Kupat Hair Supplements - Christian twist to me

Gold Member Joined: Nov 14 2005 Posts: 1520

I read the Kupat Hair Yeshuos supplements that were included with the Bina magazine over yom tov. It was full of stories about how various people gave to this institution and then had "miracles" performed for them. The glossy brochure is put out by the organization itself. The whole taam of it was so off-putting to me. (If you give us money, you will see miracles hapen to you too, not a generalization that if you give tzedaka in general you MAY be zoche to see yeshuos.)
This idea that you can buy miracles davka by giving to kupat hair doesn't sound jewish to me.

What do you wise ladies have to say on the matter?

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4655

Although I am loathe to dissuade anyone from contributing to a worthwhile tzeddakah, I will tell you that I do NOT read the story supplement. I put away the enclosed envelope in our "tzeddakah envelope drawer" and discard the rest.

Executive Member Joined: Oct 12 2009 Posts: 311

I'm sure that it is a worthy tzedaka organization but I don't like when an organization tries to convince people to give their tzedaka exclusively to them! the point should be that people be helped not that a certain organization get the most money to give...

(a relative of mine had to be in the hospital for a few weeks recently due to an illness. her husband said that he would have enjoyed a room for jewish men to spend time learning/davening etc. the hospital even approved it but it did not come into being yet because different organizations were fighting over who gets to do it because by taking care of such a profit, they would get donations to be used in other areas. WHO CARES? The point is to help people!!!)

I also felt that way after the very first publication. I find it demeaning and don't like the flavor of it. Obviously, some smart PR guy suggested it, then a media company took it to the next step. We can't do anythign about it... but dump it. It's sad that tzedaka got to be a 'god, I need a miracle, like now, god, you hear me? I pity you if you dont help me now because it's this or chicken for shabbos"
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Gold Member Joined: Jul 09 2006 Posts: 1934

I really thought this had something to do with hair pieces. Sorry I'm too lazy to find that other thread about first impressions.

Diamond Member Joined: Oct 08 2009 Posts: 4018

I have not liked this from day one. I just throw it straight into the garbage bin.
Nor do I like stories of people giving money to all kinds of "so called Rabbis" or other gurus.
We can all see miracles from davening and doing all kinds of chesed, whether with money or our time.
The more good we do, the more good we get.
But this? Its demeaning on our intelligence, and is a broad waste of advertising money. I do not believe the stories, nor do I believe in the message or the way of getting money.
I send my money to whatever charities I think are deserving, based on what I wish to support.
I will not support a charity that pays who knows how many thousands of dollars for advertising.
I have so many people that I know of personally that dont know where their next meal is coming from.
I dont need organizations to go through.
I have BH seen many many miracles in my life, without ever contributing to this that or the other.
I see miracles every day! But I really have been witness to my own personal miracles.
And I think everyone has, if they care to see it that way.
Hashem takes care of all of us, personally. We are each only children to Hashem.
So, yes, please do give maaser if you are able to. Seek out good causes and GIVE! The money and the miracles will all flow back to you, its like throwing pebbles into the water.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 01 2005 Posts: 16898

last year, I was going through a bad pelvic postpartum infection. I had a drain and it was driving me crazy. the night before I was to go in for a CAT scan to see if the drain could be removed, I was so nervous. I called and donated to Kupas HaIr and had all these visions of the cat scan going well and my drain being removed and my story being in the next supplement. well the next day, the cat scan was met with one insane snag after the other. bottom line, there was still fluid left in my pelvis and I came home with the drain.

they dont write their non success stories in the brochures...
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Executive Member Joined: Oct 12 2009 Posts: 311

Diamond Member Joined: Oct 08 2009 Posts: 4018

Well Mama Bear, maybe we could print up your story along with a few dozen others, and ask Binah to print that! I am sure you are not the only one....but the whole concept is so wrong.
No one can guarantee a miracle for another. Miracles can and do happen, but maybe what happened to you was also a miracle in disguise. We can never tell for sure what is a miracle. Sometimes later we see that all was for the best, sometimes we never see it. You have had your share of miracles, how many do you think we are entitled to? I think Hashem is so good to us that we are petulant and audacious to expect more and more, like small children that we all are.....

Silver Member Joined: Oct 03 2005 Posts: 542

I've thought for a long time that the KH ads are way to glossy and slick to be produced by an organization that is desperate for money. They should put in their ads if they have someone donated the production, printing, etc. Personally I donate locally, IOW shuls, Tomchei Shabbos here, exc for like Child Life Society (cystic fibrosis).

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 3591

Aaahhhh....the do-this-mitzvah-and-your-life-will-be-perfect branch of Judaism.

We should give tzedakah because we know that people need help, because we should be grateful to Hashem that we have even a little more than what we need and because it's a mitzvah to do so.

It's not a magic trick to get an immediate return on your money. Yes, I know it says "Tzedakah Tatzil Mimavet" and "Tshuva, Tfila and Tzedakah Maavirim et Roa Hagzreia" but that doesn't mean put your money in today and have all your tefilot answered the way you want tomorrow.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 01 2005 Posts: 16898

when I see this title I wonder why someone needs supplements for their hair?

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

I don't know how I feel.

Whenver I can't find something I try to put money in r' mayer baal haness tzedaka box and say something and normally I find it. I've found some pretty crazy stuff that way.

I realize this thread is really hold, so I may not hear from the OP, but how is this a Christian twist, vs not a Jewish twist?