new year, new challenges & renewed hope
I would very much like to wish you a very happy 2025, and take the opportunity in this my first post of the new year, to thank you all for your continued support.
This past year has tested us all as we experienced the hostilities and challenges of living in rural northern Israel, yearning for the release of every hostage still held in Gaza and hoping for an end to this war, on all fronts. Its consequences have affected each and every one of us, albeit in so many different ways. The realisation of such devastation caused to the countries infrastructure, economy and individual livelihoods came even more evident to me when I returned home from spending the last few weeks in England with my family and friends, whilst promoting the culinary culture of The Galilean Kitchen and the Lost Crops of our Heritage from the lush, ancient landscape.
With renewed hope encouraged by the release of the first three hostages in this fragile ceasefire, I arrived back recharged and determined to complete my current manuscript, ‘Feeding Us… food of memories’. This is a testament to so many of us that gained strength and comfort from the giving of food during these difficult times, only to be confronted with another sad reality of how these past 15 months has affected us all on a very personal level.
Located upon the ridge of the Naftali mountain range that lies between the Upper Galilee and Lebanon is Kibbutz Manara, founded in 1943 by Zionist youth workers and young Polish and German immigrants. Boasting stunning views of the northern agricultural belt, tourism was once Manara’s principle financial streams with scenic views from its cable cars that descended from the cliffs to the valley below, and the discernible shop, selling souvenirs and locally sourced products from this alluring region.
Following the events of October 7th 2023 and Hezbollah’s subsequent support that targeted the Israeli communities bordering Lebanon, the few hundred residents of Manara, together with thousands of other inhabitants of nearby towns and settlements, were forced to evacuate their homes. Less than two weeks after that fateful day, a barrage of anti-tank missiles were fired from over the border, hitting the kibbutz and leaving a trail of destruction to its buildings, but thankfully without causing any loss of life.
It has only been since the Israel Lebanon ceasefire of 27th November 2023, that residents have started to return to their homes and visitors have been allowed back up to these once considered tourist beauty spots. A couple of weeks ago, whilst I was still in the UK, a few friends of mine, took a trip up to Manara and wandered into the shop that was once a bustling haven of mementoes of this beautiful region, only to find the contents of the shelves strewn across the floor amidst the rubble and debris of the attacks, of which lying within this dirty mess was a number of my much loved books…
The far reaching consequences of this conflict remains evident, which depending on circumstances, geography and the degree of personal resilience, has enabled each one of us to find our coping mechanism to find a way through. I have found my strength through the giving of food. Volunteering to cook for so many in need of nourishment and sustenance, has fuelled me during these gruelling times, and given me an understanding of the importance placed upon feeding, as much as eating, within our society, and the inspiration to publish again.
I was saddened at seeing the vibrant pink cover of The Galilean Kitchen displaying my name, discarded on the floor of a war torn building, yet I was heartened to know that it will only be paper and words that are essentially thrown away when the clear up begins. It is the food of our heritage which forms the melting pot of Israel’s culinary culture and identity, that remains steadfast and gives us the strength and resilience for some renewed hope, in which peace can prevail.
Going forward, my writing here will now link to ‘Feeding Us’ as I endeavour to finish my book. I will be giving you a taste of the delicious food and the meals of memories shared around the family table, from the recipes and stories that connects our past to our culinary future. Please do join me on this culinary journey…
