Misha, Rita, and the Atzmon restaurant, Haifa, Israel

The restaurant serves as a gathering place for older immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who arrived in Israel during the massive wave of immigration in the 1990s. While physically present in Israel, their hearts and minds remain rooted in the Soviet era. Many of these immigrants have not fully integrated into Israeli society, continue to speak Russian, and cling to their old-world customs, traditions, food, drink, music, and inherent distrust of authority.
Many of these elderly individuals reside in a nearby retirement home, and the Atzmon restaurant serves as a social hub – a place for dating, celebrations, and respite from loneliness. It also provides affordable food and evening entertainment. Due to financial constraints, many regulars bring their own food and drinks to the restaurant.
Misha, a 70-year-old immigrant from Uzbekistan, owns and operates the restaurant, while Rita, an 80-year-old immigrant, works as both a cook and a waitress. Their demanding jobs are essential to their well-being and the well-being of their community. Through their work, they remain active, valued, and independent, avoiding reliance on others’ pity. As the generation of the regulars ages, the future of the Atzmon Restaurant and the unique community it supports remains uncertain.
The artist gained access to this transparent community of former Soviet Union veterans, who, despite their initial suspicion, desired to be seen, acknowledged, and to have their story told. These individuals, who struggled to adapt to a new society and were caught in the tumultuous currents of global and Israeli history, represent ordinary people who faced extraordinary challenges.
The photographs were taken within the restaurant under challenging lighting conditions. The artist aimed to capture intimate moments without intruding on the space of Misha, Rita, and the guests. By seeking their consent, Rokach gained access to their lives and shared their story with the world.