Archives

BDS Boycott Claims Another Major Brand

September 14, 2018

As of this past month, global sports brand Adidas will no longer sponsor the Israel Football Association (IFA) after repeated protest from the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.

Adidas is just one major brand that has been viciously boycotted by the BDS movement. The long list includes famous companies such as Victoria’s Secret, AirBnb, Viber, SodaStream, and more – simply because they do business with Israel.

Back in March, over 100 Palestinian football clubs petitioned Adidas to end its sponsorship of the IFA – all because six Israeli Football teams were based in the disputed Israeli holy land. After months of deliberation, Adidas finally succumbed to these threats and ended their partnership with the Israel Football Association.

Puma, Adidas’ long-time competitor, will be replacing Adidas as the official sponsor of the IFA for the next four years.

Unfortunately, the BDS movement is simply propaganda that pits unknowing consumers against defenseless small businesses that are based in Israel’s heartland. Boycotting multi-billion dollar companies such as Adidas or AirBnb won’t solve anything, and only creates empty conflict.
If you want to personally help those small companies that are hit the hardest by the BDS boycotts, the best way is to buy directly from Israel. Lev HaOlam directly partners with more than 100 of these small companies from the heartland – if you want to learn more, click here: https://lp.levhaolam.com

What will I find in my package from Lev HaOlam?

September 13, 2018

The packages sent by Lev HaOlam change each month, and contain a wide variety of goodies. Regular items include natural products, jewelry, olive oil, food products, spices, clothing and more. Each box includes numerous items sourced from Israel’s agricultural heartland, the Judea and Samaria regions which surround Jerusalem.

Recent boxes have featured exquisite wine from the Har HaBracha winery situated on the biblical Mount of Blessing, delicious rich chocolate produced near the holy city of Hebron, colorful decorative napkin holders to brighten up any dining table, and many more cute gifts, snacks and pieces of jewelry.

Chocolate from Holy Cacao

A dark, rich chocolate with an unforgettable taste and aroma. Holy Cacao’s delicious blend is an exciting new experience for all chocolate enthusiasts. Manufactured in a small but well equipped chocolate factory, their special chocolate is loving made in Maale Hever, in the mountains of Hebron.

Holy Cacao Chocolate’s founder, Jo Zander, proudly produces his wares from fresh cocoa beans sourced from a variety of different countries. This chocolate is dairy and can be used as a snack or for baking. It’s recommended to eat it in small portions and to keep it in a cool, dry place.

Olive Oil by Hemdat Avot

A short jump away is Hemdat Avot, situated in the biblical city of Hebron. Hemdat Avot’s founders, Moshe and Tehila Yahlomi, produce olive oil and wheat flour just like in bygone eras. Their oil is pressed from olives picked from ancient olive trees growing near the biblical Cave of the Patriarchs, the place mentioned in Genesis as where the mothers and fathers of the Jewish nation are buried.

While their olive grove may be small, it is very special as it forms part of a long chain connection Israel to its millennia-long Jewish roots in the city.

Argan Oil Anti-Aging Cream from Itamar Perfumes

Itamar Perfumes was founded in 1994 by Shimon Barda in the community of Itamar. From the outset, Shimon’s mission has been to produce all-natural deodorants, perfumes, and creams. After studying and collecting thousands of plants, Shimon established his own laboratory. Despite his modest means, experience and resources, Barda has defied all expectations, and Itamar Perfumes has grown to manufacture a wide range of all-natural products. This cream is rich in natural ingredients and is intended to be used on the face and other dry skin.

Havdallah Candle

This special ritual candle was handmade by Olga Alievsky, who lives with her family in Tekoa in Judea, just south of Jerusalem. “From the first moment I saw this art, I realized that this is what I want to do”, Olga told us.

Olga uses a unique technique to create her beautiful candles. Bearing two wicks, in accordance to Jewish tradition, this candle is often used for “Havdalah”, a Jewish ritual which marks the separation between the holiness of the Sabbath and the rest of the week. The colorful candle can also be used for decoration or mood lighting as well.

Jozef Wine from Har Bracha Winery

This delicious Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Har Bracha Winery, run by the Lavi family. The winery is located on Mount Gerizim, Samaria, a place described in the Bible as where G-d gave His blessings to the people. The Lavi family describes the place as no less than “the geographic cradle of Jewish culture”.

Overlooking the biblical city of Shchem, the sweeping landscapes, along with the geological structure of mountains to the East and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, convinced Nir Lavi to plant vineyards there. “It creates a sensation of incredible altitude”. The entire family of seven is involved in the production of the wine, which lies just next to the family’s home.

