By Nina Glick
Who doesn’t know the store On The Table? Located on Queen Anne, it has become the go-to venue for hostess gifts, different and unique objets d’art of Judaica, items to spruce up our homes, and probably most significantly it is the bridal registry for the majority of couples tying the knot in Teaneck and all of its surrounding communities.
Opened just nine years ago, the success of the store is definitely the result of the hard work and charm of its owner, Rachel Kupfer. Upon entering the store, about to purchase something for someone you hardly know to whose home you are invited, or that certain couple who recently became engaged, who again you are unfamiliar with, Rachel will be there to guide you through various options. She’s in the know about what young couples relish the most these days. Want to distribute gifts for the hostesses housing your out-of-town guests for a Shabbat bar mitzvah, Rachel is there to offer her suggestions. Need something for your child’s teacher? Ask Rachel what she would suggest. Let us not forget that we all deserve to treat ourselves every once and a while, and the options in the store are overwhelming.
With all of her success in leading the store to becoming the front-running gift boutique in our environs, there has been one area of success that Rachel found lacking.
She was searching for her bashert, and he had not yet walked into her store nor had he appeared in her life. So many people knew Rachel and wanted to help her because she was not only their business consultant, she in many cases became friends with her customers, and being with her in the store was like having friends over. Over and over they would ask her what she was looking for in a man, and after a while she came up with what turned out to be a brilliant idea.
Just as businesses distribute their cards to customers, the savvy entrepreneur decided to take matters into her own hands. Sheproduced a card far larger than a business card, printed on beautiful cardboard with a shiny picture of her on one side and her own description of what she was looking for in a partner on the other side. Can’t be more forward than that! Each gift that was purchased in the store was packaged, and in the bag was a copy of the card.
Rachel mentioned early on in our conversation that she had come to terms with the fact that not everyone marries, and that although she wanted to share her life with the man of her dreams, she was resigned to the fact that if she did not meet him, she would be OK. She had embraced her life as a single person, certainly not moping in any way.
When the shidduch wish-list card appeared on the store counter, most people were impressed with this young lady who had decided to try to help herself with a clever and creative idea. Would it work? It certainly had tongues wagging in her favor.
One day another friend/customer, Karina Metta Beyda of Teaneck dropped by the store to purchase a gift for a hostess in Milwaukee where she was headed the following Shabbat. She loved the card and told Rachel that she was going to bring it to Milwaukee. Rachel responded, “Sure, what are there, two Jews in Milwaukee?” Apologies to the yeshiva community in Milwaukee and all of the other Jews who live there. Karina laughed with Rachel and stuck the card in her purse.
It’s hard to believe the rest of the story, but Karina did show the card to a lady she met in Milwaukee, explaining how much she loved Rachel, and the woman responded that she had a son who might be interested! There is more to the story, but guess what? They are getting married after Yom Tov! Guess what else? When Rachel put his name into her phone she realized that she had gone out with him 10 years ago! She had an old childhood friend from Milwaukee whom she contacted and right away realized that the guy was a good friend of hers also. Lo and behold, it was his birthday that very day. Rachel sent him a text and the next day received a call from him.
After flying to Florida to see him and spend time with him (he was there temporarily) they realized that this might be the real thing. She noticed the ugly shirt that he was wearing, which she never would have tolerated if she was 22 on a first date but at this point in her life she knew better. Several weeks later she asked him to please throw that shirt out. (He did.)
Anyone who is curious who this very special guy is, his name is Amir Yavor and he manages and owns real estate in Milwaukee. Their married life will be bicoastal, with time spent in Chicago and the Teaneck area. Amir is a country guy, and until this amazing union was made, never desired to live on the East Coast.
Rachel posted her story on her Instagram page, and the phone and text messages were overwhelming. As she said, although she grew up in Hillcrest, this has become her community, and the fact shows when she was chosen to be honored at the recent Emunah (WOW) Women of Wonder Awards.
Everyone is so happy for Rachel, and I frequently need to share her words of advice to women who are not married. “Embrace who you are. Be realistic. I’m an extrovert; he’s an introvert. Making it work depends upon you.”
Guess there is no registry for Rachel and her desire is to have a small wedding. Wear any color you wish. Food, music, photography are not really that important when you have found the right guy!
Mazel tov, Rachel!
