Jerusalem & Bethlehem Christian Families
Bethlehem is the site of the Nativity Story of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel (Matt.2; Luke2); therefore, it has always attracted thousands of pilgrims and visitors because of its religious associations. The crusaders captured Bethlehem in 1099. They were eventually defeated in 1187 and forced to leave the city. The Ottoman Turks took possession of the country in 1571 and remained in control until the end of World War 1 when it was made part of the British mandate of Palestine lasting till 1948. After the Arab – Israeli war of 1948-1949 it was linked with Jordan and placed within the Jerusalem governance. Since the six-day war of 1967, it has been part of the west bank territory under Israel Administration. Fence Bethlehem’s primary importance is religious and historical. After Oslo agreement in 1993, the area came under control of the Palestinian Authority. The manufacturing of religious articles and souvenirs of olive wood and mother – of – pearl has long been a tradition. It is believed to date from the crusaders time. Artists came from Europe, settled in Bethlehem, and started this industry. It was later spread to surrounding towns, mainly Beit Sahour and Beit Jala.ards of service, we need a little more time. Please stop by again. Thank you for your interest!
Population of the Region Most statisticians describe the middle region of the West Bank as being from Beit Sahour in the east to Beit Jala in the west, and from Bethlehem in the south to the holy city of Jerusalem in the north. Population of the middle region is around 140,000.
The city of Bethlehem together with Beit Jala and Beit Sahour makes up the western part of the Christian triangle south of Jerusalem.
This triangle is home to the majority of the Palestinian Christian in the west bank. Christian has historically populated the area, but since 1948, with the influx of refuges, their high birth rates, and the continuous emigration of native Christians to the west, the fragile balance of Christians and other religious has been severely affected.
The Christian population decreased from a high of % 70 in 1948 to approximately % 17.5 today. In Palestine the Christian population is only 50.000.
The Olive tree But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever, Psalm 52:8
The olive tree is a subtropical-board, evergreen tree and has edible fruit. The tree, ranging in height from 3 to 12 meters or more, has numerous branches; its leaves leathery and lance – shaped, are dark green on the face and silvery on the back and are paired opposite each other on the stem. The wood is resistant to decay; if the top dies, a new trunk will often spring from the roots; it is nurtured in irrigated orchards non-irrigated groves. It begins bearing fruits in 4 to 8 pears, but full production is not reached before 15 to 20 years. In ancient times it filled the landscapes of Palestine and parts of the Crete about 3500 B.C.; the Semitic peoples apparently cultivated it as early as 3000 B.C. According to the Bible, it was an olive branch that Noah’s dove brought back to the ark. Jesus prayed near an olive tree in Gethsemane, a tree that is still exiting today. Because of its availability in large quantities and because of its religious significance, and industry sprang from carvings from the olive trees.
Woodcarving is the process of shaping wood into decorative and sculpture forms. Olive wood is used because it can be easily worked with simple hand tools. It has an interesting range of natural color and tonal depth due to the annular structure. Also, it is receptive to a number of surfacing treatments. The olive wood industry is the most important tourist industry in Bethlehem, followed by mother of pearl handcrafts. Most Christian families were earning their living from this industry, but the number has been decreasing.
The Production Process Olive wood can be accurately shaped into complex forms by an amount of effort well within the capacity of the human hand using an edged steel tool. Shaping of wood may be removed by pushing the edge of a chisel against the block and at the same time sliding it laterally. Larger quantities of wood maybe removed by dribbling the opposite (handle) or end of the chisel with a mallet. Files and rasps in arrange of shapes and degrees of fineness are used for smoothing the surface of the mood in preparation for the final sanding.
A final finish maybe applied by any of the well – known transparent substances such as shellac, varnish, oil or wax.
Each town of Bethlehem area has specialized in certain products. For example, in Bethlehem they principally make vases, cups, salt and peppershakers, beads, and nativity sets. In Beit Sahour they make statues, crosses and brooches, in Beit jala they carve camels, horses and donkeys. There are a few exceptions to the above, but with no prior planning as to specialization
Our goal:
By purchasing any of Bethlehem Olive wood products, you are:
1- Improving the Christian communities economic condition, which has been acutely affected by a drastic drop in sales. Sales have diminished as pilgrims and tourists avoid the instability in the Middle East region and there is an absence of a strong export market. Unemployed, skilled craftsmen are leaving their profession.
2- Encouraging families from not emigrating by alleviating their economic plight through job development.
3- Revitalizing this traditional art industry, which is slowly disappearing.