Assortment of Items from Irit Galmor

From their home in Nofim in Samaria, Irit and Moshe Galmor work together to produce a variety of Jewish-themed items for the home, often focusing on the Shabbat table. Traditionally, Jewish families gather to eat together on Friday night and Saturday lunch, and Irit utilizes her artistic abilities to create beautiful items to liven up any dining table. Alongside her napkin rings and wine stoppers, she also designs stunning Tunisian-influenced candelabra for use on the Hannukah festival, spinning tops traditionally played with on the same festival, Shabbat candle holders, and more.

***

Like what you see? Subscribe now to Lev HaOlam, and help support local businesses, spread the word about the amazing goods made in Israel, and enjoy a world of new products that you can’t get anywhere else. You’ll also be taking an active role in the fight against BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) movement against Israel. Enjoy the unique flavors and gifts of Israel’s heartland every month – subscribe today!

Spain and Germany Set an Example to Overturn BDS Movement

September 4, 2018

Last week, two cities in Spain made a bold statement after they overturned a pledge to join the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement.

Villarrobledo, a small city about 100 miles from the capital of Madrid, originally signed up to be part of the BDS movement and boycott Israeli-made products back in April 2017. However, this was short lived: a Spanish civil liberties group called ACOM (loosely translated as
Action and Communication about the Middle East) took legal action to reverse the motion – and won. Villarrobledo reversed their stance on August 21.

The week after, another small Spanish city called Sagunto reversed a motion that it passed on June 26. The local council stated that they wanted a “space free of Israeli apartheid.”

These recent reversals are just a few examples of ACOM’s victories, whom has reversed more than 30 anti-BDS policies in cities across Spain.

In a similar move, Frankfurt became the first German city to ban the BDS movement last summer. This action would prohibit the city from using municipal funds and facilities for BDS activities. “Frankfurt is a city with strong Jewish traditions… BDS activities are not a contribution to a democratic discussion, but they try to intimidate companies, artists, politicians etc,” Uwe Becker, Frankfurt’s Deputy Mayor, said, “threats to Israel are being felt as threats to [our] people too.”

These two examples are just a small sample of what we can achieve if we come together and let our voices be heard. Each city that reverses its anti-BDS stance will be a victory for the future of Israel and Israeli-made products. Together we are stronger.

The good news is, you don’t have to be a city official to take a stand against the BDS movement. Something simple as ordering a subscription box from Lev HaOlam will ensure that your money will go towards supporting small family-run companies in Israel’s Judea and Samaria regions, which have been hit the hardest from the boycotts. By supporting these hardworking people, we can all make a statement and take a stand against prejudice and hatred!

Anti BDS Hero

August 20, 2018

Over the past month, Ireland has sent shockwaves throughout the world by voting in favor of passing a bill that would ban the import of products created in Israel’s Judea & Samaria territory.

What’s most alarming about this bill is that it sets the stage for other European countries to do the same – with terrible consequences. If Ireland bans products from Israel, it will lead to great losses of profits that family-run companies in the Israeli heartland rely on in order to survive.

The Israeli government opposes this ban, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He notes, “Legislation, which promotes a boycott of any kind, should be rejected as it does nothing to achieve peace…”

Despite all of these political setbacks, we have two heroic subscribers from Ireland that continue to subscribe to Lev Haolam despite what’s happening in their country – even if that means that they’ll be politically persecuted. Their support helps us continue our mission to support small family companies that are suffering due to the BDS movement. These family-owned and operated companies rely on continued business from Israel and abroad in order to continue ancient traditions and to keep their companies alive.

Although we cannot publish their names for obvious reasons, we are extremely grateful to these subscribers, because even in the face of potentially breaking the law, they continue to stand up for what they believe in.

If these heroic subscribers aren’t afraid to support local businesses in Judea, Samaria, and Golan Heights through us, you shouldn’t either – by coming together to form a community, we can go forward and show the world the beauty of Israel’s Holy Land.

By purchasing a Lev Haolam subscription box, you directly support and impact small businesses and get an amazing assortment of products. Teas, chocolates, jewelry, spices, artisan crafts, and other goodies await you every month.

Let’s beat the boycott together!

If you’d like to join us and become a subscriber, please click HERE.

What’s Included in a Lev Haolam Box?

