love of travel and how it can impact you with others as well.
Lisa Niver
A great follow up from that is the speakers you selected for Women’s Travel Fest really went deep. I loved the conversation you had about being moms and your travel style. I loved that basically whatever you said, she said, ���Oh, yeah, I’m the opposite.���
There was this big space for how women business owners who are mothers of young children have a variety of ways to be in the world. There’s no cookie cutter. I also love that you are so good at encouraging and promoting the Latina Travel Fest. You’re a big supporter of that new conference and that it’s not a competition. It is a collaboration and the deepness of feelings that you created this space for was really impressive.
Alex Jimenez
Thank you. I appreciate that. There’s space for all of us to support each other in travel as women.
There���s enough room for all of us. For me, it’s about connecting people and giving them a platform, giving you a platform, giving other speakers a platform, a space to be seen to have their messages share their experience. It is to go deeper within yourself because we have to have these honest conversations. At this point, I’m an open book. I don’t have anything to hide from you.
Being able to have those conversations are so important and being able to use travel as a vehicle for growth and to share a truth and to connect with others. It’s important. And there’s a variety, like you said, the way she travels isn’t the way I travel, the way she mothers isn’t the way that I mother, we’re completely different people.
And likewise, there is a travel community for everybody, because not everyone’s going to resonate with the same thing. Or maybe some communities will just speak to someone differently, but we can all uplift each other. I’d love to be able to continue working alongside and supporting other owners of other leaders of travel communities. My main thing is I went to an all-girls high school.
I love the empowerment that I learned there. I’m have a really strong mother figure as well. So to be able to empower others and to get to do the travel. When you put it that way, Lisa, you are opening my eyes to all this.
It really is a blessing to be able to do all of this.
Lisa Niver
I really think you’ve built something incredible. And it’s funny, I’m sure we’ve talked about it before, but I forgot, but I also went to all-girls high school. I think it makes a difference.
The president of the student council is a girl, the president of the math club is a girl. I have a new class — Travel Writer 101 on Udemy–it’s an appetizer, all the different pieces you need, social media, video, press trips and writing.
And my second class, actually, I would never would have had without you because when you invited me to speak, you actually gave me a topic: ���How to be a PR Maven.��� When I opened your email, honestly, my first thought was to write you back and say– this is not what I’m going to talk about. But I trust you.
So I did it. And now that’s going to be my second class I’m building.
Alex Jimenez
That’s so cool. I love that. And I can’t believe that wouldn’t have been the first thing that you offered up. I don’t know if other conference owners do that but I look at what you submitted. And then offer this is actually what you should be speaking about. I’m glad it worked out with you because I’m doing it to other people.
Lisa Niver
You have a genius that you look at people and see what could be. I think people offer to speak on topics that are not necessarily so much of a reach. I probably suggested a topic about being brave and my book.
And you said to me– what’s amazing that you’re doing right now is the promotion of the book. So THANK YOU!!
INTERVIEW of Lisa on Women’s Travel Fest:
Related to my book, I have a question I’ve been asking all my podcast guests, which is– is there a brave-ish challenge that you’ve completed that you’d like to share?
Or is there something that’s a reach for you? Obviously, you’ve got a lot going on. You have these beautiful Airbnbs that you’ve redesigned. You have a young child. You have multiple businesses. You’re a rock star. But is there something else where you think– Oh, if only I could?
Alex Jimenez
In reflecting over the decade of my journey and remembering that I started traveling long term in 2008. It seems so long ago now. But I don’t think it’s something about me being brave now. It’s reflecting on the person who did that originally and how brave I was then.
I look back at 25 year old me and think would I hitchhike through Africa again? Would I have been sharing a room with all these strangers that I met while backpacking Southeast Asia? Half of the stuff that I’ve done, would I do that right now?
Looking back at the person who did all these things, I think���WOW! you did that.
Looking back at me over 10, 15 years ago, I think that’s really cool, because I don’t know if I could do that.
Lisa Niver
For the people that are listening, a lot of people say to me, I want to travel like you, I want to be a travel writer, which is why I started that class on Udemy of how to be a travel writer.
Because often people ask me the same thing, and I want to help them. You were working in fashion, which was at one point your dream job. And then your dream changed.
So for people that maybe have their current dream job, but have a new dream or want to be in travel or want to come to the conference? What would say to them about travel and change– It’s worth the risk or don’t give up?
What inspired you one day to say I am never going to work again at 830am or whatever it was. And you said– Nope, that’s over.
Alex Jimenez
It’s always worth the risk and I thought, well, what’s the worst that can happen?
I didn’t hate my job. I had no problem with my cubicle job. I wanted to be in the fashion industry for as long as I can remember. I wanted to own my own business in the fashion industry since I was 6. At 13, I had these different business ideas that I was working on.
Even in high school, I had a business. I always wanted it. I saw myself climbing up the corporate ladder in my company and I loved it.
But when I took a leap of faith and took some time to myself to travel, I was taking three months off at that point. It was a big deal in 2008, like who did that?
But I was always intending to go back to work. It was always my plan.
Life unfolded in a different way and opened up new opportunities for me. I really was very focused on paying attention to where things were leading me. I operated on my gut. Like this feels good. That doesn’t feel good. Or, I really want this.
And with travel, what was the worst thing that can happen? I took three months off and wouldn’t have a job when I got back, and that actually did happen. After my three month break, I took in between jobs, the job I was going to said– there’s a recession now, so we can’t hire you anymore.
What did I do? I was in India applying for jobs online somewhere else, got a job while I was in India. Someone hired me and then I had to say no.
What is the worst that can happen? That’s what you have to ask yourself.
I didn’t come up with that. I asked somebody else and it really makes sense. Like a year from now, could you go back to work?
If you needed to, anybody could go back to work. I can go to work at McDonald’s and get a job. There’s no reason why you can’t.
You can always start over. You can always go back.
What would I do if something happened to Travel Fashion Girl or it evolved, due to the current changes with Google, would I do something else? What are the options?
It was scary then, but the most practical way to think about it is, what are you willing to risk? How much can you take? Taking that risk as a 25-year-old woman without kids, a car, or a mortgage, that was way easier to do. Now, it would be more complicated to take that challenge.
But now there’s a lot more resources than ever before, online you have remote families, you have single mothers, women in their fifties, sixties, seventies, starting over, whether they had children, whether they don’t have children.
What’s the message right now in 2024, that women can do anything. They’re doing everything and they’re capable of doing everything. It’s a wonderful time to be a woman and really kind of pave our own way.
Lisa Niver
That was awesome. Are you running for president? I will vote for you.
I was just in Canada to see the polar bears and I was staying in Winnipeg and my last name’s Niver and 40 minutes from Winnipeg is a town called Niverville. I asked, could I be mayor for the day? Maybe you want to be mayor for the day of Los Angeles.
Alex Jimenez
I don’t want to be mayor anymore, but when I was in high school, I would say that.
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Lisa Niver
One of the things you said, which was brilliant was about taking risk. The flip of that, that I used to think about when I left also in 2008, I went for a year was, if I don’t go, how will I feel? Will my regrets outweigh the risk?
Before I have to let you go, let’s talk about how people will be regretful if they don’t start participating in Travel Fashion Girl and Women’s Travel Fest. How can they find out more? How can they get a ticket? How can they get involved? Where do they find you?
Alex Jimenez
Well, travelfashiongirl.com is where they can find out all the information on how to pack, what to wear for anywhere in the world. It’s not about fashion as much as it sounds like, it’s really about function. We talk a lot about the practicalities of destinations.
So don’t shy away from the word fashion if you don’t feel fashionable or fashion is not as much of a priority. And then check out our products, Compass Rose Travel Accessories. You can find them on Amazon.
Women’s Travel Fest find us on Instagram or our website. The conference, the event for Women’s Travel Fest is happening in Los Angeles March 7th through the 9th, 2025. We’d love to have you there and we will give you a code to share with your audience.
USE MY CODE: BRAVEISH for a discount on your tickets for Women’s Travel Fest
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Lisa Niver
I would love to be there. Thank you. I’d be happy to share a code because everyone should get their tickets right away and for the first time ever it will be in Los Angeles!
Follow Alex everywhere on both Travel Fashion Girl and Women’s Travel Fest.
And Alex, again, I am so appreciative of you because you made me fashionable and you made me an international speaker.
I am delighted to know you and be your friend and be in your community.
Alex Jimenez
Lisa, thank you so much. I’m so happy to be connected with you and to maintain this friendship with you. I love how supportive you are.
I look forward to our continued support of one another and being friends for many more decades. Thank you!
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Alexandra Jimenez is the founder of Travel Fashion Girl, a leading platform that helps female travelers pack smart and travel stylishly. With a background in the fashion industry, she transitioned from a corporate career to create a thriving community of globetrotters. Alex also organizes Women���s Travel Fest, an annual travel conference, which she has successfully merged with her own brand, creating a unique space for women to connect and explore their passion for travel. Her journey includes balancing motherhood, managing multiple businesses, and continually finding inspiration through travel.
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What is one brave step you���ve taken in your life or career that seemed daunting at the time but proved to be worth the risk? Share your story with us!
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October 18, 2024
My Birthday Wish: Tikkun Olam
Gratitude fills my heart as I reflect on the incredible people in my life ��� friends, family, and community. Your support has carried me through so many moments, and I���m reminded that we all need our village. These are the people who show up with kindness, who see the next steps for us when we cannot, who lift us up and wish for us hidden miracles. My hope for everyone is to experience the gift of tremendous health and the power to find joy in each day. As we step into 5785, I am especially mindful of Tikkun Olam, the Jewish belief that we all share responsibility in making the world a better place.
