Meet Kay Schachter of Judaic Treasures–Gift Shop of Temple Emanu-El, Dallas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Schachter.

Kay, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Our shop is owned and operated by the women’s organization at Temple Emanu-El, Women or Reform Judaism (WRJ)/Sisterhood. The shop was founded inside Temple in 1956 in a classroom contributing $300 to the good works of the Sisterhood. Today, the shop contributes $45,000 which is used to send students to summer camps, underwrite a portion of Bar/Bat Mitzvah expenses for families that can’t quite cover the cost, $1,000 stipend to Rabbinic and Cantorial students from Temple, and so much more.

I’ve managed the shop since July 1995 when it contributed $2,500 to WRJ. With my MBA in finance and marketing, as well as Judaica, becoming an art-form that enhances Jewish homes, we are where we are today. Filled with a great sense of pride, I have managed the shop as a volunteer for over 20 years contributing to the well-being of our Temple members and community at large.

I have been recognized nationally by our umbrella WRJ organization where I serve as WRJ Liaison to Judaic Shops for Temples across North America since 2007. I’ve conducted workshops in Toronto in 2009, Washington, DC in 2011, and Orlando, Florida in 2015. Find out more about WRJ North America at wrj.org.

My education began in our family-owned retail store in Hereford, Texas founded by my grandfather in 1921. My parents started the ready-to-wear business in Hereford in 1948 where I grew up and worked. It’s great to use my knowledge in the gift shop in Dallas today!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The shop at Temple was never in a very good location–after all our Temple’s main concern is souls, not sales!! In 1995, the shop was relocated from downstairs under Lefkowitz Chapel to near the Pre-School.

Before the economic downturn in 2007, the shop was providing $60,000 in contributions to the WRJ budget for our projects! By the time Temple started on their next remodel project ($34,000 million), the shop was contributing half that amount.

During the reconstruction beginning in June 2015, we had a few misadventures. Due to the hammering and such construction noise, we had to close early a few times as to not subject the volunteers to the racket. Then a portion of the roof above the shop caved in ruining some of our books and merchandise. A temporary fix also gave way damaging the second group of merchandise.

Although the construction company paid the cost for all those items, our volunteers had to find, list, and box them. Finally, the construction moved to our area and, as our new space was not yet ready, we had to relocate the shop out of the Temple. Thanks to the generosity of Tom and Jan Timmons, Temple congregants who own an office building in Las Colinas, we moved our business 17 miles from Temple.

Working three days a week for 4-5 hours, we used our 11 months out of Temple to upgrade our computer hardware, update the computer point of sale software, buy a barcode scanner, and barcode all our inventory. In short, when we reopened in March 2016 we were a sleeker, more modern shopping environment for our patrons!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Judaic Treasures–Gift Shop of Temple Emanu-El, Dallas – what should we know?
In the old days, if you wanted a Jewish book or a Judaic ritual item, such as a Chanukah or mezuzah, it could ONLY be found in a synagogue. Today with Amazon and extensive brick and mortar bookstores, the internet, and stores that are known for carrying everything, a Temple Judaic store has to offer more than just Judaica.

Although we specialize in Judaic items, we scour the NY, Atlanta, and the international world for the newest, most innovative gift items. As not everything in our homes is Judaic, we also carry novelty glassware, metalwork, and jewelry. As part of our effort, we place an emphasis on showcasing Israeli artists.

Patrons in the shop have been comparing us to a museum shop–which we find very complimentary!! As a company, we are most proud that we have NO paid people and that all our volunteer efforts go toward tzedakah or charity–provided through our WRJ budget. The shop not only educates Jew and non-Jew alike, but it is a vehicle for membership for our WRJ members. We gladly provide annual discounts on purchases for our higher WRJ contributors.

Patrons of the shop appreciate knowing their purchases are helping our Temple community, in fiscal 2016-17 WRJ awarded grants totaling $59,650 to Temple programs. Finally, what sets us apart is our knowledge of the market, our willingness to find things our patrons desire, and the extraordinary effort we will go through to have gifts engraved, delivered, mailed, or gift wrapped–all the things now missing from the BIG stores of today.

Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business?  If so –who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.
The credit for our shop successes goes to the many WRJ Presidents beginning in 1955, who saw the need to supply Judaic items to the Jewish community so they could further their Jewish spiritual journeys by observing Jewish customs in their homes. The supporters over the many years are the shop volunteer managers: Joan Gendler, Sheila Hrmodka, Rosalee Cohen, Louise Rosenfield, Ettie Weinberg, and today Lynn Swartz and me.

Our WRJ Presidents for years were the shop advocates and pushed for the shop to have the central Temple location we are so proud of today: Connie Rudick, Ruth Kleinman, Joan Genender, Celia Saunders, Leah Beth Kolni, Erin Zopolsky, and so many more. We’ve had many teammates who have been our buyers for the shop: Anina Weinreb, Ruth Kleinman, and Barbara Flecker, to name a few.

Our biggest cheerleader is our own Rabbi Debbie Robbins who has always encouraged us, complimented us, and even asked us to be open MORE hours to accommodate our Temple community (now we’re open on Tuesday evenings until 7:30 p.m.) It goes without saying that we could not have the location we have today without the backing of the many Temple Emanu-El Presidents, members of the Temple Board of Directors, and our Executive Director, Rick Rosenberg.

Furthering our message is our communication team headed up by Connie Dufner, who keeps us in our Temple members mind through our ads in our Temple newsletter, The Window. Our WRJ communications team, website administrator, e-newsletter, and facebook volunteers: Barbara Stone, Stacy Bruce, Fenny Itgensen, and Marla Bane. We appreciate all our many supporters!

Pricing:

• Tallit: $60 to $550
• Jewelry: $18 to $350
• Menorahs: $4 to $600
• Kiddush cups: $28 to $350

Contact Info:

• Address: 8500 Hillcrest Road
  Dallas, Texas 75225
• Website: www.judaictreasures.com, www.tesisterhood.org
• Phone: 469-230-5195
• Email: judaic@tedallas.org

Image Credit:
Fran Kimple, Murano Askenazi Rabbis, Airje DeHass

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.