On October 7, 2023, life as we knew it for Jewish people changed forever!
A few days later, amid rising antisemitism and rallying cries for a “Day of Jihad,” I dropped off my Jewish children at their Jewish day school. I walked my kindergartener into his classroom and before I even left the room, I started sobbing. The overwhelming fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, and confusion of the past week had caught up with me. Only a few other parents had elected to bring their kids to school that day. When American Jews are worried about leaving their children at school because of credible threats against all American Jews, including Jewish children, what has this country - this world, come to?! Thankfully, the day was uneventful for the kids, but it will haunt me for the rest of my life.
I’m not one for social media, but I have felt compelled to do something to enact positive change amid this confusing new normal. I could no longer sit idly by when I can use my voice, skills, and optimism for good.
I realized there has to be more I can do. So I had the idea to start a clothing and merchandise e-commerce business to raise money for charities that support the Jewish people. I have 2 decades of experience in this industry, and I decided to use that experience to design and sell clothing that Jewish people and those who support us could wear proudly, unapologetically, and fearlessly.
I was inspired by following Elizabeth Savetsky, an inspiring Jewish woman and spokesperson for our community on Instagram. She was wearing a chic sweatshirt that said “Zionist” in one of her videos, and I wanted to create something similar to raise money for pro-Jewish causes. However, when I talked to my friend, Rabbi Chalom Boudjnah of San Diego State Chabad, he said college kids had been routinely expressing to him since October 7 that they felt unsafe in college, even without announcing their Jewishness outwardly. Sadly, I knew he was right, and this was even before college campuses erupted in anti-Jewish protests, encampments, and building sieges.
Out of all that hate, I had the idea for Lilah Love! We got our golden retriever puppy, Lilah, during Passover of 2023. We named her Lilah, the Hebrew word for night, because our young kids can easily say the word and because one of their favorite bedtime books is Lilah Tov Good Night. Lilah also sounds like Hailailah Hazeh, and she joined our family last Passover. Our little ones were singing the 4 questions all week, and it sounded so much like they were singing her name! Our Lilah is such a big Love, and the world needs all of that Lilah Love now more than ever! We added 18 - the Hebrew number that represents Chai, or Life - and Lilah Love 18 was born!
We are donating a portion of all proceeds to charities that help Israel and the Jewish people. And because our dog, Lilah, is our unofficial mascot, we have partnered with The Center for Guide Dogs in Israel. The Center for guide dogs has an emergency PTSD fund to be able to help IDF soldiers returning from war. It costs $18,000 and two years to train these dogs. Our goal is to be able to donate to and sponsor as many dogs as possible! We plan to fund more Jewish charities and causes as we grow.
The mission of Lilah Love is to spread love to Jewish people and their supporters around the world. We cannot just be bystanders. The stakes are too high.
So spread Jewish Love, Hope, and Light! Wear our clothes proudly and feel safe being who you are everywhere!
Love,
LilahLove 🐾