Former Bus Driver Overcomes Traumatic Childhood, Bankruptcy to Open Restaurant

Nir Ben Shabbat, 43, has fulfilled a lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant, "Rozina," in Tel Aviv, serving Moroccan home-style cooking. This achievement marks a significant turnaround for Ben Shabbat, who endured a tumultuous childhood marked by his parents' severe drug addiction, leading to him and his siblings being removed from their home and placed in foster care and institutions. He recalls traumatic incidents, including a dog attack that resulted in a broken leg and facial injuries, which his parents neglected to address promptly.

Ben Shabbat spent years in boarding schools, later facing extreme weight issues and significant debt. At 25, he declared bankruptcy with over 394,000 shekels in debt after managing a branch of Cofix, a coffee chain, and taking out numerous loans. He described a decade-long struggle with bankruptcy, during which he worked as a bus driver for Egged for 20 years, driving routes between Tel Aviv and cities like Kiryat Shmona, Eilat, and Haifa, while also working odd jobs like washing dishes to survive.

He eventually overcame his financial struggles through sheer determination, working multiple jobs and saving diligently, with some assistance from his father and partner for renovations. Ben Shabbat also underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost 62 kilograms. He came out as gay after marrying and having a son, who is now 19 and serving in the IDF. His ex-wife was supportive of his coming out.

Ben Shabbat maintains a relationship with his mother, whom he supports, though he struggles to call her "Mom" due to their past. His siblings have since reconciled with her. The restaurant is named after his former mother-in-law, with whom he remains close. He credits his survival and success to the support he received from his grandmother and the boarding schools, stating he likely would not have survived if he had been left alone.