Nataf restaurant owner returns to see her life’s work in embers

Rama Ben Zvi, founder of Rama’s Kitchen in Nataf, says she is still in denial about losing the restaurant she opened more than 20 years ago.

The restaurant burned down Friday in a fire that engulfed the village in the Jerusalem hills.

“It is denial, I feel like I don’t know what I feel. There are moments I weep and there are moments I block it. I cannot contain the force of 21 years invested in this place,” she tells Channel 2.

A firefighter on November 26, 2016, surveys the remains of Rama's Kitchen restaurant, burned down a day earlier during a wildfire in Nataf, outside of Jerusalem (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
A firefighter on November 26, 2016, surveys the remains of Rama’s Kitchen restaurant, burned down a day earlier during a wildfire in Nataf, outside of Jerusalem (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Rama says she intends to reopen the restaurant, but wants to take her time.

“Don’t pressure me, give me my time. I want to thank everyone for their support and love,” she says.

Rama Ben Zvi walking amid the smoldering embers of her burned down restaurant, on Saturday, November 26 2016. (Screen capture Channel 2)
Rama Ben Zvi walking amid the smoldering embers of her burned down restaurant in Nataf, on Saturday, November 26 2016. (Screen capture Channel 2)

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