Thousands Line Up at UES Java Joint to Help Owner Who Stood Up for Israel and Paid the Price

By: Fern Sidman

It seems like not only is the brew at the upscale java joint known as Caffe Aronne on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is piping hot, but so are the lines to get into this place.

The line for coffee and croissants at Caffe Arrone stretches around the corner on Lexington Ave & East 71st Street on Tuesday as the owner, Aaron Dahan, who has given generously to Israel since the war began was left without staff when they all quit because he questioned them as… pic.twitter.com/XkJxRYEfZ4

— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) November 7, 2023

On Tuesday, it was reported that the lines to get a caffeine fix at the coffee shop on East 71^st Street and Lexington Avenue were stretching for over three blocks. The popularity of this local coffee palace had nothing to do with a grand opening for special discounts, but rather it was a bold display of solidarity.

The Jewish Voice spoke with Ziva Ouaknine, who was highly instrumental in helping to attract hundreds of coffee lovers to the shop. “Since the war against Israel began last month, I have been on a number of online chats, texting groups and other social media, exchanging ideas with others on what we could possibly to do help Israel, “ she said.

The line for coffee and croissants at Caffe Arrone stretch around the corner on Lexington Ave & East 71st Street on Tuesday as the owner, Aaron Dahan, who has given generously to Israel since the war began was left without staff when they all quit because he questioned them as to… pic.twitter.com/X8aCRHxNXa

— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) November 7, 2023

It was on Tuesday morning that she received a text that inspired her to take the reins on this one and galvanize others to do so. Ziva said, “ I received information that Aaron Dahan, who happens to be a graduate of the Ramaz Day School in Manhattan owns a coffee shop on 71st and Lexington called Caffe Aronne.  He has been donating proceeds from the shop to Israel since October 7th. Today his barristas came to work wearing Palestinian pins. It was reported to Aaron and he asked them to remove them from their uniforms. In response, they all quit. Left without any staff, his mother, Peggy Dahan, pitched in and is now running the store today.”

Ziva added that she knew that everyone who supports Israel also needs to show support for Aaron. “I sent out the message to all of my many chat groups, social media platforms and texted practically everyone I know and asked them to spread the message far and wide amongst people they know, that we really must support Aaron. Soon thereafter, my message went totally viral and before I knew it, hundreds if not thousands were lining up to buy coffee and other treats from Caffe Arrone.”

The line for coffee and croissants at Caffe Arrone stretch around the corner on Lexington Ave & East 71st Street on Tuesday as the owner, Aaron Dahan, who has given generously to Israel since the war began was left without staff when they all quit because he questioned them as to… pic.twitter.com/rr0MKvVhxw

— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) November 7, 2023

Ziva commented that, “While social media is now associated with reprehensible anti-Israel progaganda, it can also be used for good and productive things and what happened today outside Caffe Aronne proves that point.”

Reflecting on how she would like to see this proceed in the future, Ziva said, “Today, this idea is new and fresh and thankfully it has garnered a tremendous response but we really need to keep this momentum going for the days ahead. Showing our support to those who give generously of their own profits to Israel is the right thing to do and as we know, helping others is at the cornerstone of our Jewish value system.”

She added that other projects of this genre might be coming up the pike in the next few days and weeks ahead. So, keep your eye out for Ziva’s posts. They just might lead you to doing yet another mitzvah in helping our seven million brothers and sisters in Israel.