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The Story Behind the Splitting of the Sea The event commonly referred to as the splitting of the sea takes place in the Book of Exodus, chapter 14. After centuries of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were finally granted their freedom. Led by Moses, they began their journey into the wilderness. But soon after their departure, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army to recapture them. Trapped between the advancing Egyptian forces and the sea, the Israelites cried out in fear. In that moment of desperation, Moses was instructed to stretch out his hand over the sea. When he...

The Destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian Exile In 586 BCE, the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem, a devastating blow to the Jewish people. The Temple had been the spiritual heart of Jewish life, built by King Solomon centuries earlier. Its destruction marked not only the loss of a sacred space but also the beginning of a long and painful exile. The Babylonian exile was a time of mourning and reflection. Far from their homeland, the Jewish people preserved their identity through prayer, study, and community. They longed for the day they could return to Jerusalem...

The Importance of Ancient Maps in Understanding History Maps are more than just tools for navigation—they are windows into the past. When we examine ancient maps of the Levant, especially those highlighting Tyre and Sidon, we gain insight into how people understood geography, politics, and culture in biblical times. These maps help us visualize trade routes, territorial boundaries, and the proximity of key cities to one another. The map of Tyre and Sidon reveals their strategic location along the Mediterranean Sea, north of ancient Israel. Their coastal positions made them ideal hubs for trade and communication. These cities were not...

The Birth of Esau: A Name Rooted in Appearance Esau’s name first appears in the Book of Genesis, where he is born as the elder twin of Jacob. The Torah describes him as emerging from the womb “red, all over like a hairy garment” (Genesis 25:25). This vivid image is not just a physical description—it becomes the foundation of his name. The Hebrew word עֵשָׂו (Esav) is often linked to the root עשׂה (asah), meaning “to make” or “to do,” suggesting something already formed or complete. This connection to being “made” or “complete” reflects Esau’s fully developed appearance at birth....

The Meaning Behind Sukkot Sukkot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish calendar, alongside Passover and Shavuot. It commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. During this time, they lived in temporary shelters, which is why Jewish families today build sukkahs as part of the celebration. These structures are not just symbolic—they become the center of life for a week, where meals are shared, songs are sung, and memories are made. The sukkah itself is a powerful symbol. Its fragile walls and leafy roof remind us of the...

The Rise of Shein in Israel Shein, a Chinese-based online fashion retailer, has become a household name around the world. In Israel, especially among younger consumers, Shein’s appeal is undeniable. With just a few clicks, shoppers can access thousands of clothing items, often at prices lower than those found in local stores. The convenience of home delivery and the allure of fast fashion have made Shein a go-to for many. But this rise in popularity comes with consequences. While consumers enjoy the benefits of low-cost fashion, small businesses in Israel—many of which rely on local foot traffic and loyal customers—are...

The Land That Holds a Thousand Stories From the rolling hills of the Galilee to the sun-drenched stones of Jerusalem, Israel is a land that breathes history. Every corner tells a story—of ancient prophets, courageous pioneers, and families who have tilled the same soil for generations. These stories are not just in books; they live in the voices of market vendors, in the laughter of children playing in kibbutz fields, and in the quiet prayers whispered at the Western Wall. For those who love Israel from afar, these stories become bridges. They connect us to a land we may never...

“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...

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...

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....

Many of you have been in touch to ask how the producers and small businesses that Lev Haolam supports are coping during this pandemic. Thank you so much for your concern and all the words of encouragement. The truth is that these are devastating times for the whole world, and Israel is no exception. Israel is now in its third week of national lockdown. The only stores permitted to open are supermarkets and pharmacies. Many businesses across the country have already collapsed and the unemployment rate is soaring. The artisans and producers that Lev Haolam supports are no longer able...

The Novel Coronavirus Moves Across the World with Lightning Speed The Novel Coronavirus emerged slowly and lent a feeling of unease that has snowballed over the past month. We have all watched in horror as stock markets have plummeted, country after country has fallen into the grip of this highly contagious virus, overtaxing medical infrastructure and most painfully causing the loss of life. Governments the world over are responding with stricter, more draconian measures, and people find themselves feeling afraid, lonely, and helpless. The Israeli people have responded to this global health crisis in a uniquely Jewish way. Jewish tradition...

