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September 3, 2020

Keren-Or Even-Danan
Keren-Or and her husband, Raphael, moved to Judea and Samaria in 1995. In 2000 they founded Havat Massuot Yitzchak where they live to this day.Havat Massuot – New & Old
The farm is situated next to the community of Bat Ayin, between Hevron and Jerusalem. Massuot Yitzhak was the name of a kibbutz in Gush Etzion that fell in the War of Independence, and in 2000 the Even-Danan family established the Massuot Farm- “Havat Massuot”- that attracts groups coming to study the history of Gush Etzion.

“I have chosen recipes from my mother’s home and from my mother-in-law’s home– an amazing Israeli combination of an Ashkenazi kibbutznik and a Moroccan woman. I have completely altered both these recipes of course, and today they bear no resemblance at all to their originals – but therein lies our strength; to take the best from everything whilst adding to it our energy, our taste, and our family’s love.”

Fried Cauliflower
By Keren-Or Even-DananIngredients:

• 1 Large (or 2 medium) sized Cauliflowers
• 250 gm. 5% white cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 2 1/2 cups of 70% whole wheat flour
• 1 t baharat (or any spice of your liking)
• Oil for frying
• Salt

Preparation:

1. Scald the cauliflower in boiling water with 1 t. of salt

2. Mix the cheeses and flour in a mixer. Add salt and spices (recommended: baharat) to your liking.

3. Prepare a pot with oil for deep frying and dip the cauliflower into the mixture then fry on a medium flame until golden.

Deadly Terror Plot Uncovered in Samaria (cleared for publication by Israeli security)

August 28, 2020

Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria are left reeling with shock as Israel declassifies the results of its recent investigation into a Palestinian terror network.

Not only were Palestinian terror cells masterminding murderous plots, but their funding and chain of command came directly from Iran and Hezbollah. It doesn’t bear thinking what would have happened if Israeli security services had not thwarted their deadly plans.

The joint investigation carried out by the IDF and ISA (Israeli Security Agency) began when Israel discovered that a Palestinian terrorist called Yazen Abu Salah was plotting an attack.

The Israeli team learnt that Abu Selah had recruited militants for Palestinian terror cells, and was masterminding attacks on Jewish communities in Samaria and elsewhere in Israel. One of Abu Selah’s aims was to kidnap a Jewish soldier in order to bargain for the release of Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons.

In a sinister twist, Israeli investigators found that Abu Selah was connected to a fake humanitarian organization called ‘Al-Shabaab Alkoumi Al-Araby,’ which pretended to offer aid to Palestinian people, but was actually an Iranian / Hezbollah proxy.

Abu Salah himself was planning to travel to Lebanon to undergo military training with Hezbollah.

For Jewish communities living in Judea and Samaria, the threat of terror is never far away. While they are thankful to the security services for every plot they uncover and manage to prevent, the truth is that there are always other attacks that no one knows about until it’s too late.

Our Lev Haolam producers, who live on the front line in Judea and Samaria, know these harsh realities all too well. Just a year ago, the 19 year-old son of one of our producers was murdered by terrorists as he returned to his yeshiva in the Gush Etzion region.

It’s hard to imagine what it must be like living with the daily threat of terror. But there’s one thing for sure: the Jewish pioneers risking their lives to inhabit the biblical lands promised to their ancestors deserve all the support they can get. Why not take a stand with our producers in Judea and Samaria and become a subscriber today?

 

On the front lines against BDS in Spain

July 6, 2020

Spain has long been a hotbed for anti-Israel pro-BDS activity. Back in December, the nation’s powerful BDS supporters swarmed a delegation from the West Bank in a Madrid hotel, physically attacking leaders of the Arab and Jewish communities.

Protestors hurled insults at the group, which included the Palestinian Authority’s chief Islamic judge. This underscores the hypocrisy of BDS and proves what Israel supporters have known for years: BDS isn’t about loving Arabs or supporting Palestine, it’s just about hating Jews.

Ironically, the group was in Spain to appeal an EU decision to label West Bank products. Mandatory labeling of products created in Judea and Samaria hurts both Jews and Arabs by forcing employers to close or shift to other areas of the country. Close to 20,000 Arab workers in the West Bank will be among the hardest hit by the EU’s new labeling rules.

And the reception in Spain highlights the glaring inconsistencies of BDS, backed up by seemingly infinite funds and resources to keep waging war against Israel.

