Gemachim for baby gear — borrow instead of buy
A gemach (gemilut chasadim — a free community lending library for baby gear) lets you borrow baby and pregnancy equipment for free or against a refundable deposit — a great way to save hundreds or thousands of shekels.
What you can borrow
Baby equipment
Cribs, playpens, strollers, car seats, carriers, baby scales
Breast pumps & nursing
Manual and electric breast pumps, nebulisers, steamers
Birth kits
Ready-made kits with nappies, pads, creams, and postpartum comfort items
Maternity & baby clothing
Maternity wear, nursing clothes, infant and toddler clothing
Beds & furniture
Bassinets, playpens, and toddler transition beds
Medical equipment
Nebulisers, thermometers, monitors, equipment for premature babies and special needs
Where to find a gemach near you
Israel's largest gemach directory — search by category and area
127 branches nationwide; free loan of medical and baby equipment
Gemach and chesed-service directory by area (Hebrew/English)
English-language community directory with gemach listings across Israel
How to borrow — step by step
- 1Contact the gemach operator directly (by phone or WhatsApp) and explain what you need and for how long.
- 2Leave a refundable deposit — typically ₪100–500 depending on the item value — returned in full when the item comes back in good condition.
- 3Arrange pick-up or delivery. Some gemachim offer delivery for a small fee.
- 4Return the item clean and in good condition on the agreed date — and let them know in advance if you need an extension.
Most gemachim are run entirely by volunteers on a community basis — contact details, availability, and deposit amounts change frequently. Always verify directly with the gemach before relying on any listing. Often the best way to find one is through a local recommendation: neighbours, your synagogue, or a parents' WhatsApp group in your city.
Looking for more help? All tools for parents →