Domaine du Castel is one of Israel’s leading vineyards, run by Eli Ben Zaken and his sons Eytan and Ariel (see picture)   The website is here. 

Although not yet available in Australia,  the wine from the vineyard at Ramat Raziel Moshav in the Judeah Hills, is establishing a global reputation.  As stated,  “traditionally, the Golan Heights and the Galilee to the north have been considered as the best regions for wine in Israel.  But since the mid 90s, the Judaean Hills have carved out their own niche in the international wine market, with Castel now recognised as one of the 365 best vintages in the world, according to France’s prestigious Bettane & Desseauve guide.”

 A different flavour to - Castel  - the place name of an important battle in the War of Independence to secure the road to Jerusalem (see here and here)

Le Chaim - and looking forward to Domaine du Castel reaching Australia’s shores.

David Brooks has written an interesting column in the New York Times here.  He discusses Jewish accomplishments in the world and notes that

“No single explanation can account for the record of Jewish achievement. The odd thing is that Israel has not traditionally been strongest where the Jews in the Diaspora were strongest. Instead of research and commerce, Israelis were forced to devote their energies to fighting and politics.  Milton Friedman used to joke that Israel disproved every Jewish stereotype. People used to think Jews were good cooks, good economic managers and bad soldiers; Israel proved them wrong.  But that has changed. Benjamin Netanyahu’s economic reforms, the arrival of a million Russian immigrants and the stagnation of the peace process have produced a historic shift. The most resourceful Israelis are going into technology and commerce, not politics. This has had a desultory effect on the nation’s public life, but an invigorating one on its economy.”   

“Tel Aviv has become one of the world’s foremost entrepreneurial hot spots. Israel has more high-tech start-ups per capita than any other nation on earth, by far. It leads the world in civilian research-and-development spending per capita. It ranks second behind the U.S. in the number of companies listed on the Nasdaq. Israel, with seven million people, attracts as much venture capital as France and Germany combined.”

All well and good but then Brooks over-reaches to claim that “Israel’s technological success is the fruition of the Zionist dream.”

What a limited view of the Zionist rationale for Israel, and its achievements!

One letter pointed out “While praising Jews and Israel, you seem to have missed a point that Israel drives home every day. Jews, are no longer a wandering people. We have a homeland. A place to hang our hat…. Neither kings, nor popes, caliphs, sheiks, or mullahs, can send us packing at a whim. Mere animosity and ‘divine right’ can no longer consign us to second-class citizens, dhimmi’s, or persona non-grata.  Israel’s place in the world, as the only Jewish state, allows Jews a global focal point, for honor, prosperity, education, religious insight, and protection. It is our birthplace and our birthright.  And no mobility or threat, will change that.” 

…. Now that starts to add to Israel’s significance in a more meaningful way than can Israel’s technological achievements, however impressive and important they may be.

An important article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald by Mark Lynas, a climate change activist. The article, entitled “How China gutted Copenhagen and avoided the Blame” in the SHM, has been widely reprinted and was originally published in the Guardian, as seen here.

Among the interesting statements in the article were “The failure was “the inevitable result of rich countries refusing adequately and fairly to shoulder their overwhelming responsibility”, said Christian Aid… All very predictable but the opposite of the truth. I saw Obama fighting to salvage a deal, and the Chinese delegate saying no, over and over again… At one of the major meetings when Obama and other heads of state were there “The Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, did not deign to attend the meetings personally, instead sending a second-tier official in the country’s foreign minstry to sit opposite Obama.  The diplomatic snub was obvious and brutal as was the practical implication: several times during the session, the world’s most powerful heads of state were forced to wait around as the Chinese delegate went off to make telephone calls to his “superiors”.

Among the letters to the Guardian were the following:

A friend recently told me how impressed he had been by his recent visit to Ashdod - the art gallery, the restaurants and the overall feel of the city.  Although it’s obviously not the same as the real thing, here is a virtual trip to savour some of the features of Ashdod. 

 
Firstly, the Museum of Art - the MonArt, (see picture) with its current exhibition including links to the participating artists. Ashdod is an important contributing to the creative Israel art scene - as highlighted in Artis.  And for something different, have a look at Heeb Magazine 

 Then on to the fascinating Green submarine project which is described as “the fruit of cooperation between the Port Company and the Ashdod Art Museum at the Monart Center. This is a green section, integrating ecological teaching with diversified artistic activity.  A special emphasis in the section is placed on the relationship men – sea – environment, and the development of comprehension thru artistic doing, with regard to the connection of each one of us with the protection of the environment.”.. They write “The section is designed like a green submarine – moored at the Ashdod Port – enabling a deepening, double meaning, of the commitment to the environment. In the submarine is a variety of art activities that make use of various materials and all types of wasted, movies that deal with the connection between art and the environment, men and the sea (the short movies are projected in unique “periscopes”) as well as a gallery showing alternating exhibits all related to art, the use of materials, and protection of the environment.”   Ashdod’s efforts to marry the economic with respect for the environment is impressive ..  For more on Ashdod port, see here.