This new year presents the perfect opportunity to take action and spread kindness in meaningful ways. Whether it���s by lending a helping hand to someone in need, participating in community efforts, or supporting causes that uplift and empower others, we each have the power to create positive change. Throughout this article, I���ll be sharing practical ideas and inspiration for how we can all contribute to Tikkun Olam and live with intention, making the world a brighter place for ourselves and those around us.
My wish for this year is for all of us to have more love, laughter, adventure, radiant health, abundance, and, most importantly, joy. Let’s make 5785 a year of connection and impact, where our individual efforts join together to shape a future full of hope and possibility.
Please find below several places to support:One inspiring example of Tikkun Olam in action is the Healing Space Rishpon, a pioneering initiative created in response to the trauma inflicted on Israel by the October 7th tragedy and the subsequent war. Trauma is now one of Israel���s most pressing public health issues, affecting not only direct victims but also responders and caregivers who have been exposed to immense emotional strain.
Healing Space provides a safe haven for both immediate and long-term recovery. Initially focused on offering respite to survivors of the Nova festival, bereaved families, and young adults displaced from the Gaza Envelope, the center has since expanded to help IDF soldiers, police officers, medical teams, therapists, educators, and journalists ��� many of whom are at high risk for developing PTSD.
The center���s approach is both holistic and cutting-edge. It uses body therapies in natural settings to identify and address trauma, helping over 10,000 people with more than 30,000 hours of therapy so far. Through their Trauma Scanner and integrative therapies like yoga, aromatherapy, sound healing, and vocational rehabilitation, Healing Space is on track to support hundreds of thousands of responders in the years to come.
By offering personalized treatment and harnessing the power of nature and human connection, Healing Space Rishpon is making a profound difference in the lives of those impacted by trauma, embodying the spirit of healing and hope.
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Another impactful initiative that supports Israel���s future is SparkIL, a platform dedicated to strengthening Israeli entrepreneurship by providing interest-free loans to small businesses. With a mission to connect global lenders with local entrepreneurs, SparkIL ignites economic growth, helping Israeli businesses thrive even during challenging times.
SparkIL offers loans of up to 100,000 ILS to support a wide range of businesses, from artisans and culinary entrepreneurs to social enterprises and hospitality ventures. Since its inception, SparkIL has raised over 40 million ILS, fueling the growth of 300 businesses and creating jobs that bolster community resilience.
Through SparkIL, 100% of your loan goes directly to the business of your choosing, and you can join a community of lenders who are making a real difference. With thorough vetting processes in place, SparkIL ensures that businesses are set up for success, even in difficult circumstances like the aftermath of October 7th.
By supporting small businesses through SparkIL, you can help spark new opportunities for entrepreneurs across Israel, building a brighter future through collective action. Together, we can make a lasting impact and empower Israeli businesses to thrive.
#bringthemhomeI want to extend my deepest condolences to Jon Polin, a founder of SparkIL, and his family during this unimaginably painful time. We grieve alongside them for the tragic loss of their son, Hersh, who was brutally murdered while being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas. My heart is with the Polin family and all of us whose lives have been tragically damaged since Oct 7. I continue to hope for the safe return of all the souls still being held captive.
Another incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact is with Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF), an organization dedicated to building a vibrant future for Israel and its people. JNF is all about tikkun olam���repairing the world���through initiatives that strengthen communities, restore landscapes, and enhance quality of life across the country. Whether it���s planting trees, creating parks, or developing infrastructure in the Negev and Galilee, JNF embodies the spirit of collaboration and commitment to a sustainable future.
With projects like the Blueprint Negev and Go North initiative, JNF is transforming Israel’s deserts and northern regions into thriving hubs for families and businesses alike. By getting involved, you can support these crucial efforts and help foster resilience in Israeli communities. When you donate to JNF, your contribution goes directly to projects that inspire hope and growth, ensuring that every dollar counts.
Join the JNF community and play a part in cultivating a greener, more prosperous Israel. Together, we can plant the seeds for a brighter future, making a lasting impact on the land we love.
Jewish World Watch is an expression of Judaism in action, bringing help and healing to survivors of mass atrocities around the globe and seeking to inspire people of all faiths and cultures to join the ongoing fight against genocide.
Support their ongoing missions:
Rescue child soldiers and sex slaves from armed militias and reunite them with their familiesFund school tuition for children orphaned by warSupport a cohort of aspiring female lawyers dedicated to transformative justiceTeach refugee women how to sustainably feed their families and communities with just a small plot of dry landExpose over 2,000 companies implicated in forced labor through our Uyghur Forced Labor DatabaseRoots ������������ �������� Fostering a grassroots movement of understanding, nonviolence, and transformation among Israelis and Palestinians.��
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NATAL is changing the lives of millions of Israelis by providing support for trauma and PTSD. NATAL: Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center��is an apolitical, internationally recognized and award-winning non-profit organization. Since 1998, NATAL�� has been providing vital assistance and training to over 400,000 individuals and professionals, helping them cope with traumatic events and everyday stress-related effects.�� NATAL���s reach includes veterans, law enforcement personnel, educators, first responders, community and business leaders, families, and faith leaders. The result is healthier societies, maximized employability, and increased performance amongst communities and workforces.��
American Friends of NATAL���s (AFN) assists NATAL���s professionals and volunteers who respond to the ever growing needs and demand for help. With AFN���s support, NATAL���s Helpline, Clinical, and Mobile Units support hundreds of families weekly. At the same time, NATAL���s Outreach Unit provides resiliency programming to thousands across Israel each year. AFN also engages in innovative collaborations, partnering with US organizations who seek NATAL���s expertise in the field of trauma preparedness and recovery. In doing so, AFN brings NATAL���s ��groundbreaking work to aid Americans in returning to productive lives. AFN unites a community of dedicated supporters who share a common goal:��helping NATAL to ensure a brighter tomorrow by taking care of Israel today.��Join us in creating a vibrant, more resilient Israel.
Latet (To Give) – was established in order to reduce poverty, for a better and just society, by providing assistance to needy populations, mobilizing Israeli civil society towards mutual responsibility, and leading��change in the national priorities.
Latet is the largest NGO combating poverty and food insecurity in Israel. Acting as an umbrella organization for 210 local associations, Latet operates the leading national food bank and runs impactful aid programs, providing monthly assistance to 95,000 families and 1,450 Holocaust survivors.
In conclusion, there are so many opportunities to get involved and make a difference, whether through initiatives like SparkIL or the impactful work of Jewish National Fund-USA. As I���ve shared in my memoir BRAVE-ish, small steps lead to big changes, and every contribution���no matter how small���can have a significant ripple effect. So, I invite you to explore these initiatives and find a way to participate. Your support can empower entrepreneurs, enrich communities, and contribute to the vibrancy of Israel’s future. Together, we can make meaningful strides towards a better world, one step at a time.
The post My Birthday Wish: Tikkun Olam appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
October 14, 2024
Reflecting with Gratitude on a Year of Jewish Conversations and Community
Celebrating 5785: Reflections on Jewish Identity and Growth Through TravelAs we enter the new Jewish year, 5785, and look forward to Sukkot, I���m especially grateful for the meaningful opportunities this past year has brought. Sukkot invites us to celebrate the harvest, a time of gathering and giving thanks for the hard work we���ve done throughout the year. For me, this season feels like a chance to appreciate the journey of writing Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty and the privilege of sharing it with audiences around the world, especially through Jewish platforms that welcomed me so warmly. Here���s a look back at these memorable conversations that allowed me to connect deeply, reflect on my Jewish identity, and celebrate the themes that Brave-ish brings to life.
Brave-ish On Jewish Sacred AgingSHOW 1: Brave-Ish on Jewish Sacred Aging
Joining Rabbi Richard Address on Jewish Sacred Aging���s Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast was a privilege. We explored the resilience, courage, and self-discovery at the core of Brave-ish, reflecting on how these qualities help us adapt to life���s inevitable changes. Rabbi Address���s thoughtful insights brought a new layer of meaning to the book���s themes, highlighting how Jewish values can guide us through challenges and inspire us to be fearless in our pursuit of growth. This conversation reminded me of the strength and wisdom found within our community, especially when we face the unknown.
Lisa On Too JewishSHOW 2: Lisa on Too Jewish
It was a pleasure to sit down with Rabbi Sam Cohon on his radio show, Too Jewish, to discuss Brave-ish, my Jewish upbringing, and the ongoing role of heritage in shaping my life. Rabbi Cohon���s insightful questions brought me back to the values that have guided me since childhood, from resilience to curiosity, which have deeply influenced my approach to life and travel. Reflecting on how my roots continue to shape my journey, both in my writing and my adventures, was a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact of community and tradition.
Lisa On SEARCH For MEANINGSHOW 3: Lisa on Search for Meaning
I had the joy of joining Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback on Search for Meaning, where we discussed my path as a travel writer, author, and Stephen Wise Temple Board member. Our conversation touched on Brave-ish���s debut as Amazon���s top solo travel title and the journey I���ve traveled in writing, publishing, and sharing this book. Beyond the podcast, it was an honor to speak at Wise Years at Temple and to give a Friday night sermon, connecting with my own community on topics that matter deeply to us all. Rabbi Yoshi���s curiosity and thoughtfulness helped me reflect on how community and personal discovery are woven together in my life, and it was a privilege to be welcomed in these multiple ways at Stephen Wise Temple.
