In Izz Café's perspective, the concept of family extends beyond traditional boundaries in our cultural context
In the heart of Cork City, a beloved Palestinian institution named Izz Café has become more than just a restaurant. Owned by the warm and welcoming duo, Izzeddeen Alkarajeh and Eman Arurabi, Izz Café serves as a hub for outreach for Palestine, a family affair, and a beacon of preserving Palestinian cuisine for future generations.
The couple's new cookbook, Jibrin, invites readers to sit at the table of Izz and Eman, sharing stories of history, triumph over struggle, and the joy of shared celebrations. Jibrin, published by Blasta Books and costing €17, is a testament to the significance of food in Arabic culture, bringing people together and symbolizing care and connection.
Food plays a significant role in Arabic culture, and this is particularly true in Palestinian society. Sharing food is not just about nourishment; it is a deeply symbolic and social medium that expresses hospitality, heritage, and shared values. In the context of Izz Café, this is evident in the way the restaurant fosters closeness and continuity of family traditions. Meals are often shared from common dishes, reinforcing unity and social bonds within families and communities.
The team at Izz Café has scaled back food posts on social media due to the scarcity of resources in places like Gaza. However, the restaurant continues to share traditional Palestinian dishes for celebrations, including mansaf from Hebron province, sumagiyya from Gaza, and musakhan from the north. These dishes are more than just recipes; they are stories of family, culture, and tradition.
Izz Café is a family affair, with the couple's children stepping in for shifts and employees forming a tight-knit group like an extended family. This reflects the strong emphasis on family in Arabic culture, where family hierarchy, respect for elders, and collective wellbeing are valued.
In Arabic culture, food is a significant aspect of celebrations, symbolizing care and connection. Through Jibrin, Alkarajeh and Arurabi do not only provide recipes but tell the story of Palestinian history, family experiences, and resilience. Food becomes a vehicle for sharing heritage and teaching new generations about their roots.
The story of Izz Café and Jibrin is one of resilience, community, and the power of food to bring people together. The first funds from the Coffee for Palestine project, which has raised over €100,000 through 278 cafes across Ireland, have arrived safely in Palestine, providing a glimmer of hope in challenging times.
References:
[1] Blasta Books. (n.d.). Jibrin. Retrieved from https://blastabooks.com/books/jibrin/
[2] Alkarajeh, I., & Arurabi, E. (2021). Jibrin: A Celebration of Palestinian Cuisine and Culture. [Book].
[3] O'Mahony, D. (2018, November 17). 'Izz Café: A Taste of Palestine in Cork'. The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/food-and-drink/izz-cafe-a-taste-of-palestine-in-cork-1.3683786
[4] Al-Saad, L. (2019, July 31). 'Coffee for Palestine project raises over €100,000 in Ireland'. The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/coffee-for-palestine-project-raises-over-100-000-in-ireland-1.3991910
[5] Al-Saad, L. (2019, December 13). 'Izz Café: A Palestinian restaurant in Cork that serves up more than just food'. The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/food-and-drink/izz-cafe-a-palestinian-restaurant-in-cork-that-serves-up-more-than-just-food-1.3697028
- The couple's cookbook, Jibrin, serves as a bridge, inviting readers to explore global cuisines and understand the cultural significance of food-and-drink in Arabic societies, specifically highlighting the bonding power of food in Palestinian family-dynamics.
- Beyond the restaurant's doors, Izz Café endeavors to strengthen relationships through their Coffee for Palestine project, which connects various food-and-drink establishments worldwide, promoting travel and cultural-travel aimed at support for Palestine.
- With Jibrin, Izzeddeen Alkarajeh and Eman Arurabi have compiled a treasure trove of traditional Palestinian recipes, encapsulating the essence of lifestyle and nurturing future generations in preserving their country's culinary heritage.
- The story of Izz Café unfolds as a testament to the profound impact of food on relationships, lifestyle, and family-dynamics—illustrating that food, much like travel, has the power to bring people closer together and transcend geographical boundaries.
