Every Taste, a Thread in Israel’s Living Tapestry
What does it mean to welcome a piece of Israel into your kitchen? It’s more than following a recipe—it’s about opening your door to courage, resilience, and everyday miracles.
Imagine pioneers like Hezkia and Yael Dromi, founders of Israel’s first organic farm. They left city comfort for the hills outside Jerusalem. With determination and their hands, they dug their first well, broke rocky earth, and planted olive trees that would one day shade their grandchildren.
Hezkia shares,
"It's the first organic farm in Israel! I grew up in a kibbutz, and I loved the land and nature from the moment I was born. I would run away from school to be outside."
Their story is echoed by desert farmers and Golan Heights beekeepers—real pioneers who turn hope into harvest. Every jar of honey, bottle of olive oil, and blend of za’atar is a living message—a bridge from their homeland to yours.
When you discover a new recipe, savor a new flavor, or share these stories with loved ones, you become a cherished thread in Israel’s tapestry. You help hold their legacy strong and bright, right from your own kitchen table. 🌿
When you discover a new recipe, savor a new flavor, or share these stories with loved ones, you become a cherished thread in Israel’s tapestry. You help hold their legacy strong and bright, right from your own kitchen table. 🌿
🇮🇱 Real Recipes, Real Lives—A Journey Through Israeli Kitchens
These are not just dishes—they are love letters, handwritten from the land of Israel.
Here are three recipes, each steeped in the sacrifices, laughter, and dreams of families who helped make Israel bloom.
Here are three recipes, each steeped in the sacrifices, laughter, and dreams of families who helped make Israel bloom.
1️⃣ Galilee Herb Labneh with Fresh Pita
From Hezkia and Yael Dromi, Havat Shimshon, Jerusalem Hills
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 2 cups full-fat Greek yogurt (or labneh)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Galilee herb mix (za’atar, thyme, oregano)
- 2 tbsp Israeli olive oil (like the Dromis’ organic oil)
- Warm, fresh pita
- Pinch of salt
How To:
- Strain yogurt overnight (if not using labneh) for thickness.
- Mix with garlic, half the herbs, and salt.
- Spread on a dish, drizzle with oil, and scatter remaining herbs.
- Tear, dip pita, and enjoy together.
The Pioneer Spirit:
When Hezkia and Yael settled the rocky Jerusalem hills, they faced countless challenges—unpredictable weather, stubborn soil, and the spiritual weight of working the land. Yet every day, they pressed on with purpose and faith.
Hezkia reflects,
"We've already lived through five jubilee years, in which we can't grow. It's been difficult to live according to Jewish law and be a farmer. This year has been difficult because they draw water directly from the land and the reserves of their well have been low. But I always say that difficulties are not bad, they are opportunities to become stronger. It's like a muscle. You need to find the right kinds of challenges and become stronger. That's how agriculture works."
He also shares,
"For me, the Land of Israel is our roots. Without the roots, there is no shade or fruit... As a farmer you see all the time how the plant alone is not enough—it needs to be in the right place. It needs the right conditions. This land is not just for the plants. It's the place where we need to be to flourish and give our fruit."
Every time you drizzle their golden oil and herbs over fresh labneh, you’re tasting the resilience and hope that built a home—and a future—in Israel.
2️⃣ Negev Date & Almond Ma’amoul
From Golan & Noa Cohen, Dessert’s Song, Negev Desert
Ingredients (~18 cookies):
- 2 cups semolina flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar (+ extra for dusting)
- 2 tbsp rose water (or water)
- 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
- ½ cup almonds, finely chopped
- 1 tsp cinnamon
How To:
- Mix flours, butter, sugar, and rose water—form dough, chill 30 min.
- Combine dates, cinnamon, and almonds for filling.
- Roll dough into balls, fill, seal, and shape.
- Bake at 350°F for 15–18 min. Cool, dust with sugar.
The Pioneer Spirit:
Golan and Noa Cohen planted their dreams deep in the Negev, believing in the power of transforming desert into green.
They remember,
“We built the home on our own, with our own hands. It's made of soil. I had experience building with soil. We simply built it. A few things we needed to learn along the way, but we just simply did it.”
From humble beginnings, they now cultivate a rainbow of medicinal and native plants—along with sweet dates and nuts to nourish body and soul.
Noa says,
Noa says,
“We came, we dreamed, and then we needed to fulfill the dream. We started with those local desert plants, then we discovered how effective they are for healing, then we expanded what we grow, including more local and some international plants. Now we have about 60 medicinal plants.”
The support of the Lev Haolam family means everything to them:
“It charges us and helps us push through the hard times. You don't know how much you are helping us. More than just financially, it's morale and energy boosting to know that people support us!”
With every bite of ma’amoul, you taste the strength, dreams, and gratitude of those who make the desert bloom.
3️⃣ Golden Golan Honey Drizzle Cake
From Mandel Apiary (Golan Heights) & Raikin Honey (Galilee)—Lev Haolam Partners
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup Israeli honey (Mandel or Raikin honey, if available)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 small lemon
- Optional: Chopped almonds or walnuts
How To:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf or bundt pan.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs and honey, then mix in yogurt, oil, vanilla, and lemon zest.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures until just blended. Fold in nuts if desired.
- Pour into pan and bake 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool, then drizzle with extra honey before serving.
The Pioneer Spirit:
Beekeepers in the fertile Golan and Galilee regions greet each day with hope and dedication, knowing the sweetness they share connects hearts across oceans.
Mandel, Golan Heights:
“Working with Lev Haolam is a great partnership. Suddenly, they get a boost. Economically it helps them all. It gives them a push and some extra space to think ahead.”
“Your support... gives us a positive feeling. We know that you see the justice of what we as Israelis are doing. These products, from us and I'm sure from other suppliers, are building those bridges. You're doing the right thing and with the right people and lucky for you you're getting something so valuable in return. It's a big win-win-win!”
Raikin Honey, Galilee:
“Every morning when I open the hives and see the bees – how amazing is the world that has been created. The bees are simply amazing... Every day, I renew the love I have for what I do.”
“The support that we receive from the world is like gas that helps us keep running. I don't take this for granted, I really value and am happy for the help.”
Every drop of honey in your kitchen is a blend of wildflowers, hope, and meaningful partnership.
🌍 More Than a Meal: Becoming Part of Their Enduring Story
Every ingredient and tradition here embodies the grit and grace of Israel’s real pioneers. When you bake with their honey or oil, or try age-old recipes, you do more than nourish yourself—you invest in their future. You let families like the Dromis, Cohens, Mandels, and other Lev Haolam partners know that their hope and courage matter, far beyond Israel’s hills and borders.
And the beauty is: you do this simply, lovingly, in your own kitchen—no passport or plane ticket required.
💌 Invitation: Bring Israel’s Heart to Your Home (and Table)
Lev Haolam’s partners are mothers who rise before dawn, fathers who dare new beginnings, and children running among almond blossoms and honeycombs. Every box you open is a gift from their hands to yours—woven with laughter, dreams, and hope.
Let your table become a place of comfort, resilience, and connection. Make these recipes, share these stories, and be the bridge between continents, faiths, and hearts.
So grab your apron, share a meal, and taste what it means to be truly connected—one bite at a time—with the pioneering families of Israel. 💛
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