From biblical to modern times the people of the land of Israel have had a long association with the olive tree, its fruit, and the oil extracted from it. The olive tree has been a symbol of hope, beauty, peace and fertility. Olive oil was used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, as well as illumination. Its oil was used in the Temple and up until the beginning of the last century olive oil constituted 20%-30% of the daily caloric intake of the inhabitants of Israel. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in olive oil, due in part to its antioxidant nature. Studies have shown that drinking as little 50 grams of olive oil a day can have a positive effect on LDL – the ‘bad’ cholesterol.

The olive tree and its oil have been major components in the culture and rituals of Ancient Israel and the economy of its inhabitants throughout history. Its prominent status is revealed by numerous verses in the Old Testament, the Mishnah and the Talmud.

It is not every day that you find a museum on the premises of a modern day factory, let alone a museum housed in one of the country’s first factories. The Israel Oil Industry Museum, which was established due to the efforts of Benjamin Gibli, is located on the grounds of the modern day Shemen factory in Haifa (shemen means oil in Hebrew).

In archeological terms Tel Miqne-Ekron, is significant for a number of reasons: it is one of the largest Iron Age sites in Israel. More than 100 oil presses were found here, as well as the Ekron Inscription (that clearly identifies the site as Philistine Ekron). To the casual visitor (i.e. non-archaeologist), the points of interest at Kibbutz Revadim are the reconstructed Philistine street and the Ekron Museum of the History of Philistine Culture.

David Eitam, established More Netofa, a company that produces gourmet olive oil, honey and spice mixtures. He believes that educating the public about olive oil is instumental to his company’s success. To achieve his goal he conducts workshops at his home, in Hararit (in the Galilee), where he introduces attendees to the intricacies of olive oil.

“I am like a green olive tree in the House of God; I trust in the love of God for ever and ever.” Psalms 52:10.

For a humble fruit, olives have made an indelible impression on the Jewish soul and on the customs and writings of the Jewish people. According to the Bible, olives were cultivated in the land we now call Israel even before the settlement of the Israelites. (Deuteronomy 6:11).

Ein Shemer is a Kibbutz that was established by Ha’Shomer Hatza’air immigrants, (from Poland). Later immigrants followed from Egypt as well as other countries. Most people know the kibbutz (which is located near Hadera about fifteen mile/ kilometers east of Caesarea) for its Old Courtyard – a place where you can get a sense of what kibbutz life was like, years ago.

Life in Israel the past two weeks has been very difficult, both on a national and a personal level. I couldn't help thinking, however, as I sweated my way through the Tuesday morning exercise class at the YMCA, how strange it was to be stepping to the beat while a national crisis was going on outside. On the face of things, our daily routines in Israel have barely changed.

Most people think of an event planner as something that will cost them more, versus save them money. The reality however, is much different.