Each year when the weather starts to get cooler and all of the leaves have dropped to the ground, we know we can look forward to the holiday of Hanukkah. With our eight day festival of lights comes some preparations in the form of gift buying. When everyone is busy shopping for holiday deals to buy gifts for our friends and loved ones, who wouldn’t like the opportunity to give the business to a fellow community member?

The Sephardic Community Center, also known as the Center, runs a Hanukkah boutique show each year to do just that. Since their start 36 years ago, the Center has been running boutique shows to benefit the Center which is a non for profit organization, as well as the community vendors who get to showcase their goods. Additionally, any surplus of funds goes to camp scholarships for families who can't afford to pay for Summer day camp.

Jade's Jewels' booth set up and ready to go at this year's Center Hanukkah Boutique Show.

The show has a plethora of vendors that the Center staff hand picks each year in order to fill their auditorium to capacity for this special one day event. The categories of vendors are wide ranging including toys, accessories, sports and activewear, Judaica and customizable art, swimwear, handmade bows, jewelry, and more. Many of the vendors who participate are extremely successful at the Center’s holiday event and come back year after year. This year, hundreds of people attended and went home happy with all of their grab bag gifts in hand!

Jades Jewels is a community woman owned business that has been selling their products at the Center boutique show for the past three years. They sell trendy and affordable jewelry and accessories priced at $50 and under.

Netillah's booth set up at the Center's Hanukkah Boutique Show.

“The Center is the heart of the community. When we are part of the Center Hanukkah boutique show, we are able to showcase our merchandise in a convenient location for our customers in addition to the other great vendors,” said Ruth Salama, co-founder and owner of Jades Jewels.

“With all the grab bag gift options at all price points, it’s the perfect place to get quality gifts for all of my friends and loved ones,” said Sarah Halawani, an active community member who looks forward to this day each year.

Orly Wahba's new product, Netillah, a pure copper Netilat Yadayim cup.

Founder of the globally known organization Life Vest Inside Orly Wahba launched her new company, Netillah, this past November. Wahba’s new endeavor focuses on the Mitzvah of Netilat Yadayim. Wahba is looking to educate people on the Mitzvah as well as the concept that performing Netilat Yadayim with a vessel made a copper can bring one abundance and healing in life.

“I feel grateful to have taken part in the Center Boutique Show. More than anything it provided me with a unique opportunity to connect and educate members of the community about the importance of Netillah and the significance of performing the Mitzvah through the use of Copper,” explained Wahba of her experience at this year’s event, “We just launched our Netillah brand and already have been receiving messages of the Yeshuat people have seen from this beautiful Mitzvah. This isn’t just a product, it’s a spiritual tool that brings beracha, refuah, and parnassah into a person's life. If even one person walked away learning something new, it was well worth it.”

To learn more about the Sephardic Community Center’s boutique shows, head to their website and check out their calendar. Check out @jadesjewels_ on Instagram for fabulous jewelry and visit Orly Wahba’s website to learn more about her amazing new product.

Frieda Schweky

Frieda@sephardic.org

Frieda Schweky is Sephardic.Org's official community events reporter. For inquiries and to get involved with our site, please contact Frieda via email.