Introducing… Channah! Channah is an amazing Wrapunzelista whose passion for wrapping shines through every conversation and photo. We hope you enjoy her story as much as we did! 

Hey! I’m Channah and I’m a Jewish woman. I truly believe I will never “grow up.” I love being a child. I love playing games and having the freedom of fun and laughter that being a child gives me. Anything, from kicking a soccer ball around with my kids or having a water balloon fight to fingerpainting or making macaroni necklaces. I love being young at heart. The innocence of a child is so amazingly beautiful.

I was raised in a home where religion was not a thing we did. One thing I always knew, there is Someone up There and I want to know Him. I have always leaned more toward my Jewish heritage and beliefs. No matter what I did, I never felt whole. I never had that “choir of angels” AHA! moment that I somehow knew existed, but wasn’t sure where to find it. I always found great comfort and advice from the Old Testament (Tanakh). I have joined other holidays as a respect to a friend’s family and way of life, but I always held strong to my line of feeling. I was more than blessed to find that Judaism was my missing piece. Covering my hair sealed the deal and filled that need to feel closer to Him.

When I made my first attempt, I thought I would start small with a mennonite-style veil. Especially because it was summer! I decided to wear it only during prayer. One day, I rolled my hair into a bun and neatly tucked it under a white veil that I had accidentally placed too far forward. It was then that I realized I needed to go big to go Home! After finding Wrapunzel (Andrea specifically) on YouTube giving a tutorial on a basic regal wrap, I have felt so empowered and full of life. I had finally reached the Light my heart and soul sought. I have been a wrap and Wrapunzel addict since, ha ha!

I was searching for new wrap ideas when I saw a video of Naomi Rose teaching her version of the Duchess Wrap, I think? Either way, she kept referring to Andrea’s tutorial. I watched both. I tried both. I failed at both. But, I fell deeply in love with whatever I did when I messed up with Andrea’s tutorial! The veiled look, the elegance and respect for self and G-d just radiated out of me. It is my favorite style to wear, the Duchess and the Regal wraps. As for my tichels, I don’t think I could name an absolute favorite. I can say my Wendy Beret volumizer is nothing short of my personality. I like to wear it up a little higher than most, so it gets heavy and hard to hold. My secret is to use a Wrapunzel velcro velvet headband (1 size down) and place half over the velvet on my shaper and the other at the edge of my hairline. It holds so perfect that I don’t need to tie my tichels too tight.

I frequent all sites Wrapunzel, of course. I love seeing so many beautiful and strong women and the art they have created on their heads for their own reasons. I do typically try to match my tichel with some part of my outfit, or contrast it with a flattering combo of colors. Some days I start with a scarf, some days I start with an article of clothing. No matter what, the mitzvah is sincere and is less vane than it is spiritually cleansing and gratifying.

I used to color my super curly hair a bright bold red, I loved it and it was me. But with a ponytail or bun. Always. I would spend the time and money on a hair color I loved, but hair I never felt comfortable showing off. After wrapping, I don’t feel “normal” if my head isn’t covered. I feel exposed and like I want to hide. Covering lets me want to be seen so I can share the Light within me.

To be proud of my heritage or my tichels, it is very easy for myself, but other people make it hard to walk through life feeling safe. The Jewish community where I live tend to stay to themselves, it’s rare to see a tichel and I’m often mistaken for a Muslim woman with a Hijab. I’m ok with that, Islam is a beautiful faith. There were times when my safety was in question and I realized the human wall that stood around me, as if to keep the unkind from getting near me. I have never felt community or humanity the way I have since wearing tichels.

The biggest lessons I have learned since starting my wrap journey are self respect and self love. I am of His image and I feel, for me, this is my honor to Him for giving me the blessings He has given. I can tell covering has made an impact in my sense of self worth by the responses I get from my community. Such praise for how beautiful my wraps are or how my walk has purpose and confidence. I have had amazingly beautiful women twice my age say they wished they had as much spirit as I have. I smile and tell them to smile, it will change their life. I offer words of kindness in return and go on my way. Strangers that would probably never speak to another stranger in public, if that isn’t His love and joy giving me a big hug then I don’t want to think it anything else!

If you are new to tichels, hijabs, or just covering for fashion- find a good scarf that feels comfortable in your hands. If you want to go full in, I would start with a Signature or Classic shaper and a headband. Get a nice soft cotton or cotton blend that is easy to work with and has some give, but not too much. Be prepared to find muscles in your arms you didn’t know were there. Most importantly, stay patient and stay with purpose. There is no right or wrong way, unless you are unhappy. Then its wrong. I am not at all a fan of the colors purple or blue. However, I have green eyes and I know purple makes my eyes really shine bright. So, when I really feel life and purpose and want to share it, I wear a purple tichel or combo with purple in it. I had a few friends say how great I look in blue, so I got blue tichels! My slate blue Cranberry tichel is one of my go-to scarves. My absolute go-to is a name I can’t remember. But if I’m running late or not feeling well, or even if I have to wrap quickly without a mirror, that was my first Wrapunzel tichel and I cannot imagine I would be this far if not for that one.

Each living being is beautiful in it’s own way. Grass, trees, bugs, people, dirt, etc. We all have a purpose and even when life feels like you’re failing, remember that you are not failing! You are learning and take from it the blessings it leaves you with. We are all unique and in our vast array of life on this Earth, it takes only one second to see the good and let it overtake the bad.

My favorite quote is one that I received as my first Wrapunzel inspiration card. I had tried my best to put this emotion into words, and there it was. “Kindness is not a random act, it’s a lifestyle.” How motivational is that!? I am hoping to do some tutorials for others to see, I think it will be interesting to watch because I seriously have no clue what to do! So, we shall see. For now, I have discovered I love selfies and have compiled some of my favorite shots and styles.

I will end this “brief” bio with my favorite tagline- Have an amazing day and don’t forget to wear your smile!