Captain Erez Masud Discusses the Ceasefire, Bnei Rachel Yeshiva and More on JM in the AM

Well, you'll recall back in August, we welcomed into our studios somebody who I'd met in Israel in between those two August trips. I'm referring to Captain Ezra Mazud who is a um special forces team commander with the Givati unit of the IDF and executive director of the Bay Rael Yeshiva in Bethlehem. He's actually responsible for a uh an increase in a Jewish in the Jewish presence in the city of Bethlehem. and we are going to try to cover as much as we can this morning here at JMA. Captain, shalom. Shalom. Welcome back. >> Shalom. Actually get getting used to the idea of not being captain at the moment. >> Well, what does that mean? You don't lose your rank, do you? You don't lose your title, do you? >> You don't. But uh >> once governor, always governor, >> right? But let's say let's say as a reserve uh as a reserve soldier, I was used to being being uh called in for one week a year, >> right? >> And sometimes not coming in for the full seven days of the of that one week. And now and now we're almost at at 500 days. And now we're back in uh mo mostly back into civilian life. Like it looks like we're back to >> the one week a year >> to the one week a year. >> When was the last time you were in? So, um those explosions that uh that just occurred in uh in Lebanon. So, I got to I got to do my part there. So, >> you were up north. >> Yeah. So, like a week and a half >> just now. >> Yeah. Something like that. >> You were literally on the Lebanese border 10 days ago. >> Right. Right. It was um >> Well, as far as I'm concerned, you're still captain. >> Yeah. I wasn't I wasn't I I was actually It's funny. I wasn't called in, but my team was there. We were released from Gaza, whatever we did there. And um and in Lebanon, you know, being balon for me would be a big deal. So I had to I had to take my chance. >> Balon, >> right? >> Um so >> Captain Aris Mazud is here. If you didn't get that reference, um the you seem I think I mentioned this to you in August. You seem to be handling this whole situation in what seems to me in a very, as the kids would say, chilled out fashion. You are I mean thank god at least the impression is and you could tell me if I'm wrong you you have a lot of colleagues who are going through very difficult and sensitive post army situations right now or still in the army but you get my point post this terrible last two years and it does seem to me like you're able to go ahead with life at a relatively normal pace and in a good mood. Is that is that accurate or not? So I would say we spoke about this last time that it really I uh I hold that to my my connection to u to to the story >> and uh when when we went through everything we went through in these past two years I feel like the um the soldiers that understood who they are and where they come from, where they're going, what it's about, um did it better and went to went through it better and um and uh got um I don't know less less of the symptoms that you would see but not uh not completely like every everyone everyone's dealing with a lot at this point. >> I mean somebody was here not on the air but somebody was here meeting with me last week from a let's call it for argument sake it tilumi community and said that a third of the soldiers who've come back are in serious situations when it comes to mental health. Does that does that fit in with your narrative? >> I feel that we're not even we're not even beginning to understand the uh the >> the implications. Right. >> The implications. Yeah. >> Right. So, it's going to be a long road for a lot of people. >> It's going to be a long road, but um but on once again once again, I see I definitely see the difference between soldiers that went in fullheartedly and knew knew what was going on, knew like not just >> understood the mission, >> right? Not just what's happening now, our historic role in this uh in this situation. >> Were you happy with the way it ended? >> To say the least, >> meaning yes or no. >> To say the least. Very very much no. >> Wow. >> Very much no. When we when we sat here last time, I heard the interview when we sat here last time. So, we said, "Okay, we're going to go into Gaza City. It's going to be gruesome. It's going to be hard, right? >> But necessary. >> But necessary." And we went in and it wasn't gruesome and it wasn't hard. There wasn't one one casualty. >> But going in, didn't that didn't that threaten the enemy? Wasn't Wasn't the release of hostages and rema living hostages and remains due to the fact that you went in? >> Yes. But let's say we had we had all the cards. We had a full house and we didn't uh >> didn't go all in. >> You you you said last time we gave the the the ring, we gave the band and we uh we kept we gave the bring >> that was about harab in the coat though, right? >> So that that's something you talk about in the past. We should have done this and that. But when we were in Gaza City on Oshah, this last Osh, it was uh it was over. We won like we we held on into every >> every every place in Gaza and we just extracted. Funny thing is on October 7th. It was October 7th when we when the army extracted from uh >> right >> from Gaza. It was heartbreaking. >> Well, on the Jewish calendar, the big deal was on Hosana is this all got tied together literally the