The Tayar Family's Gemach: "Almost Everything Hashem Gave Us - We Made Into Public Needs"

Name of the Gemach: Multidisciplinary

Location of the Gemach: Modiin Illit - Cheftziba

What the Gemach Includes: Chairs, Shabbat hotplates, eggs at cost, tables, and more

Gemach's Age: Approximately 14 years

It's not without reason that we've chosen to feature this unique gemach first. You can find almost anything you need, from eggs to Shabbat hotplates, children’s books, a guest room with a made-up bed, and even a car for trips outside the city. We spoke with Leah Tayar and heard about this special gemach.

What type of gemach do you run, and what led you to establish this specific kind of gemach?

"Well, our gemachim don't have a specific title, and in fact, we have more than one gemach. Sometimes we try to define what it is all about to make it clear what we are offering at any given time, but the main idea is that everything Hashem gives us is to pass on, especially if we have the possibility to do so.

"It all started when we bought a car and felt tremendous gratitude to the Creator. We immediately decided that if someone needed our car as assistance, we would happily give it to them, and we did so. After a few years, we expanded our house and again felt a profound sense of gratitude, feeling like: ‘Hashem, You gave us the ability to expand our borders, so everyone who wants to use it can do so happily.’ We then designated a room for guests, which initially served various people who needed a place to sleep either on Shabbat or weekdays. This room later became a permanent residence for young women who needed a place to live and eventually served other purposes. I also offer my home for various small events, even if they are not related to me. For instance, a memorial for a neighbor’s father, another neighbor’s engagement party, different classes, and series of classes where I was delighted to offer my house for all matters, including decorating the event, setting up a coffee corner, etc. The truth is, it is simply my pleasure.

"From these large projects, we essentially decided informally to open various gemachim. It means that almost anything Hashem gave us, we tried to make it useful for public needs. When I bought a new refrigerator, I decided to keep the old one and posted a sign for all the neighbors saying that anyone in need of space in a fridge or freezer should come to us. With Hashem's help, we stored a lot of food during crucial times or challenging times like when a fridge broke down, and the like."

"We have about 20 Keter chairs in the gemach that go from hosting to event, *Baruch Hashem*. We have Shabbat hotplates, table decorating equipment, vases, flowers, stones, runners, and more. There is also a car seat or infant carrier, but the most useful gemach is our egg gemach, which is sold at non-profit prices, and the most unique gemach is our book and comic book gemach that was located outside our home. Neighbors enjoyed it greatly, especially on Shabbatot when children would sit in the staircase and read books. Recently, we brought the gemach indoors due to the great wear on the books, though many kids still come knocking and borrow books almost like a library."

What part of the gemach do you love the most?

"My favorite part is feeling that I am doing the right thing with what Hashem has given me. My possessions aren’t just ‘going to waste’; they have lasting value."

Describe the challenges, what is difficult for you with the gemach?

"The hardest part of the gemach is sometimes standing by the rules and reminding people that it is, after all, a gemach. It's unpleasant, but sometimes to ensure continuity, preserve the strength and ability - it’s necessary. For instance, with the eggs, I insisted on being paid in small change because I can't maintain a grocery store cash register. I knew that if I wanted the gemach to continue, I needed to insist on that. I also insisted on telling everyone, ‘I’m sorry, but we don’t make change, it’s just a gemach.’ Another challenge is, of course, when people request things while I’m resting, tired, or not available, and I’m torn between the desire to meet their needs and be as charitable as possible and the desire to maintain my interests. It is very difficult."

Share a story that touched you, in relation to the gemach

"The most emotional part of the gemach for me is really my home as a place for small events, of course, unrelated to COVID-19. There was an event where the parents of both the groom and bride met at our home to finalize things, and later the engagement party took place here. It was definitely touching.

"There was also another story, not necessarily emotional but rather difficult, that happened at the start of our life as a young couple and taught us a lot. We had a neighbor who used to borrow money from us without returning it. One day he asked to borrow our car for a trip. My inclination was to agree, but my husband, who knew the people involved and acted more logically and rationally, said it would not be right or good, and definitely not an act of kindness.

"I insisted out of compassion, believing that since Hashem gave us, we must give to him. The unfortunate end came quickly. That borrower got into an accident from recklessness, with damage only to our car, which was completely written off. Of course, we paid the deductible and under rabbinical guidance, deducted his portion from our charity funds. But the lesson from this story was an enormous learning experience for me regarding gemach and its proper management, that what we perceive as acts of kindness is not always so."

And finally, what do the words "acts of kindness" mean to you?

"Acts of kindness are one of the most magical things in our people. I will never forget a lecture by a rabbi who told a tour group of non-religious people in Meah Shearim. The tourists were amazed to see various posters advertising gemachim, and it was such a great *Kiddush Hashem*. People don’t understand, so it seems, why you would devote your time for public needs? And it’s such a beautiful thing in my eyes."

To contact the Tayar Family: leahtayar1@gmail.com