Jerusalem restaurant’s kitchen prepares at-risk youths for success

The Ticho House in downtown Jerusalem is 150 years old — young by Jerusalem standards, but nonetheless bearing the eminence of its history.

Today, though, the onetime home of Anna Ticho, a well-regarded artist who made the rocky Judean Hills her subject, is part of a planned countrywide economic revitalization effort.

The restaurant Anna, which opened its doors earlier this month on the second floor of the historic building, is the latest “social business” operated by the Dualis Social Investment Fund. The Israeli nonprofit organization invests in retail and service businesses, and then outfits them to employ and train at-risk segments of the Israeli population.