Brave-ish���s Lisa Niver: Traveling, Foodie Adventures & Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins RecipeSHOW 4: Brave-ish���s Lisa Niver on Taste Buds with Deb
On Taste Buds with Deb, I joined Deb Eckerling to discuss my culinary adventures, travel-friendly foods, and go-to travel tips for keeping energized on the road. Sharing my Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe with listeners felt like a sweet way to bring a taste of my journey to the audience. This conversation brought a fresh angle to our discussion, highlighting the small joys and memorable flavors that add a special richness to life on the road. Talking with Deb about food was a beautiful reminder of the shared connections we all find in something as simple, yet powerful, as a favorite recipe.
SHOW 5: Lisa on The Jewish Lens
On The Jewish Lens podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with host Jonathan Rosen. We discussed a wide range of topics, from my work hosting travel programs and my podcast Make Your Own Map to my experiences as an on-set teacher at Nickelodeon and, of course, the journey behind my memoir Brave-ish. Jonathan���s questions invited me to share unique aspects of my story and explore the intersections of teaching, travel, and storytelling in ways that have shaped my life and career.
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Looking Ahead in 5785
As we celebrate Sukkot and the beginning of a new year, I feel especially grateful for the seeds of connection, storytelling, and resilience planted through these conversations. Each host offered a unique perspective, encouraging me to explore the intersections of travel, Jewish identity, and personal growth in ways I hadn���t fully considered before. The warmth of each community that welcomed Brave-ish���and the invitation to share my story with others seeking adventure, inspiration, and courage���has been a deeply rewarding experience. Moving forward into 5785, I look forward to nurturing these seeds, sharing more of what I���ve learned, and inspiring others to embark on their own journeys of discovery with open hearts and minds.
Learn more about BRAVE-ish through the many podcast interviews, articles and TV programs that my memoir has been featured on–CLICK HERE for my PRESS PAGE!
I have been writing for the Jewish Journal for thirteen years! Click here to see all my articles.
CLICK HERE for more about
my memoir — BRAVE-ish—
which is available as a paperback, e-book and audiobook where I am the narrator! The post Reflecting with Gratitude on a Year of Jewish Conversations and Community appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
October 10, 2024
RESCIND the Noble Peace Prize nomination of UNRWA, U.N. Secretary Antonio Guterres, and ICJ NOW!
To the Honorable Norwegian Nobel Committee,(Send a copy of this letter to: postmaster@nobel.no, postmottak@smk.dep.no, press@nobelprize.org, media@nobel.no, sekretariat@svenskaakademien.se, sven.nyman@ramrational.com, sven.nyman@ramrational.com, thomas.perlmann@ki.se, registrator@su.se, peterb@dbb.su.se, ulf.danielsson@physics.uu.se, mats.malm@lir.gu.se, berit.reissandersen@dlapiper.com, anna.sjostrom.douagi@nobelprize.org )
We are deeply dismayed to hear that the Nobel Foundation is even considering a peace prize nomination to UNRWA, U.N. Secretary Antonio Guterres, and/or the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
We respectfully ask you to read this letter in its entirety and consider revoking this dangerous decision.
As you know, Alfred Nobel wrote in his will that a portion of his remaining estate should be used to endow ���prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind��� [1].
The U.N. has admitted that their staff members participated in the barbaric October 7th attack on Israel [2].
So the question that begs to be asked and answered is exactly how has UNRWA, Antonio Guterres, or the ICJ conferred the greatest benefit to humankind?
UNRWA: TROJAN HORSE FOR TERRORISM:
As far back as 1952, three years after UNRWA was created, Diplomat David Fritzlan told the U.S. State Department that UNRWA had ���failed to accomplish anything in the form of refugee resettlement,��� and had made ���no effort to make the people independent and remove them from the list of aid recipients.��� Moreover, he said that the policy of the Arab League was to frustrate the displaced Arabs for one purpose ��� to ���simply keep the Palestine problem alive in the hope of bringing about the downfall of Israel��� [3].
In 1958, when the U.S. and U.K. wanted to defund UNRWA for its failed mission, they were told by Saudi Ambassador Abdullah al Khayyal that if they wanted oil, allegiances, or strategic military intelligence from the Arab world, they would have to keep UNRWA funded [4].
And so began an agency, funded by the world of nations under duress, whose sole purpose was to keep human beings dependent and poor with displaced rage towards Israel and the Jewish People, who have longed to live peacefully alongside their Arab neighbors.
Today, the international community has paid for protection from the Arab world by funding UNRWA to the tune of $1.2 billion a year [5].
UNRWA and Hamas:
With these funds, UNRWA has become inextricably tied with the Hamas terrorist organization.
UNRWA���s senior attorney, James Lindsey, stated that UNRWA takes ���few steps to detect and eliminate terrorists from the ranks of its staff, and no steps at all to prevent members of terrorist organizations such as Hamas from joining its staff��� [6].
500 UNRWA Gaza employees serve in military positions in Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) [7].
UNRWA employs Hamas members [8] and UNRWA employees admit, ���everyone knew��� about the Hamas terror tunnels that caused a parking lot to collapse (in 2014); yet no one reported it [9].
UNRWA Compounds & Vehicles Support Hamas:
An UNRWA compound has served as Gaza headquarters for Hamas terrorists, and an UNRWA food warehouse in Gaza was a recruitment office and site for the production of UAV���s [10].
Hamas fires rockets at Israel from nearby UN facilities and hides caches of weapons in UNRWA aid bags and in UNRWA facilities (e.g., schools). Moreover, UNRWA returned missiles to Hamas once the missiles were discovered
[11-14].
Footage shows Hamas terrorists putting guns in UNRWA vehicles on UNRWA property while shooting at Gazan civilians [15].
A distressed Gazan man summarized the UNRWA-Hamas relationship in this powerful interview that is worth listening to (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L71iyWy8JT8) [16].
UNRWA���s Money Laundering for Hamas:
UNRWA employees have laundered money for Hamas by building the infrastructure required to launch the October 7 war, paying Hamas terrorists as employees, and relaying Hamas propaganda through UNRWA schools [17].
As Gadi and Reuma Kadem, grandparents whose children and grandchildren were murdered by Hamas-UNWRA terrorists said, ���All funders of Hamas-UNRWA and its directors and major players ��� are fully complicit in the murder of my children and family��� [18].
UNRWA Weaponizes Palestinian Children:
UNRWA has poisoned over 545,000 Palestinian children through its P.A. curriculum that teaches hatred of Jewish people and Israel, and promotes violence, jihad, ���martyrdom culture,��� and omits teaching about peace and co-existence. In fact, 80 UNRWA teachers and staff across more than 30 schools have been caught distributing hateful content within their textbooks [19]. Not surprisingly, numerous Hamas terrorists have graduated from these schools [20] [21].
Since these children are instructed to be murder weapons for a terrorist group, UNRWA is DIRECTLY responsible for all the murders they commit, and for their untimely deaths as terrorists, suicide bombers, and as shields for Hamas [22].
UNRWA and Bloodshed:
UNRWA���s undercover partnership with Hamas was finally exposed to the world on October 7th when they raped, burned, butchered, and murdered 1,200 Israelis and foreigners and then proceeded to take more than 240 hostages into the terror tunnels that UNRWA staff failed to report 10 years earlier [23].
The world discovered that UNRWA had prior knowledge of this massacre, provided vehicles and equipment for the October 7th attack, and 10% (1,200) of UNRWA employees have direct ties to Hamas and Palestinian Jihad. At least 42 UNRWA staff directly participated in the barbaric massacre and kidnapping of Israelis, and a teacher employed by UNRWA held an Israeli hostage inside Gaza for nearly 50 days [24-27].
Hamas via UNRWA dragged Israel into a war and then used the Palestinian people as fodder for their PR campaign to delegitimize Israel by hiding weapons in schools, mosques, hospitals, and homes and preventing Palestinian people from getting food, water, or safe passage. The blood of thousands of Palestinians falls squarely on the shoulders of the Hamas-UNRWA partnership [28-30].
Hamas-UNRWA Bound Together:
Yahya Sinwar, Hamas��� mastermind of the October 7th attack, was a headmaster at an UNRWA school and chairman of the UNRWA Gaza workers��� union [31].
50% of UNRWA employees in Gaza have close family members with ties to Hamas, which negates UNRWA���s ���neutrality��� [32].
Historic Fact & Reason:
Incontrovertible proof shows that UNRWA never has ���conferred the greatest benefit to humankind��� especially not in the ���preceding year��� [33] and therefore does not meet the qualifications stipulated by Mr. Nobel ��� now or ever.
If the Nobel Foundation had any regard for Palestinians, Israelis, and the Foreign Nationals caught in this horrible war, it would not only withhold this prize from UNRWA but it would also seek to award champions who shut it down and make sure that the Palestinians receive aid in the same way all people in the world do – from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
ANTONIO GUTERRES:
Under his leadership, U.N. Secretary General Guterres allowed the Hamas terrorist organization to infiltrate UNRWA and flourish (described above) to such an extent that 42 UNRWA employees participated in the barbaric October 7 attack. What does Guterres ask for these 42 murderers and rapists? Immunity [34].
The section below describes how Guterres has failed as U.N. Secretary General in his role as an ���advocate, civil servant, and CEO��� [35]. From his failure to condemn international terrorism to his failure to protect his own employees, his actions show that he has NOT provided the greatest good to humankind. In fact, he has done the opposite ��� making the world a more dangerous place.
