organic skincare

​ 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...

You probably noticed some special cosmetic products in our last package: an organic night cream and a citron serum made by the family-run business Arugot. Now we want to tell you a little about what makes these cosmetics so special, and about the incredible couple who make them… Itai and Esther Lachman live in Netivot, a town in the Negev region of Israel, close to the Gaza border. So close, in fact, that they have just 15 seconds to make it to a bomb shelter or safe room when the sirens warn that rockets are coming from the Hamas-led Gaza Strip. In recent times, those sirens have been very frequent. Netivot residents have become accustomed to living their lives on edge, knowing their activities could be interrupted at any moment, and being ready at all times to make the 15 second life-or-death dash to a safe place. Yet, it is here, amidst a sometimes daily existence of rockets and sirens, that Itai and Esther have created a little oasis, designing and producing their all-natural, chemical-free cosmetic range. The Arugot business was born out of the couple’s desire for a more natural lifestyle, free from the toxic chemicals today’s world is full of. They were already raising goats, chickens and growing their own vegetables, but Itai and Esther knew they had to address the chemical products they were using on their skin. Today the Arugot range includes everything from chemical-free deodorants to sunscreen, and even diaper rash ointment. All the ingredients they use are high grade and strictly organic. The plants, flowers and seeds used in Arugot cosmetics are grown on an organic farm, and the fragrances are personally blended by Esther, who trained in herbal medicine and natural herbal cosmetics. What’s more, Itai and Esther use their business to support other causes close to their hearts, including helping female survivors of violence and sexual abuse. At Arugot, they make a point of employing women who would otherwise struggle to find work. It’s clear to see is that Arugot is not just surviving in the face of difficulty: it is growing, flourishing and helping many others at the same time. What is it about adversity that sometimes bring out the very best?

Continue the Story Each Month Here is a closer look at the people behind the February box: ​ At Kibbutz Erez, just kilometers from the Gaza border, Dor Zoher and his partners care for their beehives with patience and dedication. Beekeeping is not fast work; it requires trust in natural cycles and faith in the seasons ahead. The wildflower honey included in this month’s box was harvested from blossoms that grow in Israel’s southern fields – the very same fields that bloom with kalaniot each winter. After evacuation and months of uncertainty, the beekeepers of Erez returned to rebuild their...

How one family near the Gaza border turned a search for safe products into a mission of wellness, resilience, and redemption ​ That may be the simplest way to explain Arugot. But it hardly captures the depth of the story. Because Arugot is not really about soap. It’s about healing. About rebuilding. About rediscovering the wisdom hidden in nature and ancient roots. Why have we accepted so many harmful things as normal? Moving Toward the Border – On Purpose In 2010, the Lachmans made a decision most people would never consider. Together with six other families, they moved south to...