Judaica Store Near Me Yaakov Seltzer longs for the world where his customers would walk in to order a kippah for their son’s bris or stop in to say hello and pick up some prayer books. But he knows that era has passed, and soon his West Side Judaica will shutter for good.
Several boutique Judaica stores remain in Manhattan, many of them connected to synagogues or museums. But in a city that once boasted dozens of Jewish bookstores, only two independent ones will remain, J. Levine Co. Books and Judaica and West Side Judaica, both in Manhattan, according to The New York Jewish Week.
Both shops have shifted in an effort to stay relevant. The right side of Seltzer’s store looks largely like a standard Jewish book shop, with volumes from Orthodox publisher ArtScroll sitting regally on the shelves alongside specialty books on medical ethics, biblical geography and how to comfort mourners; a rack of prayer shawls up front; and a stack of framed wedding contracts in the back.
The left side of the store, however, is an emporium of novelties made for an Orthodox clientele with money to spend: greeting cards embossed with menorahs or birthday wishes in Hebrew; a line of games from Magical Mitzvah Park to Cholent, The Game!, the slow-cooking, fast-moving strategy card game. Despite these efforts, the store hasn’t turned a profit in three months, and Seltzer said he’s considering moving about half a mile up Broadway, where he could pay $15,000 a month.
The Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael Sisterhood Gift Shop offers one of the best selections of Judaica in Morris County. The gift shop features handmade jewelry, glass pieces and ceramics, including the gorgeous ceramic style brought to Jerusalem by Armenian pilgrims in recent centuries. The motifs include Old Jerusalem scenes, flowers, deer and other natural elements. Our selection also includes plates and bowls, mugs, and other items that add beauty to your home. COS Sisterhood members receive a 10% discount on Judaica purchases. The gift shop is located in the front hall of the Synagogue. Hours are by appointment only during the Summer. Call the Synagogue office to schedule a visit.