Jerusalem Secular Activists Defy Sabbath Closure With Pop-Up Coffee Stand

Secular activists from the "Itore'erut" movement opened a temporary coffee kiosk near the "Ba'Sima" cafe in Jerusalem on Saturday, September 5th. The cafe itself had recently ceased Saturday operations due to persistent protests by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators. Despite attracting dozens of customers, the pop-up kiosk was short-lived. Municipal inspectors arrived shortly after its opening and demanded the activists dismantle the stand within 10 minutes, citing orders from above, though the source of the directive remained unclear.

"Itore'erut," meaning "Awakening," is a secular socio-political group advocating for businesses to remain open on Saturdays, led by Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Adir Schwarz. The movement supported "Ba'Sima" cafe, which had faced intense ultra-Orthodox opposition for months over its decision to operate on the Sabbath. After the cafe's management capitulated on September 3rd, announcing Saturday closures, "Itore'erut" vowed to ensure coffee service continued.

On September 5th, dozens of Jerusalem residents patronized the mobile coffee stand. However, city inspectors intervened, forcing its removal. The "Itore'erut" movement has launched a crowdfunding campaign to sustain the mobile coffee operation on Saturdays.

Deputy Mayor Adir Schwarz stated that while violence may have closed the cafe's doors, it did not close Jerusalem. He emphasized that the turnout demonstrated the liberal public's refusal to disappear and abandon its public spaces. Schwarz vowed continued presence and a fight for a liberal Jerusalem where individuals can choose how to observe the Sabbath, rejecting religious wars imposed by extremists.

For approximately two months, ultra-Orthodox protesters had demonstrated every Saturday outside the cafe, disrupting operations, attempting entry, and harassing patrons. In one incident, a woman glued the cafe's lock shut before opening, causing a 40-minute delay. This led the cafe's management to announce its closure on Saturdays, citing a desire to prevent conflict and restore calm.

The "Ba'Sima" cafe is operated by "Jews for Jesus," a Messianic Jewish organization. The group's CEO, Eli Birnbaum, described the Saturday closure as painful, noting the cafe had become a source of conflict and danger, contrary to their values. He thanked authorities and supporters, expressing hope the cafe would once again be a peaceful space for encounters and dialogue.