Devorah Benjamin zips up her fatigues — a black hooded sweatshirt with “The Wedding Planner” embroidered in fluorescent pink across the back — and is ready for another day’s battle. Her army stands at the ready: musicians, photographers, florists, hair and makeup artists, and a team of middle-aged mothers who volunteer their nights to cook and donate food.
A Wedding Planner for All, Including Those in Need
Devorah Benjamin zips up her fatigues — a black hooded sweatshirt with “The Wedding Planner” embroidered in fluorescent pink across the back — and is ready for another day’s battle. Her army stands at the ready: musicians, photographers, florists, hair and makeup artists, and a team of middle-aged mothers who volunteer their nights to cook and donate food.
Their mission: to make weddings happen, even for couples who cannot afford them.
“I’m a part of everyone’s lives,” Ms. Benjamin said recently. “If you walk around Crown Heights and say my name, people know exactly who I am. I’m a household name.”
In Hasidic households in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, she is.
The Dutch-born Ms. Benjamin is the founder of Keren Simchas Chosson V’Kallah, a nonprofit organization that pays for and plans the weddings. The foundation’s nearly $500,000 annual budget comes entirely from donations collected at annual fund-raisers and charity drives, and via mailed-in checks.
Ms. Benjamin explained that in most Hasidic households, parents are traditionally expected to pay for their children’s weddings, which average about $20,000.
In a community where families typically have many children, make do on one income and send their children to private religious schools, weddings can present intimidating financial obstacles. Still, the resourceful Ms. Benjamin decides to operate quietly, never divulging exactly what she donates to each couple.
“I tell the couples to pay for what they can, and I’ll do the rest,” said Ms. Benjamin.
Ms. Benjamin said her organization thrives because of the emphasis on charity among ultra-Orthodox Jews, though donations come in from non-Jews as well. It is not uncommon to receive anonymous checks in the mail for $1,000, she said.
“It all runs on miracles and miracles and love,” she said.
A fan
A most amazing and resourceful tzadekes within our community. Go Devorah m’chayil el chayil.
A fan M/cr UK
D BENJAMIN
IS AMAZING
FRG (ex mancunian)
Devorah is amazing
WHAT A ZECHUS YOU HAVE
A proud Kallah!
Go Devorah with all your incredible work! Devorah has helped myself & my siblings!!
We are soo lucky!
Crown Heights is blessed with an incredible woman- DEVORAH BENJAMIN!!! Thank you Hashem!!!
Gold Family
Devorah was born in Brussels, not Holland, but was raised in Manchester England. Carry on with your wonderful work, may Hashem give you strengh to help make many many more weddings. Thank you Crown Height community and every one from far and near who helps support Keren Simchas Chossen V’kallah you all have a share in this Mitzvah. Shmuel,Mushky and Yoseph thanks for being such a good husband and children, your continual support enables Devorah to do her Chassed work.
We Are So Proud!
These are the real ‘Crown Heightsers’ that never get proper attention, if we would all pay attention to what Mrs. Benjamin and all the others like her (and there are many) we would see how beautiful our community really is!
what a zchus!
I am in tears!!
Very impressed
My husband got a phone call one day requesting his assistance for a Chosson who is a yosum and needs help with his wedding. My husband called a number of organizations in the community but was EXTREMELY impressed by Devorah Benjamin. She took that extra step and not only was she willing on helping but she herself came to deliver a gift for the kallah. Keren Simchas Chosson V’Kallah is an amazing organization which is worthy of every donation it receives. Much Hatzlocha, keep up the GREAT work.
toby lieder
devorah you are one of the most kindest awesome ladies i know ever!
keep up the good work!
you are a shining example of chesed!
i love you!
Just Amazing!!!!!
No where else in the world is there a woman like you and no where else in the world is there a hachnasat kallah like yours!!! May you and the chesed in this community be a light for everyone and bring moshiach NOW!!!!!
Shulamit
I haven’t forgotten how you helped us with our daughter’s wedding.We are forever grateful to you.
ur lucky
Devorah Benjaman
wow what a great lady you are!!! you are like no other women
you only care for others ! much hazlacha, continue all that you do hashem will repay you !
just wait until you see your spot in gan eden. I’m sure its on a very high level and full of light
u are very lucky
RRLV
Amazing woman….what a z’chus. I don’t know you, but you make me even more proud to be a Jewish woman.