Failed to Condemn Hamas For October 7th Attack and Aftermath:
U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik released a scathing statement condemning Guterres for failing to condemn: Hamas terrorists for their barbaric acts, kidnapping hundreds of innocents, and recently murdering six hostages. Stefanik said that Guterres��� ���inhumane silence��� and inaction have aided and abetted Hamas in their war against a democratic ally [36].
Refusal to Designate Hamas as a Terrorist Organization:
The U.N. and the ICJ under the leadership of Guterres refuse to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization despite the fact that the United States and 27 other countries do [36a-36b].
Rationalized Hamas Attack and Spread Disinformation about the Conflict:
Only a few weeks after October 7th, Guterres made the following factually and morally vacant comments:
1) Hamas��� actions ���did not happen in a vacuum��� [37].
He blamed the terror attack on Israel.
2) The ���Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation��� [38].
He OMITTED that the only reason Israel was in Gaza in 1967 was because that year Egypt, Syria, and Jordan started a war with Israel. He also OMITTED that Israel has NOT occupied Gaza since 2005 ��� as one of Israel���s many gestures of peace towards their Arab neighbors that have been met with increased violence [39].
3) Israel���s assault on Gaza demonstrated ���clear violations of international humanitarian law��� [40].
This is absurd. Armies that fight a defensive war against terrorists in urban warfare, like coalition troops in Mosul, have a civilian to terrorist casualty ratio of 4 to 60:1; meaning 4 to 60 civilians are accidentally killed for every terrorist that is eliminated. Israel���s ratio is 1:1, meaning they have reduced civilian casualties four to sixtyfold by comparison. [41].
John Spencer, Former Chief of Urban Warfare Studies WestPoint, said, ���Israel has implemented more measures to avoid civilian casualties than any other military in the history of war��� [42]. According to International Law (Article 51) and ethics, all of these civilian casualties fall on Hamas who purposely boasts of hiding among civilians to INCREASE civilian casualties [43-45].
Silent About Hamas Sexual Violence:
Despite incontrovertible evidence (video footage, survivor reports) of Hamas��� sexual violence (e.g. rape, mutilation) against Israeli women, Guterres failed to speak out against this scourge on humanity. Only after the U.S. Senate wrote a letter to Guterres (December 2023) expressing their deep disappointment in his silence, did he finally make a statement against it [46].
Excluded Hamas from U.N.���s Sexual Violence Blacklist:
Compounding the gross neglect of his advocacy duties, Guterres excluded Hamas from the U.N.���s blacklist of entities responsible for sexual violence – despite Hamas��� own video footage and survivor reports [47-48].
Failure to Address Sexual Assault by U.N. Peacekeepers:
In 2020, the U.N. confirmed that it received 66 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by U.N. peacekeepers, and 91 from U.N. personnel outside of a peacekeeping role. Yet, Guterres did not take decisive action to address these abuses, leaving victims without adequate recourse and protection [49].
Failure to Address U.N. Workplace Misconduct Against Women:
Guterres failed to address the U.N. workplace gender misconduct of Fabrizio Hochschild, and then promoted him to become tech-envoy [50].
Weak Approach to Global Terrorism and Sexual Violence:
Since his tenure (2017), Guterres has failed to take substantial, actionable steps to mitigate the rise in global terrorism, including sexual violence, by Islamic Jihadist groups such as: al-Shabab (Somalia, Kenya); Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and JNIM (Sahel Region of Sub-Sahara Africa); ISIS (Democratic Republic of Congo); Taliban (Afghanistan); and Tehrik-i-Taliban-Pakistan (Pakistan) [51].
Failure to Address Global Human Trafficking:
In 2022 alone, there was an estimated 50 million human trafficking victims in South and Central Asia, with Europe trailing as the second-highest region affected by this inhumane practice [52]. Yet, Guterres has not implemented comprehensive policies or mobilized sufficient resources to effectively address this crisis.
Tacit Approval of Authoritarian, Anti-Democratic Regimes:
Guterres refused to denounce Iran���s missile attack against Israel [53].
Moreover, Guterres recently attended the BRICS summit, where he met with authoritarian, anti-democratic regimes. Instead of condemning Russia for human rights violations, he tacitly gave his approval of Putin���s crimes against Ukraine [54].
Guterres offered a muted response, at best, regarding China���s genocide against the Uyghurs, and he failed to act when Turkey bombed the Yezidis and Kurds [55].
Guterres failed to condemn: the Saudi government���s brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the traumatic separation of migrant children from their families, and the relentless bombing of Syrian hospitals by Russian-Syrian forces [56-57].
Rewards Terrorism:
Instead of condemning Hamas, and putting international pressure on them to surrender and return the hostages unharmed and alive, Guterres immediately began to talk about a two-state solution. Discussing this publicly before the terrorists were eliminated and the hostages returned, sent a signal to worldwide terrorists that the U.N., via Guterres, will reward terrorists for their barbarity [58].
Guterres��� comments put worldwide democracies in danger and covered up Hamas��� stated goal ��� that of outright war until the conquest of the entire Jewish State [59].
https://www.instagram.com/diploact.il
Summary on Guterres:
There is a pattern to Guterres��� behavior: ignore or speak mutedly about jihadist terrorism, sexual violence, and the violence of authoritarian regimes; reward terrorism; and condemn democracies for defending themselves according to International Law.
Guterres��� behavior has signaled terrorists and autocrats that murdering their own citizens or citizens of neighboring countries is normal, that their brutality and repression will go unpunished, and that the principles of democracy and human rights are optional and negotiable [60].
Guterres has not only failed Mr. Nobel���s imperative to ���confer, during the preceding year, the greatest benefit to humankind��� [61], but he has also hobbled the world���s ability to confront tyranny ��� setting the stage for world war.
Would Mr. Nobel, or clear-minded members of the Nobel Foundation, want to be written in the history books for that?
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ):
Humanity relies on judges to ensure that truth and justice prevail. The qualities that all judges must possess are: faithfulness to and competence in the law; impartiality; and being un-swayed by political bias, partisan interests, public clamor, or fear of criticism [62].
Sadly, the ICJ has violated the world���s trust by being swayed by public opinion, using misinformation and false accusations, and being riddled with conflicts of interest.
ICJ: Broke the Public���s Trust:
Mr. Nobel stipulated that the Peace Prize be awarded to one ���who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promoting of peace congresses��� [63].
The bedrock to promoting peace is mutual trust, however the ICJ has lost credibility and humanity���s trust due to its conflicts of interest and false claims about Israel.
Public Pressure to Adjudicate Israel Despite the Absence of Evidence Swayed ICJ:
When South Africa asked the ICJ to try Israel for genocide, the South Africans brought NO credible evidence of genocide. At this point, the ICJ should have dismissed the case. Yet, the ICJ allowed itself to be swayed by its inherent conflicts of interest and public pressure. It adjudicated the case nonetheless [64].
In May 2024, due to the ICJ���s confusing use of words to describe their ruling to the lay-public, the media���s conception of the ICJ���s ruling was that the ICJ found it plausible that Israel committed genocide. This misrepresentation of the ICJ���s ruling was then blasted throughout the media [65].
It finally took Judge Donoghue, in a BBC interview, to set the record straight, where she said, ���The court did NOT decide that the claim of genocide was plausible��� [66]. However, the damage to Israel, and to any democracy in need of fighting a just war to stop terrorism, had already been done.
Had the court kept itself from being swayed by conflict or interest or public opinion when asked to adjudicate without any credible evidence, the damage to Israel and to democracies fighting justly against terrorism would have been averted.
ICJ: Currently Being Swayed by Public Pressure Without Evidence:
Currently (October 2024), despite the fact that South Africa still has NO credible evidence of Israel committing genocide, the ICJ court is allowing itself to consider South Africa���s request to extend the October 28th due date of when South Africa must bring credible evidence of genocide to the ICJ court [67].
Once again, the ICJ is allowing itself to be swayed to consider a case against Israel despite there being NO credible evidence for this case.
ICJ Falsely Accused Israel of Occupation:
The ICJ has falsely accused Israel of ���occupation of Palestinian territories��� [68]. Whether the court is misinformed and/or biased, it violates the public���s trust and interferes with their capacity to promote ���peace of congresses��� as desired by Alfred Nobel [69].
The following is the information the ICJ is either unaware of or unwilling to discuss:
Predating Islam, the Jewish people established the Land of Israel in the second millennium B.C.E. and lived there for more than 1,600 years. Despite being conquered by the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans thousands of Jews have lived for centuries in each of the holy cities of Jerusalem, Safad, Tiberius, and Hebron; and in Gaza, Rafah, Ashkelon, Caesarea, Jaffa, Acre, and Jericho. [70]. Archaeological evidence proves Jewish indigenousy, with cities populated by a Jewish majority prior to the establishment of the modern state of Israel [71].
It is absurd to claim that the Jews who returned to Israel starting in the 19th century were colonialists and imperialists. They did not plant the flag of the antisemitic regimes of Russia, Poland, and Lithuania; and they were kicked out of Yemen, Iraq, Turkey, and North Africa. In fact, these refugees had to overcome Turkish, British, and Pan-Arab imperialism to achieve self-determination. They fled pogroms and persecution, and wanted nothing to do with the countries from which they fled. They did not come to the land with weapons to conquer, but with rakes and hoes to cultivate often swamp-infested land they purchased from absentee landlords. After the Holocaust, the state of Israel was established by international law (1948). While the Israelis were ecstatic to live peacefully among their neighbors within the meager boundaries they were allotted, five Arab countries attacked Israel in the War of Independence. This war was one of many that Muslim extremists committed against the Jewish state to deny Israel���s right to exist [72].
