Lilach's work commemorates the cafe her grandparents owned in Ethiopia. In the cafe they owned, they provided food and drink to people who began their journey to Eretz Israel and stopped at the cafe to rest and stock up on food. That is the reason why the family did not immigrate to Israel in
the various Aliya operations. Lilach's grandparents knew the risks involved in their work and yet they continued with their actions. Their activities became known to the Ethiopian government and the grandparents were arrested. Lilach's grandmother was released after eleven months, while her grandfather was released after a year and a half. The family immigrated to Israel with the help of the Mossad and other organizations.
The cafe has left a distant and important memory not only for Lilach and her family but for all Ethiopian Jews who knew her grandparents.
For their actions, Lilach's grandparents were recognized as Prisoners of Zion.
My family story
By Manuel Hirsch Grosskopf