July 19, 2018

Every month is a new surprise in your mailbox! We strive to curate a variety of goodies that might include food products, clothing, jewelry, books, drinks, and natural products. Each box has hand-picked items from Judea & Samaria. Thousands of years ago, these two areas were known as the historical, religious, and agricultural heartland of Israel – and that passion still exists today in the small businesses that produce the items in each Lev Haolam box.

Excited to learn more? Let’s take a look at one of our recent boxes!

Negohot Honey

Tucked away on top of a hill, Negohot is a small village that is synonymous with the first item on our list: Negohot Honey. Founded by Baruch Foychtvanger, a second-generation beekeeper, and his wife, this honey is nothing like you’ve tasted before.
Traditionally, honey was mass-produced by feeding bees sugar water, which often resulted in bland and boring flavors. Negohot honey is the complete opposite: the bees are fed only the best nectar and pollen, which results in unique and delicious flavors like wildflower, avocado flower, and more.
Negohot honey has twice the nutrients and flavor of regular store-bought honey and goes with just about anything: add it to oatmeal, bread, yogurt, and even use it to glaze meat. The whole family will love this one-of-a-kind flavor!

Arugot Organic Hair Care Treatment

The next item comes from the small agricultural town of Arugot, which literally translates to flowerbeds in Hebrew. This three-step hair care treatment, which includes a shampoo, hair mask (conditioner), and hair elixir, was created by Esther Lachman. This creative businesswoman, who specialized in herbalism during her university studies, is inspired by the herbs and flowers that grow in her homeland. Each of the three products is handcrafted from the finest natural ingredients, aromatherapy oils, and organic flower extracts.
Whether you’re already a natural goddess or just starting on the path to a pure lifestyle, try out this hair care set – your hair will thank you for it.

Dried Mushrooms

Delicious, low calorie, and healthy… can a simple mushroom be all of that? Yes, it’s true – and it’s in our exclusive subscription box!
Tekoa Farms was founded in 1986 and started as a small farm producing oyster mushrooms – and more than thirty years later, it now harvests more than a dozen different types of mushrooms. The fertile soil of the Tekoa region gives the mushrooms its unique deep flavor and is perfect in any dish. In fact, three types of mushrooms, including oyster, shiitake, and champignon, are included in the bag.

Looking for a tasty way to try out this product? We have a recipe for Piquant Soup that’s sure to delight any taste buds.

Natural Jojoba Shampoo

Have you ever wondered how Israeli women get their hair to be so shiny and luscious? We’re letting you in on a little secret: jojoba oil! Pronounced ho-ho-ba, this small but multifunctional plant is mainly used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals because of its healing properties. It’s especially fantastic in shampoo, because it nourishes the scalp, moisturizes the follicle, and speeds up hair growth. Jojoba plants are grown in the heartland and have been used in shampoos, hair oils, and conditioners for centuries – If you’re looking for smooth and naturally healthy hair, look no further and try this shampoo!

Dried Dates

We’ve all been there: it’s 3pm and the midday slump is slowly creeping in. You have a deadline to meet at work, take your son to his soccer game, or run errands – but have no energy at all. Don’t worry and try our special dried Medjool dates! They’re high in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins and give you an instant burst of energy. Take a few along with you or add them into cereal, trail mix, pancakes, salads, rice, and more.

Har Bracha Wine

One of Israel’s leading wineries, Har Bracha’s success can be credited to the rich soil of the heartland. The deep flavors and aromas, such as those of the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon that came in this month’s box, will instantly transport you to the mesmerizing green valleys of Israel. Smooth, fruity, and well-balanced, Har Bracha wine is an instant hit – share the joy and pour a glass of this rich kosher wine with friends and family!

Like what you see? By subscribing to Lev Haolam, you’ll help support local businesses, spread the word about the amazing goods made in Israel, and enjoy a world of new products that you can’t get anywhere else. You’ll also fight the BDS (boycotts, divestment, and sanctions) movement against Israel and help promote international trade. Enjoy the unique flavors and gifts of Israel’s heartland every month and subscribe today.

BDS Activist Denied Entry to Israel

July 3, 2018

(BDS activist Ariel Gold. Picture: Ariel Gold’s Facebook Page)

A Jewish American citizen with close ties to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement who attempted to enter Israel last night was denied entry at Ben Gurion international airport.

Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority acted last night to prevented the entry of BDS activist Ariel Gold, who is known to the authorities for her anti-Israel agitation and links to the radical left Code Pink group which describes itself as “a feminist organization that supports and promotes BDS against Israel”.

Gold is currently serving as the national co-director of US left-wing activist group Code Pink which advocates for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), a movement which seeks to isolate Israel internationally.

