Beejhy Berhany
Beejhy Barhany is a cultural icon, entrepreneur, and chef who uses food as a universal language to engage communities and break barriers. Born in Ethiopia, raised in Israel, and now living in READ MORE
Beejhy Barhany is a cultural icon, entrepreneur, and chef who uses food as a universal language to engage communities and break barriers. Born in Ethiopia, raised in Israel, and now living in Harlem, she bridges cultures through her culinary expertise and cultural advocacy. Barhany’s journey began in 2003 with the founding of BINA Cultural Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating Ethiopian Jewry’s diverse history. Through film festivals, Shabbat dinners, and educational programming, BINA builds bridges between African-American and Jewish communities while fostering cross-cultural understanding. In 2014, she opened Tsion Café in Harlem’s historic Sugar Hill neighborhood with a mission to create sustainable and accessible healthy eating options for the community. The restaurant serves cuisine that blends flavors from Ethiopia, Israel, and New York, garnering national attention in the New York Times, the New Yorker, and the Today Show. Continuing this mission of accessibility, she launched Ras Hagos Foods, a consumer package
goods line that brings authentic Ethiopian spice blends and traditional ingredients to American kitchens nationwide. This carefully curated collection makes Ethiopian cooking accessible to home cooks, transforming kitchens into spaces of cultural exchange and allowing diverse communities to experience the rich flavors of Ethiopia. A frequent speaker and cooking teacher at multicultural events, Barhany published her debut cookbook “Gursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens” in April 2025, featuring over 100 recipes alongside personal narratives celebrating Ethiopian Jewish heritage. The name “Gursha”—meaning the act of feeding loved ones—embodies her philosophy that food creates understanding, respect, and friendship across all communities. Through Tsion Café, Ras Hagos Foods, and her cookbook, she continues building bridges through food and breaking barriers one bite at a time, proving that authentic flavors can unite people regardless of background or culture while promoting sustainable, healthy eating for all.
goods line that brings authentic Ethiopian spice blends and traditional ingredients to American kitchens nationwide. This carefully curated collection makes Ethiopian cooking accessible to home cooks, transforming kitchens into spaces of cultural exchange and allowing diverse communities to experience the rich flavors of Ethiopia. A frequent speaker and cooking teacher at multicultural events, Barhany published her debut cookbook “Gursha: Timeless Recipes for Modern Kitchens” in April 2025, featuring over 100 recipes alongside personal narratives celebrating Ethiopian Jewish heritage. The name “Gursha”—meaning the act of feeding loved ones—embodies her philosophy that food creates understanding, respect, and friendship across all communities. Through Tsion Café, Ras Hagos Foods, and her cookbook, she continues building bridges through food and breaking barriers one bite at a time, proving that authentic flavors can unite people regardless of background or culture while promoting sustainable, healthy eating for all.