“Grandpa, We Found Coins!”
By Sarah Paley
Our Yes! Israel Project was honored to host Ambassador Mike Huckabee, his wife Janet, their daughter, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, her husband, Bryan, and their three children to the hills of the Binyamin region in southern Samaria. What began as a fun, off-the-beaten-track excursion evolved into an unforgettable highlight that took us inside our living history.
Under the guidance of Professor Dvir Raviv of Bar Ilan University, the family traversed the hills and ascended into a cave still being officially excavated. They were invited to take part as junior archaeologists, crawling through narrow passages, digging carefully, chiseling, and experiencing the thrill of discovery firsthand. In an extraordinary moment, five previously unknown coins emerged from the soil. The patina prevents absolute dating, but the coins appear to be from the Roman period, within the Second Temple era or possibly from the time following the Great Revolt or the Bar Kokhba period. Jewish history, untouched since it happened, came to life in our hands yet again.
Watching the joy and curiosity on their faces, especially the children, was deeply moving. There is something profound about connecting to this land through direct experience rather than through texts or theory alone. To witness a family unearth tangible pieces of Jewish and Judeo-Christian history in the ancient hills of Samaria reinforced that this story is not distant or abstract, but living and present. Not to mention the mud!
The family continued to Ancient Shilo, a place that carries its own quiet weight and significance. As my partner, Ruth Lieberman has noted, Shiloh is one of those places where simply being there becomes “the best testimony to our historical right to every part of the Land of Israel” because history is not something you are told but something you walk through and feel. I had to leave before that portion of the visit to be present for the birth of my new granddaughter, a different but equally meaningful moment.
The visit captured exactly why our work matters. We are privileged to bring political leaders and their families to Israel, giving them experiences that connect them to the land strengthens their understanding and deepens their relationships in ways nothing else can.
The Yes! Israel Project creates these transformative encounters that turn supporters into advocates and advocates into true champions for Israel, our nation, and our land.
I am grateful to be part of this work and invite others to join us in supporting and expanding these vital delegations. For those interested in learning more or supporting future trips, I would be happy to hear from you at [email protected]. We welcome partners who recognize the significance of identifying influential leaders and creating long-standing friendships that help Am Yisrael in these challenging and historic times. n
The Yes! Israel Project is working to make connections that benefit the US-Israel relationship. Join us on social media or in person to make a difference and work to identify and create friendships that connect and have real influence where it counts, in Jerusalem and Washington. To learn more, contact, or donate, please visit us at https://yes-israel.org/.
Arutz Sheva —“Grandpa, look what we found!” exclaimed the grandchildren of US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee as they excitedly pulled five ancient coins from a recently discovered hiding cave near the community of Na’ale in Binyamin. The family participated in an archaeological tour initiated by Ruthie Lieberman, political consultant and founder of the Yes! Israel Project, together with Sarah Paley. The tour was guided by Dr. Dvir Raviv of Bar-Ilan University, who is leading an archaeological survey of the area.
In the first cave they entered, which was already known to the locals, fragments of a jar dating back to the 2nd century CE were discovered, providing evidence that the cave had served as a hiding place for refugees during the Bar Kokhba Revolt. In the second cave, previously unknown to the public, the grandchildren were equipped with a metal detector and discovered five ancient coins, possibly dating to the Bar Kokhba Revolt, the Great Revolt, or the Late Roman period. “It was remarkable to see such a senior figure so eager to connect to the land together with his family,” said Dr. Raviv.
From there, Huckabee, his wife, his daughter, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, her husband, and their children continued to Ancient Shiloh. They were accompanied by Eliana Passentin, Director of the Foreign Affairs Desk at the Binyamin Region. The ambassador, who has visited the site several times in the past as a guest of Yisrael Ganz, said: “I have a warm place in my heart for Ancient Shiloh. It’s amazing to come to a place that proves miracles can happen, 3,000 years ago and even today.”
Yisrael Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Region, said: “We were delighted to host Ambassador Huckabee and his family at Binyamin’s archaeological sites, the place where our heritage comes to life. The artifacts they discovered are the best testimony to our historical right to every part of the Land of Israel.”
Ruthie Lieberman added: “This tour is part of a series designed to strengthen the connection between Israel’s supporters in the U.S. and our homeland.”
A true friend of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, Huckabee has made his visits to Binyamin a tradition. This marks the third time he has returned to Ancient Shiloh, this time with his grandchildren.
