Since the highly successful Shabbos of Reflection, many people have become keenly aware of the importance of wearing reflector belts as a safety measure after dark. Since then, an increasing amount of Lakewood residents are being seen on the streets wearing a reflector.
“The Shabbos of Reflection was only the first step in an ongoing, community-wide reflective safety campaign”, says Yehuda Abraham – who launched the initiative with the Mayor, “to ensure everyone remains visible and safe as they are out at night and in low visibility conditions.”
“There was some constructive criticism as well and the comments were greatly appreciated”, Yehuda said, and listed the following.
1) Many mentioned that they were uncomfortable wearing ‘a non-yeshivishe’ yellow that was very visible on their dark clothing at all times.
2) There were some of larger girth who could not fit into the belts.
3) People were concerned that the standard, plastic reflector belts tear and come apart from their backing easily.
4) Others were uncomfortable to wear someone’s advertising.
“Pesach is fast approaching”, explained Yehuda. Many more people will be walking at night during the Yom Tov, including Lakewood residents and out-of-town guests who are not used to the low visibility and lack of efficient sidewalks in Lakewood and are at an even greater risk, chas v’sholom. We have come up with a source for a reflector belt that answers all of the above concerns and we hope that they will, b’ezras Hashem, provide a measure of safety for our families.”
Yehuda says they have partnered up with Dovid Hess of Shmirawear, founder of Luminosity International and an expert in creating pedestrian reflective safety products.
“Mr. Hess has agreed to provide us with belts made from a quality, durable material that is comfortable, looks good and can be easily adjusted to fit a child or a 500lb. individual. The belts have a retro-reflective strip that is visible from 1,200 feet. Since the belts are retro-reflective, they are visible only when a car’s light or any other light shines on them. Because of that, the belts can come in black, which blends in nicely with the ‘yeshivishe’ color, and in the standard yellow that still does not shine like the plastic variety.”
There are two styles of reflective belts (which may be worn on Shabbos: see psak from L’horos Nossan from Rav Nosson Gestetner), the standard belt which circles the waist only and the deluxe reflector (which Mr. Hess sells to the U.S. Army) which goes around the shoulder as well (pictured). Both styles are available in black and yellow and come with a free matching travel pouch.
“Mr. Hess is kindly making the reflectors available to the Lakewood community at a deeply discounted rate from their normal retail price. Many individuals have also come forward and offered to help sponsor the program. Their sponsorships will enable the price of the reflective belts to further be reduced by one dollar each. In this way, the price can be lowered for many who want to provide a measure of safety to their families rather than giving out only a few of them for free.”
Currently, the following stores have offered to sell the belts at no profit and to deduct the subsidized amount: Bagel Nosh, Pizza Plus, South Side Sandwich Shop, and His Place.
If you are interested in becoming an active sponsor of the Lakewood “Reflect and Protect” campaign or are a store or business willing to sell the reflectors at cost, please contact Yehuda Abraham at 732 364 2500 x5971. TLS.
How much are they ?
It is wonderful to see our community coming together like this. I already picked up my new “yeshivishe” blak reflector and bought 2 more for my parents who are coming for Pesach IY’H. The reflectors are very comfortable and very easy to adjust the size.
Just think of the K”H we will be making when all the frum yidden in town will be seen wearing reflectors. It is not only our safety and the safety of our children we need to think of, but we must remember that as we walk at night we are barely visibile to most drivers which puts them in a Makom Sakana too!
Thank you Mr. Abraham!!
$3.00 for the standard style, $3.75 for the deluxe style. For every dollar of sponsorship, we will lower the price of each reflector belt by that dollar.
A very important and valid question associated with wearing reflectors that we want to bring attention to is the following:
“Can a reflector be worn on Shabbos”?
We took this very issue into consideration when designing and producing our reflective belts and all of our ShmiraWear brand products. In fact, one of the main reasons we decided to design and produce ShmiraWear (we have brands that service the industrial, active wear and pet industries) was due to the many requests over the years from askanim within the Orthodox Jewish Community to address this very issue. We consulted with several leading Poskim every step of the way to ensure that the belts we produce are not only of the highest quality but that they can be worn on Shabbos, especially since statistically the majority of pedestrian injury and fatalities occur on Friday nights. In addition to the publicized teshuva from Rav Nosson Gestener, a separate Piskei Halacha regarding Reflectors on Shabbos signed by many well respected Rabbanim and Poskim including HaRav Shlomo Miller Shlita was recently published by the Lakewood Scoop and The Lakewood Shopper (page 135, March 3, 2012) and will be made available via the ShmiraWear website shortly.
One of the main goals we hope to accomplish through the “Reflect & Protect “campaign is to increase awareness not only about the serious dangers of walking at night and in low visibility conditions and how much wearing a reflector increases our visibility and safety (not to mention peace of mind); but to encourage and get everyone involved in any way possible. Asking these very important questions about reflectors with regards to Shabbos opens the door for discussion and leads us to clarity on this issue which will ultimately benefit all of us.
Wishing the residents of Lakewood and all of Klal Yisroel a Chag Kasher V’Sameach…May the Zechus of this campaign and all of the other amazing initiatives established by Acheinu Bnei Yisroel bring the Geula Shleima bekorov!!
Be Safe…Be Smart…Be Seen with ShmiraWear!
I would suggest that all drivers refuse to pick up at night any person not wearing a reflector
I would suggest picking up a pedestrian without a reflector nd explaining to them the importance of wearing them. Many younger bochorim do not drive and don’t realize how bad it is. A good idea would be to have some designated drivers that keep reflectors in their car and give them to bochorim and tell them the importance of using them.
Yehuda- thanks for your amazing work. U are saving lives every day.
Small idea- maybe get stores to put in with their regular ad’s a reminder to wear reflectors. There is no question that constant reminders will go a long way. . . Any store that would like your official logo should be able to download it and be encouraged to place it on their ad’s. . .
can the safety belts be purchased?
We’ve all seen the wonderful Gmach for Bekeshes in Shuls…wouldn’t it be worthwhile to also have one for safety belts? The idea could be further taken to lock boxes around the busy intersections in town.
Also, if not done yet, the Ishur office should distribute them to all Meshulachim picking up an Ishur…
Tizku LeMitzvos!!
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Product Features
Super Reflective! Easy to Wear! Comfortable & Soft Inner Lining!
Can be worn on wrist, arm, elbow, leg!
Extra Long! 1’x16′ Can be worn over heavy winter clothing!
360 Degree Visibility at 500 Ft! Rounded Edges for Safety!
Multiple applications including bikes, strollers, weelchairs and more!
Product Description
Reflective Snap Wrap bracelets are a fun safety item and can be used for kids or adults outside at night and in low visibility conditions. Easy to use, 1″ wide, 16″ long, can be worn on a wrist, arm, ankle, or leg. Long enough to be worn over a jacket and pants. They make a great gift item. Multiple applications include bikes, strollers, and more. Sells in Silver, Yellow, Blue and Pink.
Reflective Mens Travel Raincoat various Sizes Buy new: $19.99 plus shipping
Reflective Boys Travel Raincoat various Sizes Buy new: $16.99
Reflective Girls Travel Raincoat various Sizes Buy new: $12.99
Reflective Womens Travel Raincoat various Sizes Buy new: $12.99
Sorry for the reference to Bekeshes in my earlier comment…I obviously meant to write about the Gartel Gmach that is run by an individual involved in several Gmachim. Tizku LeMitzvos.