Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land is a local expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's initiative Peace Not Walls: Stand for Justice in the Holy Land. Our group was founded in June 2006 by fifteen members.
LJHL members educate and advocate for justice and peace and seek creative ways to speak for the voiceless in the church, our community, and beyond. We partner with ecumenical, interfaith, and secular groups when possible.
We present:
We share the following as an invitation to you to join in our efforts or to encourage you, wherever you are. If you are interested in forming your own group, please borrow freely. Please contact the church office if you would like to connect with a member of our group.
OLIVE OIL (AND RELATED PRODUCTS) PROJECT
Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land (LJHL) is proud of its ongoing olive oil project. We sell from two sources, Palestinian Fair Trade Association and Lutheran World Federation.
We sell olive oil and other products from Palestinian Fair Trade Association (PFTA). including three types of olive oil: Nabali, a smooth mild oil coming from indigenous trees of the region, and Rumi, a more robust oil that comes from trees the Romans brought to the region about 2000 years ago. Estate Blend is oil from Rumi and Nabali trees which grow on a hill beside the Palestinian Fair Trade facility where the olives are pressed. They are able to pick the Estate Blend olives and press them on the same day. All PFTA oils are certified organic. We also have PFTA Za'atar and olive oil soap, both of which are made by Palestinian women, utilizing microloans. Za'atar is a wonderful blend of thyme mixed with roasted sesame seeds, sumac, olive oil and sea salt from the Dead Sea. The bar soap is gentle and leaves the body feeling soft and clean. All of the PTFA items help the Palestinian farmers sell their products at fair prices to help support their families and their communities. Besides bringing awareness of the people in Palestine, these products are great and are a welcome addition to any household.
Olive oil from Lutheran World Federation (LWF) comes from 800 olive trees that dot the hillside around Augusta Victoria Hospital on the LWF's Mount of Olives campus. This olive oil is sold in 250 ml bottles and includes a beautiful carafe hand-blown in Hebron. The money raised from the LWF olive oil goes toward Augusta Victoria Hospital's Fund for the Poor. Augusta Victoria Hospital provides health care and humanitarian services to Palestinian refugees and others living in poverty.
PRICE LIST:
$5 – 150 g package Za'atar (Thyme, sumac, roasted sesame seeds, Dead Sea salt mixture) (PFTA)
$5 – 2.47 oz shaker Za’atar (Thyme, sumac, roasted sesame seeds, Dead Sea salt mixture) (PFTA)
$3 – 1 bar olive oil soap
$5 – 2 bars olive oil soap
$16 – 500 ml bottle Rumi and Nabali olive oil (PFTA)
$20 – 1 liter tin olive oil (resealable spout) Nabali and Rumi (PFTA)
$17 – 375 ml bottle Estate Blend (Nabali and Rumi) olive oil (PFTA)
$28 – hand-blown Hebron glass carafe and 250ml bottle of LWF olive oil
We set up a sales table at Central Lutheran Church after services occasionally, and are happy to make arrangements to sell our items anytime. We are often available to sell these items at other churches, street fairs, etc. To order, or for more information, please contact the church office and one of our committee members will be happy to help you.
Your purchase of these fair trade products enable our group to help support the Lutheran World Federation sponsored Vocational Training School for young Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim, men and women. We thank you on their behalf.