In 2018, Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, passed a law declaring itself an “Israel apartheid free zone.” Fortunately, a 2019 court victory overturned the law, proclaiming BDS to be “racist and unconstitutional.” That victory came about thanks to Spain’s leading anti-BDS group, ACOM (Action and Communication about the Middle East). ACOM has so far managed to annul 62 municipal BDS agreements.

But whenever one antisemitic threat is neutralized, another emerges.

In April 2020, Spain’s strongest BDS group, BDS Pais Valencia, started promoting an online teacher-training course on “Solidarity and Human Rights.” The course was a thinly-veiled cover for anti-Israel hate propaganda, to be taught by Jorge Ramos Tolosa, who is currently awaiting trial for incitement to hatred and discrimination in another BDS-related incident.

Thanks to ACOM and other pro-Israel organizations, the truth came out and the course was canceled. Several Spanish politicians stepped up to speak out against the evil of BDS, declaring it racist, discriminatory, and unconstitutional. “Can you imagine a Nazi giving a talk about ‘our Jewish friends’? Or the Ku Klux Klan on racial equality?” tweeted one Spanish actor and politician.

Unfortunately, many strongholds of BDS remain throughout Spain, including 50 BDS-supporting municipalities.

The battle against BDS in Europe and around the world can be exhausting. But victory is possible if all of Israel’s supporters stand strong, shoulder to shoulder, working together to change hearts and minds all over the world. Learn more about how you can support the fight against BDS.

Herbs of Kedem: Growing Biblical Flowers, Creating Unique Healing Products

June 29, 2020

“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham and said, “To your descendants I give this land…” Genesis 15:18 Thousands of years later Dr. Amir Kitron, a descendant of Abraham has returned to Judea where he has established his life, and a unique business, Herbs of Kedem.

The Herbs of Kedem factory is nestled high in the Hebron Hills on the Jewish settlement of Carmel, first mentioned in the bible and re-established in 1980. Carmel is now home to Jewish pioneers who are dedicated to living and raising their families in this holy place.

Herbs of Kedem products are like none other the world over. Each product is richly infused with the intoxicating scent of the flowers that grow wild in the Har Hevron area of Israel. Dr. Kitron uses these rare and precious blooms as a basis for the products produced by Herbs of Kedem. All of his creations are made from organically grown plants and are cruelty free, using no animal ingredients. With Herbs of Kedem, like our forefathers, we can also benefit from the healing properties of the flowers mentioned in the bible!

Amir and his wife Yemima knew that they wanted to make a difference in the community by enhancing the lives of those who call the region home. They understood a major challenge faced by settlers is finding meaningful employment. By establishing Herbs of Kedem Amir has been able to strengthen the settlement and create employment opportunities. While his team is small, he has a vision of sustained growth leading to the employment of hundreds of local residents, which certainly will “make the desert rejoice.”

In keeping with Torah commandments, his company observes the biblical law of shmita, which means that every seven years the fields rest and all agricultural activity is suspended. This beautiful act of faith shows his trust in God that the yields be abundant and fulfill the needs of the company and preserve the land.

As steward of the land, Amir walks the fertile fields every morning. Opening his day this way is both pleasure and necessity in the region; to ensure that nothing has been intentionally damaged overnight. Guarding the fields and building his company is an investment he makes so that future generations will grow up under the same sun, on the same soil that Abraham raised his family.

Learn more about our producers here.

BDS street drama in Vienna: Harmless play or deadly reality?

June 22, 2020

Imagine walking down the street in your own country and suddenly coming across two Israeli soldiers pointing rifles at a terrified Palestinian man who is begging for mercy.

It would probably take a split second to realize the scene wasn’t real, but instead a street drama acted out by pro-Palestinian campaigners.

However, the damage done in a split second can last a lifetime. The image of these evil, murderous Israeli soldiers is now embedded in your mind. The feelings of terror, horror, disgust.

This street drama took place last month in the Austrian capital of Vienna. Right in the middle of the main city square, BDS activists dressed up as IDF soldiers and played out a mock execution of a Palestinian man.

Some may try to justify this street act. It’s just an artistic expression that makes a political point. It doesn’t do any real harm. But you only need to look at Jewish history to see that these sorts of ‘artistic expressions’ are truly deadly.

Throughout the ages, the most brutal and murderous attacks on Jewish people have been stirred up by anti-Semitic caricatures in plays, books, and cartoons. Adolf Hitler understood this when he gave out thousands of free children’s books to German schools depicting Jewish people as devious and wicked.