The allure of Ashdod is reflected by the variety of its immigrants.  Those from the former Soviet Union have contributed to the ACADMA conservatory, a professional educational institute for music and performance studies.   It serves as a home for 600 young musicians in different fields.  ACADMA is described in this site of music from Israel’s South. Ashdod is also home to the Israel prize winning Israeli Andalusian Orchestra, a musical offering of which is heard here.  Also the Orchestra provides a great version of Yedid Nefesh and a lyrical piece for mandolin and orchestra.

Wikipedia has a good overall review of Ashdod, with a historical overview reaching from the biblical days, including the “plague of Ashdod” to more recent times.

And for a dynamic promo video of Ashdod, see here.

Dan Senor and Saul Singer have just published ‘Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle,’ Senor discusses with CNBC how Israel has managed to become a leader in business innovation….It is very impressive to hear this interview.

…. More Israeli companies on NASDAQ than all of Europe combined .. in a country the size of New Jersey.

The factors that have driven its success are discussed.  These include immigration and assimilation procedures, Research and Development support, Integration of soldiers back into the economy. 

Also discussed is the ethos of resiliance in Israel.

A written discussion of the book is also presented here. and their promo website with interesting book excerpts here.

A remarkable conference will held in Israel on October 20-22.  Entitled The Israeli Presidential Conference 2009, Facing Tomorrow,  and conducted through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, it is the second annual conference of this name initiated by President Shimon Peres. 

This article on the conference from the Jerusalem Post highlights 3 technologies - A biomass that could replace coal, a new type of engine that runs on a fifth of the gas of the internal combustion engine, and a smart faucet that saves water and energy. 

The photo from the article shows Tamarisk Trees, found in Israel, which the company Mihar Bio-Energy says could furnish a renewable energy source to replace coal.

  The panel on alternative energy links to a fascinating array of companies and ideas that will save our planet.  Speaking of energy,  the 86 year old (!!) President Shimon Peres is to be congratulated for his foresight and foreward thinking to establish this conference.  But the conference is also much than just scientific advances, as reflecting the breadth of interests and concerns of Peres. The introduction  states

The Conference focuses on our mutual tomorrow - investigating the trends that are shaping the future and exploring actions that could and should be undertaken towards the betterment of tomorrow for Israel, the Jewish people and the world at large.

As one example of the very impressive list of speakers, the official welcome session includes

In his book “Milk and Honey” published in 1950,  George Mikes had this to say …

“The Israelis are among the very few peoples in the world who look confidently and defiantly to the future.  I found this optimistic spirit of the country more impressive than anything else.  In Britain, people - consciously or unconcsiously - brood over the glories of the last century; in Belgium and Hungary, in France and Germany they keep talking of the “good old days”, which means a different era for each speaker; in Vienna they dream of the gay and happy Imperial days; in Italy I was told by an Italian friend: You ought to have come five hundred years ago”.  It is in Israel and only in Israel that people tell you: ‘Well it may be wonderful. But come back in then years’ time’. Or: ‘come back in two years’ time’, or sometimes: ‘Come back next week’”

So instead of it being like this scene from Flying High aka Airplane, yesterday had welcome news from Israel that the recession may be ending there. helped by growth in exports and  tourism. The latest tourism hit is whether a mermaid has been spotted or not in Haifa Bay

If you try to buy at least one item from Israel each time you are in the supermarket, an excellent purchase is Bnei Darom green or black olives. The olives are exported to Australia and elsewhere by Bnei Darom, a religious moshav not far from the southern port of Ashdod.

Every place in Israel has a history and Bnei Darom is no exception.

History:

South of Bnei Darom in what is now Gaza, Kfar Darom was founded in 1930 on 250 dunams of land purchased by Tuvia Miller for a fruit orchard on the site of an ancient Jewish settlement of the same name mentioned in the Talmud. In 1946, Miller sold his land to the JNF and a community was established by Hapoel HaMizrachi’s kibbutz movement as part of the 11 points in the Negev settlement plan.

In the summer of 1948, Kfar Darom was abandoned following a prolonged siege by the Egyptian army during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. A book “The 222 Days of Kfar Darom”, which details the heroism of Kfar Darom, was published in 2007 by military historian Aryeh Yitzhaki of Efrat. Originally in Hebrew, it was recently translated into English. For eight and a half months, several dozen young men and women, under almost complete siege and suffering from terrible hunger and thirst, faced the local Arab enemy and the invading Egyptian army. Most of the defenders were religious kibbutzniks, reinforced by Palmah fighters.

