A new aroma is filling the Barry Family Campus and it’s more than just freshly ground coffee. Kavod Coffee, a joint initiative of the Minnesota JCC and the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, has officially opened its cart, serving up more than caffeine. It’s serving dignity, purpose and connection.
Run by adults with disabilities as part of the JCC’s inclusion program, Kavod, meaning “honor” and “dignity” in Hebrew, offers customers their morning brew while empowering members of the Jewish community. Loading espresso into the cartridge, pulling shots, steaming milk and even crafting latte art, the baristas do it all with their own hands.
It began roughly six months ago with a conversation between Alex Fisher, chief program officer at the JCC, and Shai Avny, chief operating officer at MJF. Shai asked Alex if the JCC might be interested in replicating the model of Kavod Coffee in Israel, Fisher recalled.
“I said absolutely, we want to continue to grow our inclusion program and offer opportunities. We want to do internships and provide job skills for adults with disabilities,” Fisher said.
Inspired by Kavod Coffee in Rehovot, the Twin Cities team decided to bring the model home. The organizations purchased a coffee cart and espresso machine, sourced beans and developed their own proprietary Kavod Coffee blend, roasted locally in St. Louis Park. Even the labeling and bagging process includes the employees, ensuring everyone has a hand in bringing Kavod to life.
The JCC and Federation also partnered eQuality, a program that helps adults with disabilities find employment opportunities within the community. These new baristas aren’t just learning, they’re leading.
“So they’re they’re doing real barista work, which can lead to jobs outside of the coffee cart so not only are they learning job skills and problem-solving skills and teamwork and feeling good about themselves, but they’re also building their resume so that they could go out and get jobs beyond these walls,” Fisher said.
For Kavod Coffee employee Laura Cooper, she said the new role has been nothing short of life-changing.
“I’m learning new things. I’m excited. This is like a treasure for me to do this because when things are tough I think being out in the community helps me a lot,” Cooper said from behind the coffee stand as she prepared the next order.
The collaboration itself has also deepened bonds across organizations and across oceans.
“So we’re just really proud of that. And the fact that the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and the Minnesota JCC are working so closely on this project has just personally been really meaningful and very exciting for our community,” Fisher said.
“It’s so important right now that we think of ourselves as Jews in the diaspora, integrally, entirely connected to Israel. And the more opportunities we have to show that partnership, the more it strengthens our community to our neighbors in Israel.”
That connection is built right into the project’s DNA.
“To be able to have a project like this, where we learn from our brothers and sisters in Rehovot, about this project, how they do things, how they got started, the equipment they use, the processes they went through for training, and more. We were able to bring that knowledge and learning back to the JCC and replicate that formula. It just brings us closer as diaspora Jews and to the Jews of Israel.”
For Cooper, though, it’s also about joy, and chocolate; her drink of choice is also her favorite to prepare. “I love Hershey’s syrup and vanilla. All that. Anything with chocolate sauce,” said Cooper.
With each latte poured and mocha made, Kavod Coffee isn’t just serving drinks, it’s building confidence, community and connection.
