‘Inside’ Saperstein’s: A Monsey Purim Institution Marks 40 Years

By: Yitzy Fried 

Rabbi Yisroel Saperstein is the dynamic rov of Ohaiv Sholom in New Hempstead, and has had a career in rabbonus and teaching and learning for many decades—through which he continues to impact generations of young and old. 

But ‘Saperstein’s’, which he has founded together with Rebbetzin Raizelle Saperstein, has likewise impacted generations of Monsey residents and brought them so much joy over the years. These days, it continues to draw in second and third generations of children… whose parents nostalgically recall excitedly making their way to the garage on Hershel Terrace, where the Saperstein’s was established exactly forty years ago. 

Today, we take a look ‘Inside Saperstein’s. 

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Saperstein—who are today aided by their children and grandchildren at their large location on Route 59— hail from the Bronx and Manhattan respectively, and settled in the Monsey area in the old days. 

“In my youth, I spent time in places where Purim was not celebrated with the complete joy that it is today in many places,” recalls Rabbi Saperstein. “And it is especially gratifying to be part of so many families’ Purim celebrations today.” His first exposure to a really joyful Purim was in 1972, when he was part of the Mirer Kollel in Flatbush. 

Arriving in Monsey in 1982, Rebbetzin Reizel began personalizing gifts. “The Rabbi’s mother was a bookkeeper for an importer… and so we got inside prices,” she recalls. They began in a garage at 8 Herschel Terrace, and from there they moved to the loft above the Shoe Barn, Main Street, near 59.

When the Atrium Plaza opened up, the Saperstein’s were the first tenants. And then moved to their current location on Route 59. But it was not a simple matter. “Hashem takes care of us… The owner, Wall Pavillion, did not want to rent to a two-month-a-year tenant. But our friend, Tuvia Rotberg, who was located in the property above this space for many years, put in a word for us… and we have been here ever since.  

“We think about Purim all year,” says Rebbetzin Saperstein about the efforts they put in to outfit their store with every conceivable Purim need, from costumes to ‘shtick’ (“only the safe and legal ones”).  I try to explain to the children that Purim is a time for joy for people, not a time to annoy people..  

Forty years after they founded the store, the Saperstein’s look back with nostalgia. “We have people who come to us today who tell us that they were customers back when we were in our garage, and now we’re bringing our children for costumes—so we have been a part of Monsey residents’ Purim celebrations for a very long time.”