same weekend. >> It's very it's we're very happy about everything that we uh we accomplished. We're very happy that our brothers and sisters are home. We just want it. We just think we could have done more. We still can, I think. >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I I It's It's a um mixed feelings. >> It's mixed feelings. >> My son's in the IDF, as you know. >> Yeah. >> And his colleagues, the ones he went in with are in are are I don't even know if I could say where they are, but they're in a in a much more serious situation than he is, right? He has colleagues that he drafted with that are, >> you know, doing the work that you're used to. Let's put it that way. And now it's peace time. Thank God. >> So their parents can sleep a little better at night. And I get that. But big picture. >> Yeah. That's I I know to appreciate better now the uh what we say about >> right. So in the realm oft I'm very worried and I want things to be different and things uh whatever whatever we came in to do like everyone that sacrificed their personal life, their business, their you know even life whatever um they didn't sacrifice it for uh for what we got in the end of these two years at least what it looks like from my perspective now right >> and and the only way your perspective can I don't want to say be justified but can exist is if one believes like I assume you do that there is enough pressure to put on the enemy to actually eradicate them because without eradicating the enemy you're going to face this situation constantly maybe not every year or two maybe you know a longer gap between wars but there's always going to be some type of conflict no >> so so let's first of all let's first of all state what we came what we came to fight for like every single person that I know that went into Gaza willingly and no one did it because they have to I'm sure you know everyone everyone who went did it because that's what they wanted to do and they believed in it. >> Over 100% enlistment, >> right? So, we went that's by the way that's all I did on on October 7th. One of the biggest challenges is to keep keep people away that are not supposed to be on my team. You shouldn't you should know. >> Including people who flew back from the US. >> People that flew back from the US. I had one person. I couldn't get rid of him. Like he I couldn't get rid of him. A few days he was just with us no matter what we did because he decided he wanted to be part of a team. and eventually he became part of the team. So that's uh that's that's the that's the kind of atmosphere the people came with. But we really fought to change the situation in Israel. We're still looking looking over our shoulders after after 2 years of of fighting on on every front. We're still seeing massive massive Arab expansion and every every place in Israel. While while we for some reason are building upwards, we're not uh we're not fully understanding the potential of our land and we're not moving forward. >> And that's north and south. >> North and south. And and wherever you go, wherever you go in Israel, you see that uh unfortunately the Arabs are telling their redemption story. They're they're telling their exodus in Israel. And what we're not even uh we're not even noticing. We feel like, okay, we're done. We're finished with the war. We can go back home. Obviously very happy about, you know, being home. and uh having time with my family, but we're not uh I'm not happy about the fact that I have to send my uh my kid there in 10 years. >> And on top of that, still ter talking about looking over your shoulder, still terror attacks like yesterday. >> Like yesterday where my uh near your home? >> Yeah. Where my wife goes food shopping, right? >> Yeah. Ramy Levy on the way to Ramy Levy, >> right? And there was >> very very close to where Ari Ful was killed. >> Very close. Yeah. And >> that's where it was, >> I think. So I was here. I heard it. I heard it over the news. But yeah, >> um still uh still dangerous situation every place you go in Israel. One of the terrorists that was released in the hostage deal was planning an attack on Kevl during the Hilula while there are 100,000 people there. >> That Shabbat >> that Shabbat and they caught him thankfully. But you know sometimes we don't catch it. >> Were you there that night? >> I was there. Yeah. >> Cuz I hear it was Bedum. There were so many people. Bedum. It was very >> Yeah. Yeah. It >> was a dangerous situation, like a crowded situation. >> It was o over 100,000 people in uh in one weekend. >> And were you part of the security detail or you were just >> No, I was there enjoying the hila. It was >> Did the security do a decent job? >> It was You can see they caught the terrorist. >> No, I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about just the the mass of people. They said it was it was dangerous how many people were there and trying to get in, etc., etc. >> Yeah, we need to Yeah, we need to work it out. Needs to be better next year. You need you need a post-t tragedy mayron plan. Pre-tragedy nobody wants plans. >> It's it's about it's a it's a problem but it's a good thing because for every year more people come so you have to >> What did you hear about this pabat in? Did anybody tell you about a crowd there? Was a uh for I heard it was beautiful. >> You did hear it was beautiful. >> Yeah. I