Artzabox: Gifts from the Holy Land: Carmel

If you haven’t seen my previous reviews on Artza Boxes, you may not know that they are such a great idea for those who love Israel! Artza features a different area of the Holy Land each quarter, sending unique items from local artisans right to your door!

This quarter, the Mount Carmel region is featured. In the Northern part of Israel, the term Mount Carmel can refer to the surrounding mountain range or just the steep southernmost end of it. Cities in the area include Haifa and other small towns. 

Biblically, Mount Carmel was where Elijah spent much of his time. He challenged the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a contest to see who was the one true God of Israel on Mount Carmel. It’s also where Elijah cursed the young boys who jeered at him, which resulted in bears coming out of the forest and killing 42 of them! 

In Hebrew, Mount Carmel is הַר הַכַּרְמֶל (Har HaCarmel). Carmel (כַּרְמֶל) means garden land or fruitful place, and the word literally means “vineyard of God”! The area is lush, covered with many different types of trees, and archaeologists have discovered wine and olive presses from ancient times. 

Use coupon code HEBREW20 to receive a 20% discount 
on your Artzabox subscription!

In this box, those at Artza have thoughtfully added meaningful items from the Mount Carmel region. They thought of the significance of everything – even down to the box’s color, inspired by the included photo of the sunset on Mount Carmel, which is included in each Carmel Artzabox.

Here are the items featured in the Carmel box.

Liba De Alma Earth Necklace

This necklace will be my most used item from this quarter’s box! It’s a necklace with a pendant that holds soil from Israel. With this necklace, you can keep an authentic bit of the Holy Land close to your heart. It makes a lovely addition to any outfit and will surely be a conversation piece!

As Believers, what is on our hearts should be the things on God’s heart. Biblically, the Land of Israel is very special to Him, and it should be to us, also. This necklace gives us a way to demonstrate our love for Israel and to remind us to pray for the Holy City as God tells us to do in Psalm 122:6 – “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

These meaningful necklaces are handmade by Bat El (her name means “daughter of God”!) and Shira. They collected soil from various places in Israel and crushed and layered it beautifully to create these pendants. They hope these necklaces will remind the wearers of the beauty and blessings that come from Israel.

Cocoa Tahini Spread

My family loved this addition to the Carmel box! My kids love Nutella and we all agree that this Tahini Spread is SO much better! It’s not as sweet as Nutella and is very flavorful. And it arrived right on time as we’re celebrating Passover and Unleavened Bread this week. It’s been a perfect topping for all the matzah we’re snacking on! 

Coconut Coated Hazelnuts

Grown in Israel, these hazelnuts would be delicious by themselves, let alone with the fantastic coating they have! They’re covered in a tasty and crunchy outer layer that perfectly accompanies the hazelnut inside.

These tasty treats are made by Gidi Mizrahi, a man from one of Jerusalem’s oldest merchant families! You can see Mizrahi’s love for the Land just by looking at the package of these Coconut Coated Hazelnuts. This verse is on the front: “…take the best fruits in the land… a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds…” Genesis 43:11. These coated Hazelnuts are for sure some of the best of the Land!

Hand Painted Ceramic Psalms Plate

Decorated with richly-colored leaves and flowers, this hand-painted plate boasts Psalm 96:12, “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” What a wonderful reminder for God’s people to join with creation and rejoice! 

Herbal Carmel Spice Mix

This aromatic spice combination says it can be used on fish or grilled chicken breast, baked potatoes, anti pasti, pizza, cheese, and vegetable dishes. That’s quite a long list of uses! It comes with a recipe card for Carmel Mountain Chicken, which my family thought was delicious!

A change from the usual blend of spices, this mix also contains hyssop, coriander, and chives. The package says it’s “Inspired by the flavors of Carmel mountain,” and the herbs are from that area. What a pleasing way to experience the Carmel region!

Dr. Dabour Organic Body Lotion

This body lotion is silky with a gentle fragrance, perfect for smoothing your skin after a bath or shower. It has a pleasant but not too powerful scent and contains pomegranate, olive leaf, lavender, and grape seed oil to leave your skin soft and smooth. It also doesn’t leave your skin greasy after use, as many lotions do!

Dr. Dabour is widely known as one of Israel’s top doctors. He has a unique approach to healthcare, combining the wisdom of ancient traditions with modern medicine to positively affect the lives of his patients. This luxurious body cream is just one of his many creations that use the valuable offerings of the Holy Land.

Painted Flowers 

Yair Emanuel is a well-known Israeli artist. You can find his recognizable art worldwide, known for its vivid colors and joyful designs like birds, pomegranates, and flowers. Another of his pieces was featured in the Artza Golan Heights Box, and it’s a delightful addition to the shelf just above my desk. 

These flowers are just perfect for Spring! They are large and bright and make me look forward to the ones that will pop up in my yard now that the weather is warming. The colors – orange, purple, and teal and the detailed designs make a cheerful, energetic combination.  

Raw Wooden Trivet/Cutting Board

Made from the trees of the forested Carmel region, this addition to the Premium Subscriber box is even more meaningful with the following verse on it:

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

This verse and the one from Psalms on the plate I mentioned above are such joyful verses! Isn’t it amazing that God’s creation gives glory back to Him? We should do so also!

Use coupon code HEBREW20 to receive a 20% discount 
on your Artzabox subscription!

Mount Carmel Postcards

Each Artzabox includes two postcards featuring images of exciting scenery in the area. This box is no exception. One of the postcards discusses the Israeli Druze, a community that has inhabited the Carmel area for over a thousand years! The other features a stunning photo of the site that’s thought to be where Elijah challenged the pagan prophets.  

Map and Hebrew Cards

Two cards included in the Carmel box haven’t been in previous Artzaboxes, but I hope this is a new item they intend to include from now on! One is a map of Israel with the Carmel area highlighted. The other is exciting for us Hebrew lovers. It has a few Hebrew words, with pictures so we can learn a little vocabulary of the Land. 

Would you like to order an Artzabox for yourself or as a gift? Here’s a coupon code for 20% off of your first order: HEBREW20