JANUARY 19 • 2023 | 25 of West Bloomfield has been collecting toys, books and games and bringing them to Mrs. Schwab’s patio; baby paraphernalia is always a huge hit. When Rhonda Ginsburg of Southfield heard about the gemach, she started posting online, asking for donations of hangers, then she drives around town to pick them up, and brings them all to Mrs. Schwab’s porch. “It’s a huge help, we used to scrounge around for hangers, ” Mrs. Schwab said. MEET SOME VOLUNTEERS Judy Ishakis of Southfield has been help- ing out at Ohel Leah twice weekly since late 2020, except when she escapes the Michigan winter with her husband, Jake. “I first got involved after my mother passed away. I was retired and needed something to do, ” said Ishakis on a call while relaxing on a sunny Florida beach. “The ladies schmooze while we sort the clothes; I really needed that, especially after my mother died. ” The volunteers jokingly nicknamed the gemach “Mrs. Schwab’s boutique” and Ishakis said a side perk is getting first pick of the new stuff. She’s happily taken clothing for her grandchildren from the bags and on one occasion, found a new top so stunning, she wore it to her grandson’s bar mitzvah. Still, she said the best part is knowing that so many people benefit from it. “I really enjoy it and feel so good doing it; it’s such a meaningful thing, ” Ishakis said. “We’re all so excited when people come to pick out clothes. ” Leah Sarne of Oak Park also began vol- unteering in 2020; she’ d been a secretary at Yeshivas Darchei Torah in Southfield for 22 years but retired when COVID was preva- lent. “There are quite a few of us who put in many hours of work every week, ” Sarne said. “We really keep it up and so many of the community benefit from it, myself included. It takes a lot of teamwork to make it successful … I’ve never seen so many bags in my life! We live in a very generous community!” SHOPPING FOR FREE It’s a win-win; people feel wonderful know- ing that their donations are benefiting oth- ers in the community while others wind up with clothing they love for free. Mindy Cohen moved to Oak Park from Chicago in 2017 and only started going to Mrs. Schwab’s gemach this year. Previously, she had peeked inside and thought it looked too claustrophobic for her. It was only recently that a community member built a strong carport over the racks and installed flood lights. “I had also been under the mistaken assumption that it was only for people who couldn’t afford clothes; but it’s not, it’s for the entire general public, ” continued Cohen, who has found a few useful items at Ohel Leah for her and her son. She has also donated many bags of clothing to the gemach over the years. “Mindy’s exactly right, ” Mrs. Schwab said. “This gemach is not based on class or need. It’s for whoever wants. Many community members come — and there’s no embar- rassment or stigma attached. ” Many people are glad for the opportunity to save, but there’s no doubt it’s especially helpful for those with large families. Chaya Stock of Oak Park, who has been browsing the gemach for years, said, “I love ‘shopping’ at Schwab! We’ve gotten many things there ranging from uniforms, robes, dresses, coats, men’s shirts, you name it. It’s the best place to shop first. Mrs. Schwab is always so helpful. When she sees me, she comes out to help and even tells me she’ll look out for items if I’m after something specific. ” Shoppers are always complimenting Mrs. Schwab on how beautifully the gemach is maintained and the quality of the offerings. Best of all, people don’t feel like they’re bothering her. They don’t even need to knock on her door, they’re welcome to just come, browse and take what they want. “I’m not even home half the time. You can just turn up whenever is good for you, even at night — there’s good lighting now!” Mrs. Schwab said. Sometimes, as she putters around her house, she realizes there are people browsing the clothes on her patio and the realization fills her with joy. “The best part is when I see empty hang- ers — that means someone was there and they found something they liked! It hap- pens all the time and it’s wonderful, ” Mrs. Schwab said. “It makes it all worth it for us. Clothes prices are crazy these days — and there’s no reason to spend. If you pick up something at Ohel Leah, people would just assume that you’ d been shopping at some high-end store. There are only gorgeous things here!”