Sheila Mann’s school lunches were simple yet filled with childhood nostalgia. Her mother would prepare sandwiches made with dry curd (Labneh) and fresh cucumber. On special days, the sandwich might be an omelet with slices of tomato—a treat Sheila always looked forward to.
Yet, what she truly craved was the Zaatar pizza sold at school. These were only available in the morning, making them all the more tempting. The school beadle, Naaman (a name Sheila still remembers to this day), would go around the classrooms, taking orders to ensure there were enough pizzas for those who wanted them. By the afternoon, they were always gone.