It’s that time of year – when the sun starts setting in the late afternoon and it gets dark outside by 5:00 pm.
For Yidden walking home at night on Shabbos – whether from shul or from a meal – it means we must exercise extra caution. Walking in the dark, especially if wearing black clothing, can be life-threatening, if not taken seriously – as pedestrians may not be visible to oncoming traffic.
To address this important issue, the Orthodox Union’s Department of Community Projects & Partnerships has been providing reflective belts free of charge since 2018 to all shuls that request them. The reflective yellow belts, which can be worn over coats, provide enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.
This potentially life-saving initiative is generously sponsored by Drs. Evelyn and Larry Kraut of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, as an expression of hakarat hatov (gratitude) for Larry’s recovery from a serious motor vehicle accident as a pedestrian while he was walking home from shul on a Friday night in 2018.
Please let me know if you’d like to speak with Rebbetzin Judi Steinig, Senior Director of the OU’s Department of Community Projects & Partnerships, to discuss the importance of the belts, and traffic safety best practices for pedestrians. Shul representatives can order the reflective belts free of charge here.
They should give it to schools to give out to kids yeshivas going home afternoon late night off the school bus for when it’s dark outside
Wow. A belt with a hechsher
Unfortunately not a hechsher I hold from.
Are any “Heimish” Hashgachas giving these out?
i don’t stop at night for any hitcher without a reflective belt, if you can’t be a mench – considerate enough to make yourself safe and visible, don’t bother asking me for a ride
Should be used year-round. Not just now that it’s getting darker, earlier.
Great job ou
Now let’s see them being used….