A Festive meal at Emunah 'Ma’ayan Rivka' Golden Age Restaurant
Yom Ha’atzmaut was celebrated in the Emunah "Ma'ayan Rivka" Golden Age Restaurant in Petach Tikvah with a festive meal. Although the day is a national holiday usually spent with family, the restaurant prepares a special lunch so that no one needs to eat alone.
The dedicated volunteers, together with the chef, contributed to the warm atmosphere. Ellen-Toby Kaufman, co-vice chairman of World Emunah and volunteer manager of the restaurant encouraged the diners to share their memories of Israel's first Independence Day. One of the daily diners, David, an 80 year-old bachelor, recounted in great detail the fear and helplessness felt by the Jews of Baghdad when their neighbors erupted in anti-Semitic violence and hatred.
Rika, a childless widow, told of the strong Zionistic feelings among the remaining Jews of her Romanian city. Dr. Daniel Kaufman gave a D'var Torah and Chen Kaufman, age 13, read the Prayer for the State of Israel. Among those present were Olim from 13 different countries - truly an "ingathering of the exiles!"
A Festive meal at Emunah 'Ma’ayan Rivka' Golden Age Restaurant