Bargain Jewess

Aviva Rizel has big warm brown eyes and a stylish brown bob with side bangs. She looks like a typical good frum girl but she has a mission. To help every woman out there feel comfortable, and beautiful, while keeping the mitzvah of kisui rosh- Covering ones head.

Aviva’s story is not typical. In fact when I spoke with Aviva she told me her great love is neuropsychology and anything relating to neurons. Wigs wasn’t something she chose, but rather wigs chose Aviva. It started in seminary when a friend begged her to cut her hair. Aviva protested, but eventually using nail scissors gave her friend a haircut. Soon she was cutting everyone’s hair in her seminary. While in Stern College she continued cutting hair, and decided to enroll in Yaffa’s wig training course, so she could truly learn to cut hair and-eventually wigs-the right way.

This eventually led to Swanky hair monsters and then Aviva wigs, her current business. Read on for my questions and Aviva’s answers.

Bargain Jewess: Lets start with why Jewish women cover their hair in the first place, give us some biblical sources?

Aviva Rizel: Obviously this is a very large topic with many opinions by many Rabbis, but there are two main sources. One being in Parshat Korach when, Korach and his followers go from house to house seeking men to rebel against Moshe. As they approached On Ben Pelet’s house, his wife stationed herself outside the house with hair uncovered thus keeping her husband from sinning.

The other source is when Sotah is discussed and the text says we remove the hair covering of the sotah. Both of these serve as proofs that Jewish woman have a halachic obligation to cover their hair.

BJ: For me and probably for most readers comfort is super important, what would you say is the most comfortable and durable wig and also how can you make sure you won’t get a lemon?

AR: In my opinion the most comfortable wig is a hand sewn, stretch cap. This allows for the wig to stretch side to side, as well as front to back. Also you want a wide flex comb about four inches at the forehead. This will take the pressure off the rest of your head and for many people they won’t even need to use snap combs. Also Mongolian hair tends to stand up better than European hair with the same hand feel and texture. In terms of insuring that you don’t get a lemon make sure that the company or sheitel macher has a policy that they will fix or replace the wig should it knot, shed or oxidize right away or within 6 months of purchase. In general the longer the wig the more likely it will knot at the nape, especially if it’s wavy or curly.

BJ: What should you look for in a wig?

AR: Look for texture, ie: the hand feel and that the texture whether straight or wavy is what you want. Additionally, make sure the color is right, as well as the hairs being double knotted. Double knots will allow the wig to last longer. Also if you don’t have a vision of what you are looking for, look at precuts.

BJ: Is cut really that important to the look of the wig?

AR: yes absolutely. A good key is cut. Even if you have to wait awhile for an appointment it’s worth it if someone knows what they are doing cut-wise and you have seen their work and liked it.

BJ: As my readers know I’m a big fan of the Yarmulke fall? As a wig stylist what’s your take?

AR: I started carrying them in my current salon. Originally I didn’t necessarily believe in them or feel I should carry them since I myself would not wear them. I didn’t even carry band falls because I wouldn’t wear one myself and I didn’t want people to buy something that I did not think was halachically permissible for myself.

But then a very good friend had a crisis of faith. Her wig was making her hair fall out and her scalp bleed and she was completely ready to stop covering her hair. Then someone introduced her to the kipa fall and she wears it every day and has continued to cover her hair. I realized if I could help someone keep the mitzvah to the best of their ability, I was still helping them to keep the mitzvah even if it wasn’t the way that I keep mitzvah. It’s a great stepping stone in either direction as well.

BJ: Tell us about Swanky Hair Monsters and how that Turned in To Aviva’s Wigs?

AR: when I was starting my business, I called my sister to have her help me brainstorm for a business name. We grew up not in a world where people overwhelmingly covered their hair so wigs to us are kind of weird. So when I asked my sister what she thought of when she though of wigs, she said hairy monster. We both had a good laugh and then we got out the thesaurus and came up with Swanky hair monsters. Unfortunately not everyone had as good a sense of humor as we did, so I changed the business name to Aviva’s wigs an enchanted garden of a store straigh out of a midsummer nights dream, and moved fromonline to a store front at Aza’s Health and Beauty Bar, off of Cedarhurst Ave, parrallel with the tracks.

Contact me WITH ANY SHEITEL NEEDS. I will not push my product on you, I just want you to be happy with the Mitzvah!

You can visit Aviva and see her beautiful wigs at Aviva’s wigs 525 Chestnut Street, Cedarhurst, Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm, Sunday 11am-3pm, or by appointment call 516-256-WIGS (9447.)

