From the hearts of Jewish mothers
To the hands of Jewish daughters
Ateres Kallah is about seeing a need, feeling the pain, and responding with overflowing warmth
A Seed That Blossomed
Ateres Kallah is planted
Shocked by the sudden passing of a dear friend,
ברכה עתל בת מיכאל, Rebbetzin Surele Morgenstern promised to do something meaningful in her memory. In 2013, she was ready to choose a mitzvah and make it happen. At the time, it was not easy getting donations for hachnosas Kallah. This mitzvah already held a special place in the Rebbetzin’s heart, and now it became a mission.
The organization takes root
It was a group effort. Each participant bought just one item for one area of the home – bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms.. – with project managers and department managers coordinating. Our driver would collect each item and deliver it all to the kallah; all our love put together in a package.
A framework emerges…
But it wasn’t good enough. Our potluck packages left kallahs with random mismatched items instead of proper sets. Nothing less than what we’d want in our own homes would do for our kallahs, and so we shifted gears. Now, each participant paid their share, and the coordinator purchased beautiful sets, some from stores, some at a discount from wholesalers.
…flourishes…
As we grew, we rented a small storage unit. Two devoted volunteers organized everything into bags, then called the kallahs to come pick up their packages, allowing them to choose their own linens. It was beautiful to see their faces light up as they chose the set that fit their personal taste.
… and extends its reach
Then came Lag B’Omer 2022, and the tragedy that shook our world: forty-five kedoshim lost in Meron. At a special event, we created forty-five packages, each sponsored in memory of those precious souls. That event – and the awe inspiring response – led to another event, and then another. We’re moved to tears at the end of every gathering, as roomfuls of 100s of women say “yes” to sponsoring our Kallahs.
The impact spreads
“You made a מהפכה in yerushalayim.” – Those were the the words of a wholesaler when we’d just started out. We didn’t quite understand it then, but today, we can see he was right. Hachnasas kallah efforts, then not widespread, are now everywhere. Gemachim, organizations, subsidies… B”H there’s so much more available. And yet –
The need grows
Word spread. Today, we receive over 100 emails every single week from families reaching out for help. Kallahs specifically seek out packages from Ateres Kallah—they know they’ll receive quality, dignity, and love wrapped into every item. They want it so badly , and we so badly want to give it to them.
How can we possibly turn a kallah down?
But how can we keep up with the relentless need?
We need your help.
Help us relieve the incredible stress of parents that makes it hard to enjoy their simcha. Help us cheer up yehidot all over yerushalim with pretty linens and kitchenwear. Help us give their smile back.
A message from Reb. Morgenstern
I wish I could give each of you, dear participants, window into the world we see every day, and show you in person what we’re privileged to bring about. I know that if you saw what we see, and felt what we feel, you would run to help us.
It’s so much more than just household goods – we’re changing the way they look at life. I’ll never forget the Kallah who said – when she heard she’d be getting the full package – “Now I know I have a Father in Heaven.”
In the zechus of bringing joy to these hearts and bracha into these new homes, may you marry off your own children with tremendous berocha and see banei, chayei, mezonei in the homes of your own children.
– Surele Morgenstern