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The essence of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is divine forgiveness. At the heart of this biblical holy day is the amazing fact that the God of Israel loves His people and gives them a way to atone for their sins. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks once described Yom Kippur as “the supreme day of forgiveness.”

I received my first Lev Haolam surprise box, directly from Israel, and what a fun experience I had opening the package. Lev HaOlam is an organization based in Israel that supports small and family-owned businesses in Judea and Samaria. Their goal is to help these small businesses thrive, in spite of the Boycott, Sanction, and Divestment movement (BDS). Each month they mail out a surprise package that contains 7 – 9 items made by producers in Judea and Samaria. The packages contain items like organic honey, olive oil, Israeli wine, unique hand made art, jewelry, natural cosmetics, bath and body...

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...

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....

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

Nahal Prat is made up of 3 natural water springs that run all year round. Its course cuts through the rocky Judean mountains, and its shores are home to a rich variety of plant and animal life. The stream runs for a total of 28 km and has several rock pools where visitors can take a cool dip in the desert heat. It’s only been in recent decades, since the site came under Israeli governance, that Israeli excavations have uncovered the canyon’s incredible history and made it accessible to the public. Nahal Prat is mentioned several times in the Bible....

For many people, the words ‘Judea and Samaria,’ evoke images of right-wing Jewish extremists stealing land that doesn’t belong to them. This picture is false on so many levels, but it goes to show just how successful the anti-Semitic propaganda put out by Israel haters and BDS activists around the world has been. The truth is that the Jewish claim to Judea and Samaria dates back to the days of the Patriarchs. Abraham bought a piece of land in Hebron. This was where he buried his wife Sarah, and later where he and the other patriarchs and their wives were...

Even people who know very little about Israeli politics know two things: the people of Gaza are suffering terribly and it’s all Israel’s fault. This is, in fact, a myth. There’s no doubt that people are suffering in Gaza. But if you take the time to find out the facts (and don’t just listen to the anti-Semitic lies told about Gaza by Israel-haters), you’ll see that the Jewish presence in Gaza brought enormous blessing for the local Arab people. Here are some of the lesser-known facts about the history of Gaza: Fact 1: Egypt ruled Gaza before Israel – and...

Challah Bread   Ingredients: 2.2 lbs (1 kg) 80/20 Hebron whole wheat flour (80% whole wheat, 20% regular flour) 2 tablespoons dry yeast 2 teaspoons baking powder ¼ cup of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Dead Sea salt 4 tablespoons honey ½ cup Hebron olive oil 2 large eggs + 1 egg for glazing 3 cups of water, as needed Preparation: 1) Pour all ingredients into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook and add enough until the dough comes together and becomes uniform. 2) Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise...

Honey Pecan Pie Ingredients: 4 large eggs 1 cup chopped caramel coated pecans 1 cup light corn syrup 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches) Topping: 3 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 3 tablespoons honey 1-1/2 cups pecan halves Preparation: 1. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, pecans, corn syrup, sugars, butter, vanilla and salt. Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 350° degrees F for 30 minutes. 2. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in...

Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Ingredients: 1/3 c. honey 1/4 c. soy sauce 2 tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. red pepper flakes 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided 4 6-oz. salmon fillets, patted dry with a paper towel Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 lemon, sliced into rounds Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish Preparation: 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, lemon juice and red pepper flakes. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat two tablespoons oil. When oil is hot but not smoking, add salmon skin-side up and season with...

Barley Soup with Dried Mushrooms Ingredients: 1 bag of mixed dried mushrooms for soup 25 gr butter or 1/4 cup olive oil 1 onion or 3 shallots, chopped 1 teaspoon ground turmeric or 2 cm fresh turmeric root, grated 1 cup pearl barley 2 carrots cut into 1 cm cubes 4 celery stalks, thinly sliced 2 potatoes cut into 1 cm cubes 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon flour 8 cups of water Salt and pepper 1 bunch of chopped dill or cilantro 1/2 cup of white wine (optional) Preparation: 1. In a medium size saucepan heat the olive...

Explore the Old City of Jerusalem: A Place of Sacred Significance The Old City of Jerusalem stands as a living testament to the intertwined histories and sacred connections of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient part of the city is not only home to some of the most significant religious landmarks but also a center of immense cultural, spiritual, and historical importance. Its narrow, winding streets are filled with stories, each corner echoing the past while remaining a vibrant hub for modern life. For Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the Old City is much...

Explore the Old City of Jerusalem: A Place of Sacred Significance The Old City of Jerusalem stands as a living testament to the intertwined histories and sacred connections of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient part of the city is not only home to some of the most significant religious landmarks but also a center of immense cultural, spiritual, and historical importance. Its narrow, winding streets are filled with stories, each corner echoing the past while remaining a vibrant hub for modern life. For Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the Old City is much...

Explore the Old City of Jerusalem: A Place of Sacred Significance The Old City of Jerusalem stands as a living testament to the intertwined histories and sacred connections of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient part of the city is not only home to some of the most significant religious landmarks but also a center of immense cultural, spiritual, and historical importance. Its narrow, winding streets are filled with stories, each corner echoing the past while remaining a vibrant hub for modern life. For Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the Old City is much...

Explore the Old City of Jerusalem: A Place of Sacred Significance The Old City of Jerusalem stands as a living testament to the intertwined histories and sacred connections of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient part of the city is not only home to some of the most significant religious landmarks but also a center of immense cultural, spiritual, and historical importance. Its narrow, winding streets are filled with stories, each corner echoing the past while remaining a vibrant hub for modern life. For Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the Old City is much...

The Geographical Origins: Zion as a Fortress The first biblical mention of Zion identifies it as a tangible, physical place. In the Second Book of Samuel, the narrative details King David’s conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, an ancient Canaanite tribe. The text specifies, ‘David captured the fortress of Zion, which is the City of David’ (2 Samuel 5:7). Therefore, the original definition of Zion was purely geographical, referring to a specific fortified hill in the southeastern part of what is now Jerusalem. This location was a strategic military stronghold, chosen for its defensible position, surrounded by deep valleys. Its...

The essence of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is divine forgiveness. At the heart of this biblical holy day is the amazing fact that the God of Israel loves His people and gives them a way to atone for their sins. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks once described Yom Kippur as “the supreme day of forgiveness.”

I received my first Lev Haolam surprise box, directly from Israel, and what a fun experience I had opening the package. Lev HaOlam is an organization based in Israel that supports small and family-owned businesses in Judea and Samaria. Their goal is to help these small businesses thrive, in spite of the Boycott, Sanction, and Divestment movement (BDS). Each month they mail out a surprise package that contains 7 – 9 items made by producers in Judea and Samaria. The packages contain items like organic honey, olive oil, Israeli wine, unique hand made art, jewelry, natural cosmetics, bath and body...

Challah Bread   Ingredients: 2.2 lbs (1 kg) 80/20 Hebron whole wheat flour (80% whole wheat, 20% regular flour) 2 tablespoons dry yeast 2 teaspoons baking powder ¼ cup of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Dead Sea salt 4 tablespoons honey ½ cup Hebron olive oil 2 large eggs + 1 egg for glazing 3 cups of water, as needed Preparation: 1) Pour all ingredients into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook and add enough until the dough comes together and becomes uniform. 2) Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise...

Honey Pecan Pie Ingredients: 4 large eggs 1 cup chopped caramel coated pecans 1 cup light corn syrup 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches) Topping: 3 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 3 tablespoons honey 1-1/2 cups pecan halves Preparation: 1. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, pecans, corn syrup, sugars, butter, vanilla and salt. Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 350° degrees F for 30 minutes. 2. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in...