4- Creating job opportunities for craftsmen and encouraging apprenticeship
Bethlehem is the site of the Nativity Story of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel (Matt.2; Luke2); therefore, it has always attracted thousands of pilgrims and visitors because of its religious associations. The crusaders captured Bethlehem in 1099. They were eventually defeated in 1187 and forced to leave the city. The Ottoman Turks took possession of the country in 1571 and remained in control until the end of World War 1 when it was made part of the British mandate of Palestine lasting till 1948. After the Arab – Israeli war of 1948-1949 it was linked with Jordan and placed within the Jerusalem governance. Since the six-day war of 1967, it has been part of the west bank territory under Israel Administration. Fence Bethlehem’s primary importance is religious and historical. After Oslo agreement in 1993, the area came under control of the Palestinian Authority. The manufacturing of religious articles and souvenirs of olive wood and mother – of – pearl has long been a tradition. It is believed to date from the crusaders time. Artists came from Europe, settled in Bethlehem, and started this industry. It was later spread to surrounding towns, mainly Beit Sahour and Beit Jala.ards of service, we need a little more time. Please stop by again. Thank you for your interest!
Population of the Region Most statisticians describe the middle region of the West Bank as being from Beit Sahour in the east to Beit Jala in the west, and from Bethlehem in the south to the holy city of Jerusalem in the north. Population of the middle region is around 140,000.
The city of Bethlehem together with Beit Jala and Beit Sahour makes up the western part of the Christian triangle south of Jerusalem.
This triangle is home to the majority of the Palestinian Christian in the west bank. Christian has historically populated the area, but since 1948, with the influx of refuges, their high birth rates, and the continuous emigration of native Christians to the west, the fragile balance of Christians and other religious has been severely affected.
The Christian population decreased from a high of % 70 in 1948 to approximately % 17.5 today. In Palestine the Christian population is only 50.000.
The Olive tree But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever, Psalm 52:8
The olive tree is a subtropical-board, evergreen tree and has edible fruit. The tree, ranging in height from 3 to 12 meters or more, has numerous branches; its leaves leathery and lance – shaped, are dark green on the face and silvery on the back and are paired opposite each other on the stem. The wood is resistant to decay; if the top dies, a new trunk will often spring from the roots; it is nurtured in irrigated orchards non-irrigated groves. It begins bearing fruits in 4 to 8 pears, but full production is not reached before 15 to 20 years. In ancient times it filled the landscapes of Palestine and parts of the Crete about 3500 B.C.; the Semitic peoples apparently cultivated it as early as 3000 B.C. According to the Bible, it was an olive branch that Noah’s dove brought back to the ark. Jesus prayed near an olive tree in Gethsemane, a tree that is still exiting today. Because of its availability in large quantities and because of its religious significance, and industry sprang from carvings from the olive trees.
Woodcarving is the process of shaping wood into decorative and sculpture forms. Olive wood is used because it can be easily worked with simple hand tools. It has an interesting range of natural color and tonal depth due to the annular structure. Also, it is receptive to a number of surfacing treatments. The olive wood industry is the most important tourist industry in Bethlehem, followed by mother of pearl handcrafts. Most Christian families were earning their living from this industry, but the number has been decreasing.
The Production Process Olive wood can be accurately shaped into complex forms by an amount of effort well within the capacity of the human hand using an edged steel tool. Shaping of wood may be removed by pushing the edge of a chisel against the block and at the same time sliding it laterally. Larger quantities of wood maybe removed by dribbling the opposite (handle) or end of the chisel with a mallet. Files and rasps in arrange of shapes and degrees of fineness are used for smoothing the surface of the mood in preparation for the final sanding.
A final finish maybe applied by any of the well – known transparent substances such as shellac, varnish, oil or wax.
Each town of Bethlehem area has specialized in certain products. For example, in Bethlehem they principally make vases, cups, salt and peppershakers, beads, and nativity sets. In Beit Sahour they make statues, crosses and brooches, in Beit jala they carve camels, horses and donkeys. There are a few exceptions to the above, but with no prior planning as to specialization
Our goal:
By purchasing any of Bethlehem Olive wood products, you are:
1- Improving the Christian communities economic condition, which has been acutely affected by a drastic drop in sales. Sales have diminished as pilgrims and tourists avoid the instability in the Middle East region and there is an absence of a strong export market. Unemployed, skilled craftsmen are leaving their profession.
2- Encouraging families from not emigrating by alleviating their economic plight through job development.
3- Revitalizing this traditional art industry, which is slowly disappearing.
4- Creating job opportunities for craftsmen and encouraging apprenticeship