Bizness Magazine July 2017

THE RESOURCE FOR THE ANGLO COMMUNITY

www.biznessmagazine.com JULY 2017

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T H E

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M A G A Z I N E

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Contents 04

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HOME

Home

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11-26

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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SIMCHAS

Health & Wellness

DINING & RECREATION

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27-36

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REAL ESTATE

Simchas

37-44

Dovid Ellis Appliance Specialist

Dr. Sara Genstil PhD Psychologist

Darrell Mordecai Caricature Artist

Renovating & Maintaining Your Home

Family Matters: Shalom Bayit and Fertility

Beyond a Thousand Words

EXPERT

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EXPERT

Shimon Cohen Egert Cohen Insurance

Eliyahu Gherman DDS Rechavia Dental

Summertime Insurance

Quick Braces

EXPERT

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EXPERT

All About Project Management 16 Miles Hartog architect

Yonatan Sapir M.Sc. Psychotherapist

The Mother of all Arts and Father of all Sciences 18-19

Building Lasting Bonds

TRIVIA

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READ &WIN OVER EXCITING PRIZES bowling games, restaurant vouchers, entertainment

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Dining & Recreation

Real Estate

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55-60

Rabbi Dr. Moshe Rothschild Mayanei Hayeshua

Michael Decker Cohen, Decker, Pex & Brosh Law Office

Dr. Rothschild’s House of Healing 28-29

Get Your Rental Contract Right EXPERT

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EXPERT

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THE REVOLUTIONARY DIET THAT’S CHANGING LIVES

Yummy Diet

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The Whole Megilla

Finance Education

YEHOSHUA LEVINSON MIRACULOUS RECOVERY

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I Scream, You Scream

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45-54

Ice Story Gil Zaguri

You Don’t Have to Be a Victim EXPERT

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Mrs. Shaindel Cohen Social Skills Specialist

Avi Pave Construction Project Manager

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Automobiles

08-09 EXPERT

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Letter from the Editor

EDITOR IN CHIEF CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGING EDITOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

PRODUCTION TEAM

Ariel Topf Yisroel Meir Simon Aviva Sapir Binyamin Simon Gidon Ben Tzvi Gila Block Elisheva Brody Renee Glickstein Yael Khan Estie Lindner Esther Grodzinski

CHIEF DESIGNER

Matt Mildinovick

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Shoshana Lepon Daniella Levy Batya Shevach Heidi Tapnack

HOW TO REACH US

Happy Birthday Bizness Magazine!!!

Advertising 02-999-3939 info@biznessmag.com

Bizness Magazine is published by Bizness Magazine Ltd. Bizness Magazine considers its sources reliable. However, reporting inaccuracies can occur, consequently readers using this information do so at their own risk. Editorial content, articles and interviews may be paid advertising. Bizness Magazine does not endorse or recommend any products or professionals. Although persons and companies mentioned herein are believed to be reputable, neither Bizness Magazine or its publisher, parent company, nor any of its employees, sales executives or contributors accept any responsibility whatsoever for their activities. We reserve the right to publish in whole or in part all letters received by us. All letters, sent to Bizness Magazine will be considered the property of the Magazine. All remarks, suggestions, ideas, creative concepts, graphics, or other information communicated through this publication or otherwise sent to its publisher (together the ‘Submission’) will forever be the exclusive property of Bizness Magazine., who will not be required to treat the Submission as confidential, and will not be liable for any use or disclosure of the Submission, and need not provide any compensation or acknowledgement for the Submission. Under no circumstances shall Bizness Magazine, or its affiliates, subsidiaries, or related companies and web sites, be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, but not limited to direct, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages), harm, or injury that relate to, arise out of, or result from the use of, or access to, or the inability to use, any of the materials of this publication. Bizness Magazine is printed in Israel and all rights are reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher

It’s hard to believe we’re entering our seventh year! With incredible milestones reached through 2017, Bizness Magazine possibly has the highest readership of all English magazines in Israel!

Some of our most significant developments over the year include the creation of our annual guide division with the launch of our first guide: SIMCHAS 2017. The high-quality printed edition and professional website (www.simchas.biz) have had phenomenal success. Within the pages of the guide are articles that inspire, help with planning, and even offer ready-made checklists.

