LIBERTY, Ind. – At the heart of Liberty sits Kehila Coffee, a café that has become a central gathering spot since it opened on June 25, 2021.

Residents come here not just for coffee, but for a neutral space to connect.

Owner Darah Finch said the idea took shape over two years of planning. “It took me two years figuring out how to open a shop in town,” Finch said.

From the start, Finch had a clear vision for Kehila Coffee: a place where people could 'write a book, grade papers, or hang out after school.'

“That’s what I saw when I was creating the shop," Finch said.

That vision is also reflected in the shop’s name. “Kehila” is the Hebrew word for community, a concept Finch discovered during a trip to Israel. In its truest definition, it means “a group of people working towards one goal or purpose.”

“That’s exactly what we strive to be,” Finch said.

The café’s atmosphere reinforces that mission. Local artists display their artwork on the walls, while members of the Kehila team contribute pieces collected from travels abroad. The location itself helps, as the café, painted green and black, sits in the very center of town in the tallest building beside the courthouse.

Free parking and an open-door policy make the shop accessible to anyone passing through downtown Liberty.

Food is another cornerstone of the experience. Kehila offers pastries and gluten-free options alongside breakfast sandwiches and bowls, bagels, burritos, and quesadillas. Lunch features wraps, salads, soups, and grilled cheese.

“For lunch we make our chicken salad in house every morning and usually sell out by the end of the day,” Finch said.

Beyond the menu, Finch emphasized that Kehila is a space where regulars and newcomers alike feel seen. For her, fostering safety and comfort is just as important as the quality of coffee.

“You are loved. You have a purpose and there is a reason why you are here. I hope you feel that every time you walk through our door,” Finch said.

Kehila Coffee is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.