In Israel, Passover is synonymous with spring. Culturally speaking, it is a time of renewal and rebirth as we emerge from the rainy winter that has left the country feeling fresh and cleansed, ready for warmer days ahead. We clean out our homes and eat a festive holiday meal (or seder) with family and friends, commemorating the Jewish people’s liberation from slavery in Egypt. Here are a few locally-sourced products that represent this special time in Israel.
Most Israeli families have a Haggadah, which is the book used during the festive Seder meal. This one, produced by Asufa, is a collection of works from some of the best Israeli graphic designers and illustrators. Each artist is given a text from the traditional Haggadah, and uses their own creative interpretation and unique style to design a spread. The 2019 edition (including a bilingual edition) is available online or in their Jaffa shop.
At the beginning of the seder, we dip a vegetable into salt water to symbolize the tears of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. This salt, produced by 424Salt, is sourced right from the Dead Sea and infused with merlot. Named for the fact that the Dead Sea is 424 meters below sea level, this local business uses sustainable extraction and manufacturing processes, earning the approval of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies.
Spring cleaning is a Passover tradition with many Israelis taking the opportunity to prepare their homes for spring. This Palo Santo, made by an Argentinian-Israeli couple in Kfar Saba, can help to symbolically “cleanse” your home for passover. Simply light the stick; allow it to burn for 30 seconds and then move around your space to clear the energy.
Emily Berg is the founder of Matana, specialty subscription boxes containing Israeli-made items, including exotic options like camel-milk soap, za’atar pesto, and anise-flavored wildflower honey. The Toronto native moved to Israel and created Matana as a way to share Israel’s many sides with a global audience. The mission- driven subscription boxes highlight the unique flavors of Israel and give dozens of local artisans a global platform for their products. thematanashop.com
The seder plate is a special dish containing the symbolic foods representing the story Passover. This beautiful ceramic version, made by SinD - a design studio comprised of a young couple, Dima and Nadya Gurevich, is a colorful, festive and contemporary way to display the different elements of the seder.
It’s not a Jewish holiday without wine and Passover is no exception as we are required to drink four cups throughout the seder. On a warm spring night, this rose from Pelter Winery, a family-run boutique winery in the Golan Heights, is particularly delicious.
Kuchinate is a collective of African asylum-seeking women in south Tel Aviv who make beautiful, handwoven baskets in an array of vibrant colors. It is a non-profit organization, aimed at empowering vulnerable women by providing a supportive and therapeutic environment, as well as an opportunity to earn money and interact with the Israeli public through workshops and events. As many of these women have literally walked to Israel through Egypt, this project reminds us of our own exodus and teaches us to be compassionate.
Spring marks the end of citrus season in Israel, and what better way to celebrate than with delicious orange jam from the Galilee? Bustan is a small business founded by Assaf Harris, the son of immigrants from the UK who moved to kibbutz Lotem in the 1970s, where they still live today. In fact, Bustan’s small factory is located inside the kibbutz’s old dining hall where Bedouin women from a nearby village stir large, boiling pots of fruit by hand. Perfect for spreading on matzah!
Meshek Ptora is a boutiquefamily-run farm in moshav Sde Moshe, owned and operated by father and son, Noam and Ido Tamir. The farm was founded in the 1950s by Noam’s parents who planted a modest vineyard and olive grove on a hill overlooking the moshav. This Haroset is made with dates, walnuts, red wine, apples and lemon - a fresh take on a classic Passover delicacy, which is traditionally eaten with matzah to symbolize the mortar used by slaves in Egypt.
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