SEE THE HOLY LANDS WITH DANIEL RONA

DANIEL RONA'S BIOGRAPHY

Born Daniel Denis Rosenthal in 1941 in the British Mandate of Palestine, where, fleeing the Holocaust, his German-Jewish parents had met and married, Daniel’s first five years growing up in Israel profoundly shaped his character. At the age of five, his parents separated, and Daniel moved to New York City with his father, Herbert Rosenthal. Jewish heritage with its traditions and holiday observances were always a part of Daniel’s identity and childhood upbringing.

Daniel’s father, deeply troubled by his own survival when his parents had perished in Auschwitz, was earnestly seeking answers. He was perplexed that God could allow six million Jews to perish without giving any warning. Herbert found, in a one-time Manhattan synagogue, where an LDS Ward happened to meet, the message of living prophets and was impressed by the obvious truth he recognized therein. He was amazed by the Israelite connection of “Joseph and Judah.” He wanted to become a member immediately, but was persuaded to wait until he was fully prepared, understanding that his baptism was a fulfilling step in his Jewish identity. Upon moving to Salt Lake City with his father, Daniel developed a strong sense of gratitude for American freedoms and opportunities, while never diminishing his Jewish individuality. His father changed the family name from Rosenthal to Rona when he and Daniel became U.S. citizens.

Daniel served a successful mission in Germany, after which he had the opportunity to travel to Israel to visit his mother, Kitty, and his stepfather, Zvi Tohar. Upon his return to Utah, Apostle Ezra Taft Benson asked not only for a report on his mission, but, more importantly, his experiences in Israel. Subsequently, Daniel met and married Marilyn Minardi, who eventually bore him five lovely children, three in the U.S. and two in Israel. Daniel launched a successful career in broadcasting, but the 1967 Six-Day War in Israel had a great impact on him, inwardly pulling him home to Israel. To avoid an emotional repeat when the 1973 Yom Kippur War broke out, he avoided all contact with any news media, but the emotional pull came, anyway, and although it was not easy, by August of 1974, with Marilyn’s full support, the entire family had moved to Israel.

Usually, new immigrants to Israel are offered some kind of financial assistance. However, rumors that the Ronas were not actually Jews, but “Mormons coming to broadcast for the Mormon Church” put his citizenship in question. This not only deprived them of the anticipated assistance, but also rendered them unemployable. Fortunately, Daniel had packed tools, paintbrushes and rollers in his suitcases, enabling him to do odd jobs to support his family without any governmental assistance. Eventually, the government accepted him as a “Returning Jew,” granting him the assistance and rights this afforded him.

While Daniel’s house-painting business grew, he observed a steady flow of Latter-day Saint tourists to the Holy Land, hoping to experience the spirit of the land and to learn more about the cultures and traditions of their brothers and sisters in the House of Israel. Unfortunately, they often left disappointed. Most of their guides were not religious. None was versed in LDS doctrinal perspectives or insights. A local resident, ethnically rooted in Israel, Daniel became serious about providing a professional, spiritually-oriented touring experience for visitors to his homeland.

The career change brought peace of mind and heart when he was accepted into the Ministry of Tourism Course for Guides at the Hebrew University Campus . Daniel became the only LDS licensed guide and tour operator in Israel. In more than three decades, Daniel has had the pleasure of developing tens of thousands of close relationships with Latter-day Saints, Rabbis, members of many diverse religious communities, and the ever-changing members of the Jerusalem Branch. His success in Israel prompted him to fill a similar need in the Book of Mormon Lands of Central America and Church historical sites where he brings his guests to the bridge connecting the Holy Land to the Promised Land. Daniel is also leading the expansion of the largest legal services entity in North America, Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc., that provides Identity Theft Shield and identity restoration services.

Daniel has faithfully executed his many church responsibilities, including as a teacher, counselor and leader in the presidencies of the Jerusalem Branch and Israel District. He founded The ENSIGN FOUNDATION, a charitable nonprofit (501c3) organization, which encourages identity restoration of the peoples of Joseph and Judah and builds bridges of understanding between them by fostering exchanges of science, technology, music, culture, education along with humanitarian service. The ENSIGN FOUNDATION also organizes and funds Daniel’s various speaking engagements throughout the world, so that no burden is placed on either the Church, its members or the wards and stakes at which Daniel is asked to speak.

The ENSIGN FOUNDATION provides to Latter-day Saints opportunities for service among modern-day Israelites, working with individuals, companies, other foundations and the LDS Humanitarian Services. A popular service is to distribute equipment for the handicapped while on Daniel’s tours. For information about the services rendered by The ENSIGN FOUNDATION, and for charitable financial details, please contact Denise Metcalf at Post Office Box 52, Sandy, UT 84091, call (801) 699-9657, or email her at denise@israelrona.com. Daniel feels it inappropriate to discuss HOLY LANDS REVEALED touring or business matters at LDS meetings or firesides. He, therefore, refers all inquiries to his staff at (800) 272-RONA (7662) or to the website www.HolyLandsRevealed.com.