Elisheva Levy, Jerusalem’s fairy godmother

In Jerusalem, Elisheva Levy has transformed her Kumkum Tea House into more than just a café; it's a home away from home. Levy, who greets customers with an immediate offer of tea or coffee and a scone, fosters an environment where regulars feel like family. After five years, the distinction between customer and family has nearly vanished, a testament to Levy's dedication. "It became more than a business," she says. "It's my life."

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Sit. What would you like? Tea? Coffee? Have a scone.

Levy's own life journey is marked by a search for belonging. Growing up in an Orthodox Moroccan Jewish family in Manchester, UK, she often felt like an outsider. At 20, she traveled to Jerusalem intending to volunteer for six months, but the city's vibrant spirit, particularly its celebration of Independence Day, captured her heart. "I loved Jerusalem straight away," she recalls, drawn to its unique character.

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I'll ring them just to make sure they're okay. To see if they're alive.

Nearly four decades later, Levy, still retaining her Mancunian accent, has built her life in Jerusalem. She pursued nursing, married, raised three children, and lived abroad with her husband's diplomatic career before returning to the city she adopted. Her children, she notes, are "more Israeli than I am." During her sons' military service, she meticulously tracked their units, a reflection of her deep care and connection to her family and adopted home.

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It became more than a business. It's my life.

When Levy opened Kumkum Tea House in July 2021, her vision extended beyond serving tea. She aimed to create a sanctuary where people could pause and connect. The tea house offers homemade scones and traditional English tea, but also hosts book sales, literary evenings, jazz performances, and bridge club afternoons. Under a fragrant lemon tree in the garden, patrons engage in conversations that linger long after the tea is finished. "The dream was always for it to be a meeting place," Levy states, embodying the warm, community-focused spirit of Kumkum.

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I was always a fish out of water.