For those doing taxes

Please read Choosing an Accountant article at Orthonomics

Declining dollar and the Israeli Hareidim

The Jewish Worker posts two articles:

The declining dollar and the Charedi world and

The Gedolim say the dollar is worth 4 shekels.

Definitely worth a read.

Orthonomics post on day schools

Sephardilady posts an article about the conditions that teachers face teaching in Jewish day schools. Her main point is that the behavior of students in day schools is inferior to behavior of students in public schools, even in the tough neighborhoods. This is something to think about...

Also, read the comments, people speak from experience there.

Living Inspired....

Everyone who knows me knows that I hate inspirational stories. I see them as full of holes, with mismatched evidence etc. Maybe it is because of the presenters, and the way they bring hearsay as truth, maybe it's something else. Anyways...

However, I do like inspirational stories. I like the ones that are told first person, (relatively) easy to verify, and do not include "miracles", only coincidences that inspire. Here's one from one of my favorite bloggers, Jameel at the Muqata. Enjoy.

JPost article: The next looming demographic disaster

Here's an article from Amnon Rubinstein, former Meretz MK (so judge accordingly), titled "The next looming demographic disaster." In the article, he mainly argues against the restoration of child benefit payments to the pre-Netanyahu levels. Though I agree with him in that regard, I agree with him for a different reason. Namely, not for the effects of the decreased birthrates after Netanyahu cut the benefets, but for the promotion of the market economy in Israel and move away from the socialist economy.

What I want to bring to attention is the following. Rubinstein says that with the higher birthrate among Hareidim and Arabs, compared to the rest of Israeli population, by 2025, there'll be a higher percentage of people on welfare (namely, Hareidim and Arabs), and lower percentage of people who are supporting those on welfare, regardless of child payment legislation. Even though he writes that restoring the previous levels of child support "may alleviate distress in the short term among large, low-income families, it means a future of growing poverty and recession for Israel's economy", I don't see how the same scenario would not apply in a slightly longer term if the child support payments do not increase.


Thus, what will happen 20 years from now? The answer is unclear, however, I don't think that current situation will remain at status quo.

How Did Jewish Women Know When To Light Shabbat Candles in the 18th C.?

With a hat tip to Mississippi Fred MacDowell, I'd like to point your attention to Lion of Zion's article of
How Did Jewish Women Know When To Light Shabbat Candles in the 18th C.?

Keep this article in mind when deciding whether to hold 18 or 20 minutes before sundown for candlelighting

Please check out Orthonomics

Orthonomics is a blog I discovered about a year or two ago. The author of the blog, Sephardi Lady, is an accountant, she writes excellent articles about surviving financially while living a Jewish Orthodox lifestyle. Topics range around taxes, money management, tuition, etc. I advise everyone to subscribe to her blog (the way you can do it is via google reader or bloglines). Also, check out the comments on the blog, they're excellent as well.

Burkas and the authenticity of Judaism

Adderabbi posted an interesting entry today. Please read and tell me if he has holes in his reasoning.

Olomeinu and Handel Ehrlekh

Are professors the "Best of Our Society"? Find out in the Olomeinu posted by S.
Don't forget to compare it to the Chick tract linked to in that blog.


On the same page, check out the link to Blog in Dm's Handel Ehrlekh post - hillarious, though pathetic, if you really think about it.