In 1967 Egypt, Syria, and Jordan started a war with Israel. Hafiz al-Assad ordered his Syrian soldiers to strike Israeli civilians, ���turn them into dust, pave the Arab roads with the skulls of the Jews, and strike them without mercy��� [73]. Miraculously, Israel won the war and gained territory in the Sinai, Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. In 1982, Israel gave the Sinai to Egypt, which has created peace between the countries [74].
With similar hope, Israel left Gaza in 2005 as one of many gestures of peace with its Arab neighbors that have been met with violence [75]. This is worth repeating. Since 2005, Israel has NOT occupied Gaza. In response, Hamas overtook Gaza, slaughtered Palestinian leaders, created 450 miles of terror tunnels, launched over 30,000 rockets at Israel, and on October 7 perpetrated the most heinous attacks on the Jewish people since the Holocaust including the kidnapping of Israelis, Americans, and Foreign Nationals still missing today [76-77].
ICJ Rulings Rely on Manufactured Evidence from Biased Witnesses:
The ICJ���s rulings relied in part on ���evidence��� from UNRWA workers, despite the fact that:
1) 42 UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 attack [78].
2) 10% of UNRWA employees (1,200) have direct ties to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) [79].
3) 500 UNRWA Gaza employees serve in military positions in Hamas and PIJ [80].
4) UNRWA has weaponized over 545,000 Palestinian children through its P.A. curriculum and schools [81-82].
5) UNRWA employees launder money for Hamas and built the terror tunnel infrastructure [83].
6) An UNRWA compound was used as Hamas headquarters; and an UNRWA food warehouse in Gaza was a recruitment office and a site for the production of UAV���s [84].
Finally, 50% of UNRWA employees in Gaza have close family members with ties to Hamas, which negates UNRWA���s neutrality in bringing credible evidence to the court [85]. Yet, the ICJ allowed this.
Neither the ICJ nor the UN Designate Hamas as a Terrorist Organization:
The United States and 27 other countries designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, yet neither the ICJ nor the U.N. does so [86-87].
The ICJ and UN hold to the above decision despite the fact that the Hamas Charter calls for:
1) The complete destruction of the state of Israel as an essential condition for the liberation of Palestine, and the establishment of a theocratic state based on Islamic law (Sharia).
2) The need for both unrestrained and unceasing holy war (jihad) to attain the above objective.
3) The deliberate disdain for and dismissal of any negotiated resolution or political settlement of Jewish and Muslim claims to the Holy Land.
4) The reinforcement of historical antisemitic tropes and calumnies married to sinister conspiracy theories [88-89].
Bias: ICJ, UNRWA, and Guterres are Arms of the Same UN Organization:
Since the ICJ is the ���principal judicial organ of the United Nations��� [90] it is by definition inseparable from the deeply corrupt leadership of Guterres and the deeply corrupt and criminally liable organization that is UNRWA (see sections above).
This state of fusion between these three entities severely compromises the impartiality of the ICJ as a judicial body.
ICJ: The Integrity of the Court Has Been Compromised for Years:
For six decades the ICJ���s influence has been declining due to its severe conflicts of interest, such as:
1) The process of election and re-election of ICJ judges.
2) The presence of permanent members of the UN Security Council on the Court.
3) The appointment of ad hoc judges under Article 31 of the Statute of the Court [91].
A glaring example of the court���s bias is: the Chief Judge of the ICJ has been a candidate for Prime Minister of Lebanon, a country that harbors Hezbollah terrorists, who are currently attacking Israel [92-93].
ICJ: Summary:
This document proves that the ICJ, which is fused with the corrupt leadership of Guterres and the criminal organization that is UNRWA, has been biased and falsely accusatory, and has not ���conferred the greatest benefit to humankind��� [94].
Nobel���s Committee of Five Persons is Selected from Members of Norwegian Parliament with Strong Bias Against Israel:
Defying logic and historic fact, the Norwegian government has taken a strong stance against Israel. It has called for rewarding Hamas with land for their barbaric terrorism against the Jewish State and it was the first country to jump in when the ICC prosecutor threatened to arrest Israeli leaders. Yet, it is the Norwegian government that selects the Nobel���s Committee of Five Persons to decide whom to give the Nobel Peace Prize [95]. The potential bias of this committee is significant.
Conclusion:This document proves that the criminal UNRWA, corrupt Secretary Guterres, and biased ICJ are entities that are fused together and riddled with conflicts of interest that make their actions on the world stage dangerous for global harmony.
None of these entities match Mr. Nobel���s qualifications for a prize, and the mere consideration of giving this prize to any of them makes humanity pause at either the severe biases and/or backroom financial or political deals that the Nobel Foundation may be a part of.
Giving a prize to any of these entities will strike the final nails on the coffin for this prize and the Nobel Foundation in the eyes of the world and in human history.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DA8uZb3RMKE, https://www.instagram.com/p/DA8uZb3RMKE/
For the full letter and references, click here.References UNRWA:
1 https://www.nobelprize.org/Alfred-nob....
2 David Brunnstorm, ���Nine UNRWA staff members were possibly involved in attack on Israel, UN says,��� Reuters, 5 August 2024.
3 Schwartz, A. & Wilf E. (2020). The war of return: How western indulgence of the Palestinian dream has obstructed the path for peace. New York, NY: St. Martin���s Publishing, p. 17.
4 Schwartz, A. & Wilf E. (2020). The war of return: How western indulgence of the Palestinian dream has obstructed the path for peace. New York, NY: St. Martin���s Publishing, p. 17.
5 Noa Tishby, ���Israel: A simple guide to the most misunderstood country on earth,��� 2021.
6 Tova Lazaroff, ���UNRWA staff not tested for terror ties,��� JPost, 31 January 2009.
7 https://govextra.gov.il/mda/unrwa/ter..., April 2024.
8 Brett Schaefer, ���Why Trump was right to end funding for the U.N. Palestinian aid organization,��� The Heritage Foundation, 6 September 2018.
9 David Luhnow, ���A UN agency is accused of links to Hamas. The clues were there all along,��� WSJ, 2 February 2024.
10 ���SWU UK expresses deep concern over UK decision to restore 21 million pounds funding to UNRWA,��� 19 July 2024.
11 https://twitter.com/cogatonline/statu..., 7 December 2024.
12 https://twitter.com/IDFSpokesperson/s..., 9 December 2023
13 Raphael Ahren, ���UN agency handed rockets back to Hamas, Israel says,��� Times of Israel, 20 July 2024.
14 Pesach Benson, ���Rockets under relief supplies raise questions about UNRWA,��� JNS, 3 December 2023.
15 https://www.reddit.com/r/geopolitics/...
16 http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L71iyWy8JT8
17 STL Jewish Light, ���Victims of October 7 attack sue UNRWA for allegedly laundering money for Hamas,��� 24 June 2024.
18 Ibid.
19 Paul Nuki, ���UNRWA cannot operate without Hamas, no wonder it has a neutrality problem,��� The Telegraph, 4 February 2024.
20 UNRWA school celebrates Hamas��� ���jihad warriors��� in Gaza ��� a report, Jerusalem Post (Nov. 8, 2023).
21 JPost Staff, ���UNRWA school celebrates Hamas��� jihad warriors in Gaza ��� a report,��� Jerusalem Post, 8 November 2023.
22 Paul Nuki, ���UNRWA cannot operate without Hamas, no wonder it has a neutrality problem,��� The Telegraph, 4 February 2024.
23 David Luhnow, ���A UN agency is accused of links to Hamas. The clues were there all along,��� WSJ, 2 February 2024
24 TOI Staff, ���Israel reveals 12 UNRWA staffers it says took part in October 7 says 30 more assisted,��� Times of Israel, 16 February 2024.
25 Knesset News, ���Approved in first reading: UNRWA to be declared by the State of Israel as a terrorist organization; all relations between UNRWA and the state to be severed,��� 22 July 2024.
26 Fern Sidman, ���1,200 employees of UN agency have affiliations with Hamas,��� The Jewish Voice, 1 February 2024.
27 Mike Brest, ���UN Palestinian agency looking into claim teacher held Israeli in attic,��� Washington Examiner, 1 December 2023.
28 FDD, ���Hamas officials admit its strategy is to use Palestinian civilians as human shields,��� 1 November 2023.
29 Newsweek, ���My fellow Palestinians: Stop blaming the Jews ��� Hamas is starving our brothers and sisters in Gaza, 7 March 2024.
30 UN Article 51
31 Paul Nuki, ���UNRWA cannot operate without Hamas ��� no wonder it has a neutrality problem,��� The U.K. Telegraph, 4 February 2024.
32 Carrie Keller Lynn & David Luhnow, ���Intelligence reveals details of UN agency staff���s links to October 7 attack,��� Wall Street Journal, 29 January 2024.
33 https://www.nobelprize.org/Alfred-nob...
GUTERRES:
34 https://allisrael.com/un-seeks-immuni...
35 https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/the-...
36 https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/9/sta...
36a Senator Collins Bipartisan group urges UN to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization 11-27-23.
36b https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/02/...]
37 https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/27/opinio...].