Of one thing, there’s no doubt. This despicable, hate-filled street drama reveals BDS for what it really is. The Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions movement is no objective, humanitarian organization. It is a campaign fuelled by anti-Semitism and lies, which sets out to spread poisonous beliefs about Israel and the Jewish people. BDS brainwashing and distortions are not just dangerous for the Jews, but for society as a whole.

Jews in Nazi Germany didn’t leave the country when the anti-Semitic cartoons began. They never dreamt that something as depraved as the Holocaust could happen in a modern enlightened European country. Less than a hundred years later, even after all the evils of the Holocaust, our thinking is just the same.

What harm can a little street act in Austria really do? This is Europe we’re talking about. The civilized and cultured city of Vienna.

While it’s true that the Austrian parliament declared BDS anti-Semitic just a few months ago, the reality is that the movement continues to operate in the country.

We need to wake up. Anti-Semitism is alive and growing in Europe as well as around the world. We need to take a stand now and see BDS for the murderous movement it really is. We need to stop tolerating anti-Semitism in our streets, our media and anywhere else it raises its ugly head.

Click here to learn more about how you can join the fight.

Intriguing ancient Jewish structure unearthed near Western Wall

June 15, 2020

When Israeli archaeologists uncovered a series of ancient chambers that had been hidden underground for thousands of years just meters away from the Second Temple, everyone was overcome with mystery and intrigue.

The Israel Antiques Authority and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation presented the extraordinary discovery last month, just ahead of Jerusalem Day.

Barely thirty meters from the ancient Jewish Temple, archaeologists found two rooms connected by a staircase and an open courtyard. This complex was used by Jewish people in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago at the time of the Second Temple.

Artefacts found at the site – oil lamps, clay cooking vessels and stone containers – show that the rooms were used for storing and cooking food. But more than that, nobody knows.

In first century Jerusalem, houses were normally built of stone. So, who was it that dug out these underground chambers, and why did they go to such efforts to hew rooms out of the hard bedrock?

During the Byzantine period, around 1,400 years ago, the ancient rooms were sealed up beneath the floor of a large, grand building. What was this building, and why were the first century Jewish chambers buried underneath it?This discovery captures the imagination in a unique way and opens up a treasure trove of mystery. Yet a few questions hang in the air that are maybe more profound than all the others:

Why did this ancient Jewish structure survive for thousands of years when almost no others did? How did it stay hidden so long? And why, only now, in these days, has it come to light?

When the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 CE, they burnt the city to the ground and left virtually no Jewish structures standing. But these hidden rooms survived.

When the grand Byzantine building that covered the chambers collapsed in an earthquake in the 11th century, the ancient Jewish rooms beneath its mosaic floors remained intact.

After thousands of years, it’s only now in our day that this mysterious structure has come to light.

You may be forgiven for thinking that these events didn’t happen by chance. Could it be that the G-d of Israel is still watching over the city where His Presence dwells? Could it be that He chooses when to reveal Jerusalem’s hidden treasures?

Today the very identity of Jerusalem is under attack. Many are trying to rewrite her history and erase all evidence of an ancient Jewish presence in the city.

Could it be that discoveries like these ancient Jewish rooms are intended to show us that the Jews did and always will belong in their holy city of Jerusalem?

Click here to learn more fascinating facts about Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.

America passes new law to protect Israel from BDS

June 8, 2020

The US has once again chosen to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel in the battle against anti-Semitic lies and discrimination.

Last month, Missouri became the 28th state to pass an anti-BDS bill. Lawmakers approved the “Anti-Discrimination Against Israel Act,” banning the state from doing business with companies that boycott Israel.

This is fantastic news for Israeli businesses, including all the producers and artisans in the Lev Haolam family. After contending with the devastating effects of BDS for so long, we’re finally starting to see some relief.

BDS stands for “Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions.” It is a deeply anti-Semitic movement that seeks to delegitimize Israel. It targets the Israeli economy, pushing for nations and companies to boycott Israeli products and businesses, especially those based in the Jewish heartlands of Judea and Samaria, like Lev Haolam’s producers.

BDS pretends to be a humanitarian movement standing for the rights of the Palestinian people. But the truth is that it harms thousands of Arab people in the region by forcing the Jewish companies that employ them to close or relocate.

That’s why Israel is now thrilled to see the US – it’s long-term friend – taking a firm stand against this wicked and devious movement. Missouri follows in the footsteps of 27 other states, including Alabama, California, New York, Pennsylvania, and others.

Thank you, America, for joining Israel in our fight against hatred, prejudice and lies. We deeply value and need your friendship.

