Blood of the Maccabees - Red Everlasting

Red Everlasting (Dam HaMaccabim): A Symbol of Resilience and MemoryThe Red Everlasting (Dam HaMaccabim) is a protected wildflower that grows exclusively in the Land of Israel. Its Hebrew name, which translates to "Blood of the Maccabees," stems from the legend that the flower springs from every drop of blood shed by the Maccabees. It symbolizes growth from pain and the recognition that the flourishing of our beautiful country is thanks to those who sacrificed their lives for it. This protected flower has never been cultivated—until now. Since 2017, the Dam HaMaccabim Association, in collaboration with wildflower experts at "Seeds from Zion," has worked to establish the first field of its kind in Israel. This journey was fraught with agricultural challenges; our goal was not just to grow wildflowers in a greenhouse, but to advance their blooming by three months, ensuring they are ready for distribution in Israel and abroad before Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron). In 2019, we succeeded and launched our pilot. The work in the field requires year-round dedication as we continue to document, research, and learn about this mysterious flower. The success of this field is a victory not only for our memorial project but also for our ability to ensure the conservation of this beautiful and significant flower within the Israeli landscape. From Field to Lapel: A Delicate ProcessIn nature, these flowers bloom only around April, and as a protected species, it is strictly forbidden to pick them. However, in our dedicated field, the flowers bloom and are ready for harvest as early as March. The harvest is a delicate, hand-picked process designed to protect the plants. Within hours of being picked, the flowers undergo a unique drying process we developed, which preserves the fresh flower in all its glory for many months. The drying and preservation process takes about seven days. Once ready, the flowers are integrated into a specially designed pin, tailored to the flower's size and protection. From there, each flower is individually packaged and prepared for shipment across Israel and around the world. A Community of SolidarityOne of the most remarkable aspects of our project is the people. The harvesting, packaging, and distribution are all made possible by volunteers from across the country. Without them, this project would not be possible. • For bereaved families: The pins are provided free of charge. • For the general public: The pins are sold to fund the association's activities in commemorating the fallen and supporting bereaved families. We invite companies, organizations, institutions, and youth movements to take part—both by volunteering and by ordering pins. Reviving a National SymbolWe invite you to take part in reviving the symbol of Memorial Day. This year, one hundred thousand people across Israel and worldwide will wear the flower. Together, they will wear Israeli memory on their lapels in a powerful display of solidarity. Dam HaMaccabim is a profound symbol of growth out of pain, of standing with bereaved families, and of remembering our beloved fallen. it is a symbol of unity among all sectors of our society and of our resilience as a nation that remembers forever. This symbolism faded over time with the transition to two-dimensional stickers. Wearing the real flower on Memorial Day breathes life back into this symbol, bringing growth and vitality to a day of profound unity and pain.