SUZANNE BELLING
This magnificent collection of vintage (over 20 years old) and antique goods (a century old) has been donated for purchase to this high-end, second-hand shop. Proceeds go to the needy in the Jewish community and enable charity organisation Yad Aharon & Michael to feed its beneficiaries.
The house operates under the name of YA Vintage and Gifts and was established by Yad Aharon & Michael, which provides about 600 members of the Jewish community with nutritious kosher meals for weekdays, Shabbat and over the festivals.
The management of Yad Aharon decided to do something different by giving members of the Jewish community a chance to donate in kind, especially if they’re downsizing, emigrating or moving to retirement homes.
The house is near Yad Aharon’s office and warehouse.
According to marketing manager Jody Eberlin, the shop was initiated because of the overflow of goods donated to the organisation on a regular basis. “Some of the stuff was of such high quality, we simply couldn’t just give it away.”
The way it works is that members of the community drop off donations at Yad Aharon’s headquarters, opposite Sydenham Shul. These are then sorted into sections –quality clothing which the Yad recipients have access to at no cost; internationally branded clothing for YA Vintage; more used items for the shop that go to hawkers at Yad’s Bayit; and a host of items for the outreach programmes.
The money made by the shop goes towards feeding Yad Aharon’s recipients.
YA Vintage and Gifts is run by Talitah Helmand, who knows all about fashion, having headed up a bridal couture company and a formal clothing hire business.
She joined YA Vintage in December, after deciding to convert to Orthodox Judaism. She knows all about the community’s needs through her previous businesses and has become an expert on shatnez, the forbidden mixing of wool and linen in a garment.
It was while studying towards a doctorate in religion that she made her decision. “I decided that Judaism, the Torah and the teachings of Moshe made more sense, including its treatment of sojourners like Jethro and Tziporah.” She began her Judaism studies with the Beth Din in Johannesburg, after moving from Randfontein.
Helman is a divorcee with five children. Her youngest daughter, Elohiys, is learning Judaism with her. “But I hope the others will follow suit and that my sons will find themselves nice Jewish girls!”
The shop-in-the house has everything that one would find in a Jewish home. There are silver Kiddush cups, candlesticks, paintings, furniture, art deco, full dinner services and dresses for shul and casual – all in perfect condition. There’s a host of accessories too: sunglasses, old-fashioned and modern handbags, and of course, shoes. And there are hats, hat stands and full outfits reminiscent of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. If you need something for a theme party, this is the place to look.
Vintage, according to a dictionary definition, comes from “the time that something of quality was produced”.
And the stock at YA Vintage and Gifts certainly is top quality. But there is also an array of newer stuff that has been donated. You’ll find designer wares from Carrol Boyes sitting pretty alongside pure china plates and dinner services.
Collectors will have a field day browsing the store for an old typewriter or silk scarf.
Alice Friedman, managing director of Yad Aharon & Michael, explains how it all started. “Our vision to open an upmarket thrift shop in ‘Jewish Johannesburg’ was born two years ago, and I am so excited to have realised our dream.
“Our donors donate exquisite items to our worthy organisation, many of which they have no need for. We channel these to the community at bargain prices, as a way of securing much-needed funds for Yad Aharon.”