Coming soon is HOME 2017, the first ever English guide of its kind in Israel. Bringing contemporary style and top professional quality, HOME 2017 is everything you need to know about designing, building, furnishing or renovating a home.

The tremendous feedback we received from our readers, writers and advertisers has motivated us to make a major investment in the overall presentation and informational content of the magazine. We have redesigned the entire look and layout of the magazine, including the cover, logo, article layout, and design concept. Health and Wellness, Home, Simchas and Entertainment are a few new sections in our upgraded publication. The new layout is also designed to enable readers to easily navigate the content and find exactly what they’re looking for. Our geographical reach has also been expanded to almost double the effective reach in the Anglo community. Now Telzstone, Beitar, Efrat and additional Jerusalem neighborhoods including Baka, Katamon, Talbiye, Sorotzkin and Sanhedria, are within our distribution area.

We believe that making our content available in print and online presents a unique and effective platform for communities to get to know their local professionals and small business owners. In the international arena, Bizness Magazine is tunneling its way across the ocean to Jewish communities in America, Canada and England. We are making significant progress in New York markets and look forward to launching our Manhattan issue by the end of the summer.

Our goal is to continue providing our readers with a reliable, interesting and fun resource with information about our community, its people, its businesses and services.

Thanks to all of you for being part of our success.

Wishing you a safe, happy and productive summer.

Ariel Topf ariel@biznesssmag.com

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Finance I Accounting I Expert

The Glue That Binds

US Income, Estate Taxes and Passive Israeli Investors The US continues to see ever-increasing foreign investment in US companies and real estate funds that promise returns of 10-12% or more. But how does the US government view an Israeli (non-US citizen) who has invested in US assets? And how does owning real property differ from owning shares in a US company?

By Tal Ovadia CPA & Head of Israel Desk, Aprio (member of Morison KSI)

and Uri Holtzman CPA & Founding Partner of Rosenblum-Holtzman (member of Morison KSI)

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wo primary issues concern Israeli investors regarding US investment: income and assets.

Without proper tax advice, including an appropriate plan and structure for the investment and prudent filing of taxes, a passive Israeli (non-US citizen) investor could be taxed on gains and even incur interest or penalties.

While income and assets often come hand in hand, let’s address each of these separately.

What determines an individual’s tax status?

1) A resident alien is generally a non-US citizen who either holds a green card or has substantial presence in the US (“presence” has its own guidelines – not addressed here).

2) A non-resident alien is generally a nonUS citizen who does not meet either of the

conditions above.

3) Dual citizens may be eligible for special treaty rules. (This article does not address this classification; to hear more about dual citizenship kindly contact us.)

How is my taxable income determined?

First determine how your US income is classified. Interest and dividends, capital gains (e.g. stock appreciation) and income from real property (rent from an apartment) are all treated differently.

An Israeli (non-resident alien) owner of stock in a US company is generally not liable for capital gains taxes (although he may owe capital gains tax in Israel). However, the US-Israel tax treaty demands from the

If an Israeli investor holds more than $60,000 in US assets at the time of their death, the entire amount in excess of $60,000 is subject to estate taxes at approximately 40% of the asset value!

same investor a rate of 25% on interest and dividends. The IRS requires that taxes be withheld by the US entity that is responsible for paying the interest or dividends to an Israeli investor.

In this instance, an Israeli investor is not obligated to actively pay any tax, and, as long as they receive the appropriate Form (1042S) from their investment vehicle (the entity paying their income in the US), are not obligated to file. If your investment fits this description, discuss it with your tax professional to ensure that your investment vehicle is properly withholding taxes at appropriate rates (30% in 2016). These withheld taxes could serve as a credit against Israeli taxes on similar income sources.

If an Israeli (non-resident alien) owns a share of a partnership that holds US real property (e.g. apartment building or shopping center), that investor is obligated not only to file Form 1040-NR, but also to make quarterly estimated tax payments based on estimated taxable income from the property. Unlike passive income paid out in the form of interest and dividends, ownership in income-generating property is viewed for tax purposes as an active trade or business and is subject to ordinary income tax at effective rates. Failure to file or remit taxes due could result in interest and penalties above existing taxes.

