Las Vegas, NV – Walking around the CES showroom floor, there is one specific cultural group that stood out to me. A surprising number of Hassidic Jews seemed to be exhibiting and walking around the show.
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When I wondered about that out loud on Twitter, a variety of New Yorkers told your humble West Coast lifer, “Duh, that’s because of B&H.” Apparently, B&H Electronics was founded and continues to be run by Hassidim.
“Known as ‘Beards and Hats’ because of the many Hasidic Jews who work there, B&H has become an authentic New York experience,” the Associated Press wrote in 2006. “Shopping there is akin to ordering a pastrami on rye at Katz’s Delicatessen.”
The AP continued, “Ask how business is going and you get this: ‘Baruch Hashem,’ or ‘Blessed be God’ – meaning, roughly, ‘Thanks to God, things are good.'”
Like any successful company, some of its employees have gone on to found their own competitors and variations on the theme. So, now there are several electronics distributors run by Hassidic Jews that are here at CES.
I stopped to chat with Asher Shtesl, the CEO of one such company, Ideal Sales of Brooklyn, New York. They’re a classic middleman operation: they buy from the manufacturers and they sell to independent electronics stores. They’ve long focused on photographic equipment but have been expanding their reach into more general electronics. Shtesl said he’s built his business from a basement operation 10 years ago into a “multimillion dollar” enterprise now.
And how does being Hassidic impact the business? “People look at us as very honest people,” he offered.
Hey I love the title you gave this article.
Bunch of Hassidim 🙂
“And how does being Hassidic impact the business? “People look at us as very honest people,” (Shtesl) offered.”
That’s why we must be extra careful in our business dealings.
Re: And how does being Hassidic impact the business? “People look at us as very honest people,” he offered.
Yehi Ratzon that we always continue to fulfil “V’ahavta es Hashem Elokecha” she’yehay shem shomayim niskadesh al yadecha!
what does B and H stand for?
This was a pleasure to read, for a change a positive article. May we always be seen as honest people!
My daughter works at B&H!
What about all the temptations in LV?
Hey all you Israeli that say the frum people don’t work; stories like this just destroy
your lies but not your hatred for frum yidden