had people in my house that was here but I heard that it was great. >> Right. You were here. >> I've missed it for three years. I live in for three years and I've never been in Shabbat. I can tell you I've been there multiple times, but I did advise my son, go on a Shabbat that's not I can I can uh you can understand that I can relate. >> Captain Aris Mazud is in our studio here at JMA. We're obviously going to go a little bit into overtime here. >> Um you've been here for a week, >> right? >> So what are the themes? What everyone's discussing what with you? Number one, the end of the war, right? That's one thing. Are they discussing the situation in New York City, the election in New York, or they don't bother talking to you about that? >> So, f first of all, I I feel uh I feel like that I really have a role here cuz when I talk to people, they're too happy about the fact that we that we're finished with the war, right? >> And that's very uh it's worrying that bothers you >> cuz I like I like the fact that at least most of us knows know that that there's a problem. >> Right. >> Right. And mayor of New York, you know, what what do you think? It's uh it might be a good thing. It might uh >> there might be more Jews moving to Bethlehem. Listen when you when we say it's funny you say twice right one says the next on the same word says right if we if we learn from we learn from if we need to learn from we'll learn from >> ah whatever art I like that >> now speaking of and I assume that's why you're here right not here meaning this why you're in the United States >> right >> I mean I keep painting it because of the yeshiva that's there that you are obviously dealing with. Uh but based on our conversation back in August, I'm painting it as a as an effort to literally expand the Jewish community of Bethlehem. Would that be accurate? >> Yes, there's a >> and to what? And and and how are we proceeding? Is there housing being built? Are there people moving in? Are there young people who express an interest to you to get into the neighborhood? What's happening? >> So, let's say first of all, getting people there is the easiest part. You would be surprised. >> A waiting list. We have we have 12 apartments which are not when you come over you'll see they're not real apartments but I still have a waiting list of people who want to who want to move in. >> They're somewhat livable. >> Somewhat livable. Yeah. Let's say let's say I >> your your place in Kerry and I was a little bit better >> a little bit. Yeah. Let's say let's say my office and in Bethlehem turned into an apartment when we had to move into 12 family and it was they wanted to the contractor wanted to know why are we expanding my half a meter because it would be very expensive. Right. So we said we want Udi to be able to give his wife coffee and the cake and not just the coffee. That's the type of living situation. But you would be surprised there's a waiting list for people who want to move in. >> It reminds me of the the days of Kim and you know other other theor neighborhood you know where where people were clamoring to get in no matter what the accommodations were like. >> Right. So, wherever wherever angle you want to be connected to this project, this is literally the modern-day way to be a pioneer in Israel and redeem our borders, you have to remember it's uh people think, okay, Bethlehem. I've realized that I have to say where it is. It's literally the border with Bethlehem that is 7 minutes from Kenyon Mala in Teddy. >> Yeah. Plus, Kev Rael is right there. But if someone's in Kevl, they need to realize they're surrounded by an Arab neighborhood. Correct. They need to realize that when they're driving into that uh sleeve, right, they're driving right into central Bethlehem, >> right? >> So, it's it's a hundred thousand it's 100 people living there are 100 Jews living in the heart of Bethlehem. How how many people come to visit Kev on that given day, but surrounding all around it is 30,000 Arabs, right? Right. >> And it's very similar to is a little bit different because it's more to the side the Jewish community and you know you go west and you find 100,000 Arabs but and and here it's literally the yeshiva is in the center of like that's how you would put it literally in the center. >> It's really in the center of >> how close to can you walk it? >> So if you if you're at you just have to walk down literally another 30 ft and you'll see everything that I'm talking about. You'll see it's right there. >> Right. Is there expansion ability? Is there either room or the capability of taking over housing that would allow you to expand? >> So within the current situation without doing anything else, we have permits to build 100,000 square ft. Meaning >> that equals how many families? >> Meaning the the adjacent to Kev within the next few years when you come in you saw the the parking lot is completely finished. There are 300 parking spaces in Kev which is exciting. The busing system is much better. So you can drive in, you know, public transportation or your own private car, whatever you prefer. The plaza is almost finished. People walk into Kevl and have an area to hang out a little bit and not just, you know, huddle up, stay up and leave. And this new project is going to bring in massive, massive, massive uh traffic, right? Because we're moving from