Ediblog.com
Jewish Green Day in Israel: Hebron,
Samaria, and Gaza
© 2005/5765 Ariel Natan Pasko
Tu B'Shvat (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shvat - this year, January 25th)
marks the Jewish New Year for trees, the Jewish "Green Day". Tu
B'Shvat is a mini-holiday on the Jewish calendar, when it is customary to
plant trees in Israel (the Zionist-Green Revolution has repopulated the land
with millions of acres of trees since the late 19th century), take nature
hikes and stress environmental awareness, and to eat fruits that are
specific to the Land of Israel, like dates, figs, grapes, olives, and
pomegranates. So while some Jews will be out lovingly planting trees, or
growing other produce "organically," others will be saying special
prayers and conducting a Tu B'Shvat Seder (a meal with Land of Israel
fruits, and a ritual order based on Jewish mystical tradition), like a
Passover Seder.
What do Jewish "settlers," concern for the environment, Jews from
the former Soviet Union, and hi-tech have in common?
They all come together in Hebron-Kiryat Arba. Mofet B'Yehuda, Hebron-Kiryat
Arba's hi-tech start-up incubator has an environmental division called Green
Tech. The natural outgrowth of their "True Love for the Land of
Israel" is environmental awareness, and as Green Tech's website (www.greentech.co.il)
says, "It's good business too". Bringing Jews home from a
2,000-year exile, building the land, preserving it, and doing business, this
is 58th century - on the Hebrew calendar - (21st century) Zionism in action.
As their website states, "Green Tech was established to answer the
growing global demand for new ecological and environmental technologies.
Green Tech's professional team helps to identify these promising new
technologies, to assist the entrepreneurs at the most critical pre-seed and
seed stage and to enhance their viability on the world market."
Some of Green Tech's graduates include, Levgum, Ltd, Agarom Ltd, and
BionTech, Ltd.
Levgum, Ltd. as the site says, "has developed a revolutionary new
technology for recycling rubber tires and other rubber waste, which is both
cost-effective and environmentally friendly. This innovative technology will
have an immediate environmental impact on industrial nations' rapidly
growing problem of rubber waste disposal."
Levgum's products are suitable for the tire and automotive industry,
consumer goods production, road and building construction, and agriculture.
Agarom Ltd. is, "producing agricultural protection products from the
unique extracts of Israeli aromatic plants. Agarom has developed novel
technologies to produce high quality pest control, crop protection, and
veterinary products, which are environmentally friendly, safe,
cost-effective, and leave no residue in food or the environment. Their
products are 100% natural extracts of plants, scientifically blended to
offer special synergy and have unique features. The technology for Agarom's
products consists of unique methods for extraction, formulation and
blending."
Agarom's products can be used in Agriculture, Pesticides, Crop Protection,
and Veterinary products.
BionTech, Ltd. has, "developed a new technological approach to making
dried and liquid extracts from a broad range of herbs and plants. Their
unique process has resulted in the production of a natural, garlic-based
remedy, which helps to lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system
and prevent colds and flu. This remedy does not contain synthetic chemical
substances, preservatives, solvents or dyes."
BionTech's products serve the needs of alternative and natural medicines;
herbal supplements for food and agriculture industries, and the cosmetics
and pharmaceuticals industries.
Just as Jewish "settlers" in Hebron (Judea) are developing new
"Green," natural and environmentally friendly techniques and
products, so too are Jews in Samaria and Gaza.
Much organic farming is being done without pesticides, insecticides or the
addition of any harmful substances (which while keeping insects away) cause
various side effects when ingested by humans. The organic farms in Judea,
Samaria, and Gaza - Yesha - produce an abundance of fruits and vegetables,
some of which can only be found in the heartland of Judea and Samaria.
For example, there are many varieties of exotic mushrooms that are only
available in the Gush Etzion town of Tekoa (in Judea). The Israeli Journal
of Agricultural Settlements named the Tekoa Mushroom Farm, "Enterprise
of the Year" in the Advanced Agriculture category not long ago.
The Zimmerman family of Itamar in Samaria have an organic farm. Their
company "Haaretz HaTova" (the Good Land) produces different types
of rolled Fruit Leather from high quality organic fruits. They use Grapes,
Apples, Pears, Oranges, Lemons and Strawberries. "A great children's
snack, also good for hikes, they require no refrigeration." They
produce Instant Vegetarian Meals, "cup of soup," in 5 flavors, and
in different sizes, suitable for adults or children. They also produce
Organic Seasoning Spices. There are 4 types, Pikanti, Italian, Greek and
Middle Eastern. The products are homemade by the Zimmerman family from
organic vegetables (carrots, peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, dill and
squash) and organic herbs (such as oregano, rosemary and basil). Their
products are all natural and certified Kosher under the supervision of the
Samaria Rabbinate. The Association of Organic Growers in Israel also
certifies the farm. They can be found at (www.shechem.org/alon/eindex.html).
Then there's the Zimmerman's other project, "Joseph's Blessing:
Eco-Farm," with greenhouses and a fishpond, check it out at: (www.shechem.org/alon/ecofarm/index.html).
Another farm in northern Samaria, also markets its specialty products all
across the world via the Internet (www.shechem.org/tea/eindex.html).
The Brody Family from the Tsel Harim farm in Elon Moreh, on a hill
overlooking Shechem (Nablus). They produce Organic Teas and Herbs. In a
sampler, they sell five types of aromatic Organic Tea and Herbs grown,
picked and hand packed "with love". The contents include (chosen
according to season) Lemon Verbena, Zuta Levana, Mint, Azov [Za'atar],
Echinacea/ Zuta mix, and St. John's Wort. Kosher certification is from
the Elon Moreh Rabbinate.
