Published in Pnima Magazine

Community | Shira Segal

Oshrat Benishu (36), married to Michael +3 and living in Mevo Dotan. Self-employed and owner of Fortuna restaurant.

What led you to move to the community?

"I was urban until two years ago and we were looking for a place that would be good to raise children in with a combination of ideology and quality of life. After extensive searches in communities throughout the country we arrived at Mevo Dotan and it was love at first sight".

What do you do for work?

"I have a food business 'Fortuna', which is both a combination of a restaurant and catering for Shabbat and events. Next to the restaurant there is a pool. During the week the place functions as a restaurant where families from the community and soldiers from the bases in the community and in the area come. On Thursdays there is 'Friday night' with cholent, good atmosphere, music, we screen games and on Fridays there is a service of ready-made Shabbat food by personal order. My emphasis is not only quality raw materials, but also freshness. We prepare everything on Friday so it will be the tastiest just like at home, and of course you can't go through Friday without schnitzel challah".

Business VS large family

"In order to be able to combine a successful business and family there must be support and help from the spouse, and this is the place to thank my husband for all the help because without him it wouldn't have happened. In addition, you also need a lot of patience. On one hand it's demanding sometimes, but on the other hand I have many more other good options as a self-employed person".

Community life

"The definition of Mevo Dotan from my perspective is acts of kindness. The support and help among the women, and in general among the residents, is something amazing in my eyes. Anyone who needs help – a new mother, sick person or any other need that comes up in the community – everyone mobilizes and divides in preparing meals, helping and watching the children or whatever is needed. The youth here really contributes, helps and volunteers a lot. The children here grow up in an atmosphere of pastoral security and independence, I feel safe and there is no fear or concern from a security perspective, and yes, there is a pool in the community. There is also great mutual responsibility among the children. Now in the war there is amazing help for the wives of the enlisted. For example, on Yom Kippur they made babysitting shifts to help women whose husbands are enlisted and helped with meals. There is a medicine gemach, equipment for events and equipment for trips. Once every two weeks young families make cakes for the veteran families".

Only in Mevo Dotan there is...

"A mixed community that lives in peace and love, there is a real sense of security and mutual responsibility".

Employment in the area

"With the development of the city of Harish next to us, a variety of employment opportunities opened up starting with education and up to high-tech".

Nearby city: Harish about 12 minutes drive

Educational institutions: Daycare, kindergartens, Bnei Akiva youth movement and pre-military academy

Families in the community: 140 families

Special project: Medicine gemach, equipment for events gemach, equipment for trips gemach.