For more than eighty years, the kitchen at 26 Salah ed-Din Street has been the beating heart of the Albright Institute. That story is inseparable from two men: Omar Jibreen and his nephew Hisham Jibreen.
Omar Jibreen served the Albright for over fifty years, becoming one of the most beloved figures in its history as cook, major-domo, and quiet guardian. When the Six-Day War broke out in 1967, Omar remained alone at the Institute, guarding the campus through the fighting in part by raising a large US flag on the building. When Nelson Glueck finally returned to Jerusalem, he found his old friend waiting; the two men, who had not seen each other in nearly twenty years, fell on each other’s necks weeping. Omar continued to serve the Albright as Head Chef until his retirement in 1995.
Hisham Jibreen succeeded his uncle and served as the Albright’s chef and kitchen manager for thirty-two years. In that time he became the face of the Albright for thousands of students, fellows, and researchers. His cooking introduced visitors to traditional dishes prepared with skill and generosity, while his warmth and good humour set the tone of community that makes the Albright unique. Returning fellows were known to go straight to Hisham’s kitchen before stopping by the Director’s office.
Hisham’s commitment came at no small personal cost. A resident of Abu Dis in the West Bank, his daily commute took him through the West Bank crossing points every single day, through the Second Intifada and periods of acute instability without complaint. In 2019 the Albright published his cookbook, Hisham’s Delight, collecting his recipes for traditional Palestinian and Middle Eastern dishes.
The family tradition continues through Hisham’s son, Daoud, who now works in the kitchen.
To honor this extraordinary legacy, the Albright Institute is raising funds to name the kitchen The Omar Jibreen and Hisham Jibreen Kitchen. This is a rare opportunity to commemorate two men whose dedication, skill, and humanity have shaped the Albright’s identity across eight decades. The scholars who have sat at their table, eaten their food, and been warmed by their hospitality number in the thousands. Please help us ensure that their legacy endures.
To make a donation, contribute here or contact Director James Fraser at jamesfraser@aiar.org.
I have been part of the Albright family for 55 years, and the Albright without Omar and Hisham is impossible to imagine. Each fed and looked after generations of scholars and their families as well as their students. They made the Institute feel like home in a way that no building alone ever could. Omar’s quiet dignity and steadfast care set a standard; Hisham carried it forward with the same grace, and added his own extraordinary warmth, humour, and humility. I am quite fortunate to have known them both.
Jeffrey A. Blakely, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Hisham’s meals are always the best part of my time at the Albright – even better than the library. After all, books can be found in many places, but Hisham’s magnificent cooking could only be had here. From Omar’s Green Rice to that amazing Maqluba, thank you Hisham!
Andrea Berlin, James R. Wiseman Chair in Classical Archaeology, Boston University