On the hill of Achiya - near Shilo - the Shukar family strives to provide
the best olive oil, using only Jewish Labor. This organic cold pressed oil
is produced from olives grown and processed by Jewish residents of the
Binyamin region of Samaria. The Shukar Family was one of the first families
to reclaim the land around Shilo and plant olive groves. These are the same
hills that were used by the Hasmoneans (the Maccabees) to grow olives and
produce olive oil for the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish olive oil
industry in the heart of the Benjamin region, is only a short distance from
the site of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) of Shilo, from the time of the Judges
in ancient Israel.
Much has been said about Ariel Sharon's Gaza Expulsion Plan, but little has
been said about the importance of the agricultural produce that is grown
there.
There are 21 communities, most of them founded at least 20 years ago, with
over 8,000 residents. Many of the communities are farming communities. There
are over 3.5 million square meters (900 acres) of hothouses in Gush Katif.
According to Jewish Law, one is required to thoroughly check food (like
vegetables) for bugs. Aleh Katif has developed a method of growing bug-free
lettuce, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables (with rabbinic
certification). Then, there are the cherry tomatoes that originate
from Gush Katif. Grown for export, they comprise 90% of Israel's cherry
tomato exports. And don't forget the other organic vegetables, spices,
flowers, plants and more. Agricultural exports run about $60 million a year,
an average of $7,500 for every Jewish man, woman and child, in Gaza. And
another important statistic, Jewish Gaza manufactures 70% of all of Israel's
organic produce. For example, Anita Tucker of the Gush Katif community of
Netzer Hazani, known affectionately as "The Granny of Gaza," she
has raised children and grandchildren in Gush Katif, and grows organic
celery.
About a year ago, the left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz did a story on
the "sad" fact that most of Israel's organic fruits and vegetables
come from Judea, Samaria (the West Bank) and Gaza. Herzl Bibi, the owner of
one of Israel's largest health food store chains, Nitzat HaDuvduvan told the
Haaretz reporter that the quality of Yesha’s organic food cannot
be resisted, even by those opposed for ideological reasons (against Jewish
"settlements"). "In the territories there is a great deal of
awareness of organic farming. The farms are small, and on the hilltops, with
respect to the climate and dealing with pests, it is easy to grow
good-quality organic food," Bibi said. "During two or three months
of the year organic strawberries come only from the Jewish 'settlements' of
Netzer Hazani [in Gaza] or Itamar [in Samaria]," Bibi pointed
out.
As Miriam HaLevi, an organic farming student told Arutz Sheva, "It is
always an ideological decision to do without pesticides. It is therefore no
surprise that the same people willing to sacrifice for the ideal of a
complete Land of Israel are also willing to forgo the easy answers that
modern chemical farming supplies in favor of farming organically, which
requires the same traits of patience, faith, and idealism while refusing to
use poisonous means to reach questionable ends."
So, if Israel carries out Sharon's Gaza Expulsion Plan, not only would it be
a travesty (expelling Jews from their homes), and an affront to Jewish
history (a rejection of part of the homeland), but will cause a decline in
the healthy eating habits of Israelis.
But if you prefer celebrating Tu B'Shvat the old fashioned way by planting
trees in Israel, you can contact the "Plant A Tree In Yesha"
campaign (www.trees4yesha.org).
Their stated goal is "to plant 10,000 new fruit trees adjacent to the
settlements and hilltops throughout Yesha, enabling growth, security, and
financial freedom to the people of Yesha." As they say, "Fruit
trees of Israel have always represented prosperity, ownership and peace, and
today it is no different."
According to their website, last year they planted trees in Hebron-Kiryat
Arba (Hilltop 26 and Givat Lapid), the farm at Maon and Ma'ale Chever (in
the Hebron Hills), Bat Ayin (Gush Etzion) in Judea, and in Tapuach, Yitzhar,
Sa-Nur, and Kedumim in Samaria.
The Talmud teaches, "When the fruit trees of Israel will once again
give of their fruits, there is no surer sign that the Redemption of the
Jewish people is at hand" (Sanhedrin 98A).
Or, if you prefer planting in Gaza, contact Gush Katif (www.katif.net/2b/english.php).
According to Gush Katif's website, "A year ago, just before Tu
B’Shvat of 2004, the Prime Minister announced his plan to expel
the settlements of Gush Katif. From that day on the inhabitants of Gush
Katif are doing their best to fulfill the verse, "Enlarge the place of
your tent" (Isaiah 54:2), in order to demonstrate to the people of
Israel just how determined the people of Gush Katif are to remain there
forever."
"Our shop stocks a broad selection of seedlings from the Gush Katif
nurseries, for planting in houses, yards, kindergartens, schools and IDF
bases in Gush Katif," their website informs us. Their best sellers are,
Myrtus Tarentina, Bougainvillea (large), and Eucalyptus Calophylla (medium),
for you home gardeners.
The Jewish People's love for its ancient-modern homeland is constantly being
renewed, often in more and more environmentally friendly ways, whether
through new "Green" technologies, afforestation, or organic
farming.
Happy New Year to the Land of Israel, Happy Tu B'Shvat!
Ariel Natan Pasko
is an independent analyst & consultant. He has a
Master's Degree in International Relations & Policy Analysis.
His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank
websites, in newspapers, and can be read at: www.geocities.com/ariel_natan_pasko