Shalva Tea was founded by David Ross, a committed environmentalist with a Master’s Degree in Forestry from Yale University. Throughout his fieldwork in Israel, Ross would stumble upon an abundance of native aromatic herbs, and bring them home to drink as relaxing teas. As an avid forager and herbal enthusiast, Ross did not find any locally made herbal teas in the supermarkets and decided to brew his own. Each ShalvaTea blend carries the name of a different ecological region in Israel, containing freshly dried herbs inspired by the array of plants that are found growing wild across these ancient landscapes.
The company focuses on native herbs, locally manufactured packaging, and natural ingredients. Helping to package his teas are young adults with disabilities, employed by Shalva – the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, that shares the same name as Shalva Tea. Shalva employees package much of the herbal blends, providing the young adults with vocational training and the job skills necessary to effectively join the mainstream job force.
So next time you kick back and enjoy a relaxing cup of Shalva tea, made right here in Israel, know that you have contributed to providing job skills for young adults with disabilities, thereby promoting their successful inclusion in society.
