A crate of Jaffa oranges. That is what I received after winning a raffle at Steffl, one of the newest department stores in Vienna.

The year was 1967. The month, September.

Israel stood at the height of admiration after winning the Six-Day War. Steffl decided to import Israeli goods and offer them to their customers.

My entire family filled out forms, each one of us writing our names, dreaming of winning the grand prize, a trip to Israel. Instead, I received a crate of oranges. The stamp “Jaffa” was visible on every beautiful orange. I remember holding one, the scent lingering longer than expected.

Fast forward to today.

Messages began pouring in from friends: “Go to Trader Joe’s on Monday. Buy Israeli products. Show support.”

From Bamba puffed peanut snacks to Givon wine, crushed garlic, and feta cheese, we were told to fill our........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)