Fixer – Uppers

Next time something at home breaks, don’t ask a man to fix it. This is not just to avoid perpetuating tiresome stereotypes of helpless women, but because using tools is fun Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tener, co-authors of the book Dare to Repair (HarperCollins, $14.95) agree. So does Barbara Kavovit, who designs and markets a line of home improvement kits designed especially for women.

Dare to Repair is billed as a book for women who are tired of waiting for the men in their lives to fix what’s broken. And if the stereotype of the Jewish man as unable to relate to anything as three-dimensional as a toolbox holds true, they may wait forever. Kavovit’s 30-piece toolkit, complete with hardware, hex sets and hammer, comes in a kidney-shaped carrying case with a translucent blue cover.