(Courtesy of Maayan Judaica) “Wow — this place looks amazing!” exclaimed Teaneck residents as they entered the new Maayan Judaica store on Englewood Avenue. Formerly a modest neighborhood seforim store, the new ownership has given it a facelift with a striking, stylish new decor.
A glance around the interior shows it to be stocked with a stunning array of seforim, books, art, gifts and Jewish staples like tzitzit and yarmulkes.
Maayan Judaica’s owner, Amram Elbaz, has worked in seforim and Judaica for close to 20 years and has an ambitious, expansive vision for the store: he plans to turn it into a hub for local Jewish life, a Jewish version of Barnes and Noble. On designated Sunday afternoons, authors will be invited to speak and do book signings. A book club will soon be formed in which bibliophiles can share their favorite Jewish books and exchange ideas. Artists will be invited to exhibit and sell their work to the public. And lest the youngest patrons be forgotten, a children’s corner has now been set up where children can sit, color, peruse their books, and listen to stories while their parents shop.
Maayan Judaica will likewise serve as a hub for all the goods and services a Jew regularly requires: mezuzahs, tzitzit and tefillin (all nusachs available). Shatnez checking will be handled on-site. Gold stamping is available for siddurim, birkonim or other seforim on premises, expertly executed while customers wait. Schools, organizations or individuals requiring seforim or other items in quantity are invited to speak to the staff about special bulk pricing. For those unable to pick up in person, don’t worry. Maayan Judaica will deliver it to homes, shuls or schools.
For customers looking for unique gifts, many items that can be personalized or are unique, such as paintings or ceramics. Stumped over what to buy a man who has everything? Here’s a unique idea: the store offers letters and other kitvei yad from gedolim such as Rav Moshe Feinstein, Reb Boruch Ber, Rav Nota Greenblatt, and many others, with prices beginning at around $300. The staff will be happy to help gift givers choose something perfectly suited to the fortunate recipient.
The walls of Maayan Judaica are hung with some exquisite works of art but a much larger selection is available to customers than the paintings currently on display. Ask to take a look at the store’s specially designed tablet, loaded with a large selection of images of the works of many different and distinguished Jewish artists. The staff will guide customers through it to help them find just the right piece for their home, workplace or gift for someone special.
“Maayan” means source in Hebrew, and Maayan Judaica is sure to become the community’s source for everything Jewish. Even better, it will become the gateway to discovering everything that is new and exciting in today’s Jewish world and the venue for sharing it with others.