You can also check out Aviva’s website www.Avivaswigs.com

Aviva is really a pleasure to speak to and will truly help you find a beautiful wig that’s perfect for you.

I would say that most people who know me find me a fairly intelligent person. I have a secret though….. I went to Community College. Most people automatically assume that Community College is for dummies who can’t get into to a four year college. This is not necessarily the case.

The second you mention that you go to Community College you suddenly get mocked that it’s not real college or your good grades are attributed to the fact that it must be a joke. I even had a professor in Brooklyn College suggest to me that the fact that I went to Community College, made me dumb when I mentioned I was having difficulty with the course material. He also managed to mention that he was superior to me since he went to Harvard. I thought many things about that statement that I won’t mention here, but number one was if you’re such a genius why are you teaching at CUNY?

To be honest I truly enjoyed my time in Community College. It gave me a love of learning that I had previously not experienced in my dismal yeshiva education. People were friendlier, professors cared more, they took stock in me. For the first time in my life I was a straight A student and not because it was easier but because I was engaged. I was made to feel like I had opinions that counted, things to contribute. For most of my time in Brooklyn college where I received my bachelors I didn’t feel this at all. Although I kept up my excellent grades I never found the same sort of kinship with most of my professors or my fellow students.

For me Community College was incredibly empowering and I am so heartened by the fact that our President has realized that as well. When I attended Community College there were so many people with such diverse backgrounds, but all with one thing in common, the desire to succeed.

I had people like me who were recent high school grads who couldn’t get in to four year schools because of grades, or people who had flunked out of four year schools because they didn’t take it seriously. Then there were the senior citizens looking to enrich their minds, and the immigrants trying to build a better life. It was so motivational to see all sorts of people working to attain something better; whether for themselves or their families.

President Obama has admitted that community colleges can be key to job training and financial success and security within this country.

For me Community College pushed me to reach my potential I became the first person in my family to attain a bachelor’s degree and I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I owe it all to community college.

So the next time you think that someone is dumb because they’re in Community College, think again they may just be smarter than you.

For more on this topic check out the following article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/education/28community.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=community%20college&st=cse

Looking for ways to cut costs and save money on basic things around the house? look no further than here at Bargain Jewess; the following tips are useful recession or not.

Makeup cleansing wipes are a great quick way to remove dirt and makeup but even generic brands can become pricey. Try using baby wipes instead. They cleanse just the same and 80-120 will set set you back 3-4 dollars for the store brand.

Have blackheads and want an inexpensive way get rid of them? Try plain old Elmers glue or any non toxic glue. Slather a little on your nose let it dry and pull off and voila a cheap, effective, way to rid your nose of blackheads.

Out of coffee filters? a paper towel can subsitutue. just rip off one sheet fold into the filter area and add your coffee. Works like a charm I never use filters anymore. The best are the half sheet paper towels.

A good way to get full, shiny, hair? Rinse it beer, just make sure to rinse it out well to rid the hair of beer smell.

Want glowing skin? Try this Indian at home recipe. 1 tbsp gram flour otherwise known as chickpea flour, 1/2 a cucumber peeled and crushed and 1 egg or 1 tbsp vegannaise. Slather on face for ten minutes and wipe off for tighter, smoother, more radiant skin.

Vinegar and lemon are fantastic amazing products of nature. Both can be used to clean the house and get rid of stinky odors. Lemon is great at ridding your hands of smells like fish, or garlic and onions. Vinegar is fantastic for cleaning mirrors and counter tops and can be a great substitute for Windex. Also Vinegar keeps your drains from clogging. Pour it down once a week to keep clogs at bay.

I love hearing new tips and tricks that save money so please leave comments with any tips you’d like to share.

I wanted to give some more information on kipa falls and how they work. Today it seems that every frum Jewish girl covers her hair with a sheitel when getting married. Every time I’m in Brooklyn the five towns Teaneck etc it seems a new sheitel place has opened. For those happy with sheitels great. For those unhappy and uncomfortable there are other options.

When I decided to start covering my hair again this year i began to do a lot of research on sheitels and the various types that existed. I cam e upon the kipa fall and realized this was my solution.

The kipa fall was originally made for women with thinning or bald spots to cover the crown of the head and add volume to their hair. It is referred to outside of Jewish circles as a topper, mini fall and sometimes a wiglet.

I had my kipa fall made from a regular fall which will make two kipa falls. I have a friend who did it also and is super happy with it.

