There is a troubling phenomenon happening right now in Lakewood—one that should make every Torah-abiding Jew stop and think. Two new food establishments recently opened, offering almost identical menus of fruit bowls, smoothies, and health-conscious snacks. But there’s a stark difference in how we, collectively, have responded.
One shop is owned by a fellow Yid, with full kosher certification and exclusively cholov Yisroel products. The other is not Jewish-owned, does not have full kosher certification, and does not serve cholov Yisroel. Yet, the non-Jewish-owned establishment is being thronged with customers, while the Jewish-owned store struggles to get by.
There is no issue with giving business to a non-Jewish establishment. They deserve our business as much as anyone else. But it’s beyond disappointing to see a Yid pouring his heart and resources into providing a 100% kosher, mehadrin, Cholov Yisroel establishment to cater to our very unique dietary standards—only to be ignored by his own people while another store, lacking those standards, is packed. What does that say about us?
This is not an attack on anyone. It’s a wake-up call. We cannot stand idly by while a fellow Jew struggles simply because people don’t want to take the extra step to support a fully kosher establishment.
I respectfully urge Lakewood Alerts and other community platforms to step up and give this Yid’s business free advertising—not as chessed, but as a necessity to correct what has gone wrong.
Sincerely,
A Lakewood Yid
The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily represent those of Lakewood Alerts. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
Hi,
So let’s start off with there is a problem that I don’t even know this “chulev Yisroel” place? Have they done any advertising? Have they offered free food to people so that it can build hype? I don’t like the fact that the non Jew gets the hype but he did something to get it…. Now as for the Yiddish one tell us who it is so we can help them!!
You sound like Mr big חכם cb_ who likes to destroy Yiddish businesses .
Beautiful chessed of this site. Respect.
Kol hakavod lakewood alerts,
You got this one correct!!!!!!
Same with every buisness in town ,
Especially when the competition is a fellow employee from the Yiddish buisness,
People wake up stop destroying Yiddish businesses,
Think before you hire or purchase!!!!!!!
I’m don’t frequent such stores but 1 thing the proprietor has to know that before he opened there was Joseph amd David and Jus by Juli so the new establishment is just another kick in the pants. While I definitely do feel bad for him before someone open a business they have to see what’s happening in that area in the neighborhood. The neighborhood isn’t the hottest spot in town either. So between the 2 it’s gonna be a struggle. May hashem help him succeed
just maybe his intent was to open kosher and jewish instead.
The two mentioned in the above comment are very much kosher and frum.
never heard of this place, but I will bli neder stop by and buy!
And I am not a fan of the non-jewish place at all…
Your struggling business has nothing to do with a competitor opening. Dear store owner I know you will see this and I’m hoping you think strongly abt bashing others in order to think you’ll make more money this way.
Parnassah is something we don’t control we just need to do histadlus.
I don’t think having Lakewood alerts posting this is considered histadlus.
Besides I also don’t know if it’s actually an Halacha or you want us to think it’s an halacha.
While I agree with the writer that we should prioritize giving business to Jewish stores over the non Jewish ones, he failed to mention that the non Jewish one was giving out free bowls today. That might be the reason it was packed today.
That’s like going over to the hundreds of people waiting on line at 7-11 on July 11th and telling them they should follow Halacha and buy one in a Jewish store.
just maybe his intent was to open kosher and jewish instead.
If you could tell me the name of the stores and locations, I could patronize them. In the meantime, I have no idea which stores you’re taking about.
I wasn’t at the non Jewish place yet but the Jewish place wasn’t that appealing to me. I tried it and wasn’t impressed at all. I haven’t gotten to the non Jewish ones but from the pictures they look way better. So that can make people go there versus the Jewish place.
Can I ask if they are priced the same?
Hey what about kashrus?? Air Hatorah Lakrwood is not makpid on kashrus???? Where are the gatherings to make people aware that we only eat kosher food???? Hashem yerachem…has lakewood stoop so low???
This new store has a full hashgacha as per the sign. May not be Cholov Yisroel, but please report the facts correctly
I’d like to show my support to the Jewish establishment. Can anyone give me the name? Looking forward to trying it!