On the one hand, Purim, that commemorates a narrow escape of Persian Jews from the death sentence 2,500 years ago, fits perfectly into the regular scheme of a Jewish holiday: ‘They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.’ On the other hand, there is some sharp contrast between Purim and other Jewish holidays, like Pessach or Chanukkah. The latter are about Jews escaping death, too, but there were miracles happening there: The division of the Red Sea, or the light of the Menorah that lasted eight days instead of one. In the story of Purim we do not see...

This week’s portion of the Torah deals with God’s detailed instructions to Mozes on how to build the Tabernacle – a portable sanctuary where the Almighty could dwell while the Israelites were travelling in the desert after they left Egypt. The chapter opens with His commandment to all of the Israelites to contribute materials needed for the building of the Tabernacle. The phrasing of the commandment, however, is weird: It is said “take for Me a contribution”, not “give Me a contribution”. Why “take” instead of “give”? It is known that wording in the Torah is never arbitrary; every letter,...

We recently shared the story of Lev Haolam packages being tampered with during their transit to customers in the US. It was clear from the photos and reports we received from around 100 different subscribers that the damage was significant and must have been due to either extreme negligence or deliberate sabotage, possibly motivated by BDS. We now want to give you an update on the situation. It’s important to reiterate just how disappointed we were that this situation arose in the first place. We have always been extremely vigilant to ensure the safe arrival of all our packages, and...

Every culture has its own little quirks and idiosyncrasies. What’s amazing about Israel is how a country that’s less than 75 years old and includes immigrants from all over the world has such a strong and unified cultural identity. Here are 6 fascinating facts about Israeli culture: 1) The Israeli population is one of the most educated in the world According to a recent report, Israel is the third most educated country in the world. More than half of Israeli adults between the ages of 25 and 64 have completed a higher-education degree. This is more than nearly any other...

Located in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall is the holiest site in Judaism. It is the only remaining wall from the ancient Jewish Temple, where G-d’s Presence is still believed to dwell. For many centuries, Jewish pilgrims have travelled up to Jerusalem to pray at this sacred site and anyone who visits the Western Wall plaza can’t help but experience a sense of awe. Here are some fascinating, lesser-known facts about the Western Wall: 1. The Western Wall that we see today was built in 20 BCE by King Herod when he expanded the...

During the week of Oct 13th – 18th, Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel, welcomed over five thousand Christians, from over one hundred different countries, who had traveled to Israel to join the celebration of Sukkot with their Jewish friends in the holy city. In keeping with the biblical prophecy from Zechariah 14:12, “Then everyone who survives of all of the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths,” thirty-nine years ago a passionate group of Christians with a love for...

Anyone who has visited Israel during Sukkot will have been struck by the decorative tent-like structures that appear in gardens, public spaces, balconies and just about everywhere else! These ‘sukkot’ or booths are full of biblical significance, and for a week they become centers of feasting and fellowship as Israelis celebrate Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot is the third and final ‘Fall feast,’ taking place five days after Yom Kippur on the 15th of Tishrei in the Jewish calendar (sometime late September / October in the Gregorian calendar). The holiday lasts for seven days and seven nights. During Temple...

Many of you have written in lately to say how much you liked the Masik natural toothpaste we included in a recent package. We’re glad you liked it! This toothpaste is actually very special. It is made by Masik, a family-run natural cosmetics company based in the Golan Heights. This is one of the territories that the BDS movement is seeking to boycott, so your support is very important to them. Masik’s toothpaste contains no fluoride and is handmade from only natural ingredients. What makes it different from other natural toothpastes is that it contains Israeli Dead Sea salt. The...

When people think of Yom Kippur—or the Day of Atonement—the first thought that normally comes to mind is fasting. But the truth is there’s so much more to this incredible Jewish holy day than just going without food. Yom Kippur is the second of the ‘Fall Feasts,’ following ten days after Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year). It takes place on the tenth day of the seventh month in the Hebrew calendar, which falls sometime in September / October in the Gregorian calendar. In Temple times, Yom Kippur was the day when the children of Israel made sacrifices to atone for...

