Israeli history photo of the week: The fruit of the vine

The Library of Congress has recently digitized a collection of over
10,000 photographs, taken by the "American Colony" in Jerusalem, a group of
Christian utopians who lived in Jerusalem between 1881 and the 1940s. The
photographers returned to the US, and bequeathed their massive collection to
the Library of Congress in 1978. The collection includes Winston Churchill's
visit to Jerusalem, Jewish expulsions from the Old City during Arab riots,
and the building of Tel Aviv.

Wine has always played an important role in Judaism and ancient Israel.
Temple libations, religious ceremonies, and meals such as the Pesah Seder
and Shabbat Kiddush all required wine. But the production of wine in the
Holy Land virtually ceased for 1,000 years after the Islamic conquest in the
7th century.

This week's photographs showcase Eretz Yisrael's wine industry throughout the late 1800s and 1900s. In the 19th century, French Baron Edmond de
Rothschild re-established a wine industry in the Holy Land, importing vines and expertise from France. In 1882, Rothschild founded the Carmel Winery
with vineyards, wine presses and wine cellars in Rishon Lezion and Zichron Yaakov.

More photos can be viewed at http://www.israeldailypicture.com