Ukrainian cafe “Familia” in Israel in Rishon de Zion: how a married couple created a cafe that won the hearts of local residents

Journalists mynet talked about the unusual cafe “Familia”, which recently opened in Rishon LeZion (Zadal 5 Rishon Le Zion, Israel – on the map near the City Park “גן המושבה, ראשון לציון”). The owners of the establishment, repatriates from Ukraine Artem and Alena Bibenko, arrived in Israel only four years ago, but have already managed to make a contribution to the local gastronomic culture. Not knowing Hebrew, but putting their hearts into their work, they managed to attract the attention of both local residents and the press.

History of the cafe

“Familia”, a name reflecting a warm family atmosphere, was chosen for a reason. The couple worked in large cafes in Israel, where they worked with workers from Mexico and Brazil. It was their colleagues who gave them the nickname “family,” which inspired the couple to choose the name for their establishment.

Quote from mynet website:

“If you live in Rishon Lezion, you have probably heard talk about a new establishment that has become famous in the city. Meet the Familia cafe.

What attracts visitors to Familia?

The cafe is famous for its excellent Italian coffee and a variety of fresh dishes. The menu includes:

• Sandwiches prepared on site by Alena
• Desserts including signature lemon tart and cheesecake
• Salads and new dishes will be added soon

Every day the cafe receives many visitors, most of whom are local residents who highly appreciate the warm atmosphere and high quality of service.

Difficulties and successes

Since the couple does not speak Hebrew, communication with clients is sometimes difficult. However, this did not become an obstacle to the popularity of the cafe.

• Language: The owners rely on the help of their 16-year-old daughter Veronica, who helped with translations during the launch phase. Communication is in English and basic Hebrew.
• Clients: People from the former USSR live next to the cafe, which helps communication and gives the place a special flavor.

Quote from mynet:

“Many townspeople come and praise us, we are very pleased,” Alena shares her impressions.

Personal history of Bibenko

The couple had long dreamed of moving to Israel. When their dream came true, they firmly decided to create a cafe similar to the one that Artem owned in Ukraine.

— Were you surprised by the rave reviews from city residents?

“Many local residents come and share warm words, and this is very nice,” admit the cafe owners.

— How do you cope with not knowing Hebrew?

“We sometimes translate orders for each other or speak English. We already have some “kitchen Hebrew”, so we can explain our dishes. There are also a lot of repatriates here, since there is a city park nearby.”

The owners of the cafe say that they moved to Israel before the war, and the owner’s mother remained in Ukraine, for whom they are worried. She also plans to move to Israel in the near future due to the harsh winter in Ukraine.

“We dreamed of living in Israel for years, and when we moved, our expectations were completely met,” says the cafe owner.

Conclusion

The story of Café Familia is an example of how diligence and warmth can overcome cultural and language barriers.

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