When the war broke out in Israel in early October, brothers Asaf Doktor and Yotam Doktor, owners of Ha’Achim (“the brothers”) Restaurant in Tel Aviv quickly sprang into action. They got a temporary kosher certification on October 10 and put out a call for volunteers on social media to make food for Israelis in its 10,000 square foot restaurant.
Since then, the brothers and volunteers have made more than 200,000 meals. Hundreds of volunteers show up daily to provide an average of 17,000 meals for soldiers, survivors and their families, and anyone else affected by the war, and since its inception, $3 million worth of meals have been donated.
“The day after the war started, we realized the urgency of providing hot meals to soldiers and affected families,” said Yotam. “Within hours, we used our connections to transform our restaurant into a central hub for collecting, preparing, and distributing hot meals. It was inspiring to see everyone come together during this time, using their unique skills and talents to create a fully functional operation.”
Ha’Achim, a top-rated restaurant with thousands of positive reviews, normally serves Middle Eastern food like fried artichokes with labne and eggplant carpaccio. Currently, only 15% of the nation’s restaurants are open due to the ongoing war, but Ha’Achim is bustling.
“This situation was an example of giving on another level,” said Yotam, who, along with his brother, completed his full service in the IDF. Whatever was needed, we asked and we got it. Literally everything. We needed a kosher license, so we reached out to the president to intervene, and it worked. We needed volunteers, so we raised our hands and people came. We needed food, bread, packing materials, cooks, etc., so we raised our hands and people came. People just showed up. Our community made everything and anything possible for each other to make this initiative operate at full capacity.”
Ha’Achim has teamed up with Brothers in Arms, Israel's largest civilian aid organization, as well as World Central Kitchens (WCK), a non-profit organization that provides people with meals following natural disasters and other crises. Through this partnership, Ha’Achim is collaborating with 118 restaurants and food suppliers around Israel to deliver thousands of freshly cooked meals to people in need.
“People from all walks of life across the country are coming together to help those in need,” said Asaf. “In a remarkable display of unity, compassion, and resilience, world-renowned chefs Raz Rahav, Jonathan Borowitz, and Barak Aharoni have joined forces to prepare high-quality meals.”
Jill Burkes, a Ha’Achim volunteer, said that being part of this community has been a blessing.
“It's not just about serving hot meals. It's about finding sanctuary in the company of people who understand what we're going through. In these trying times, it's our way to make a difference when we feel so helpless."
According to Yotam, one volunteer baked cakes for the soldiers.
“She wrapped each cake with a personal note, including her phone number, inviting the soldiers to send a picture of themselves enjoying her goodies,” he said. “The next morning, she received a photo of one of the soldiers with the cake. They have become pen pals and continue to send messages to each other, checking in. Connections like these bring us hope and shine a light.
Every week since the start of the initiative, Ha’Achim has added a new dimension to their efforts. In the first and second week, the volunteers focused on providing food to soldiers and injured civilians in hospitals. In the third week, they focused on displaced civilians and families who had been evacuated from their homes.
“We are now expanding our initiative to save crops and help farmers during the peak harvest season, which is now underway,” said Yotam. “The war has severely impacted our agriculture sector, with crops being set on fire, cattle killed by rockets, and hundreds of workers fleeing the country for safety. Farmers in these areas are struggling to keep up with demands. We are deploying volunteers across the country in the hopes of safeguarding our agricultural sector.”
Food is nourishing to the soul, and what Yotam and Asaf hope to do is spread nourishment – and love – to Israelis in need.
“Soldiers are risking their lives, and we want to help them remember what they are fighting for: peace, love and unity, and a place to return to when all of this is over,” Yotam said. “We are giving them the strength to continue and to see the light at the end of the tunnel by sending love through our food.”
Want to support Ha’Achim and their efforts? You can donate here.
Pictures by Haim Yafim Barbalat
