Modern Data Science Meets Biblical Narrative in Interactive Passover Map Tracing Israelite Exodus Across Real World Geography

Explore the "Haggadah on the Map," a new digital tool using NASA data and archaeology to trace the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Land of Israel.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 7:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

The Convergence of Academic Research and Family Tradition

The "Haggadah on the Map" project began as a casual inquiry between Alon Gildoni, a product management specialist, and his brother-in-law, Ron Milo, a professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Inspired by the storytelling legacy of Gildoni’s late father, Zvika Gildoni, the duo sought to transform the "cryptic" geographical references in the Haggadah into tangible, real-world coordinates. By applying Milo’s data-driven approach to biblical narrative, they developed a resource that bridges the gap between ancient religious texts and modern mapping technology. The project serves as a tribute to the elder Gildoni’s ability to make complex information accessible to all denominations, aiming to act as a "connective tissue" for diverse Jewish communities.

Navigating the Rabbit Hole of Archaeological Uncertainty

Mapping the Exodus presented significant academic challenges, particularly regarding locations where tradition and archaeology offer multiple interpretations. To maintain intellectual integrity, Gildoni and Milo consulted with archaeological experts and conducted extensive research to identify the most prominent candidate sites for landmarks like Mount Sinai and the crossing of the Red Sea. In cases where consensus is lacking, the map presents multiple prominent traditions, converging factual history with mythological narratives into a single, coherent view. This approach allows users to explore the "rabbit hole" of research while acknowledging the layers of interpretation that have defined these sites for millennia.

Bimodal Formats for Diverse Levels of Religious Observance

Recognizing the varying degrees of technology use during the Passover holiday, the creators developed the map in two distinct formats. For those who strictly observe the holiday’s prohibition on electronic devices, a high-resolution, printable PDF features a NASA aerial photograph of Egypt, Israel, and the surrounding regions. This version includes a chronological points-of-interest guide and a detailed glossary to facilitate offline discussion. For more secular or preparatory use, a web-based interactive version allows users to swipe through the Israelites' journey, catering to a younger audience accustomed to consuming information digitally. Both formats are intended to move beyond the rote reading of text toward a de...