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...

1. Studies show that there are olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane dating back 900 years, making them some of the oldest living olive trees in the world.2. When Neil Armstrong visited Jerusalem, he said: ‘I am more excited stepping on these stones than I was stepping on the moon.’ 3. Jewish people around the world face Jerusalem to pray. 4. Between 1948 and 1967 when the Old City of Jerusalem was under Jordanian control, Jews were not allowed to access their own holiest site – the Western Wall. In 1948, the area referred to today as ‘East Jerusalem’,...

Opening your Lev HaOlam box is like opening a surprise every month – and this month is no different! At Lev HaOlam, our team goes out every month to small, family-run businesses to find the best and most exclusive products for our boxes. You can rest assured that each of the goodies in this box are hand-picked by us – and we hope you’ll love them too! Let’s take a look at some of the goodies you can expect to find in this month’s box: Granola by Mandel You haven’t tried granola until you’ve tried Mandel’s granola! What makes this...

Ever wanted to try some of the most amazing goodies from Israel — without leaving your home? Here at Lev Haolam, our mission is simple: we want to support small, family-run companies in Israel while showing the world amazing products from the Israeli heartland. Every month, we hand pack and send out more than 2,700 boxes worldwide to people who share the same vision as us. You might be wondering, what’s inside a Lev Haolam box? Although every month is different, you can expect to find 7 to 9 hand-picked items that are specially-crafted from the Israeli heartland. Your box might include food...

Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate Sukkot, which is one of Judaism’s most important holidays. The event celebrates the fall harvest, and this year was extra special because Lev HaOlam was invited to be a guest at one of the most exclusive Sukkot celebrations: the Feast of Tabernacles! Lev HaOlam’s goal for the Feast was to show everyone how they could support Israel in a fun and easy way, and we were extremely successful! Thousands of people visited our stand during the week-long event and got to see and try amazing products from the Israeli heartland. Every...

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...

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...

“We call it Judea and Samaria. It’s the biblical name of it. And we deal very straight. This is our homeland. It 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...

Tourists visit Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim for the traditional cherry picking festival. (Photo: Courtesy) Over 8,000 people flocked to Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim in the Gush Etzion region in Judea, just south of Jerusalem on Friday for the annual cherry picking festival, less than two weeks after a nearby cherry orchard was attacked and torched by Arab assailants. The assailants responsible for the pre-dawn attack, using burning tires, have so far not been identified. Nevertheless, the festival continued and hundreds of families and took the opportunity to enjoy a healthy, natural and fun day out. Visitors were told that it was an...

Winding up Route 458, just half an hour North of Jerusalem, Kochav Hashachar peeks out from the horizon on the top of one of the hills apart of a vast chain of rolling mountains. The high school, which is most prominent from the road, displays its vast campus and the residential community is not situated too far behind on the next hilltop. Kochav Hashachar overlooks the stunning mountain ranges it sits on, with the mountains stretching across the border into Jordan. On a clear day, you can also spot the Dead Sea. The sunrise must be breathtaking, especially since the...

Naama Isaac, with her husband and their three children, live in the community of Tekoa, Judea. Naama has produced some wonderful products that have gone out in Lev Haolam’s Surprise Monthly Packages. Naama was born in Ofra where she lived for twelve years, when her family decided to move to Kochav HaShachar. Her parents were one of the first families to reside in the community after it had been established. “When Kochav HaShachar was created, they were looking for families to move there to help strengthen the community. So, we moved there for one year to help strengthen...

Brandon and Stephanie Treger immigrated to Israel with their four daughters from South Africa just over a year ago. The Tregers currently live in Efrat, one of the largest communities in Judea. In the short amount of time that they have lived in Israel, the Tregers already opened a chic boutique coffee shop called Power Coffeeworks. We recently went to visit and interview Brandon (and of course to taste the fantastic freshly brewed coffee), who is one of the newst producers for Lev Haolam’s Surprise Monthly Package Project. We arrived at the shop on a cold and rainy morning and...