38 https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op...
39 Michal Oren, ���Six days of war: June 1967 and he making of the modern Middle East,��� 2003.
40 https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op...].
41 Erin Molan, ���Interview with U.S. military expert M. Pregent,��� Sky News, 16, June 2024.
42 Twitter, Spencer Guard, John Spencer on Israel, 1752181728016277765.
43 https://www.facebook.com/SkyNewsAustr...
44 Erin Molan, ���Interview with U.S. military expert M. Pregent,��� Sky News, 16, June 2024.
45 Alan Dershowitz, ���The war against the Jews,��� 2023.
46 https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/m...
47 https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15621....
48 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjk2...
49 https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/...
50 https://www.politico.eu/article/anton...
51 https://www.visionofhumanity.org/dead...
52 https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/50-...
53 https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/10/0...
54 https://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/40104.
55 https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op...
56 https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/04/25/w...
57 https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/16/c...
58 https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/...
59 https://www.reddit.com/r/Israel/comme...
60 https://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/40104
61 https://www.nobelprize.org/Alfred-nob...
ICJ:
62 https://www.uscourts.gov/judges-judge...].
63 https://nobelpeaceprize.org/nobel-pea...
64 https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/a...
65 https://www.npr.org/2024/01/26/122707...
66 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq9MB...
67 https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/a...
68 https://melaniephillips.substack.com/...
69 https://nobelpeaceprize.org/nobel-pea...
70 Alan Dershowitz, ���The case for Israel,��� 2003.
71 Alan Dershowitz, ���The war against the Jews,��� 2023.
72 Alan Dershowitz, ���The case for Israel,��� 2003.
73 Michael Oren, ���Six days of war: June 1967 and the making of the modern Middle East,��� 2003, p. 253.
74 Michael Oren, ���Six days of war: June 1967 and the making of the modern Middle East,��� 2003, p. 253.
75 Alan Dershowitz, ���The case for Israel,��� 2003.
76 Britannica, ���Israel���s disengagement from Gaza���
77 Wikipedia, ���Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.���
78 TOI Staff, ���Israel reveals 12 UNRWA staffers it says took part in October 7 says 30 more assisted, ���Times of Israel,��� 16 February 2024.
79 TOI Staff, ���Israel reveals 12 UNRWA staffers it says took part in October 7 says 30 more assisted, ���Times of Israel,��� 16 February 2024.
80 https://govextra.gov.il/mda/unrwa/ter..., April 2024.
81 Paaul Nuki, ���UNRWA cannot operate without Hamas, no wonder it has a neutrality problem,��� The Telegraph, 4 February 2-24
82 UNRWA school celebrates Hamas��� ���jihad warriors��� in Gaza ��� a report, Jerusalem Post, 8 November 2023.
83 STL Jewish Light, ���Victims of Oct 7 attack sue UNRWA for allegedly laundering money for Hamas,��� 24 June 2024.
84 10 ���SWU UK expresses deep concern over UK decision to restore 21 million pounds funding to UNRWA,��� 19 July 2024.
85 Carrie Keller Lynn & David Luhnow, ���Intelligence reveals details of UN agency staff���s links to October 7 attack,��� Wall Street Journal, 29 January 2024.
86 Senator Collins Bipartisan group urges UN to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization 11-27-23
87 https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/02/...
88 Yale Law School, The Avalon Project, Hamas Covenant, 1988
89 https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what...
90 https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-cha...
91 https://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/cg...
92 https://wsj.com/articles/icjs-new-chi...
93 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle...
94 https://www.nobelprize.org/Alfred-nob...
95 Elliot Abrams, ���Norway: From mediator to prosecutor of Israel,��� Council of Foreign Relations, 12 August 2024
This letter was written by a Jewish Activist with #EndJewHatred and shared with me to publish.cc:
American City Council Members
Christians United for Israel
Nobel Foundation, Board of Directors
Press: CNN, Daily Wire, Free Press, OWN, Sky News, Telegraph, VIN, WSJ, etc.
Select Members of the Canadian Parliament
Select Members of the European Parliament
Select Worldwide Governments
United States Congress
WSJ: A Nobel Prize for Terror? Hamas abettors and apologists are on the list of nominees for the Peace Prize.Israel National News: Nobel Peace Prize: Petition protesting UNRWA nomination quickly gaining tractionIm Tirtzu petition protesting UNRWA nomination for Nobel Peace Prize quickly gains 12,000 signatures. ‘We call on the prize committee not to stain the Prize with the blood found on the hands of UNRWA employees.’PLEASE ALSO SIGN THE PETITION from IMTIRTZU On October 10, 2024 10am the petition had 53,654 —add your name here.
We express our strong condemnation of the nomination of UNRWA for the Nobel Peace Prize. Our concerns are rooted in UNRWA���s cooperation with terror groups in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
UNRWA workers participated in the events surrounding the October 7th massacre, UNRWA school teachers have been linked to leadership positions within Hamas, and UNRWA facilities have been used to store weapons and serve as launch sites for attacks.
The connection of UNRWA and Hamas contradict the values that the Nobel Peace Prize seeks to promote. UNRWA is no peace mission or humanitarian aid organization: they aid only terror and violence, and promote violence and hatred of Jews and Israelis.
Recognizing UNRWA with the Nobel Peace Prize would send a contradictory message about the values of peace and reconciliation. We urge the Nobel Committee to reconsider this nomination.
Sign here to add your voice ��� UNRWA is not worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize
The Jerusalem Post: UNRWA retains Nobel Peace Prize candidacy despite evidence proving its ties to HamasApproximately 12,000 people signed a petition urging the Peace Research Institute Oslo to reconsider UNRWA���s candidacy for the Nobel Prize.The post RESCIND the Noble Peace Prize nomination of UNRWA, U.N. Secretary Antonio Guterres, and ICJ NOW! appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
October 8, 2024
BRAVE-ish wins Hearten Book Awards First Place for Uplifting and Inspiring Non-Fiction
Thank you Chanticleer Book Reviews!
My memoir, Brave-ish, is a 2023��HEARTEN Book Awards��First Place Winner for Uplifting & Inspiring Non-Fiction and Memoir!
THANK YOU to Chanticleer Book Reviews and Hearten Awards and to each person who has read my memoir! See more BOOK AWARDS for Brave-ish below:
BRAVE-ish is a Nonfiction Gold Book Awards Winner
BRAVE-ish is a winner: 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award
Goody Business Book Awards: Memoir/Self-Help
Zibby Awards: Best Book for The Strong Woman
For the Hearten Book Awards–I was on the short list, then the long list, then a semi-finalist and then a finalist and now a 1st place category winner! What an honor to be considered for my memoir, Brave-ish!
My Podcast, Make Your Own Map, won 2nd place for Diversity in TV/Streaming at the NAEJ Awards
My website is #10 on the top 100 Travel Lifestyle Blogs and Websites
I am also the #3 Top Travel Influencer for 2024 for Afluencer as well as #10 of Female Influencers Brands Can’t Get Enough of for 2024!
I want to send a special thanks to my awesome literary agent, Chip MacGregor and my phenomenal Post Hill Press editor, Debra Englander! This team has believed in my book from the very beginning. I am deeply grateful!
And here is a new review from Midwest Book Review:
THANK YOU for all of your support. My AUDIO BOOK of Brave-ish narrated by ME is now available!
Brave-ish was also a Hearten book awards finalist, Long List, Short List and now WINNER!! YAHOOO–celebrating all the steps to success!!
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The post BRAVE-ish wins Hearten Book Awards First Place for Uplifting and Inspiring Non-Fiction appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
September 30, 2024
BRAVE-ish Birthday! Niver’s September News 2024
September News 2024 with Lisa Niver & We Said Go Travel:HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MEMOIR! September is ONE YEAR since my book, BRAVE-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, was published. Thank you for showing up for my events, watching my videos, being excited for my awards and of course reading and reviewing BRAVE-ish!
Thank you to Hadassah for my great birthday celebration at Small World Books.I loved celebrating in Los Angeles at Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel. We sipped champagne in a cabana by the pool and strolled through Getty Center to look at the art and sculpture.
CONGRATS to Eric Roberts on his new book, Runaway Train. It was great to meet him and his Dancing with The Stars partner, Britt Stewart, at Barnes and Noble at The Grove, where I had my BRAVE-ish book event this summer.
One of my favorite things in Los Angeles is to go to The Hollywood Bowl! See my videos from concerts with John Fogerty, The Princess Bride, Ricky Martin, Barbie The Movie, Back To The Future, Star Wars, Tchaikovsky and Pink Martini!
Do you love to learn new things? This summer I took my very first soapstone carving workshop from Frederick Spence in Winnipeg, Canada before my Polar Bear Walking Safari. I loved seeing the polar bear appear out of the sandstone. Looking for a class to take? See below for my Travel Writing class.
Want to travel more? Take my Travel Writer 101 class on Udemy.
Thank you to NPR for including BRAVE-ish
Thank you to JourneyWoman, Soul of Travel and Christine Winebrenner Irick for including BRAVE-ish in “Eight ���Soulful��� Travel Books.”
Thank you to Conde Nast Traveler for including BRAVE-ish as a TOP TEN BOOK PICK!
Do you LOVE my book BRAVE-ish? PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW!! Click here to go directly to rate or review BRAVE-ish on Amazon–but you can do anywhere you bought your book! THANK YOU to The Benjamin Franklin Awards for this lovely review of my memoir.
