Title:The unifying power of food

“Hilana Falafel is more than a food business,” says owner and founder Manal Insley (SCS’24).

The Washington, DC-based business is “a celebration of my Palestinian heritage and a way to share the authentic flavors of Jerusalem with a wider audience. It’s been a rewarding journey that allows me to blend entrepreneurship with cultural expression,” she says.

“I never made falafel in Palestine, but I missed it after living in the U.S. and I wanted to feel closer to my Palestinian identity. I called my friend who owns the best falafel shop in Ramallah and he gave me his recipe,” she says. In 2016, Insley reached out to farmers markets and started selling Jerusalem-style falafel sandwiches.

“I am Palestinian Christian, and Jerusalem holds a big place in my heart,” she explains. “I call it Jerusalem-style falafel because I see myself in the mirror of Jerusalem— how it should look like. I gather with my Muslim-Palestinian and Jewish-American staff under one canopy and we serve people from all over the world, regardless of their identity, race, or beliefs.”

“The flavor, the freshness, and the authenticity in combination makes it really unique,” she says.

Hilana Falafel’s years of success allowed Insley to attend Georgetown’s bachelor of arts in liberal studies program when the COVID-19 pandemic slowed business. She was finally able to finish the business and entrepreneurship degree she started in her native country but was interrupted by unrest in the early 2000s.

“Completing my education was a lifelong dream,” she says. “So, when I got my Georgetown acceptance letter, I collapsed in tears.”

“At Georgetown, I learned I did everything right for my business by focusing on one high quality product, but the program gave me the confidence and tools to think more strategically and rationally about Hilana Falafel,” Insley says. “Every class and professor is incredible; they just want you to succeed. I feel they are your mentors forever, beyond your time at Georgetown.”

Insley still looks to former professors for guidance as she imagines a future where Hilana Falafel has a brick-and-mortar location, is in international markets, and can partner with grocery stores for pre-packaged products. She also dreams of fostering economic and social change by developing a business management educational curriculum for women, helping them turn their ideas into realities.

“It’s not going to be an easy ride, but I believe in Hilana Falafel. It’s a place where everyone breaks bread and works together in harmony,” says Insley. “Food is what unites us together.”