by: Chana Byrde
Last night I was scrolling through a Crown Heights Facebook group and admiring the beautiful gowns people posted for rent. I was thinking about my good friend who is a shluchah who is coming into town for her brother-in-law’s wedding and who is hurriedly looking for a gown that fits the color scheme – and that won’t tack on the extra hundreds of dollars they certainly can’t afford after paying for airfare for the whole family. It seems that there’s no escaping the high price for family gowns today – even in gmachs. It was so fortuitous to read about the new gmach that has opened in Crown Heights that is truly a gmach, requesting only the absolute minimum to maintain the gowns and purchase new ones, and offering a wide selection of gowns.
After Devora Wilmowsky lost her grandmother, Rochel Kloc, she was determined to carry on her legacy by filling a need in Crown Heights; she opened this gmach. Devora partnered with Chana Seligson, bonding over the loss of their grandmother and mother, respectively, and they took the gmach – now named The Simchas Rochel & Golda Gown Gmach – to the next level, acquiring many more elegant and stylish gowns, altering and cleaning them, finding a space and renovating it, to make it the most comfortable, convenient and pleasant gown-shopping experience for mothers- and sisters-of-the-bride.
The gmach carries the names of two extraordinary women; both courageous holocaust survivors who left behind generations of Torah observers in the chassidish and yeshivish worlds: Rochel Sima Chaya bas Yisroel Oser Kloc, who built her household on emes, emunah and a strong dedication to family and Golda bas Avrohom Moshe Glicksman, who was dedicated to family, used to dispense brochos to whomever she met, and took great delight in the flourishing of Jewish and Chassidic life. The gmach seemed a fitting tribute to them, both of whom were always well-coiffed and impeccably dressed.
Currently there are over one hundred and fifty gowns in the gmach, ranging in size from extra-small to plus size. The only actual fee attached is for a refundable deposit and the cost of the cleaning ($30 at Mr. Clean). There is a suggested donation of $100.
“Generally, the gown gmachs in the New York area charge $100 to 150 per gown. It is the only way they can afford to maintain a collection of stylish and current gowns,” says Chana. “But we are determined not to impose a fee,” adds Devora, “That is why we suggest a donation amount.” “I believe people know how expensive gowns are and so will pay this basic amount. Of course, those who can’t or choose not to, won’t; no questions asked,” continues Chana.
My friend walked into her brother-in-law’s wedding looking like a charming $250-rental-picture, without having to pay at all. May Hashem bless Chana and Devora’s work to be successful, may He bless each of their families and all those who donated to the gmach, for providing such a needed and beautiful chesed, and may the selflessness put into doing kindness – investing time and money to make a real gmach – impress upon Hashem the extraordinary generosity of His people and invoke His mercy for all of klal yisroel.
The Simchas Rochel & Golda Gown Gmach is open Sundays from 1:00 – 5:00 and Wednesdays from 7:30 -9:30 by appointment. Patrons can call or text 347 770 4136 or email [email protected].
All donations of gowns or money will be extraordinarily helpful for the continuing success of the gmach. The gmach will arrange to pick up any donations.
You ladies are truly an inspiration to us all. NOW for all of you women who have no idea what to do with the custom made gown you made for your _______ wedding–donate it to this GMACH!
We do have a few as we grow we hope to have more to offer
Do they have maternity gowns? And if not, who does?
Anyone interested in giving donations through paypal please feel free to do so our account is [email protected]
Nice to see good stories like this. Inspiring to see the nice things people do for one another in CH.
I’m sure you will enhance everybody’s simcha with your generous spirit
keep up the gr8 work!!!
set up a paypal account i wanna help
Beautiful mitzvah.
Thank you.
thank you Mrs. Seligson and Mrs. Wilmowski. You make us proud of Crown Heights and of Lubavitch. To remove stress from already stressed-out families, and to do it so beautifully, is surely a tremendous zchus for your departed loved ones. YASHER KOACH, thank you, thank you.
The Simchas Rochel & Golda Gown Gmach is open Sundays from 1:00 – 5:00 and Wednesdays from 7:30 -9:30 by appointment. Patrons can call or text 347 770 4136 or email [email protected]. special arrangements can be made
. call/text/email for appointment and address
The gemach is located on president st in crown heights call for exact location please. Yes we will take gowns in all sizes for donations please call to arrange for us to pick up. Thanks
This Gemach is soo needed in crown heights!.. thank you for opening it !!
Just what our community was missing. I remember how hard it was for me to find a gown for my siblings simchas, and when I did find a gown it was not without a heavy price. A simcha should be a time of true joy! Thank you Devora & Chana for easing the “burden” of making a simcha, and helping families in our community come to their simchas with true joy and dignity! You, and all those involved in this amazing undertaking should be blessed with tremendous success!!!
Thank you for caring about our community!
Beautiful Thank You!
It is wonderful that gemachs supply dresses for special occasions but with large families and often multiple simachas close together, dresses can be worn for more than one time. There is certainly no need for in-laws, cousins, aunts,etc. to be dressed in special clothes.Why has it become necessary that every relative be dressed to match a color scheme? Little girls dressed alike are cute but beyond about 6 or 7 years old the idea is absurd. There is no reason that anyone other than the sisters of the choson and kallah, their mothers, grandmothers, and alte bubbies be dressed fancy.… Read more »
So grateful
So much needed
Thank you! For helping our community!
I have some pretty gowns for girls sizes 2 through 14 would you be interested
Thank you so much who ever is behind this. This is a true free chesed helping countless woman. May hashem repay you with abundance
Gorgeous gmach! Finally! To fill a real need in Crown Heights! Mrs. Wilmowsky gives of herself selflessly to ensure that every family is dressed beautifully with dignity at their simcha!!
BH May your “business” really take off – Chana and Devora are truly busy with simchas !!
How amazing to be part of a community that has a stunning true gemach with no exorbirant fees (as a gemach should be). Thank you Devory for doing this.
Rivka T.
Devora and Chana and Mrs. Andrusier were there when I came and were so helpful and nice. The place is really beautiful too. This is a real chesed.
Devora Wilmowsky was soo helpful with helping my family finding a gown at last minute’s notice! Thank you for your help and support!
Chana what a nice way to honor your mother’s memory…would love to see your “stock”; Hoping I will need a very nice dress for a simcha soon
-should I fly over????…hatzlacha ! Chana Schoenberg