However, we both know that the war is far from over. There are still many states in the US that support BDS, not to mention all the other nations around the world. Millions of people still believe the poisonous lies that this movement spouts, and innocent Israeli businesses are suffering the consequences.

Please don’t stop praying for us, campaigning for us and speaking out the truth. Please go the extra mile and intentionally buy products made in Judea and Samaria, like the hand-picked selection of goods we send out in our Lev Haolam monthly packages.

To learn more about the BDS movement and how you can help fight it, click here.

Boaz Ido: A man who planted his olive grove on the Word of G-d

May 27, 2020

It takes a great man of faith to trust in G-d and obey His Word even when others tell him not to.
Boaz Ido, one of the producers in our Lev Haolam family, is just such a man.

When Boaz faced the problem of how to grow a flourishing olive grove while all he had were a few weak and withered trees, he knew he had to put the Torah first in his business, and G-d would bring the increase.

To understand the situation that Boaz found himself in, we need to look back to 1979 when 10
Jewish families first started the settlement of Kfar Adumim in the Judean Desert. These early
pioneers planted 47 acres of olive trees to support their community.

But while the settlement of Kfar Adumim grew and flourished, the olive trees did not fare so well.

Tending the olive groves was fraught with difficulty from the very beginning. Environmental issues, problems with watering the trees and acts of terror and sabotage were some of the reasons why, within just 10 years, the olive groves fell into neglect.

Over the coming years, all but 5 acres of olive trees were cut down for wood. The trees that were left standing were weak, withered and no longer bearing fruit.

Boaz Ido, who lives with his wife and family in the nearby community of Alon, always loved walking through the olive groves, and it pained him to see the once-beautiful trees destroyed. As a devout man of G-d, he was also keenly aware of the Torah’s teaching against cutting down trees.

With the blessing of the community, Boaz took upon himself the mission of replanting the olive
grove and making it flourish again. He sought counsel from the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture, and they advised him to cut down the old, non-fruit-bearing trees and start from scratch with new saplings.

Boaz responded: “I’m not going to make the same mistake that was made 35 years ago. G-d will
decide what to do with them – whether or not they will bear fruit – but I will not cut them down.”

So, he planted new saplings alongside the old trees and tended to both with care and diligence.

Then the miracle happened. The old trees started to bloom. Within just a few months, they were
fresh and revitalized. And the following year, they bore fruit! The government adviser had told Boaz that the old olive trees would take at least 3 years to bear fruit, if at all. Now G-d was doing wonders before everyone’s eyes!

Boaz’ olive trees continue to thrive, and he gives all the praise to G-d. At Lev Haolam, we’re proud to work with Boaz’ company – Carma Olive Oil, and our supporters always tell us how delighted they are when we include his products in our packages.

7 lesser-known facts about Shavuot

May 27, 2020

Shavuot is one of the richest and most joyous of the biblical feasts. Yet many people don’t understand the full significance of this holiday and miss out on the awesome treasures it contains. Here are just some of the fascinating facts you may not know about Shavuot:

1. The main biblical character associated with Shavuot wasn’t born a Jew

During Shavuot, it’s traditional to read the Book of Ruth – a biblical love story centred around the Shavuot harvest. Ruth, the beautiful Moabitess, aligns herself with the God of Israel and accompanies her Jewish mother-in-law back to the Promised Land. The story of Ruth serves as a picture of how the nations can support Israel and the Jewish people today and receive an abundance of blessings as they do so.

2. Passover and Shavuot are integrally linked

There is a deep agricultural and spiritual connection between Passover and Shavuot. In biblical times, Passover marked the beginning of the barley harvest, and then, seven weeks later, it was time to bring in the wheat harvest. The word Shavuot literally means “weeks” in Hebrew. The seven-week countdown from Passover to Shavuot is known as Counting the Omer (an omer is a sheaf of grain).

On a spiritual level, Counting the Omer is a time of preparation for the greatest event that happened at Shavuot – the giving of the Torah. After the first ever Passover, Moses led the children of Israel through the desert for seven weeks before reaching Sinai and receiving the Law.

3. Even the cheesecake has a meaning

It’s customary to eat dairy food and refrain from meat during Shavuot. There are several reasons for this.

It’s said that when the Israelites first received the Torah, they realized that the meat they had prepared was not kosher. So, they chose to eat a dairy meal instead.

Another reason for the dairy menu is that Shavuot is a celebration of Torah, and Song of Solomon likens Torah to “honey and milk under your tongue.”

