Owner of Ethiopian-Israeli Restaurant in Harlem Details ‘Unbearable’ Harassment, Death Threats That Forced Closure
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Category: PERSECUTION OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Summary:
Ethiopian-Israeli chef Beejhy Barhany announced the closure of her Harlem restaurant, Tsion Cafe, due to prolonged antisemitic harassment and death threats, which intensified after the establishment became fully kosher following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in Israel. Barhany reported receiving threatening phone calls and vandalism, including swastikas, and described the environment as unsafe. Despite reporting incidents to the New York City Police Department, she felt the response was insufficient. Barhany, who founded the Beta Israel of North America Cultural Foundation, plans to continue sharing Ethiopian Jewish cuisine through cultural events and catering while advocating for greater recognition and respect of Jewish diversity.
Mysterion Insights
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NASB 1977)
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation."
Commentary:
When threats and vandalism target a Jewish business, the pressure is not abstract—it lands on a person’s phone, door, and daily routines. It wears you down fast. Peter’s words fit this kind of hostile “ordeal,” where faithfulness becomes costly in ordinary places like a neighborhood restaurant. The harassment after going fully kosher shows how quickly public hostility can sharpen against God’s people. This pattern of rising intimidation and social exclusion echoes the end-time climate Scripture describes.
Prophetic Trend:
Public, everyday antisemitism is hardening into open intimidation, signaling a broader prophetic pattern of social hostility toward God’s people in normal public spaces.
Mysterion Prophetic Impact Rating: C - Measured What does this mean?
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Source Excerpt:
Beejhy Barhany standing outside Tsion Cafe in Harlem. Photo: Provided Ethiopian-Israeli chef and cookbook author Beejhy Barhany spoke with The Algemeiner about her recent decision to close her restaurant in New York because of consistent antisemitic harassment and even death threats that increased after she made the establishment kosher. “The harassment has been going on for years,” said the owner of Tsion Cafe in Harlem. “It’s outside agitators, white supremacists, racist, antisemitism. I’ve been targeted by that … it kind of became unbearable. It became a burden and unsafe … to the point where somebody called and said, ‘We’re going to come and shoot you all.'” She detailed experiencing constant harassment through phone calls and her restaurant even being vandalized with swastikas. The harassment “got worse” when Tsion Cafe, which served Ethiopian Israeli cuisine, became fully kosher after the Hamas-led terrorist attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Barhany said. “After Oct. 7, we wanted to embrace our Jewishness, our proud heritage, and become fully kosher and vegan. The intention was that we are Jewish and we are here to celebrate our Jewishness. And that kind of amplified...
Original Article: Read the full story →
Source: Algemeiner
Posted on 02-16-2026 15:30