What happens when I want to sell a property?

Under IRC 1446, sale of a property requires the investment vehicle to withhold taxes at a rate of 39.6% on any proceeds considered ordinary income and 20% on those consid-

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Aprio is the 52nd largest independent accounting and business advisory firm in the US. With headquarters in Atlanta, GA, and offices in New York, Florida and Israel, Aprio serves clients in over 40 countries on US tax matters. RosenblumHoltzman, CPA and Aprio are members of Morison KSI.

Rosenblum Holtzman, CPA was founded in 1981. The firm provides a wide range of services to corporations, kibbutzim, nonproft organizations and private clients.

These services include auditing annual financial statements, representing clients before the tax authorities, tax planning, internal auditing, information systems, risk management, information security, financial consulting, Sarbanes Oxley implementation, and evaluating corporate governance. The firm has special expertise in forensic auditing and assisting in legal proceedings involving accounting and financial evaluations. With over 100 employees, Rosenblum Holtzman provides a top tier professional service, while simultaneously allowing clients to receive personal attention from the partners.

Rosenblum Holtzman CPAs can be reached at 03-609-20-20 or through their website www.rhcpa.co.il.

ered capital gains (for individuals). A foreign investor in such a property is obligated to file a US income tax return, which requires advance submission of an application for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

What should be taken into consideration with respect to estate taxes?

Income-producing, US real property comes with its own set of intricacies. Specifically, how is income from these assets treated and what liability does the value of these assets create for an investor’s estate after death?

That said, a bigger and perhaps lesser known concern for the average foreign investor, is what happens to the assets themselves after death. If an Israeli investor holds more

than $60,000 in US assets at the time of their death, the entire amount in excess of $60,000 is subject to estate taxes at approximately 40% of the asset value!

For example, if an Israeli investor owns $500,000 in US real estate at the time of their death, the investor’s Israeli heirs (assuming no US presence or citizenship) would only receive approximately $324,000 of the liquidated value. If that same investor died with $2,000,000 in US assets, only approximately $1,224,000 would be distributable from the estate.

How does an investor, trying to capitalize on the real estate market in the US, avoid giving nearly half of their portfolio away to the US government? Fortunately, there are

ways to protect investors. Strategies include corporate structuring of the investing party or creating additional entities that effectively block an investor from personally owning direct interest in the property. Depending on the value of the assets, certain trusts may also be used in estate planning to serve as protection from tax liability. These strategies are not one-size-fits-all and require both an understanding of an individuals’ personal situation as well as a thorough understanding of the US tax code and the US-Israel tax treaty.

Information in this article should not be misconstrued as tax advice.

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Education I Hi-Tech for Women

Life After Beis Yaakov A famous Pirkei Avos contemplates the reciprocal relationship of kemach (flour) and Torah. Between the lines is the understanding that women assume the role of “breadwinner” ipso facto the charedi community's high regard for full-time kollelnikim.

But before the establishment of an exclusive women’s college in Jerusalem six years ago, poor man’s bread was the only kind charedi families could afford to put on the table.

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revolutionary decision by Gedolei HaDor exactly one hundred years ago enabled the establishment of the first formalized system of Jewish education for girls and young Jewish women. When faced with the ever-increasing assimilation in Poland at the time, the Chofetz Chaim agreed to lift the ban on Torah study for women, and thus came into being the Bais Yaakov education system. Jewish women could now acquire the knowledge and skills they would need to earn a living through a diverse secular education within a framework that strictly maintained Torah, and more specifically, charedi values.

However, changes in the school system and in the entire Jewish world triggered a chain of events that spanned across continents and time, resulting in the poverty prevalent today in many charedi communities, especially in Israel.

When the Bais Yaakov seminary network made aliyah in the shadow of the Jewish Enlightenment, some of the original educational components didn’t make it onto the boat. To protect their communities from the assimilation that once again reared its ugly head and caused many Jews to shift away from Ultra-Orthodoxy, Israeli Bais Yaakov schools made little accommodations for secular values or curriculum. The trauma of the Haskala had left its mark.

