Photo: Noa Morgenshtern

Shop manager Giora Fried, ESRA CEO Sunny Marshansky, Shlomit Zeldman,
ESRA Vice-Chair Glenis Bertfield, Stuart Miller, Stephen Jacobs,
Lawrence Bertfield, Mayor Chaim Broide and ESRA Chair Terry Morris

ESRA runs two shops in Raanana – ESRA Nearly-New Shop for the community, selling all manner of collectibles, clothing, and more, and ESRAbooks, the secondhand English bookshop. The big news is—one has been redesigned and the other has relocated!

ESRA Nearly-New Shop for the community

100 Ahuza Street (access from HaNegev St.) Tel: 09-741 2631

For 20 years, this shop has been selling everything from housewares to clothing, nicknacks to records, and, well, you never know what treasures you might find! For the past 12 years, the shop has been managed with love and dedication by Giora Fried, who agreed it was time for an overhaul.

Interior designer Shlomit Zeldman volunteered her considerable professional talents to give the shop a newly organized, bright and spacious look, inviting one in to browse all the clearly displayed wares.

Along with its new look, the shop has taken on a new mission – support for special needs people. The ESRA office approached Raanana Municipality's Welfare Department, which put them in touch with Beit Eckstein, a home for people with special needs. The result is that ESRA Nearly-New Shop is now employing residents of Beit Eckstein, helping them integrate into the workforce and making the shop truly an example of giving and goodwill.

A re-opening event was held on July 7, attended by about 100 people, including Raanana Mayor, Chaim Broide, who expressed his appreciation for all that ESRA is doing in Raanana. He gave us his full support and indicated that his door is always open for continued cooperation with ESRA.

All proceeds of the shop go toward supporting ESRA's Education and Welfare Projects.

“Printed books are magical and bookshops keep the magic alive.”
Jen Campbell

ESRAbooks – Secondhand English Bookshop

88 Ahuza Street, inside the mall. Tel: 09-748 0541

Previously tucked away inside Beit Fisher, with less than easy access, the bookshop has now been relocated to Raanana's high street - Ahuza. Now bright and airy, the bookshop offers a wealth of authors and best sellers, fiction and non-fiction, and every genre, as well as children’s books and a Hebrew section. And at an average of NIS 10, the prices are silly!

“There is nothing like holding a book to read. We hope our new premises will bring in readers from all walks of life to find their next great read and help support our projects.”

Esther Rabinowitz, bookshop volunteer for 18 years 

The bookshop, which has been adopted by the ESRA Raanana branch, is run by a team of dedicated volunteers, and they're looking to increase their numbers. So, if you want to join a friendly team, and you love being surrounded by books, give us a call. And of course, all proceeds from the bookshop go to support ESRA's education and welfare projects for the community.

Watch this space for special activities the bookshop team will be planning!