This summer, Rosie Moche, Sadie Kestenbaum, Sophia Stein and Natalie Solomon, 9 and 10 year old students at Ben Porat Yosef, created Bead-It Corona, a mask production business. The girls have raised $1,500 to date, with payments still pending, and hope to continue their business throughout the school year. All profits go to Camp HASC and Chai Lifeline, organizations close to the hearts of all the girls.

Each of the creators of Bead-It Corona truly understands the impact the pandemic has had on their community, and hopes their new business can assist with the demand for colorful and customizable masks, while simultaneously utilizing the lessons learned at BPY to efficiently take part in a tremendous mitzvah.

Like many other kids this year, the girls were in need of a summer activity. They found a backyard camp in their hometown of Englewood where they were introduced to a beading arts and crafts activity. They enjoyed it so much that they wanted to continue with it at home.

That’s when they got the idea to convert their passion into a mask-making business. Dr. Shlomit Goldberg-Stein, Sophia’s mother and director of musculoskeletal intervention and medical director of advanced imaging at Montefiore Hospital, inspired them to make her a mask for use at the hospital. They surprised her with a mask that said “Hero” on it, and she became the company’s very first customer.

Now the girls are busy with a myriad of orders consisting of different color and wording requests. All mask holders are $15, tie dye masks are $15, and a mask with a mask holder is $20. Customers can request certain bead combinations, colors and words, and younger kids can request glitter or larger beads. The girls create their products at the backyard camp, or at home on the weekends due to their growing list of orders. They know how important wearing protective gear is, especially as people return to school, and hope to provide safe, high quality masks that are uniquely designed to the customer’s specifications.

The girls are seeking community support of their growing business, and plan to expand as the school year progresses. If you would like to order a mask or mask holder from Bead-It Corona, please contact 201-739-8300 or visit their Instagram @bead_it_just_beat_it.

Hannah Kirsch is a graduate of Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston and a summer intern at The Jewish Link.