Frequently Asked Questions
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Seminary Special

 

 

 

 


 

CONTACT US:

US:
917-657-4200
Israel:
02-537-0384
718-841-6561

email:
info@MinchasShlomo.org

 

  • What may I send in the box?
      
    Used clothing. Only used clothing. Nothing but used clothing! No shoes (used or new) allowed. These are the Israeli government rules, not ours.
       If you think it's unfair, please fight with them - not us.

  • Are diapers, tuna fish cans, games, patterns, fabric, ketchup, books, tapes, toys, dishes, or furniture, considered used clothing?
      
    DUH?!!!

  • Are linen, blankets, or towels considered clothing?
       If your name is Julius Caesar and you wear a sheet as a toga - and you can convince meches (backed up with pictures of course) that that's your normal attire,  
       be my guest to try it.

  • Are hats, gloves, accessories OK?
      Believe it or not, hats are not 'clothing' in the Hebrew dictionary. So one or two/box we can get away with (unlike shoes!). Gloves - OK. Accessories - nope.

  • Where can I get egg boxes?
      
    At most grocery stores. If your favorite grocer doesn't carry it, try another. We do not supply them.

  • Can I drop off garbage bags, suitcases, or shopping bags of clothing?
      
    No, ONLY egg boxes!

  • What size box is an 'egg-box'?
    12”x13.5”x24”

  • How heavy can the box be?
      
    There is no weight limit.

  • Do you pick up?
       No.

  • How much in advance may I drop off the boxes?
       ONLY on the date, time, & place stated. The warehouse is donated to us by a ba'al chessed only at those times. Any other times interferes in his day-to-day business.

  • To whom may I send the clothing to?
       1. You can donate the clothing to our organization. We will make sure it gets to poor people. The charge for that is $13/box. (Please, no stained or ripped clothing)
       2. You can send to your relatives/friends living in Israel. The charge for that is: Single box: $25.  Multiple boxes: $18/box.
       3. Or you can send to an existing clothing gemach. The charge for that is $18/box (multiple).
       4. Gemachim sending large quantities are entitled to a discount.

  • What kind of clothing is needed?
       Men's, women, and children. Winter & summer. Etc.

  • How should I mark the boxes?
       With a permanent marker, write the recipient's name and phone number on each box. No more than that. Do not attach a piece of paper with the information,
        as they tend to fall off in the handling of the boxes. If donating to us, please mark the box in at least 2 places 'GG' (for General Gemach).

  • Do I have to let you know in advance how many boxes I would like to ship?
        If you're shipping more than 5 boxes, yes. You can do that by either email (info@minchasshlomo.org), or by calling (917-657-4200) and leaving a message - stating your name, phone number, & how many boxes you would like to send. We will file your request, & only reply if we cannot except any more orders for space.

  • Should I seal the boxes?
       No. We will inspect the contents of each box to make sure that nothing treif is in them, then we will seal them before putting them in the container.
       PLEASE NOTE: Should we find anything illegal in any of your boxes (either in the US or in Israel), we will throw out ALL of your shipment.
       You are accepting that condition by shipping with us.
       If you're not fine with that - please, please send your items another way. We try our hardest to comply    with all US & Israeli laws. Please read very carefully 
       the shipping contract. If you get something treif past us, & we're caught - YOU will pay all additional fees incurred. That can reach up to $10,000.00! Think 
       twice before you make the wrong move. IT'S NOT WORTH IT!!!

  • How long does it take for the container to get to Israel?
    About a month. Exact dates, times, and ETAs is meaningless as there are too many variables. i.e.: day of the week the boat docks in Chaifa. Likewise its arrival at Ashdod. When meches decides to check the container, & when it decides to release it. Etc. (Please see 'UPDATE' page)

  • Where are the boxes to be picked up?
        In Yerushalayim. On Rechov Shamgar right past Rav Shefa (going downhill). Landmarks are: where the City Sheimas (Gniza) drop-off was located, right before the Belz traffic circle.

  • Is there a delivery service?
       Yes. For an additional fee, we can deliver in Yerushalayim. There are also vans that usually come by looking for business. We've seen two specific drivers that give reliable service: Uzi: 052-761-8189 or Chaim: 050-276-7434. Uzi lives in the Bnie Brak area making out-of-town deliveries a little cheaper. Remember - That's between you & them.

  • How will we know when the pick-up day & time is?
       You, the shipper do not have to know. The receiver will get a phone call about a day or two before (when we expect meches to release it) with instructions to call our office in Israel (phone #: 02-537-0384). A recording will instruct them when & where to pick up their boxes. If you like, you too may call that number.

  • What happens should the receiver not pick up their boxes?
       As the container is unloaded in a public area, it is the receiver's responsibility to pick up their boxes in the allotted time. After that, it will be deemed hefker 
       and left for anyone who wants it to take it. Please make the receiver aware that you are sending them the boxes (before we do). If a simcha is coming up at 
       the expected time, have an alternative receiver ready.

  • Do you have warehousing facilities in Israel?
       NO!

    Apology: As each container constitutes on the average over 100 Shippers, we CANNOT answer every call & email. (Three minutes with each caller equals... No, you're not the only one). This is a chessed operation, nobody is salaried, & time is limited!
                PLEASE, read all the instructions, rules, times, & dates.
    AFTER reading, if you still have a question then we will be happy to take your call/email.

 

Seminary Special:

For first time students not yet in Israel, we will store your boxes until your arrival.
Must be picked up by:
          Yeshiva Bocharim: 3 Elul
           Seminary  Girls :   Sept 1

Price: $25 per box.    Delivery: additional $10/box
More than 20 boxes delivered to same address Yeshiva/Sem: $30/box