On the coastal road between Acre and Rosh Hanikra in Israel's far north, a winding path leads to a small slice of paradise. Achziv Nature Reserve is where the Mediterranean Sea meets lush green fields, and for nearly a decade, Tosha Bakery has brought warmth and wonder to locals and visitors alike.
However, this story isn’t just about exquisite pastries. It’s about friendship, food, dreams—and survival.
A Taste of the Galilee
Tomer Suissa, a pastry chef from a small Galilean village, fell in love with food as a child. From watching his grandmother’s hands to the oven he accidentally broke at age seven trying to bake his mother a cake—Tomer was always destined for the kitchen.
His business partner, Shachaf Avraham came from the commercial side of the restaurant world. Together, they formed Tosha—not just a bakery, but a sanctuary of flavor, hospitality, and heart.
Wooden tables under trees. Coffee poured with a smile. Handmade cookies, savory pastries, crunchy delights. Tosha became the definition of a local boutique bakery—and a hub of community in Israel’s north.
Then the War Came
On the morning of October 7, 2023, everything stopped.
Tosha didn’t close by choice. It was forced to. Missiles fired by Hezbollah, sirens, and silence replaced the music and laughter.
“In one day, we went from a thriving business to a closed one,” says Tomer.
“We were in a combat zone—unable to respond, not knowing when it would end.”
They thought it would be temporary. It wasn’t.
Holding On in Nahariya
Desperate to keep their dream alive, Tomer and Shachaf opened a small pastry stand inside Blueberry, a frozen yogurt shop in Nahariya.
It was far from ideal—low foot traffic, disrupted supply chains, and customers too afraid to venture out.
And yet, they didn’t give up.
During this time, a glimmer of hope came from an unexpected but powerful source:
Jewish National Fund-USA and its Western Galilee Now Small Business Association.
A Circle of Impact
Thanks to Jewish National Fund-USA’s strategic support, Tosha found new opportunities—catering gigs, collaborations, and visibility. But the real story runs deeper.
Through its Circle of Impact, Jewish National Fund-USA is not just funding projects—it’s reimagining the future of Israel’s north. That means strengthening communities, creating employment opportunities, fueling support for small businesses, and ensuring people like Tomer and Shachaf don’t just survive—they thrive.
From investing in new communities in the Negev and Galilee to revitalizing local economies through tourism, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, this is Zionism in action.
Tosha's story is one thread in that greater tapestry.
Back to Where It All Began
After a short-lived attempt to expand through a national coffee chain, Tomer and Shachaf knew:
“This isn’t Tosha.”
So they came home.
But coming back wasn’t easy. Months of abandonment had taken a toll. Equipment rusted. Furniture cracked. Missile fragments had pierced the walls.
Still, they rolled up their sleeves. Cleaned. Repaired. Called back their team. Breathed life into the space again.
And slowly, miraculously, Tosha began to rise.
More Than a Bakery
Today, Tosha is still recovering. The team is smaller. Some machines still sit idle. The debts remain.
But the smell of fresh bread is back. The smiles are back. And most importantly—the spirit is back.
“We believe healing can happen through food,” say Tomer and Shachaf.
“At Tosha, we do what we know: good food, good music, and people connecting around them.”
Tosha isn’t just a bakery. It’s a testament to resilience. To local pride. To Israel’s unbreakable north.
And with the support of Jewish National Fund-USA, it’s a symbol of what’s possible when community, courage, and vision come together.
Want to help us reimagine Israel's north?
Learn more about Jewish National Fund-USA’s work in the Galilee »
