Jenna Ashkenazie
Many of us are familiar with community gemachim (from the Hebrew abbreviation for “gemilut chassadim” – loving kindness). Although heading to a gemach to borrow tablecloths for a simha does not come with any stigma, it just may feel uncomfortable to go to a gemach for clothing, which is usually due to financial constraints.
Mrs. Suzy Haber, a concerned community member, came up with a novel gemach idea to meet a community need. She saw a trend of community women striving to become more religious and dress more modestly by wearing skirts, but they did not know where to start. Enter the skirt gemach!
A Welcoming Setting for All
Only a few months ago, Mrs. Haber created the skirt gemach, which embodies the spirit of a gemach, to provide a needed commodity, “without the stigma.” The skirt gemach is a place where women, girls, and teenagers can find skirts that they like, in their size and style, free for the taking. No payment is required, and skirts need not be returned in the future.
The gemach is more than just a place for women to get skirts. Mrs. Haber envisions that the gemach will serve as an “emotional and spiritual support to those who want to make the change.”
There is no judgement in the gemach. Whether you walk in ready to make a full switch to modest clothing, or if you are just trying to dress more modestly one day a week, everyone is welcome.
Making the transition from wearing less modest clothing to wearing more modest clothing can be difficult for anyone. It means adopting an entirely new lifestyle, and it does not happen overnight. It takes time to find out what kind of skirt fits your body type and your personal taste. “Dressing modestly doesn’t mean you don’t have to look good,” said Mrs. Haber.
Inspiration Turns into Action
Mrs. Haber’s inspiration came from community women who came to her for advice on how to take the leap towards dressing more modesty, and for guidance on how they could begin their journey. They told her in confidence that they wanted to become more modest, but it was difficult, even overwhelming. And they even didn’t know where to start.
“I felt like I could help. It felt like it was something I needed to do,” said Mrs. Haber. Soon after the idea for a skirt gemach came to her, she saw on a group chat that a friend of hers was starting a gemach. Mrs. Haber reached out to her, to get some advice on how to start a gemach herself.
Mrs. Haber states, “Her insights solidified my belief that I was doing the right thing – that I found my calling.” After listening to her friend, Mrs. Haber knew that creating her skirt gemach was what she had to do. “As soon as I finished speaking to her, I started ordering skirts. I knew that Hashem would help me with what I needed, but I needed to start first.”
Donations Are Welcome!
The skirts are all brand-new, ordered by Mrs. Haber personally. Community stores have graciously pledged to donate skirts, and Mrs. Haber is looking for more community stores or wholesale distributors who would like to donate. She also encourages donations of new skirts from anyone who would like to donate. All skirts are welcome, provided they still have the original tags.
Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated, and can be sent via Venmo@suzyhaber, or via Zelle, at 917-705-0512 for Jack Haber.
“Dressing modestly doesn’t mean you don’t have to look good.”