You can find my book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Simon & Schuster, Post Hill Press, Target, Walmart, BookShop, BAM! and wherever you get your audiobooks! People always ask me where is it best to buy my book. I recommend you go into or call your favorite local book store and ask them to order it for you and pick it up IN THE STORE! You never know what other treasures you will find. Any bookstore can order my book because my publisher is Post Hill Press and it is distributed by Simon and Schuster. My friend in New Zealand just ordered my book to her local store! Brave-ish is available all over the globe!
Learn more about my events: click here and my articles here
THANK YOU for watching my podcast! It has now been seen and heard in 51 countries on 6 continents!
WATCH my podcast, “MAKE YOUR OWN MAP: Are YOU ready to be BRAVE?” on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Podcast, Google Podcasts, Audacy, Audible, Anchor, Pandora & iHeart Radio
I loved being in Winnipeg and taking my first ever soapstone carving workshop with Frederick Spence
Can you believe that I walked with Polar Bears?!?! See my videos from my Polar Bear Walking SafariWHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over TWO MILLION views on YouTube! (now at: 2,210,000).
Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 4,390 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe! For more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos and social media: CLICK HERE
Find me on social media with over 150,000 followers. Please follow on TikTok: @LisaNiver, Twitter at @LisaNiver, Instagram @LisaNiver and on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and at LisaNiver.com.
My Podcast: “Make Your Own Map!”
Inspired by Fortune Cookies:“Your journey through the pages of life is just beginning���
celebrate each chapter with joy, for the best is yet to be written.”
Do you love audiobooks? My memoir, Brave-ish, is available on all audio platforms! Did you know that authors have to audition to narrate their books?
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September 24, 2024
Totally Terrific Travel Mom Media Beach Bash
Thank you to Emily, The Travel Mom, for an unforgettable media gathering in Fort Lauderdale at the #TravelMomBeachBash! The travel community came together at Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale for epic fun under the sun. It was beyond amazing to be with such a vibrant and talented group to celebrate an absolutely magical weekend.
The festivities kicked off with the theme “TROPIC Like It’s HOT.” Attendees donned their best tropical attire and reveled in a day filled with excitement and relaxation by the beach. The lively decorations, delicious refreshments, and engaging activities created an atmosphere that truly embodied the spirit of a tropical paradise.
Saturday’s theme, “CHASING RAINBOWS,” continued the fun at the stunning Pelican Grand Beach Resort. The resort’s breathtaking views and luxurious amenities provided the perfect backdrop for celebrating life’s colorful moments. Every part of the day was filled with joy and inspiration, from engaging conversations to serene moments by the ocean.
A huge thanks to our fantastic sponsors who made this event even more special:
JSX for the unforgettable party and the generous gift! Aaron and I absolutely loved our flight to Napa with your hassle-free, crowd-free, ultra-comfy public charter air experience and did a TV segment about it for KTLA!MSC Cruises for adding that extra sparkle to our dining experience. I���m looking forward to setting sail with you soon!
Emily, your dedication to creating memorable experiences for everyone involved is truly admirable. The Beach Bash was not just a getaway, but a reminder of the beauty and joy that travel brings into our lives.
Here’s to creating more fabulous memories together! Cheers to new adventures and endless sunshine!
TRAVEL MOM BEACH BASH at Pelican Grand Beach Resort
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What an unforgettable night in Fort Lauderdale at #travelmombeachbash! The travel community came together for some epic fun under the sun, and it was beyond amazing! Huge shoutout to @TheTravelMom for gathering such a vibrant and talented group to celebrate an absolutely magical night on the roof at Pelican Grand Beach Resort. Big thanks to @flyJSX for the party & gift! @Gokokotravel and I loved our flight to Napa with your hassle-free, crowd-free ultra-comfy public charter air experience and @msccruises.us MSC Cruises @msccruisesofficial for adding that extra sparkle to our dining experience. Looking forward to setting sail with you. Here’s to creating more fabulous memories together! Cheers to new adventures and endless sunshine!
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I had the best time with so many amazing friends at The Travel Mom Beach Bash at Hunter’s Rainbow Lounge Visit Lauderdale Party with DJ Adora. I���m so grateful to be part of such a vibrant, inclusive and loving community. Here���s to celebrating love, diversity, and friendship!
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SO MUCH FUN at #travelmombeachbash! When one weekend away feels like a whole summer at camp! Thanks to The Travel Mom & Visit San Antonio in the Lazy River!
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Sunrise over #TravelMomBeachBash
I love to watch the sun rise over the sea and feel the promise a new day brings. The #TravelMomBeachBash was absolutely amazing, bringing together a fantastic community for networking, dancing, and endless fun. I am incredibly thankful for the overwhelming support for my memoir. My heart is bursting with gratitude and excitement.
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Happy Caribbean American Heritage Month! Celebration #travelmombeachbash
Fire dancing on the beach #travelmombeachbash
View this post on Instagram2023: The Travel Mom���s Marvelous San Diego #CampTravelMom was MAGNIFICENT!A post shared by Lisa Niver
Emily and I joined Sandals Resorts at Staples Center for an incredible night of music by Elton John!
Elton John���s Final Night at Staples Center for Farewell Yellow Brick Road TourThe post Totally Terrific Travel Mom Media Beach Bash appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
September 20, 2024
Brave-ish: Benjamin Franklin Awards
Happy 1st Birthday to BRAVE-ish! Thank you for all of your support for my book.Here are the reviews of my book from the Benjamin Franklin Awards 2023 – Memoir
A memoir that is an inspirational travelogue guaranteed to get the most timid individual net surfing exotic locales, Brave-ish is a unique journey of discovery and independence. There are moments that will have the reader ready to come to the author’s rescue, and there are times when they will cheer her next little victory. This memoir is a guidebook for people who feel they “can’t do” or “don’t have the guts” and need to see that you don’t have to get it all right at��once….baby steps! The front cover art is intriguing, the coloring is eye-catching. The back cover reveals just enough to hook the potential reader. This book��is memoir, but it is��so very much��more. It works very well as an atypical travelogue and an inspirational piece for anyone needing to find the courage to say that they deserve better.��
Benjamin Franklin Awards 2023 – Memoir
Part memoir, part chick-lit, and part coming-of-age story (even though the age is 50), Lisa Niver���s Brave-ish is an always fun and often serious look at the way a woman can both fall into a terrible relationship and then emerge from it stronger than ever. Set across an international backdrop, Niver���a nearly obsessionist world traveler and writer���provides a travel-based memoir that still manages to be about her much, much more than it is about travel. The book,��set basically into two sections (Fred and post-Fred, if you will), is well written and well organized. The voice always hits just the right notes and the book moves along at a solid and readable pace. It is a wonderful read and one I thoroughly enjoyed.��
“Inspired and inspiring, articulate and descriptive, “Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty” by Lisa Niver is a deftly crafted and inherently fascinating read that is part travelogue, part memoir, and part self-help.” Midwest Book Review
“Niver is a master at being humble, an everywoman with fears and challenges, while taking her readers around the world in quite a powerful and magical way. Her drive and persistence is not only inspiring, but an honest glimpse into what it means to be human: to learn, take joy, and find the people, places, and purpose she needs to grow.With her signature zest, wonder, and grace, Niver takes us on her journey of self-discovery, inspiration, and perseverance. Brave-ish is so much more than a memoir…it is a guide to growing with both humility and curiosity, and shows us the power of inner strength, friendship, community, and drive. This is a beautiful memoir about finding self, about slowly moving past trauma, and about the immense influence that travel has to heal and inspire. This book? Pure magic.” — Dr. Jessie Voigts, WanderingEducators.com
���Brave-ish is an invitation to confront the unfamiliar, to discover resilience in openness. Lisa Niver���s memoir is not only a revealing journey into her own experiences but also a reflective look at the adventurous spirit that resides within us all. It appeals to anyone drawn to the unknown and serves as a poignant reminder that often, the most significant adventures are those that take place within ourselves.��� — Literary Titan
���Niver has the reader ride a wave of up and down emotions included with action and adventure that would rival any of Hollywood’s movies. Surviving a disastrous, abusive marriage that she did not see until it almost caused her demise. Being brave enough to get out from under the abuse, she starts and new life and thrives��� Niver wants to be fearless after fifty and tries things that would make a seasoned professional squeamish and any woman over fifty clinging to the safety of her bed covers. Her courageous behavior clearly indicates that is fearless. Niver���s story shows us her portrait of life and her philosophy of life. Brave-ish is a story of survival that speaks to any woman and lets them see what can happen if you let go of your fears, expectations, and perceptions.��� — Nonfiction Book Awards
���Lisa Niver, author of Brave-ish, is the heroine of her own story and if this weren’t her own story, it would be a wonderful fiction/fantasy novel; but the truth is it’s not imagination. At its core it’s a story of survival and growth after near tragedy.��� — Nonfiction Book Awards
GET YOUR COPY
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September 17, 2024
Conde Nast Traveler: BRAVE-ish TOP TEN BOOK PICK
Thank you to Conde Nast Traveler, Women Who Travel BookClub and Blane Bachelor for including BRAVE-ish on your 10 New Books We Can���t Wait to Read This Fall last year!
Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty by Lisa NiverOne of the books high on my fall reading list is Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, by Lisa Niver, an LA���based journalist. I can’t wait to dig into Niver’s honest account of how she transformed her life at age 47 by committing to doing 50 new things by the time she turned 50: diving with sharks and pulling 3-Gs while bobsledding, to name a few. I love inspirational books, especially when travel, adventure, and gutsy women are involved, so this is right up my literary alley. ���Blane Bachelor, contributor
Thank you Blane and CNTraveler for the honor of being including on this list!
