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Ask A Rabbi: Rabbi Yael Buechler on Midrash Manicures and Hanukkah-Themed Dresses

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December 14, 2019
Photo from Midrash Manicures’ Instagram.

Rabbi Yael Buechler is notably the lower-school rabbi at The Leffell School (formerly Schechter Westchester) in White Plains, New York. But Buechler has established quite a following around the world through Midrash Manicures.

Midrash Manicures combines Jewish education and creative nail art to make the Torah more meaningful to you. The brand’s Jewish nail decals and Hanukkah Leggings have been publicly commented upon by the likes of Jon Stewart and Barry Manilow. Commerce aside, Midrash Manicures develops curriculum for educators and educational workshops at synagogues, day schools, and summer camps.

I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Rabbi Yael Buechler herself on behalf of the Jewish Journal about her dual life as a rabbi and entrepreneur. Highlights from that interview are below for your reading pleasure.

Darren Paltrowitz: You are both a rabbi and an entrepreneur. Was it always the plan to be both?

Rabbi Yael Buechler: I’ve always wanted to be a rabbi, but the entrepreneur part sort of happened overnight. It started with a club I was running for middle school students, where we combined Torah study with nail art. The New York Times did a feature on the club, showcasing the ways in which it allowed students to merge creative expression with religious education. Suddenly, my inbox was flooded with requests to “buy” these designs. Manufacturing products and assigning UPC codes was not something I learned in my rabbinical training, but I caught on pretty quickly!

DP: Where did the idea to have Hanukkah-themed products come from? Was that long in the works? 

RYB: My very first line of products were Jewish nail decals for several holidays: the High Holidays, Hanukkah, and Passover — 10 plagues for 10 fingers! Since I was totally new to the field, I ordered an equal amount of each product. My Hanukkah nail decals quickly sold out, and I realized that there was so much room for growth in the Hanukkah market. I’ve since gone on to design Hanukkah leggings, dresses, socks, and scrunchies!

Fun fact: I sent Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg one of the Hanukkah scrunchies, and got a reply saying she was excited to wear it year-round! That was an incredible moment for me.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4lLi79FjAU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

DP: Do you have a favorite of your current products available? 

RYB: That would have to be my new argyle dreidel dress, because it was a huge labor of love. I had this idea for a print based on argyle, but with dreidels instead of diamonds. It took weeks to get the design exactly right, with the perfect proportions and colors. Once that was done, I knew I had to make something with it that I would actually wear and love.

So through several more rounds of trial and error, I created a super soft and lightweight sweater dress. Now that it’s finally complete, I’m thrilled with it, and I can’t wait to see it out in the world! I know I’ll be wearing it to every Hanukkah party, and I hope I see some other people doing the same.

DP: What is coming up for your brand in the coming months? Other holiday-themed goods? 

RYB: My hope is to expand the new dreidel argyle print to other products. So far, in addition to the dress, I’ve created socks that feature it, which are also adorable. But I just can’t get enough of the print! So over the next few months, I’ll be testing out the print on other products to see what works.

DP: What about with your congregation? Any special events? 

RYB: I am the Lower School Rabbi at The Leffell School in White Plains, New York. I enjoy bringing my creative energy and love for Torah to all of the students and families I work with. Now that winter is upon us, I’m counting down to the first snow day of the year, when we have the annual tradition of a “Challah-thon.” I send each family home with a packet of yeast and everyone bakes challah! Last year 155 families made challah in all shapes, colors, and sizes. It was an incredible day of virtual community building.

DP: What do you wish more people knew about life as a rabbi? 

RYB: Being a rabbi is fun and inspiring work that allows you to connect with people in times of joy and in times of need. For me personally, being a rabbi and an entrepreneur means I get to share my love for Jewish life and culture with individuals and communities across the world. I’ve received photos from people who spot my products in Judaica shops as far as Amsterdam or Israel, and it’s incredibly heartwarming to feel that sense of connection with the global Jewish community.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5q8szdFDzr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

DP: Do you have a favorite holiday? 

RYB: I really love Passover. Maybe it’s because I get a thrill doing some KonMari — a deep spring cleaning in advance of the holiday. But the holiday itself is an incredible time to spend with the family, and the seder offers a great opportunity to build meaningful, engaging interactions around Jewish ritual and history. For a number of years I painted the “modern 10 plagues” on my fingernails as a conversation-starter, which included global warming and low battery. I’ve since made them into a set of nail decals!

DP: On the Hanukkah end, how do you feel about Adam Sandler’s legendary “Hanukkah Song?” 

RYB: I love the pop-Hanukkah culture and pride that was generated by this song and subsequent Hanukkah songs. It’s amazing to see how far Hanukkah has come in the span of American Jewish history, and I can’t wait for the next big thing. In general, music is a huge part of my Jewish life.

I’m constantly creating Spotify playlists for different seasons and holidays, for my family and my students to enjoy. There are so many great Hanukkah-themed songs out there now that the Adam Sandler song didn’t even make my playlist this year—sorry Adam!

DP: Finally, any last words for the kids?

RYB: If you’re celebrating a holiday this year, find a way to make it your own through creative expression—whether it’s painting your nails, wearing a Hanukkah dress, or something else entirely!

More on Rabbi Yael Buechler’s products can be found here.

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