Entrepreneur Uses High-Tech to Craft the Perfect Kapota

After a disappointing experience, Meyer Ebert set out to discover: what makes a quality kapota? A year later, he is back with the surprising answer, and a high-tech solution to a common kapota shopping problem.

By Mrs. Bracha Slavaticki

It was the first eve of Pesach, and Meyer Ebert was preparing to go to shul in Crown Heights, where he was spending yom tov with family. As he took his kapota from its hanger, he noticed something alarming: the brand new kapota was already beginning to fray. Meyer felt a stab of disappointment and frustration. How many times had he been told that a silk kapota is expensive, but it’s an investment? 

‘Lousy investment,’ Meyer thought to himself. ‘There must be a better way.’ He decided then that his next kapota would not be purchased; it would be made through his own efforts with the highest quality fabric he could find. 

As soon as yom tov ended, Meyer began researching and reaching out to manufacturers, determined to learn all there was to know about silk and how to make a long-lasting garment. What he learned surprised him. 

“We think of silk as a fragile material, but it’s actually very durable,” Meyer told anash.org. “Most silk garments today are fragile because they are made out of bits of the material. High-quality silk is made using entire threads woven by silkworms, which can stretch a mile long and are surprisingly strong. 

“It’s an expensive process to unwrap that thread in order to use it, but the result is an incredibly light, breathable and sturdy fabric. As far as I know, no one ever made kapotas using this kind of silk before.” 

It took several months of research for Meyer to find the right fabric for his kapota: breathable, long-lasting, not too shiny – it had to be exact! He soon learned there was another benefit to working directly with a silk manufacturer: a dramatically lower price tag. He could source the highest quality fabric without breaking the bank. 

Now came another hurdle: finding the right factory for production. “I reached out to dozens of companies and checked carefully into each one,” Meyer said. “After putting in so much work to create the perfect kapota, I had decided that I wanted to start a business that would allow others to benefit from my work. Many manufacturers want you to order 100 units at a time; I wanted my kapotas to be custom-made to fit each client.” 

Over the summer, Meyer had several factories produce samples which he then tested in various ways. One of his experiments involved a lint shaver, and the results were astounding. “I turned it on and began running it over the kapota, applying more and more pressure, but nothing was happening!” Meyer said. “It took many minutes of vigorous scrubbing before the fabric finally showed its first sign of wear.” 

By a month before Rosh Hashanah, Meyer was ready to take orders. He began advertising locally to the Chicago community, selling at cost price with the goal of building up his reputation. It worked! Soon, word got out that with Malchus Clothiers, one could get a beautiful and breathable kapota made from quality silk – a true luxury item, but at an affordable price. 

“My kapota looks beautiful; it came out exactly as I wanted it to!” said Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf, dean of Cheder Lubavitch of Chicago. “Meyer does a great job, and he’s a pleasure to deal with.” 

That Tishrei, members of Chicago anash showed up to shul dressed in their beautifully crafted custom kapotas, each with their names elegantly embroidered inside. Malchus Clothiers – aptly named to reflect the brand’s dedication to quality, elegance and luxury – was now officially off the ground. 

“I encourage people to buy silk kapotas, because that’s what the Rebbe encouraged,” Meyer said. “Many people are afraid of silk because of their past experiences with uncomfortable, fragile kapotas. I really push people to give it another chance with Malchus; I know if they do, they’ll be amazed.” 

Still, some are determined to stick with wool, and Meyer takes his role of serving customers seriously. After conducting further research, he chose Australian Merino wool – the best in the industry – and added high end wool kapotas to the Malchus Clothiers collection. 

After a few months of selling locally, Meyer wanted to expand and offer this product to shluchim and anash around the world. He hoped to make it possible for people to buy remotely, to get a well-fitted kapota without having to travel and make appointments. He once again began doing research, and came across an app that allows users to take accurate measurements using their phone. 

He learned that due to the miracles of technology, the measurements taken via the app were even more accurate then those taken in person. There was one problem: the visuals used to teach users how to take pictures were not exactly tznius. 

“Buying a kapota should be a holy and wholesome experience,” Meyer said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a choson buying for the first time or a seasoned kapota wearer marrying off a grandchild. When we put on a kapota, we are representing our values as Chabad chassidim, and the process needs to reflect that.” 

Meyer began working with the company to recreate the app using pictures that he approved. “I had to invest a lot of money to create my own platform. It’s worth every penny not to compromise on this.” 

When asked about his vision for the future of Malchus Clothiers, Meyer knows exactly what his goals are. 

“One of my manufacturers also produces items for Zegna,” Meyer said. “Recently, he remarked that the lengths I go to to secure the highest quality fabrics surpass those of the iconic luxury brand. This was a clarifying moment for me; I’m not here to check boxes. The kapotas I create are the gold standard, and I won’t settle for anything less. 

“With time, customers will learn that whether they’re buying silk or wool, when they see a Malchus Clothiers tag they can be confident they are getting a beautiful, high-quality product that will last,” Meyer said.

To order a Malchus Kapota, visit MyKapota.com.

You can also text, call, or WhatsApp 312-394-0879.