Tel Aviv Community Bids Farewell to Beloved Supermarket Cashier After 40 Years

Residents of the Nahalat Yitzhak neighborhood in Tel Aviv gathered recently to bid farewell to Rina Cohen, a legendary 76-year-old cashier retiring after more than 40 years at the same local supermarket. Over the decades, the store changed ownership and names, from Shufersal to Mega to Carrefour, but Rina remained a constant presence.

Rina worked in various departments including meat, cheese, deli, bakery, and cashiering. However, for the community, her role went far beyond stocking shelves. Neighbors recall how she reserved favorite products, called to check on absent customers, shared recipes, helped with matchmaking, and assisted in finding apartments. Most importantly, she greeted everyone with a smile, a listening ear, and kind words.

To honor her retirement, residents organized a celebration in the neighborhood garden, bringing flowers, gifts, and a table filled with fruits, drinks, and cakes Rina herself baked. Rina expressed her gratitude, saying, "I worked from the heart. I raised children and grandchildren here, I love everyone. There is no neighborhood like this. After the supermarket, I want to enjoy life a bit."

Nahalat Yitzhak neighborhood committee chairwoman, Nechama Golduser, praised Rina’s unique contribution: "Community is more than a place to live. Some people create belonging, mutual responsibility, and warmth, and Rina is exactly that. She left behind much more than shelves and products; she left memories that will stay with us for many years."

Despite the supermarket’s many changes, Rina remained its most familiar face and a vital part of the neighborhood’s fabric. Residents described her as kind, humorous, and generous, emphasizing that she transformed the supermarket from a place of work into a community hub. One longtime neighbor recalled how Rina’s cooking tips and advice turned simple recipes into special meals, making her feel like a family matriarch. As she steps into retirement, the community hopes she will visit often, not to work, but to reconnect.