The Circassian Community and Sandiyana Olive Oil

In Israel, rain is a “Siman bracha,” a sign of blessing. The weather brought alternate plans from our planned hike and we made the most of the new opportunities in the Galilee. 

We began the morning by visiting the Circassian Community of Kfar Kama. The Circassians are an ethnic minority of around 4500 people from the Caucus Mountains. The nation was originally brought to Israel by the Ottomon Empire in the late 19th century. The people continue to maintain their own traditions in several areas around Israel and are citizens who are devoted to the country in many ways, including serving in the army.

We then headed to a neighboring community called Kfar Kana, where there is an olive oil cooperative of Arab and Jewish women called Sindyana  which seeks to empower women to work and make money for their families. We learned about the origins of this company and were quite impressed how it exports its Gold Medal oil even to Italy — it’s that good. At the end of the presentation, students made their own jar of Za’atar, a mix of hyssop spice, sumac, sesame seeds, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.