If you fell that every strand of hair must be covered then a kipa fall is not for you but if you wear hats with your hair hanging out then a kipa fall may be your answer.

I also personally find that kipa falls are a lot more tznius than the perfect sheitels I see. Sheitels are usually blown and curled and super sexy. Kipa falls usually look like your hair on a regular day. They are a lot less glamorous.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. If i can make3 the mitzvah of kisui rosh more enjoyable for anyone it will be my greatest pleasure.

All the best,

Arielle AKA Bargain Jewess

After I first got married I covered my hair with a full sheitel. After six months of headaches, discomfort, and felling unattractive I stopped covering my hair and although the guilt made me struggle with it I knew I couldn’t go back to a regular sheitel. This Yom kippur I began covering my hair again with hats and bandanas and scarves. I hated though looking different, I missed having hair.

I started looking into alternate options and found out about the kipa/yarmulke fall. This literally saved my hair covering. I cannot explain how comfortable the kipa fall is. Although it may not be the answer for everyone it certainly was the answer for me. I can now cover my hair and feel like me doing it. Kipa falls can be made by many sheitel machers from a regular fall or sheitel. This is the least expensive option. They are also sold by many wig salons including Designs by Flora, Qourum Salon, Yali’s, Claire Accuhair, and Dov Salon among others. For more info feel free to post away.

Bargain Jewess

I’ve struggled on and off with problem skin since my teenage years. Although my occasional pimples have never been severe, no amount of dermatologists, injections, antibiotics, or even the so called miracle proactive worked for me. What has worked for me is a daily consistent regimen, and it can work for you too if you stick to it no matter how tired you are.

Since my skin is combination, oily-dry I exfoliate with a microdermabrasion scrub made by Rite Aid it’s the generic version of a ponds scrub. I wash my face once a day in the evening to remove dirt, and my makeup with Cetaphil. Dermatologists highly recommend this gentle moisturizing cleanser that works on all skin types. I use a Stridex alcohol free salicylic acid pad that exfoliates the skin as well as removes excess sebum and dirt that gets lodged in the pores. The alcohol free formulation prevents any over-drying of the skin, I do this twice a day. Then I put on a moisturizing salicylic acid cream made by Dermworx called Acneworx, although this has been disappearing from drugstore shelves, if any can find it let me know where you’re getting it because it’s fantastic.

I use All About Eyes by Clinique to treat and prevent dark circles, puffiness and lines. I use Superdefense anti-aging moisturizer by Clinique with SPF 25. This is oil free and makes putting on foundation smmoth and streak free. There is no place more important to protect than the skin of the face. A youthful face is a youthful appearance. Plus no one wants skin cancer.

This regimen will work for oily skin as well. The best regimen for those with dry skin is to use a cleanser like Cetaphil, without water. Rub it on your face to remove makeup and dirt than wipe off with a tissue or soft towel. Use a non-comedegenic thick moisturizer both Clinique and Christian Dior make excellent formulations. Use this daily

For those with normal skin lucky you. Wash your face once to twice a day and use a lightweight moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher and an eye cream to prevent darkness, lines, and wrinkles both AM and PM.

Here’s to clear, glowing skin.

XoXo

Bargain Jewess

I have been a bad girl and been neglecting my favorite people…my readers. I have been so busy with my new job at Lord and Taylor that I literally haven’t had time to blog. Stay tuned, a lot of content will be forthcoming, including exclusive interviews, product reviews and how to get the hottest looks without spending a lot of dough.

XoXo

Arielle AKA Bargain Jewess

We live in an Internet society. We all use Facebook, and Twitter, Gmail and Google. Most people search for jobs via Careerbuilder, or Monster or various other job websites and half the time their resume goes in the garbage. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Internet and think it’s great for so many things, but in today’s job market one must be inventive, and creative if you really want a job.

I was laid off a little over a month ago and was really starting to get itchy not having a job. My parents taught me that hard work is good for you and I hate to have nothing to do. ( I choose to ignore cleaning my house) I made up my mind that today I would indulge in the forgotten art of pounding the pavement. I called my dad and asked him where the big fashion companies resided. I ran to Kinko’s, printed out a bunch of resumes, and was on my way.

I stopped into the closest building and started searching around for the directory. The doorman saw me looking lost and asked if I needed help. I figured why not tell him my story and make a friend, worst he could do was nothing. Turned out making friends is always smart, because the doorman had the hookup of all the companies hiring. I basically now have a job plus two other potential jobs in the bag and I only hit one building.