We recently drove out to the beautiful neighborhood of Nofei Prat- located in the community of Kfar Adumim – to interview Yael Rozmarin, one of the producers for Lev Haolam’s Surprise Monthly Package Project. Upon entering Yael’s studio it became apparent that we were meeting with a sweet, warm woman. Given her calm demeanor, you wouldn’t realize that Yael had three children and ran her own studio on meeting her for the first time. We learned over the course of the interview, the quiet and serene lifestyle that Kfar Adumim provides its residents was one of the most influential reasons...

On a warm Thursday morning, the Lev Haolam team drove through the mountains of Samaria to a small community called Kohav Hashahar. It was there that we had planned to meet and interview Eliezer Rosenfeld, a musician and producer for Lev Haolam’s Surprise Monthly Package Project. Unbeknownst to us, Eliezer had much more in store for us than a simple interview. After we began the interview, Eliezer drew us into his story, painting his memories with words. As he started to tell us about his life, we were no longer sitting on his couch in Kohav Hashahar, but instead were...

Batya and Baruch Erdstein, with their six children, live in Itamar, a community located amidst the Samarian hills. Batya is originally from San Diego, California. She has a very pleasant, easy-going and spiritual demeanor. Batya has produced some of the fine ceramic products that have been sent in Lev Haolam’s Surprise Monthly Packages. We went to Itamar to interview Batya and to hear about her journey to and in Israel. Batya told us that her and her husband had always been interested in living in Judea and Samaria. “When we first got married, we lived in Bat Ayin , but...

Olga is the mother of 6 children. She lives in Tekoa (pronounced T’koa) a beautiful community in the Judean Hills, just south of Jerusalem. Tekoa is part of the area of Judea known as Gush Etzion (Etzion Block). Tekoa like all the communities in Gush Etzion, is located near the historical road called Derech Avot (Path of the Patriarchs) – a road traveled by all of the Jewish patriarchs. We traveled to Tekoa to meet with Olga, to hear her story and – although we did know it beforehand – to stand in awe by her masterpieces. Olga crafts stunning...

David Daniel has been a Lev Haolam supplier for a number of years. Among the many products from our Surprise Monthly Package Project, David has produced honey and therapeutic beeswax ointment for Lev Haolam, both of which come from the bee hives David owns and maintains in Hebron. His products are infused with his passion for the land of Israel. David was born and raised in the city of Hebron and currently lives there with his wife and 4 children. While it is true that David grew up in Hebron, his passion for the Hebron and for Israel goes beyond...

In light of all of the historical and present treasures that Israel has to offer, traveling through the area of Judea known as Gush Etzion (Eztion Block in English) is nothing short of mesmerizing. The Gush Etzion region, snugly nested within the Judean hills, is an area that starts approximately 20 kilometers south of Jerusalem and extends to just north of Kiryat Arba and Hebron. All of the communities of Gush Etzion are located adjacent and connected to a road called Derech Avot (road of the fathers). This road, which still exists, gets its name from the fact that it...

It has been approximately 15 years since my last trip out to the Shiloh region of Samaria. I fondly remember that first trip, visiting a beautiful family living on the hilltop community of Shvut Rachel, for Shabbat. However, this time I was with my colleague from Lev Haolam to meet with one of our suppliers, Boaz Netanel, who is the owner and manager of Aley Tamar Jewelry. While driving through the winding roads of Samaria, I was taken by the beautiful views, the vast hills and valleys. Upon entering Eli, the community where Boaz lives, a beautiful panorama brimming with...

Pictured above is IDF commander Sharone Asman speaking with soldiers stationed in the Gush Etzion region. At a ceremony in the Gush Etzion (Judea) region of Israel – in commemoration of the jubilee or 50 year anniversary of the return of the Jewish people to the Judea, Samaria, the Golan and the Jordan Valley areas of Israel – soldiers who are currently serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) received packages from Lev Haolam. These soldiers held senior positions in the IDF and were presented the gift packages by the Gush Etzion regional commander, Sharone Asman. The IDF specifically wanted...

