An unusual birthday party was celebrated at the home of Seth and Zahava Farbman this past Tuesday evening. It was Tu B’Shvat, Rosh Hashanah for the trees. Over 40 women of all ages were treated to an entertaining and exhilarating evening event to benefit Badek’d.
Chaia and Eliahu Frishman, of Fruit Platters and More, presented an informative and interactive Torah-infused demonstration featuring platter presentation, homemade fruit leather making, and fruit preparation tips. While the women watched and partook of the delicious treats, they did a mitzvah of supporting a unique tzedakah. To illustrate the mission of Badek’d, a story is in order.
Many years ago, Rav Asher Freund, zt’l, began one of the first chesed organizations in Eretz Yisrael called Yad Ezra. Once, a chassan approached Rav Asher seeking funds to pay for his wedding and basic needs. Rav Asher inquired of the chassan if he had given his kallah jewelry. The chassan replied, “I do not have money to pay for the wedding or my basic needs. How can I consider purchasing jewelry?” Rav Asher replied, “Your kallah’s kavod is also a basic need.” Rav Asher personally went to collect money and bought jewelry for the chassan to gift his kallah.
Badek’d attempts to emulate Rav Asher’s chesed. There are many wonderful and worthwhile hachnasas kallah organizations and gemachs that help to pay for weddings and basic needs of a new couple. However, none help to “badek” the kallah with jewelry. For too many, this custom is just not feasible.
Badek’d fills that void. Badek’d allows chassanim who lack the finances to purchase jewelry for their kallahs an opportunity to do exactly that in a respectable and dignified manner. They have provided jewelry to countless chassanim from every type of background, locally and worldwide.
Each chassan must come with a referral from a rav or community leader to verify his financial need. Every “sale” is completed with the highest level of confidentiality, respect, and sensitivity.
All the jewelry is brand new, real gold and diamonds, simply beautiful, and befitting for a kallah. The jewelry is displayed nicely, as if in an upscale jewelry boutique, and presented in tasteful boxes. Each chassan can select a bracelet for the engagement and either a necklace, earrings, or pearls for the yichud room.
Chassanim and their parents marvel at the selection. Their tears of gratitude, appreciation, and sheer relief speak volumes. There is no charge to them, however it is suggested that each chassan give anything up to $36 if possible, which goes towards the purchase of new jewelry.
Badek’d has grown tremendously in the last couple of years. We have seen so many times just how essential this chesed is. As Rav Asher said many years ago, it’s about maintaining the kavod. Kavod of the chassan and his parents who otherwise could not afford jewelry, and kavod of the kallah whose turn it is to feel special. It’s about maintaining the simcha that the chassan and kallah deserve to feel at this time of their lives.
In order to participate in this wonderful mitzvah, tax deductible checks can be made to Badek’d and sent to 354 Eastwood Road, Woodmere, NY 11598. Every penny that is donated goes towards the purchase of new jewelry. There are no salaries, rent, or overhead costs. Badek’d also accepts used jewelry in excellent condition or old or damaged jewelry that can be sold in order to buy new jewelry. Contact Zahava or Aviva at 516-993-0430 917-579-2729 ZahavaFarbman@gmail.com or Aviva.Mendlowitz@gmail.com for more information to donate, or if you know of someone who can benefit from this tzedakah.