Why I Started Club Israel
One veteran's love for the Land — and a way to share it with the world.
IDF soldiers at the Western Wall — the eternal heart of Jerusalem
Sam Besser
I grew up in Chicago with a deep love for Israel and Jewish history. After high school, instead of heading straight to college, I made a choice that shaped the rest of my life: I volunteered to serve in the Israel Defense Forces.
I served as a combat soldier. Those years in the field — standing on the same ground where ancient armies marched, where the Bible's stories unfolded, where modern Israel was forged — changed how I understood history. It stopped being something you read about and became something you stand on.
I went on to study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, but my heart never left the Land.
I created Club Israel to give everyone — wherever they live in the world — a direct, tangible connection to this land. Not a photograph. Not a replica. A real piece. A coin that passed through ancient hands. A stamp that traveled from this soil. A pin worn by a soldier who stood where Abraham walked.
One genuine piece, one story, one member at a time.
— Sam Besser, Founder
Our Values
Authentic, Always
Every artifact is real. No reproductions, no mass-produced souvenirs. If it's a coin, it's a coin that existed in Israel. If it's a stamp, it was used. Authenticity is non-negotiable.
Every Piece Has a Story
Every artifact ships with its full story — connecting the object to ancient Jewish history, its biblical significance, and the modern nation that rose from that soil.
Supporting Israel
We source from Israeli vendors, families, and collectors. Your subscription puts money directly into Israeli hands and supports the communities Sam lives and works among.
Building Bridges
Club Israel serves both Jewish and Christian audiences — united by love for the Land, for Scripture, and for the history that connects us all to this extraordinary place.
A Piece of the Land in Your Hand
Become a member. Help build something that connects the world to Israel, one artifact at a time.
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