5/FOOD BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

SPOTLIGHT SERIES

In Brooklyn's Ditmas neighborhood, the Palestinian restaurant "Ayat" hosted a free Shabbat dinner, drawing over 1,300 attendees. The menu featured creamy hummus, crunchy Fattoush salad, spiced ouzi chicken, Mansaf, fluffy pita, and of course challah bread. Abdul Elenani and his wife Ayat, the owners, advertised the event on Instagram, aiming to promote sharing stories, embracing diverse perspectives, and celebrating shared humanity – aligning with the mission of the Jewmanity platform.

Following the Israel-Hamas war in October, Palestinian and Jewish restaurant owners faced many acts of vandalism and harassment. Ayat, with five locations across New York, faced controversy for listing seafood as "From the river to the Sea" on its menu, leading to accusations of an anti-Semitic slogan. The Ayat family even received death threats, prompting police security for Ayat and her child.

In response, Abdul Elenani, appreciating the community's support, organized the Shabbat dinner, costing between $30,000 and $40,000, which he covered personally. Despite offers of donations and a potential GoFundMe page, Elenani expressed the significance of the dinner, emphasizing the role of food in bringing people together. The event welcomed individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering unity amid differing perspectives. The hope is that more restaurateurs will adopt this idea, recognizing its positive impact on a global scale. At the end of the day, neither the Israeli’s or the Palestinians are going anywhere, everyone needs to figure out how to get along.

The restaurant added an outdoor tent for additional seating

Abdul Elena and his wife Ayatollah