Follow Israel Radio on and .

Batya Medad grew up in a non-affiliated Jewish home. When she was a teen, her father forced her to go to a meeting for the youth group NCSY. She became an active member, and participated in local and national activities of the group. On a Shabbaton in which she intended to flaunt her irreligiosity, she was moved and inspired by the Havdalah ceremony, and to her parents' chagrin, made a long-lasting decision to become observant. Batya married and made Aliyah at a young age, and shares her reasons for the decision to move to Israel sight-unseen. Now living in the community of Shiloh, Batya has not stopped being involved.

She organizes a weekly women's tour group of Tel Shiloh, the site of the Tabernacle, writes two blogs and a weekly magazine column, gives dieting support, runs the Kosher Carnival blog and e-zine, and works at a clothing store which caters to Jews and Arabs. Her story is fascinating, but her sweet personality, peppered with humor, steals the show.

To read Batya's blogs, visit: www.shilohmusings.blogspot.com or www.me-ander.blogspot.com. Tune in to a delightful show!