Some of those who were forced out of Kibbutz Kfar Darom then established Bnei Darom in its current location near Ashdod. Currently about 400 people live on Bnei Darom and it is thriving.

Meanwhile, following Israel’s victory in the Six-Day War and its subsequent occupation of the Gaza Strip, a Nahal military outpost was established at the original Kfar Darom site in 1970. In 1989, this was converted to a civilian community by the Israeli government Prior to the withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, there were about 60 families, totaling about 330 people, who earned their living particularly from agriculture, and a central packing center for the world renowned insect-free vegetables produced by the Gaza Jewish communities. Kfar Darom became a symbolic last stand by the Israeli settlers and their supporters in August 2005. Many settlers from Gush Katif, as well as other supporters from the rest of Israel and abroad, mostly religious youth, concentrated themselves in the synagogue. After a bitter struggle,the people were removed by Israeli soldiers. Following the eviction and Israeli withdrawal, Palestinians razed the synagogue. Many of the Kfar Darom people have since struggled to reestablish themselves, with inadequate support.

Location of Bnei Darom:

To get to Bnei Darom: Near Ashdod on Route 41, just east of Route 4. Entrance to Bnei Darom on side of Route 41.

At Moshav Bnei Darom, a communal agricultural settlement of the National Religious Movement, the olive industry is booming. Most of the olives are harvested from trees grown south of the moshav in the desert and irrigated with 10,000 year old underground well-water. The oil, however, is cold pressed at Bnei Darom. Visitors to the olive press learn about the qualities, history and properties of the olive fruit, as well as how to identify real olive oil.

Olive Tour – A Bnei Darom highlight

A tour includes the visitors’ center, with a film of how olive oil is produced, and a visit to a modern olive-oil factory. Afterward, people are given an opportunity to produce their own olive oil with a reconstructed ancient press. There are also tractor rides and arts and crafts projects during Chanukah.

Kad Bnei Darom is a family operation on the moshav. It is the only Israeli mill to produce olive oil using the Italian Rappanelli Sinolea olive oil extraction process. In addition to olives, the company makes canned cucumbers, peppers and egg plant

During Chanukah each year, Bnei Darom hosts an Olive Festival — an original way to mark the Festival of Lights. During the Festival, participants learn how to differentiate between real and fake olive oil, learn about olive oil’s health properties and history, and taste different varieties of olive oil.

The many and varied uses of Olives:

*Besides the olive branch being the symbol of peace, olive is one of the seven species of the Land of Israel. Since ancient times, Jews in different cultures have used olive oil for medicinal purposes. Folklore relates that the Rambam drank a glass of olive oil each morning.
* Indian Jews smeared babies with olive oil before bathing the child to strengthen skin and bones.
* Syrian Jews recommended that pregnant women drink olive oil for good luck.
* Tunisian and Algerian Jews used olive oil for massage and prevention of back ache.
* Morrocan Jews recommended olive oil to ease joint pains. Coughing babies were given a mixture of olive oil and honey.
* Iraqi Jews believed that a daily tablespoon of olive oil prevented headaches, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and digestive ailments.
* Yemenite Jews rubbed olive oil on the head to prevent hair loss and dandruff. A daily spoonful prevented the flu.
* Ashkenazi Jews dripped warmed olive oil into aching ears.

SO next time you are shopping, have a look for Bnei Darom olives!!

While there has always been hope that Israel would strike it rich one day with oil (the only major find had been in the Sinai, which Israel gave up in the peace deal with Egypt), the consensus seems to have been that Moses might have been better to have turned right rather than left… But no more, with the recent discovery of gas fields off the coast of Israel. While we have to guard against overoptimism, the possibility of exaggeration, and some potential dispute with Lebanon regarding waters, the news is very exciting regarding a large natural gas discovery. see here

But you could ask, why have an imitation when you could have the real thing - and remember “oils aint oils, Sol”.

So, here is a song specifically about oil in Israel .. composed amid the excitement of the first significant oil discovery in Israel in the 1950’s… “Neft zorem behuliqat” - H. Salmony – S. Weissfish, from 1955, features Shlomo Weissfish with a vocal quartet and orchestra conducted by Moshe Wilensky. Hed-Arzi 1311 JMR 2414.  The song is track 16 from a wonderful collection of old songs from Israel, with some from before independence, and available from the The National Sound Archives, David and Fela Shapell Digitization Project, The Jewish National & University Library at the Hebrew University, see here for more information.

Oil extraction began in the Heletz oil field in 1955 resulting in much celebration. The oil field remains the most economic oil field in Israel, and is adjacent to the Heletz Moshav in southern Israel, located between Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat and Sderot.  The moshav, which in 2006 had a population of 422, was founded in 1950 by immigrants from Yemen, and was named after Heletz, one of King David’s Warriors.