Thank you to Conde Nast Traveler Women Who Travel Podcast! What an honor to share my story on their Valentine���s Day dispatch. ���It���s fun, it���s candid, it���s certainly not hallmark.���
Women Who Travel Podcast: Your Love and Travel Stories: Tales of breakups, hookups, and more in honor of Valentine���s Day.Love doesn���t sleep just because you���re traveling. This week, in honor of Valentine���s Day, we���re dedicating an episode to our listeners��� stories, from tales of a windswept singles resort, to a fling in a Toronto hotel, to a surprising encounter in China. Whether you love or hate this holiday, or love to hate it, we promise this episode will be a fun one. 
START LISTENING at 18:48 for my storyhttps://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/p...
From MY FLING AT THE FAIRMONT:��by Lisa Niver
The post Conde Nast Traveler: BRAVE-ish TOP TEN BOOK PICK appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
September 15, 2024
Balagan and Belonging: Navigating Life���s Chaos in a New Homeland with Jennifer Lang
In Landed: A yogi���s memoir in pieces & poses, Jennifer Lang vividly captures the trials and tribulations of returning to Israel–the country where she and her French husband met and married–a move driven by love, compromise, and the search for peace within her family. As Jennifer wrestles with the overwhelming disorder of an unfinished home and the emotional upheaval of emigration, she also reflects on the deeper meaning of belonging and the sacrifices made for the sake of shalom bayit, or peace in the home. Her story is a powerful testament to the resilience required to find balance amidst the chaos of life���s biggest transitions and to live in one of the most volatile regions of the world.
Jennifer Lang, an American-born writer and yoga teacher, has called Israel home since 2011, where her life and writing have been deeply influenced by the land’s rich history and spiritual energy. Her second book, Landed: A yogi���s memoir in pieces & poses, masterfully weaves her experiences of life in Israel with her journey of self-discovery through yoga. I���m thrilled to join Jennifer on March 20, 2025 at Zibby���s Bookshop, where we���ll discuss our latest books, share stories of transformation, and explore the power of storytelling in navigating life���s challenges.
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American-born Jennifer traces her nonlinear journey���both on and off the yoga mat���reckoning with her adopted country (Israel), midlife hormones (merciless), cross-cultural marriage (to a Frenchman) and their imminent empty nest (a mixed blessing), eventually realizing the words her yoga teachers had been offering for the past twenty-three years: root down into the ground and stay true to yourself. Finally, she understands that home is about who you are, not where you live. Written in experimental chapterettes, Landed: A yogi���s memoir in pieces & poses spans seven years (and then some), each punctuated with chakra wisdom from nationally-acclaimed Rodney Yee, her first teacher.
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Excerpt from Landed: A yogi’s memoir in pieces & posesBalaganTwo months after the God Talk with the girls, the day after we land in Israel, we step inside our windswept-gray front door of our house in Raanana. I gasp. The late August heat suffocates me like a tight wool turtleneck.
���Alors?��� Mari asks.
What do I think of a place I���d seen once, eight months earlier, in the country for my nephew���s wedding, when a realtor and I stood in the foyer and my shoulders softened, saying: ���You don���t know our story, but I don���t want to move here, yet can picture living within these walls.���
She had no clue that three years earlier, we���d spent what I dubbed The Year of Living Differently in this city, to stretch our children���s Weltanschauung beyond the red-white-and-blue flag. She had no idea that we���d arrived whole and left divided; Mari and Son aching to stay, Daughters and I eager to go. She had no inkling that I���d agreed to return for ten years���from the eldest entering the army to the youngest exiting the army.
Call it payback to my husband for living in my homeland for the 15 years.
Call it shalom bayit [i] or peace in the house.
Call it compromise���
���You really want to know?��� I ask Mari.
My thoughts are vicious and biting like a rattlesnake.
The girls race from room to room, shouting to each other, their voices bouncing off the stone walls, reiterating what I already know: it���s a mess.
We���ve arrived in time for the Jewish New Year but long before the house is livable. Construction workers roam every room. Hefty tools litter the tiled floors. The kitchen countertop is MIA. New appliances stand forlorn in the barren space. Layers of grime cover every surface. Outlets malfunction. Paint splotches spot windows and walls.
He puppy-dog eyes me.
���Aze balagan[ii]!���
Mari and I speak a linguistic hodgepodge���French, English, Franglais, Hebrew, Hebrish���depending on mood.
���You might want to sleep on an air mattress, but the kids and I will stay elsewhere.���
I morph from upbeat into kvetch as I emigrate from New York to Israel.
Mari drops it. He neither confronts nor cajoles in his usual way. Living in America was never his fantasy, returning to Israel, never mine. My surrender came with conditions. At the top of my list: let me be.
ZIMDays later, a mammoth truck carrying our red clay-colored container reverses into our driveway, its seven stars and three letters recognizable from afar. Six weeks earlier, it decamped from the Port of New York, heaving with our material possessions, leaving me to stare at our stripped century-old New York Tudor, the only one that ever felt like home in the 21 years of our mobile marriage, and sob.
Here, halfway around the world from my American-girl-reference point, the movers taunt us with ready-or-not-here-we-come. We���re far from ready. Inside is a wreck, but outside, the sun broils me.
Mari and I watch them unload. A boy vrooms on his skateboard. A high-hanging date tree provides insufficient shade. A couple emerges from the house next door. I await the ordinary onslaught of questions: Where are you from? Do you have kids? What do you do?
After trading names and professions, the salt-and-pepper-haired veterinarian with an unmistakable Israeli accent says they raised kids on Long Island.
���I can���t believe you came here when we dream of living there,���he says.
I cackle to cover my desire to cry.
Mari and I exchange a long-married-couple look: save me.
A mover asks where to put our dining room chairs. Mari directs the swarm of stocky men air-traffic-control style. I dash inside to indicate what goes where:
Our sofa, mattresses, desks, nightstands, and flat-screen TV are encased in bubble wrap like King Tut. Cardboard boxes of books and photo albums along with Container Store bins of Legos and American Girl dolls tower above us.
As movers schlep in and out, I recall my children���s favorite bedtime story, a Yiddish folk tale called It Could Always Be Worse. The tale of a man who lived with his mother, wife, and six children in a one-room hut. Miserable, he ran to the rabbi, who instructed him to take in the chickens then the goat and lastly the cow until the chaos became unbearable, and his rabbi then told him to free the animals one at a time at which point the family slept peacefully and the man relished the relative quiet.
While these burly men heave and ho, I think about the civil war raging in Syria���a mere 500 miles north���realizing how fortunate we are: immigrants by choice, completely intact.
[i] The Jewish religious concept of domestic harmony and good relations between spouses
[ii] Originally a Persian word, balchan morphed into balagan as it migrated from Turkey to Russia to Lithuania to Palestine during the late 19th century
more information https://israelwriterstudio.com/events/
SAVE THE DATE: March 20, 2024Join us at Zibby���s Bookshop for an evening with two remarkable Jewish authors, Jennifer Lang and Lisa Niver, as they explore the complexities of identity, family, and the challenges of building a life in a new land. Jennifer will delve into her latest book, Landed: A Yogi���s Memoir in Pieces & Poses, sharing her experiences of moving from New York to Israel, and the struggles and surprises of navigating a new life. Lisa will discuss her memoir, Brave-ish, reflecting on her own journey of transformation and resilience. Don���t miss this opportunity to hear from two powerful voices as they share their stories of balancing love, compromise, and the search for belonging.
About Places We Left Behind: a memoir-in-miniatureWhen American-born Jennifer falls in love with French-born Philippe during Israel���s First Intifada, she understands their differences: she’s a secular tourist, he’s an observant immigrant. Determined to make it work, they spend the next 20 years rooting and uprooting their growing family, each in search of a place where they can feel home and whole. In Places We Left Behind: a memoir-in-miniature, Jennifer puts her marriage under a microscope, examining commitment and compromise, faith and family.
MORE ABOUT JENNIFER LANG:From Jewish Women’s Archive: Q & A with Jennifer Lang, Author of “Places We Left Behind”
Canvas Rebel: Meet Jennifer Lang
Jennifer Lang on INK IN YOUR VEINS
1455 AUTHOR SERIES | Jennifer Lang discusses Home Family & Faith in her memoir PLACES WE LEFT BEHIND
92nd Street Y: An American Ex-Pat in Israel: Jennifer Lang in Conversation Rabbi David Ingber
The Writers Center: Virtual Craft Chat with Memoirist Jennifer Lang
Israel Writers Studio: a home for English-language creative writers
Jennifer Lang with Blair Glaser at Zibby’s Bookshop
A Bay Area transplant in Tel Aviv, Jennifer Lang runs Israel Writers Studio. American by birth, Israeli by choice, and French by marriage, she is celebrating Places We Left Behind: a memoir-in-miniature (2023) and Landed: A yogi’s memoir in pieces & poses (10/15/2024). Her prize-winning essays appear in Baltimore Review, Under the Sun, Midway Journal, and elsewhere. She holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and was an Assistant Editor at Brevity Journal. When not at her desk, she might be walking along the edge of the Mediterranean or on her yoga mat–practicing since 1995, teaching since 2003. Find Jennifer at israelwriterstudio.com, on Instagram and Facebook.
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