Palestinian Immigrant Johny Khalilieh Realizes American Dream in Contra Costa County

Johny Khalilieh, a Palestinian immigrant, has transformed his life in the United States, from arriving in the Bay Area at the age of 18 with limited English skills to becoming a mathematics instructor at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill. Alongside his teaching career, Khalilieh has successfully operated La Veranda Cafe in Pittsburg, embodying a version of the American dream defined by hard work and perseverance.

Born and raised in Beit Jala, a small Christian town in the West Bank, Khalilieh’s early life was deeply rooted in faith and community. He attended the Greek Orthodox Saint Nicholas Church and was shaped by the values of family and hard work. His journey to the U.S. stemmed from a desire for safety and opportunity, following a childhood marked by escalating violence and fear in his homeland.

Khalilieh recalls a pivotal moment from his youth when he was assaulted by Israeli soldiers for carrying a school project written in Arabic. This incident, among others, prompted his mother to decide that he should leave for the United States when he was old enough. After saving for a one-way ticket, he set out with the hope that hard work would enable him to reunite his family in the future.

Upon arrival in California, Khalilieh lived with a family in Pleasant Hill, working at their liquor store in exchange for room and board. As he navigated his new life in the Bay Area, he moved to Pittsburg, where he rented a small apartment for $100 a month while attending Los Medanos College. The tuition at the time was $200 per unit, a stark contrast to current rates of $438. Khalilieh balanced his studies with various jobs to make ends meet.

Education proved to be a turning point for Khalilieh. He transferred to San Francisco State University, where he met his wife, Joane. Both graduated with master’s degrees in mathematics in 1999. Khalilieh began teaching as an intern at Los Medanos College in 1998, eventually taking on roles at multiple institutions, including Diablo Valley College and Solano Community College.

As his family grew, Khalilieh took on additional teaching responsibilities. The opening of La Veranda Cafe in Clayton on May 4, 2002, coincided with the birth of his son, marking a significant moment in his life. A second location opened in Pittsburg on May 28, 2008, allowing Khalilieh to give back to the community that supported him.

Tragedy struck in 2022 when the Pittsburg restaurant was destroyed by a fire just two days before Valentine’s Day. With limited insurance coverage, Khalilieh relied on his savings and community support to rebuild the restaurant. He even became an insurance agent to better understand the recovery process. Witnessing the devastation was deeply emotional for him, particularly as it was the first time his daughter saw him cry.

Family remains central to Khalilieh’s narrative. His daughter, Reyna, is a doctor of pharmacy, and his son, Jake, is attending medical school with aspirations of becoming a neurologist. Khalilieh expresses immense pride in his children and his wife, attributing their success to the values of hard work and resilience he instilled in them.

Reflecting on his journey, Khalilieh emphasizes that the American dream is not easily attained. He recalls challenging times, including living out of his car and showering at the college gym. “The American dream isn’t just given to you on a silver platter,” he remarked. “You have to put in the work and effort to reach your dreams here.”

Now at 54, Khalilieh continues to teach and mentor students, finding joy in helping them achieve their academic goals. His life story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of determination and the pursuit of dreams. Khalilieh encourages others to “always shoot for the stars and beyond and never give up on your dreams and goals in life.”