JCC-WHI Maternity and Baby Item
Gemach/Free Lending Program
Gemach location: 666 West 188th Street, basement level


The JCC’s maternity and baby item gemach is operated by community volunteers. In the interest of being fair to all parties, and all involved in this mitzvah, we ask that you read and abide by the following rules and guidelines:

1) The gemach is only open by appointment, to both borrow and donate items. Please call the office to check which volunteer will be working in the gemach on the evening you wish to attend, and call that person at least 48 hours in advance.

2) Please be on time, as our volunteers have arranged their schedules to be available for your appointment. Please call the volunteer if you are running late, even by a few minutes.

3) Please be aware that, upon choosing items to borrow, you will be asked to:

• Complete a brief registration form and a waiver form.

• Leave a $20 check deposit. The deposit will be returned to you when all the items have been returned to us in good condition.

• Make a donation to help maintain this service. Any amount is appreciated. Donations can be made by cash, check, or credit card online at www.jccwhi.org

4) Please do not bring babies or children with you to the appointment. For legal/safety reasons, they are not allowed to enter the gemach room.

5) We appreciate your donations of maternity clothing and baby items that are clean and in good working order. Please note that, for hygiene reasons, we do not accept baby clothing, bedding, soft toys, or books. We also cannot accept cribs or beds.

In addition to maternity clothes and related books, the baby items include:

• Car seats
• Booster seats/highchairs
• Strollers
• Pack n’ plays (portable cribs)
• Excer-saucers
• Large and small plastic toys
• Swings
• Slings/wraps (to wear/carry infants on your body)

B’shaa tova/mazal tov!