Whatever the reason, you can be sure to find the most exquisite cheesecakes you’ve ever tasted in Jewish bakeries during Shavuot!

4. Water games are the order of the day

Many Israelis probably don’t know that water is used as a metaphor for Torah in rabbinical literature. But that doesn’t stop them joining in the water games that have become a feature of Shavuot celebrations.

In Israel, you’ll find kids and adults alike getting out the water guns and throwing giant water balloons at each other during Shavuot.

Of course, it helps that the feast takes place in the summertime, so the water is a welcome relief from the hot Israeli sun!

5. Children have a special place at Shavuot

The Torah places great emphasis on teaching the Law to the children. It is said that when G-d first gave the Torah to the Jewish people, He insisted upon guarantors to ensure that the Jews would observe the Law. After rejecting several suggestions, God accepted the proposal that the children themselves would be the guarantors.

That’s why, when the Ten Commandments are read on the first day of Shavuot, the whole family – including young children and infants – gather together to listen.

The days around Shavuot are always full of activities and special events for children. Israeli kids have great fun dressing up in harvest-themed costumes and taking baskets of fruit and vegetables to school or kindergarten.

6. Shavuot eve is an all-night Torah fest

It’s traditional for Jewish people to stay up all night studying Torah on the first night of Shavuot.

The origins of this custom lie in an event related in the Midrash. It’s said that when the Jewish people were preparing to receive the Torah, they were so keen to be fresh and alert that they went to bed early the night before. Unfortunately, their good intentions backfired. When morning came, the entire Jewish people had over-slept and Moses had to wake them up!

The act of staying up all night learning Torah aims to prove the Jews’ zeal and fervour for the Torah and make up for that initial shortcoming.

7. Shavuot goes by 5 different names

For anyone just starting to learn about Shavuot, the different names for this biblical feast can be quite confusing. In fact, Shavuot has 5 different names, and all are equally correct.

• Shavuot – literally meaning “weeks.” This is the most common name for the feast
• Yom HaBikkurim – meaning “Day of First Fruits”
• Chag HaKatzir – meaning “Harvest Festival”
• Atzeret – meaning “Stopping.” This refers to the commandment to do no regular work during Shavuot.
• Zeman Matan Torahteinu – meaning “Time of the Giving of Our Torah.”

These are just some of the amazing treasures of Shavuot. The truth is that this feast is a lot like the harvest it celebrates. You need to put in a little effort to gather all the golden sheaves of barley together and understand the various depths and meanings of the feast. But once you reap the harvest, you truly have something to celebrate!

 

The hypocrisy of BDS exposed: Happy to work with Israel when it suits them

May 3, 2020

For years, we’ve had to suffer the BDS propaganda machine spouting lies about the evils of Israel and the Zionist regime.

They have preached about the boycott of Israeli products, artists and academics no matter what the cost. Even when thousands of Palestinians have lost their jobs as Israeli companies have been forced out of Judea and Samaria, BDS claims that it’s a small price to pay for a greater good: the downfall of the tyrannical Jewish State.

Funnily enough, the ordinary Palestinian people are very population that BDS claims to support, but they’re actually suffering more than nearly anyone else from the actions of BDS.

Now, in a telling interview given by one of the founders of BDS, the organization’s true colours have been revealed.

During a recent live video on the BDS Arabic Facebook page, BDS founder Omar Barghouti said that supporters of his movement would be free to take advantage of an Israeli COVID-19 vaccine in the event that the Jewish State succeeded in developing one first.

In a blustering attempt to justify the obvious hypocrisy of this statement, he explained that co-operation with Israel was permitted if it saved millions of lives.

“Up until now, we have not been in a situation where we need Israel urgently and no one else can save us but Israel. If that will happen, saving lives is more important than anything else,” he said.

What about the livelihoods of innocent Israelis and Palestinians that have been ripped to shreds by the actions of BDS? What about the potential life-saving drugs and medical technologies that Israel could have developed if her academics and scientists had not been boycotted and undermined? The contradictions are endless.

What is plain is simple is that the BDS movement is duplicitous and morally bankrupt. If it believes so deeply in the evils of Zionism and is committed to bringing down the Jewish State at any cost, it can’t suddenly choose to be friends when Israel happens to have something it wants. That’s hypocrisy in anyone’s books.

What about you? Are you convinced by Barghouti’s explanation that BDS supporters can still be committed to the destruction of Israel while benefiting from its medical advances? Or do you think that’s a paradox?