a bit small bet midrash that hardly holds 50 people. We're going to move to a bet midash that that houses 500 seats. something else. >> And 100 thousand, what' you say? Square meters. What' you say? >> Square feet. Yeah. >> Square feet, >> right? >> Equals how many families? You could you could put how many? >> So I can I can put in it depends how many dormitories we want to turn into family housing. But in the current plan, we have 35 apartments and 75 dorm rooms. >> So a significant number of families. It could be a real community. It's going to be it's going to be when you when you go into understand in the current situation when you go into you're surrounded by uh by by and isn't a friendly area at all but the reason why it's working is because you have families living on the ground much like we described last time in you have families living on the ground and is more as more as more people you have coming in the army has to understand how to protect this thing. So if you're a 100 people, it's one thing. If you're 500 people with another another 2,000 people a day coming in and out, it's it's a different story. >> You heard what happened this week near PKed them, right? >> What? I don't I didn't >> Wasn't it near Padm where the army took down a uh >> Oh, I heard Yeah, I forgot the name, but >> yeah, I don't know exactly where it was. I >> think it was right next door. I think it was right next door there if I'm not mistaken. >> Uh Captain Eros Mazud is here now. There have been a lot of efforts in the last 50 years, right? Since the six- day war, 60 years, there have been a lot of efforts to try to build up the area around Bethlehem. I know people I know people personally who've purchased property near Kev Rael. There's there are certain Yeshivot that have made an effort to you move people in and expand and it never seemed to really progress to the point where it worked. Why does it sound like your project is working? >> So, let's say I wouldn't say it never progressed. we're uh we're really gamabanak we're we're building them based on what uh what our what our predecessors did. So there were many attempts as you say. So Natan brought a plot in next to Kevin and it was taken away by the walk. Same thing with uh Kisher plot that uh he spent his whole life. >> Um >> but I'm thinking of even more much more recently. I'm thinking about the 70s and 80s where people were buying up properties and trying to build it up. So there are Jewish properties surrounding surrounding Keeler. The only one that we've been able to uh to create a movement on and a community on is this uh this this uh plot that's adjacent to Kev. Eventually we hope to go beyond the walls. We understand that it's a possibility. When you build such a such a ginormous pro project in the middle of it all, it's going to force the army to widen the perimeter. Once they do, it'll make it more and more properties eligible for sale. it will be less uh more of an incentive for people to get rid of their properties and we'll uh slowly but surely ensure the future of the Jewish people in Bethlehem. >> What what does your family >> It's just funny it's funny to say it's funny hearing you say that in New Jersey cuz every day we try to preach at the future of the Jewish peoples in the state of Israel. You're at the point where you're you know you're you're micromanaging trying trying to develop specific communities in Israel and neighborhoods. >> Um your oldest child is how old? uh almost it's still almost 13. >> Okay. So, obviously your children have questions about what you've done over the last 500 days, right? Are those are those uh potent conversations in your house or it's a it's a topic that's generally avoided? >> I feel I don't know much like I'm sitting here and my uh my heart's open and whatever whatever you have to ask I answer. I try to treat my kids with the same >> and do they ask a lot of questions? the same level of respect and they want to know they want to know what I did and where I was and what I saw and what I think about it and what it means and uh it it actually it's it's become a very important topic of conversation in my house and I feel it's much uh much a part of our the way we raise our kids and our education >> right and they must be very thrilled that you're home thank god >> well that that is special by the way yeah >> yeah I mean it's we we can't even comprehend >> it is special >> unbelievable and thank God you're home in a normal uh in a normal environment and I mean that only because so many environments res um home environments have become abnormal because of the situation. >> Right. Right. >> I'm not going to tell you you know what's going on out there. >> You see you see classes that are going to be full in the next few years. You see classes full of you see a lot of almanut much much of which we have uh we have to deal with in uh you know in our communities. It's become very difficult. You know, we're very thankful for the fact that we're okay and our kids okay and everyone everyone's home, but you have to you have to appreciate that uh people who lost their loved ones or their limbs or their, you know, normal way of life, it it doesn't it doesn't mean that they're okay. >> Yeah. >> Like most families, people who really were in it are not doing well. >> Wow. Captain Arz Mazud, can I assume you're in the United