Miami
Ok whats the deal with carrying the chair 4 blocks???
Nobody has a car?
Devorah way to go to a millions weddings…….
We need more like her!
Not only is Devorah so special because of all the weddings she helps make, but because she has an amazing personality. She gives of her time and energy for free. I have never heard her complain about or criticize others. She is always freindly and with a smile. She is not judgemental and like she said in the video, will do whatever it takes to get things done – even if she has to do it all alone!
More discrete would be more respectful
Devora Benjamin and her husband Rabbi Benjamin are fabulous individuals that have assisted hundreds or probably thousands of couples and their families. May Hashem give her the strength to continue the great work.
A little more discrete would be appreciated by those she helps out. I have seen a few times how she is very visible and NOT everyone is comfortable that everyone knows Devora Benjamin did their chassunah. She would have the same Mitzva and even more if others don’t know she is behind this wedding etc.
This is all meant to be constructive criticism as I’ve heard it first hand from a chosson. May everyone have B’Harchava and not need to come onto someone else for assistance.
you helped us:)
your work is amazing and we dont know how people would manage with out you! were so lucky to have someone like you in our community!!!
A grateful mother of the kallah
Devorah was a great wedding planner for our daughter’s wedding. She took care of all the details and with a continuous smile on her face. Not only should we all support her organization, but those who can afford to hire a wedding planner should be sure to give Devorah a call and help her with her own parnassah.
CG (692)
I love you Devora!! You gave me a good laugh carrying the Kalla chair through the streets!! You literally use your head and your heart!!! May Hashem bensch you with kol Tuv B’Gu”R!!
Chaya Morozow
Devorah, I can never say thank you enough for all that you did for me and for my sister (and I don’t think you will forget us!)
chana grossman israel
i understand what no 17 wrote but point no1 devorah also does wedding planning for people who can afford it so no 1 has to jump to conclusions thats its from kscv im sure devorah does not make you feel like your getting tzedoka also how many people would give up there time day in day out to accompolish what devorah does you no what i could nt bh devorah was brought up by great parnets in manchester who help people in there own quiet way credit should be given we were all installed to good deeds in a modest way eg do what needs doing dont wait for someone else to do it im proud to say my sister is devorah benjamin youve acheived a lot were proud of you ignore people who complain continue your good work chana
chana grossman israel
i understand what no 17 wrote but point no1 devorah also does wedding planning for people who can afford it so no 1 has to jump to conclusions thats its from kscv im sure devorah does not make you feel like your getting tzedoka also how many people would give up there time day in day out to accompolish what devorah does you no what i could nt bh devorah was brought up by great parnets in manchester who help people in there own quiet way credit should be given we were all installed to good deeds in a modest way eg do what needs doing dont wait for someone else to do it im proud to say my sister is devorah benjamin youve acheived a lot were proud of you ignore people who complain continue your good work chana
Grateful
Extremely professional, she indeed is.
reply to 17
You say that the Chosson said that Devorah should be more discrete, then who should make sure that the wedding and everything invoveled with the wedding on the day make it happen. Getting the Khalloh to the Chuppah on time, making sure the Ychude room is ready, the family ready for photo’s ect!!!!!!!!and every thing else one needs to do If the Chosson did not want Devorah organizing on the day he should have said before hand. I wonder why he did not!!!
Nephew and Niece from Miami Beach
Deear, Auntie Devorah, we love you and are proud of you and cant wait to see you in “relaxation mode”!!!
keep giving the Rebbe much nachas and BIG mazel tov to Uncle Shmuel on his upcoming birthday!!! Only simchas!
Lots of Love
Zalmy and Baila Gold
So nice!
Kiddush Lubavitch!
Wow
What an inspiration!
name
go devorah benjamin !
She deserves the recognition
Devora Benjamin is amazing!!! No question about that. My question is, why do our wedding have to cost $20,000 and then some? Most of our families can not afford that but have no choice. That’s right, they have no choice. We live in CH or on shlichus and we do what is expected. We cannot make a backyard wedding or a wedding for 50 people. Something is wrong with our system. It would make so much more sense to give the young couple even half of that money. I have no solutions. Does anyone out there have any ideas besides don’t just follow the crowd, which is unrealistic?
F&HL
OH MA GAWD WE KNOW YOU, DEVORAH BENJAMIN!!!! WE HAVE SO MUCH SHOPPING!!! KEEP UP THE MAGNBIFICENT WORK YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!