Recently, we had the privilege of meeting a wonderful family living in the small community of Negohot (Judea). Negohot is just a few kilometers from the holy city of Hebron and is located on a remote hilltop in the Judean mountains. My collegues at Lev Haolam and I went to Negohot to meet Shimrit and Baruch Foychtvanger, the founders of Negohot honey. We got to hear the story of how the Foychtvanger’s made it to the community of Negohot and about how Negohot Honey was started. Negohot Honey was one of the products in the September package from Lev Haolam....

by Aviva Morris | Sep 13, 2017 | blog, Company News, Israel, Judea and Samaria Man blowing the shofar-horn at the Western Wall The Jewish people have had a tradition, dating back thousands of years, to eat sweet foods in celebrating the start of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year. (With Rosh Hashana right around the corner, we hope our partners and supporters have started to receive our special High Holiday Packages from Lev Haolam!) These sweet treats are meant to herald a wonderfully sweet New Year. In addition to eating sweet foods, we...

For those of you who haven’t heard about our Surprise Monthly Package Project, let me take a minute to explain a bit more about the “story” behind the monthly packages before getting into what’s inside of the packages. The Surprise Monthly Package Project Story About 4 years ago, Nati Rom, who lives in a small Jewish village near Shiloh decided to take upon himself the fight against the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. “We saw that there were no efforts using the story of Judea and Samaria to combat the boycott movement working so hard against us,” Nati said. Nati’s...

On our way to meet this month’s producer, we drive along a winding road between olive trees and vinyards and climb up a steep mountain where a gem of the Judean Desert is revealed: Pnei Kedem. This hilltop is the home to 50 idealistic families who built their houses, planted their trees and paved the roads of their village with their own hands. We meet Tamar Rund in front of her house, as she greets us with a smile and a hot beverage. Even on a warm spring day, the winds of Pnei Kedem are cooling. She invites us inside...

Office Manager turned Confectioner in Response to her Husband’s illness As we enter this large space inside one of the buildings in the in the capital city of Gush Etzion, we smell the delicious aromas of fresh pastries, cinnamon, cocoa and chocolate. This is the new home of “Rachel’s Cookies”, a family business. Several employees roll the dough, grind nuts, mix them with dates and spices, prepare the fillings and cut the ready cookies into pieces. While packing is done by a machine, almost everything else is done manually. “And you can feel free to taste them” says Uriel Mekhaber,...

Have you ever wondered what inspires one to open a winery? For Avraham Moro and Michel Metzger, two French Jews who immigrated to Israel over than 30 years ago, the answer was quite fascinating. The two friends, who had been partners in construction business before, opened a winery when they wanted a business that would bring them not just money, but happiness. At the Amos Winery, you can feel it. Upon entering Amos winery, you first arrive at the visitor’s center, a welcoming place where wine or coffee is served all day, music performances are held every Saturday evening, and...

Lev HaOlam is looking to design a new t-shirt that relays Le HaOlam’s drive to connect the world with Israel’s Biblical Heartland. We want you to help us design it. Please leave your idea and contact information either in the comments section here, on Facebook, or in this site’s contact form. The winner will receive a special package direct from Israel.

Founder of the “Holy Cacao” chocolate factory near Hebron Jo Zander is one of just a few dozen producers of bean-to-bar chocolate in the world. He sees his work as realization of a major commandment in Judaism: Improving the world. What is your connection to chocolate, how did you come to founding a chocolate factory? My connection to chocolate is both old and new. My grandfather was a baker, and I worked for him as a kid. I did not like chocolate at that time, I didn’t even like sweets at all, but there I learned to do things from...

In just ten years, Nicole Yehezkel has changed her life in all ways possible. She moved from Florida to Israel, from school to the IDF, became religious, moved to a community in Judea and Samaria, and started her own business. She sells natural cosmetics and medicinal products from Israeli-grown materials – herbs, oils and flowers. As we exit the car in the community of Halamish, or Neveh Tzuf, located in the hills of southwestern Samaria, just 26 km from Jerusalem, a stunning view with green hills all around opens up. I ask Nicole Yehezkel what she likes about living in...