States trying to raise money for this project in Bethlehem? >> Yes. And it's moving uh I would say in a healthy pace. >> I would hope so. >> Yeah. Faster is always better, but healthy healthy pace I would say. >> Well, the the reason I'm confident that that people on this side of the world want to help is because I've seen it over the decades where when a an area very important to Jewish tradition and Jewish heritage and obviously important to the Jewish future is being built up, people want to get involved. And I could cite a million examples, but there's no need to do that. The bottom line is that Bethlehem, you know, in honor of David, right? Uh we wasn't it, don't we refer to him as Right. >> Yes. There you go. A lot of people don't recognize it. Right. >> Right. We say it every week. >> We say it every week. Most communities, by the way, I said that in a few communities that don't say it, and it dawned on me that they don't understand what I'm talking about. >> Who doesn't say it? So the communities that had a running in with they took out all of the messiah uh >> references >> references from the so some uh communities do not say >> oh is that great to know. Thank you. >> Interesting. >> So how do people support this amazing project? >> So whatever whatever if you if you see yourself a part of it you can you can reach out in many many different ways. One Instagram uh >> how would they find it on Instagram? So you just write ben and you find us on uh onel >> online. Yeah. >> Simple as that. Ba. That's the name of the yeshiva also. Bal. >> It's the name of the yeshiva community, right? >> Ben Rael. Simple as that. And if they want to donate, is there a bane rael website or with a donate link? The whole thing. And that's it. >> And people can be involved. >> Yes. >> Also, you're more than willing to especially now as people come to you. Please God, please God for Thanksgiving weekend and for the end of year vacation and for January when a lot of uh parents run to seminary in Yeshiva to visit their children. It's an opportunity for you to actually show them what's going on in Bethlehem. Yes. >> We please God don't have to worry that you'll be in Milim. At least at least it looks like you'll have >> but even even if I'm or indisposed for any which reason, you add 15 minutes to your itinerary when you go to K and you walk down another 30 ft and just look with your eyes. Just see with your eyes what you're seeing. And most >> security is not stopping them. There's nothing. >> No. No. Most people who walk down from Kel another 30 30 feet thank me. >> Of course. Why wouldn't they? >> Yeah. Cuz it's really something else. It's really >> the growth of one of the most important Jewish areas in the world. >> They get to they get to gain perspective very easily to one of the uh one of the what's going to be a historic movement that we're going to talk about for years to come. >> Uh you head back today to Israel. >> I head back today. uh any major shopping uh stop before you head to the airport? >> Not not planned. >> Your wife is not one of those people who needs you to shop for certain things in the United States. >> I wouldn't say I don't pay my tax when when I come here. Usually the Amazon packages arrived before. So >> yeah, >> we may have talked about that also last time. >> Could be. >> But what a difference. Now you're able to get those packages delivered and put them straight into your suitcase. In the old days on the way to the airport, you'd have to make an emergency stop somewhere. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. >> Anyway. >> Exactly. Um uh what can I say? It's amazing to have you here. I I I really need to remind everybody, especially those who are impressed with you, as you have visited here a couple of times, that there are many, many like you in the IDF. There are many amazing captains and leaders steeped in tradition who are fighting the good fight for a good cause and for the future of the Jewish people. And you you would say it's not even just hundreds. It's thousands. thousands of amazing officers, thousands of amazing soldiers who've got the message and who know what they're doing and pursue this with tremendous love for Erit Israel and AmI and I would I would definitely add it's very true what you're saying that the we have we we've we have the ability to send good people into good places and if you're looking for something to do or someone to help I would say beyond you know organizations that you can support support financially I would do my effort efforts to empower the right people in Israel, >> right? Whole other conversation, huh? >> Yes. >> Yeah. To say the least to thank you. >> Thank you for the opportunity. >> A pleasure. And of course, again, Benel, you could search it. You can find it on Instagram. Support the cause, help the expansion of the Jewish presence in one of the most important areas of our uh of of our tradition, heritage, and that's Beth Leam. And we'll be reading plenty about coming up in our parot as we um continue through safer bracharat to captain eras maz. >> Thank you. >> A pleasure. Brothers and sisters in Israel, we are with you. It's your favorite. America's one and only Jewish moments in the morning radio program heard on listeners sponsored digital radio around the world, the web.com on the network and of course on the beloved NSN app.