(BDS activist Ariel Gold. Picture: Ariel Gold’s Facebook Page. I am in the Tel Aviv airport getting deported. I got a visa in advance to enter the country but they are refusing to honor it and are deporting me now.)

This was not Gold’s first time in the country, having spent some time in Israel as a tourist a few months ago. During that visit, Israel’s Interior Ministry became aware that Gold was a known BDS leader. A statement issued by the Interior Ministry declared that when Gold left Israel, she was notified in writing that any future visits to Israel would require government permission, which could only be given in advance.

Possibly in an attempt to evade the bureaucratic checks, Gold then ludicrously claimed to have been in touch with the Hebrew University about enrolling for a Jewish Studies program, this despite her own claims of supporting a boycott of Israeli institutions. Government officials are understood to have been sceptical of Gold’s intentions, believing that she would have simply skipped classes and used the university as a base from which to harass soldiers and promote anti-Israel film footage.

“The rules of the game have changed”
After landing at Ben Gurion airport at approximately 4pm on Sunday afternoon, Gold was detained by airport staff for several hours. The relevant authorities looked into Gold’s status and Minister Gilad Erdan recommended preventing her entry into Israel. Consequently, Interior Minister Arye Deri authorised the cancellation of Gold’s studies visa, in turn preventing her from entering the country. Just after 11pm Gold was informed that entry had been denied, and was sent back to America on Monday morning.

“I am again using my authority to prevent the entry into Israel of a woman who came to act against Israel and call for its boycott,” explained Deri. “This is a Jewish woman who tried to abuse this fact. Even more serious is the fact that the woman was warned and yet tried to enter the country anyway. Those boycott activists must understand that the rules of the game have changed. We will no longer permit those who harm the state and its residents to enter the country.”

In a public Twitter update, Erdan wrote that “Gold has distributed videos on social networks, in which she harasses IDF soldiers and Border Police officers in Hebron, accusing the soldiers of apartheid and oppression, and that their actions do not conform to Jewish values”.

“The rules have changed”, Erdan added. “Israel will not show restraint towards those who try to hurt it.”

Join the fight against BDS now, become a member of Lev HaOlam!

Shabbat Shalom from Etz Efraim

June 29, 2018

Etz Efraim is a village located in the Samarian hills, between the cities of Ariel and Rosh HaAyin. Etz Efraim, which translates to the “Stick/Tree of Efraim”, was founded in 1985 by members of Shkunot B’Yosh (The Judea, Samaria, and Gaza Neighborhoods).

Its name derives from the book of Ezekiel, which says, “…take for yourself one stick and write upon it, ‘For Judah and for the children of Israel his companions’; and take one stick and write upon it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions’.” This quote references G-d’s plan to reunite the kingdoms of Israel and bring them in from exile.

Currently, Etz Efraim is home to approximately 275 families who are of mixed Jewish-religious observances. It falls under the supervision of the Shomron Regional Council and is in the border of the land designated for the tribe of Efraim.

This upcoming month’s package, which is shipping out in just a few short days, contains a beautiful product from Etz Efraim! The product is made by Reuma Zilbershtayn, of Reuma Designs, who is a mother of four and grandmother of three. If you would like to support small businesses like Reuma’s, sign up to start receiving packages today!

ILTV Israel Daily: Interview with Nati Rom

June 28, 2018

“We call it Judea and Samaria. It’s the biblical name of it. And we deal very straight. This is our homeland. It [our homeland] was the here for thousands of years. We don’t speak politics, we speak the truth about our history about our rights here by the Bible, by the history books.”

Transcript:

Reporter: Hundreds of supporters of the Jewish state from Norway Germany and Finland have just come together at a conference on how to fight back against BDS. Joining me now with more is attorney Nati Rom, the founder of Lev HaOlam, which organized this conference and many others like it.

Reporter: Thank you for joining us Shalom so tell us about what was discussed here.

Nati: We were speaking about Israel we gave tools to people all over Europe and to come to see me with pictures and videos what is the real situation in Israel and people see all the hypocrisy about Israel in the media and all over the world and they want to act they want to support Israel and to be active for Israel

Reporter: So who are the participants that you have here. I mean they’re obviously coming from across the earth but how did how did you select these people, the demographic.

Nati: Once a month we travel to a new place and recently we came to Germany to Finland to Norway. Every time it’s a surprise. We were in Germany we were in one place it was the city hall there were 500 people. Full of flags and parliament members who came to visit and to listen. People want to know more.

