TEL AVIV – Hundreds of pro-Israel Christians have raised thousands of dollars to rebuild a honey farm in the West Bank that Palestinian thieves plundered ahead of the Jewish New Year.
Christian Zionists from all over the world joined to donate more than $15,000 to rebuild the Dvash Kedumim bee farm after Palestinians infiltrated the factory last month and stole equipment as well as the entire stock of award-winning honey. According its owner, Yael Farbstein, the vandals also caused extensive damage to the site including killing the bees by blocking up their hives.
Jews traditionally eat honey on Rosh Hashanah, which falls on Wednesday, as it symbolizes ushering in a sweet new year.
“The efforts by these Christians send a powerful message: The Bible, and its message about a land flowing with milk and honey, is stronger than terrorism and can beat BDS,” said Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel365, an Israeli non-profit that sent out an email solicitation to raise the funds.
The funds will be used to replace the farm’s beehives, improve security measures and help support the 11-member Farbstein family.
“Honey is all about God’s bounty,” said Yael Farbstein. “It isn’t anything I can control. Sometimes it is sweet and plentiful, and sometimes it is less so. Despite the losses, we are doing our part by increasing our efforts. We need to show them that we are here to stay.”
Last February, Farbstein’s honey company beat out hundreds of bee farmers from all over the world by winning first prize in the category of the International Multi-Floral Sourced Honeys at the Black Jar Honey Tasting Contest hosted annually in Asheville, North Carolina by the Center for Honeybee Research.
Farbstein expressed her gratitude in a letter addressed to the Christian Zionists who raised the money to rebuild her farm.
“Even though I don’t know you, you feel like you are my close relatives. Your encouragement and support … and the large amount of funds raised by this U.S. community, who appreciates and cherishes the settlement of the West Bank and the Land of Israel, strengthens us a lot and gives us the energy and ability to work hard, rehabilitate the apiary and bolster security – rather than simply escaping. God willing, with your help, we will once again bring forth the good and the sweet from the Land of Israel,” she said.