If you feel like the Internet search is getting you nowhere, get off your butt, make a ton of resume copies and hit the places you want to work. People love go-getter’s and if you’re a charmer all the better. Learn the art of talking to random strangers, people are frequently nicer than you think especially in this city with the unfriendly reputation.

Don’t get discouraged if they just take your resume and then turn you away. Plenty of places just took my resume and sent me on my way but I kept going. Remember that you are fabulous and have everything to offer. It’s all in the attitude. Hope my words of advice inspire and give hope to those searching. I know how rough it can be.

XoXo

Arielle Aka BargainJewess

When I was growing up I yearned with a desire to be just like the boys in shul and be called up to read from the Torah. I yearned to feel that intense connection to God, that I so clearly did not feel sitting behind curtain number 1. I always felt a profound sense of loss that I could never participate fully in the minyan or make an actual contribution to Judaism other than raising Jewish children or baking challah.

In my bais yaakov upbringing I felt stifled by the de rigueur chumash, navi, and mishlei, things that were appropriate for girls to learn but never quite stimulating enough for me. I wished to learn gemara; to be treated as an equal. I would watch the men dance with the Torah on Simchas Torah and feel a profound sense of loss that it was not me. That I was merely relegated to sit and watch.

After I got married I suddenly discovered a whole network of Orthodox Jewish Feminists. Women who yearned for more. For the first time in my life I danced with a sefer torah, and I found out that there were people who would teach me gemara, or how to lane megilla, and suddenly the Judaism of my childhood seemed to have shifted to a Judaism that could with time be inclusive.

In my shul recently there has been a search for a new Rabbi. The biggest questions on many people’s minds are what role will women play? Will they be able to dance in the main sanctuary with a sefer torah? Will we have a yoetzet? Will there ever be a female shul president? Suddenly before my eyes the patriarchal Judaism is taking stock and realizing that women feel excluded and if they sit on their haunches and do nothing, the already small orthodox movement will grow smaller.

I attended the Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Dinner recently and at the panel discussion the question was raised “Is there a moral imperative to have orthodox female rabbis?” It’s a question that will shock many and while there are many more pressing issues on the table it is something to think about as the dynamics of our community change.

I was so excited the other night meeting the famous blogger Jewess, otherwise known as Rebecca Honig Friedman, who brought to light the whole Mt. Sinai Shul announcer controversy. I am inspired by women like my friend Orly Lieberman who is changing the way we view Taharat Hamishpacha and doing an amazing job educating kallot. I am inspired by female scholars like Sharon Weiss Greenberg, Miriam Segura Harrison, and Ruth Balinsky. These women sit and learn gemara in a beit Midrash just like men, something I never thought growing up could be a possibility.

I feel blessed to live in a community that takes women’s issues seriously and I hope in my lifetime that there might just be an orthodox female rabbi.

According to Malcom Gladwell in his bestselling book The Tipping Point, networking is the key to getting you a great job. Most of the people with the fabulous jobs got them through networking or so he says.

I have yet to prove Gladwell’s theory, but I do think that in today’s economic situation networking is an extremely important tool in finding opportunities and meeting the people who can steer you in the right direction.

You can find networking events in almost any field, let the Internet be your resource. A fabulous new networking event is called Parnasafest. They have had two events in New York, one last night, as well as one in Washington DC. They will also be hosting an event next week in Woodmere. Initially I went to Parnasafest to help my husband one of the founders, but I have found that it can be a great resource for me as well. In fact last night I made a great connection.

Although you might think these things are a waste of time, and sometimes they will be, overall these are tools to help you beyond the job search websites. Another way to put yourself out there is through the use of Social Media. Get yourself on Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook and start networking.

Linkedin is a strictly professional website that allows you to post your work experience, connect with colleagues and those you’ve done business with and you can also search for jobs.

Facebook started as a a tool for kids on college campuses to connect but has become a way for just about anyone to keep in touch with people they would otherwise have no contact with. Facebook is great for promoting your business or events and keeping in touch with those who may be able to help you in your job search.

Twitter is the most interesting of the bunch and probably the most lucrative. Sign up with a username and start tweeting about anything and everything. You can follow a lot of job websites and I happen to know people who have found jobs through twitter.

The most important thing is to put yourself out there. Don’t get discouraged if your resumes go unanswered and the future seems bleak, because somewhere out there is a fabulous job for you. I just know it.

Best of luck in the job search.

For more information check out the following websites:

Http://www.parnasafest.org

Http://www.Linkedin.com

Http://www.Facebook.com

Http://www.Twitter.com

XoXo

Arielle Aka BargainJewess