Are Haredim eating out again? Are restaurants collapsing? • Restaurateurs speak out

June 22, 2020   

אחד הענפים שנפגעו קשות במשבר של מגיפת הקורונה הוא ענף המסעדנות, שרק בחודש האחרון פתח שוב דלתות. אבל בימים האחרונים, כשכולנו שומעים שוב ושוב על 'גל שני', החששות של המסעדנים מהתפרצות חוזרת, שתוביל את המסעדות לקריסה טוטלית, מעלים עשן כמו בשר על האש. אז מה קורה בינתיים? האם הציבור החרדי חזר אל בתי האוכל? המסעדות מתרסקות?  חרדים 10 יצא לבדוק. Itamar Lev from Rodriguez Restaurant Jerusalem, how are you surviving the recent period since you opened the restaurant? ""The situation is not easy at all, very not simple. We are dealing with a decrease in work, a decrease in demand due to the fact that the skies are closed and there are no tourists in the country. The restaurant world is suffering a negative decline.". The Haredi public is the restaurant's target audience, is there an awakening? Is the public coming? ""There is a public that comes, but is characterized by many concerns and adherence to the rules. The restaurant has a Corona officer, who is responsible for all the rules. Temperature measurement, wearing masks, social distancing of diners and all staff members in the restaurant. In addition, the staff members in the restaurant submit a health declaration every day to the restaurant's Corona officer, that they do not have a fever nor do their family members.". What percentage of diners are coming compared to the period before Corona? "יש ירידה. ירידה של כ-30% מהציבור שלא מגיע. אם נוסיף את התיירים אנחנו מגיעים לירידה של כ-50%. "קיימת התעוררות בנוגע לאירועים הקטנים, יש ביקוש  לאירועים קטנים יותר, אירועים של 30 איש, שאנו עורכים במסעדה שלנו".

Illustration. Photo: Nati Shohat/Flash90

What is the reason? "לפני התפרצות נגיף  הקורונה, ערכו ברית מילה באולם אירועים ולא במסעדה, מספר המוזמנים היה בממוצע כ-100 איש, היום עורכים  ברית מילה במסעדה  ומזמינים כ-30 איש, בעיקר המשפחה הגרעינית. בעבר מסעדה לא היה בא בחשבון, היום כן. "כן, קיים הפסד. מצד שני, זה פותח אירועים חדשים שלא היו מגיעים אלינו עד היום". Does this cover up for the people who don't come? ""It doesn't cover it, but it helps us. We are in a challenging period, trying to reduce expenses, hoping the state will help, waiting for a fourth beat and loans from the state.". Have you laid off employees recently? ""Sure. We laid off about 40% from the staff.". Do you believe the situation will change, because there is already talk of another outbreak. Will people continue to come like today or not? ""As it appears on the ground, the public is very fearful and very cautious. Of course, if a second outbreak begins significantly, we will pull back again. We hope that another outbreak will not occur.".

•

Nissim Weizman from Weizman Restaurant Ashdod, are people returning to the restaurant? ""Yes, but you feel the disease. It's not that yet. Fewer people are coming.". What is the percentage decrease? "30% at least.". How do we survive the current period? ""We're going through it like everyone else, there's nothing much we can do. We cut back where we can, we save.".

Illustration. Photo: Sophie Gordon / Flash 90

What does it mean to shrink? ""We're working less, trying to spend as little as possible. We hope to get through this period.".

•

Avraham Volanovich, manager of the 'Humos Eliyahu' restaurant in Bnei Brak, Are people coming? ""People are coming, but there is a decline. It's not the same at all. In terms of seating and the Ministry of Health regulations, we can accommodate half the amount of the size of our restaurant, there is a decline.". Did people come back? ""It looks like people are coming back to eat."" How much has the number of diners decreased? 20% less. But we feel it again.". Have you fired employees? ""Yes. We've reduced a lot of manpower.". There's talk of another outbreak. Afraid people won't come? ""We hope that the Messiah will come, I have no idea what will happen. There is not much to do. We are waiting for the complete redemption, this is part of the complete redemption. With God's help, the Messiah will come.".

•

Aaron Agam, manager of the 'Agadir' restaurant in Sir Bnei Brak, do people return to your restaurant? ""People are coming back. During the difficult period during the lockdown in the city of Bnei Brak, most restaurants were closed. Our restaurant, Agadir, worked as a take-away service. We worked with deliveries, providing very intensive service during the lockdown. Bnei Brak residents ordered a lot and the delivery people went door-to-door, with dedication. The restaurant is in demand because our kashrut is from Rabbi Mahfoud, and we did everything we could to ensure that customers received the dishes and were satisfied.".

Illustration. Photo: Nati Shohat/Flash90

"היום כשיש חזרה למסעדות, אנחנו רואים את החברים הטובים שמגיעים אלינו. עדיין אין חזרה של 100%, אבל יש התלהבות ורצון להגיע לאכול ולחזור לשגרה. "אנו במסעדה שומרים על הכללים ככל מה שמתבקש מאיתנו מסכות, מדידת חום. לכן הלקוחות מרגישים ביטחון להגיע. אנו מרוצים מהחזרה לשגרה ומקווים שהחזרה לשגרה תהיה מושלמת". Is there a decline or is everyone back to normal? ""Still not back to normal, parts of the public still have concerns, probably not fully returning to routine, but we see that the direction is positive. As customers come, they come back again and again, because they see that we at the restaurant are strict with the procedures and rules. Everything is done according to the Ministry of Health rules, which adds to their security.". What percentage has returned compared to the situation before the Corona era? 65% percent. How do you survive this period? It's still 65%. ""That's right. It's not easy. We really believe in the place and see the reactions of the audience, who are very satisfied. It gives good hope and positive optimism.". These days there is talk of a 'second wave'. Is there a fear that you will be forced to close again? "חלק מהפקת לקחים שלא יחזרו לסגר מוחלט, כמו שהיה בגל הראשון,  למרות שעשו את זה פעם אחת. "אנחנו נלמד. כמו כולם צריך להקפיד על נהלים, וכאשר מקפידים על הנהלים נמשיך להיות פתוחים.  אם נסגור שוב, זה יכול לגרום לנזקים בלתי הפיכים, במידה ונחזור לסגר בפעם השנייה. אם כולם יקפידו על הנהלים ויתנהגו בצורה שמתאימה למצב ולא יזלזלו - לא נגיע למצב של גל שני". Have you fired employees? ""We put them on unpaid leave but brought back most of the employees.".