Nati: We hear a lot of people who are against Israel a lot of BDS and anti-semitic organizations who are fighting against Israel, but here the grassroots movement that we do in Lev HaOlam is face-to-face meeting and people want to help.

Reporter: And these people that you meet and the people that are taking place and these events. Are they Jewish?

Nati: Sometimes we speak to only a Jewish crowd, sometimes it’s not Jewish, sometimes it’s a mix. In Norway we spoke with a Jewish crowd and then we spoke in hotel that was booked full booked of people [of other faiths] who came specially to this hotel to hear a seminar about Israel. It’s very very impressive.

Nati: We have in Lev HaOlam thousands of people all over the world to receive a package of products from Judea and Samaria. They heard about this boycott happening, here in Israel, and they want to act and they are supporting by receiving every month a box from Lev HaOlam from pioneers in Judea and Samaria.

Reporter: Now how many of these conferences have you held because I understand this is not the first.

Nati: I just came from a conference with people from Papua New Guinea who came to visit me in Samaria, in my home, only a few hours ago.

Nati: As much that we hear a lot of the hypocrisy all the resolutions in so-called human rights organizations were fighting Israel. I just was today in court about also a guy who was from BDS that Israel doesn’t want to give him a visa anymore and a lot of left organizations are coming in to fight.

Nati: As much of the lie against Israel that’s going on, there are people who are standing up supporters of Israel all over the world- from the States, in Europe. No more! We see it’s a big lie. We see it’s not about it’s not about the land or territory. You know Iran doesn’t want to kill us because we have any conflict with them at the borders.

Reporter: how do you deal with issues like the settlements, as an example, in the West Bank.

Nati: So we don’t call it the West Bank, we call it Judea and Samaria. It’s the biblical name of it. And we
deal very straight. This is our homeland. It [our homeland] was the here for thousands of years. We don’t speak politics, we speak the truth about our history about our rights here by the Bible, by the history books. And the justice, the only democratic state, the only Jewish state here. We want to live in peace and all over the world peace people are coming here to fight us.

Reporter: So I guess the narrative that you’re sharing here is then that this is not disputed territory or because obviously it is disputed territory.

Nati: When people speak about human rights violation, for example, we speak about human rights of the Jewish people. We speak about my children go to school in bulletproof buses when you go into Judea and Samaria and you see that the Arabs are living without any fear in their heart, as a normal life should, but our children go to school in bulletproof cars. When they hear the stories about all the terror attacks that will happen to us; when they see that we are arrested- I represent people who are arrested in the Temple Mount – only because they are praying in the most holy place in Jerusalem. A Jew prays, you praying in Jerusalem will be arrested only because he states “Shma Yisrael.”

Reporter: Is there any discussion of peace and any kind of discussion what your hope and your organization’s hope is for the future of peace?

Nati: We hope and pray for peace three times a day. And peace will come as Golda Meir said, “peace will come when
the arabs will love the children more than they hate us.” Peace will not come– we can see now, we gave Gaza back we gave them Gaza, now it’s a place for terrorists who shoot at us missiles to Tel Aviv in Ashkelon. So this is not the solution. The simple solution is them stopping to teach the children to hate and to kill us. And European money needs
to stop going to terrorists who kill us and sit in jail- against of every international law. They need to use this money to bring real peace.

Reporter: Well, it’s certainly going to be interesting to see what kind of impact these conferences have on people that you speak with. Thank you so much for joining us.

Nati: Thank you so much for having us.

Shabbat Shalom from Yafit

June 22, 2018

Yafit is a moshav (collective community) located in the Jordan Valley. Moshav Yafit is off the main road and at the foot of an ancient hilltop fortress constructed by the Hasmoneans called Alexandrium (also known as Sartaba). It was built in the 1980s by a group of French immigrants that had been attracted to the beautiful desert area. The name “Yafit” means beautiful, and was chosen because of the beautiful desert. But the name was also chosen to honor and remember Yossi Yafa, an IDF commander.

In 1992, Moshav Yafit absorbed many Russian immigrants. Then during the 1990s, Yafit had become one of the largest communities in the Jordan Valley. It is a special community of just under 200 residents, that are a mix of national orthodox and secular Jews. Just outside the moshav, you can get to The Jordan Valley Shopping Center, where there are many amenities including a supermarket, restaurants, and cafes. It was also housed an active cultural and educational center. Moshav Yafit belongs to the Jordan Valley Regional Council and is in the location allocated to the tribe of Menashe.

Germany Signs Massive €1 billion Israel Drone Deal

June 15, 2018