Letter from the founder
When October 7 happened, I saw so many people suddenly afraid to show their Judaism in public. Instead of rallying around a targeted community, the world reacted with a tidal wave of antisemitism. It was jarring and painful, and it made me realize how deeply we needed visible, proud, comforting Jewish representation.
There was also a clear gap. Jewish pride apparel often didn’t feel wearable or stylish, and people wanted something they could put on that made them feel safe, strong, and seen. That’s where our logo came from. Chai means life, the heart symbolizes love, and the cape represents strength. It started on kids’ tees because that felt like the gentlest place to begin. We put the design out into the world, and people immediately connected to it.
From there, everything grew. We began selling sweatshirts and sending baskets to families in Israel who were directly impacted by the attacks. As orders increased, so did the stories. Families of hostages and Nova survivors reached out to say that the baskets we hand delivered brought them comfort and reminded them they were not alone. We began shipping sweaters across the country and building grassroots momentum that I never expected.
The Bibas sweater was created in honor of the Bibas family. It was a bright orange symbol of solidarity, and every single dollar of profit went to support Yarden Bibas’s rehabilitation. Hundreds of orders came in within hours. We raised thirteen thousand dollars from inside my home. After Iran attacked Israel, we created the Bat Yam sweater and sent baskets to families whose homes were destroyed as they attempted to rebuild their lives.
Chai Vekayam started as therapy, a way to turn pain into purpose, and it has become a mission to create real impact for our community. Every piece we design and every project we support is rooted in the belief that Jewish life is sacred, enduring, and worth uplifting.
Thank you for being part of this family. May we continue wearing our Jewish pride with courage and strength.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Sonya