Israel Aharoni: "We have been married for more than 40 years, she hit on me"

Chef Israel Aharoni, one of the pioneers of Chinese cuisine and modern culinary arts in Israel, moved social media users after revealing the story of how he met his wife, Hagit. In honor of Tu B'Av, the successful restaurateur posted a video on Instagram, sharing the defining moment when he first met his beloved.

"Gigi and I have been married for a little over 40 years. A little over 40 years ago, she and a friend were looking for an apartment to buy in Tel Aviv. They decided that if they found an apartment they both really liked, they would flip a coin to determine who would get it. They arrived at 16 Melchett Street, top floor; there was a small, cute apartment. They flipped a coin, and Gigi won. In the apartment next door, I lived. I had a huge Great Dane. Gigi, in order to butter me up and hit on me, if you ask me, would bring some chicken bones to give to the dog, who weighed eighty kilograms. I, out of politeness, would take them and say thank you, even though he received plenty of leftovers from the restaurant, and the chicken bones she brought were like a toothpick to him."

The 76-year-old chef recounted with emotion that their love has stood the test of time: "She was persistent, we became friends, we got married, and from then until today we are together. We have three children and one adopted. We have four grandchildren, and we are completely happy with our lot."

Israel Aharoni met his wife when she was a psychology student living in the apartment across from his in central Tel Aviv. At first, she served as a caretaker for his Great Dane, Yonatan. The couple married in 1985 at her parents' home in Zahala. They have three biological children and one adopted son, the actor Michael Kabia Forgood Aharoni.