Even today, a lack of a solid core curriculum and work experience are major barriers to entering the job market. This is further compounded by community ostracism of women who pursue a career outside of generally accepted occupations. Until recently, the subject was wholly taboo. Most women in the community have no awareness of the business or academic worlds, including social and cultural business language and norms, or appropriate conduct in a business environment. They

have no one with whom to network or consult.

“Bais Yaakov institutions are a mainstay of the entire charedi community,” says Dina Weiss, Founder and Principal of Tmura College. “But the system’s justified refusal to expose Bnos Yaakov to secular influences means that even today, most graduates of Bais Yaakov are looking at a future as blue collar workers or teaching for minimum wage at best. Even those who do find jobs in hi-tech aren’t able to advance beyond entry-level positions and are far behind their colleagues in terms of salary and opportunities for promotion.”

Tmura was founded to bridge cultural and educational gaps, and manage obstacles such as parental concerns, marriage, maternity leave and child care. It is the first college of its kind in the world and the only religious software engineering college for women, with the largest number of religious female software engineering students worldwide.

Through a strategic partnership with Azrieli College of Engineering, Tmura College has succeeded in bringing the sought-after B.Sc. in Software Engineering into the charedi com-

munity. This degree is recognized by the Council for Higher Education—an essential accreditation for career advancement. Azrieli College (formerly the Jerusalem College of Engineering) provides the academic content directly on the Tmura campus strategically located in Jerusalem’s Har Chotzvim hi-tech park.

“Tmura constitutes a major paradigm shift in charedi education,” continues Dina, clearly energized by what Tmura has achieved in such a short time. “We can and must work to empower women from the charedi community with the qualifications, skills and professional experience to ensure a promising career within a mandated religious and social environment and economic growth that can change the trajectory of their family’s life and inspire others in the community.”

COMMUNITY-MINDED ENTREPRENEUR This isn’t Dina Weiss’ first foray into a healthier charedi economy. With a B.Ed. in Computer Science and M.Ed. in Educational Management and Administration, Dina has a long

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history and acute sensitivity to the complex issues involved in training and advancing charedi women for employment in the hitech sector.

Her early initiatives included certified programs in conjunction with the Ministry of Commerce, and the establishment of Afik, the first charedi school to offer recognized diplomas in fields other than teaching. She pioneered manpower agencies to place groups of charedi women in established hi-tech companies such as Intel, Rafael and Israel Aircraft Industries; has fostered relationships with many private and government agencies such as Israel Police, Israel Aircraft, IBM and Cisco; and has also been instrumental in establishing a bagrut system adapted to the needs of the charedi community.

What makes Tmura College truly unique is its natural continuation of the Bais Yaakov system with unwavering adherence to its principles, together with a lechatchila pursuit of secular education. Suitability is determined by personal interviews and entrance exams and acceptance criteria give equal weight to both Torah lifestyle and values, and intellectual capacity and studiousness. Students must maintain a strict modest Beis Yaakov dress code and school uniform.

Most students are eligible for tuition scholarships, and the program schedule is designed to accommodate students who need to generate income while studying, as well as students who during the course of their studies marry and begin a family. Daycare services are available on the college campus and students raising a family can take advantage of individual tutoring and extra grants for food and other living expenses.

The four-year study program is designed to help every student gain technical skills as quickly as possible, with the first year of studies dedicated mainly to catching up on various subjects, such as English and Mathematics which form the basis for all study curricula. The academic year also continues with a summer program, offering students practical courses and internship experience.

The kodesh curriculum is comprised of a wide range of shiurim, with topics such as maintaining a Jewish home, through Halacha and Emunah, to Psychology and more. In addition, three lectures a week are given by leading rabbis and lecturers on topics such as juggling family and work, and spiritual challenges that lie in entering the labor market.

Several intensive seminars are held several times a year for spiritual reinforcement and personal growth.

In addition to the academic and kodesh cur-

ricula, Tmura students are required to take a Life Skills course, which prepares graduates for work in the real world. Topics covered include Jewish Studies, establishing a home, marriage, raising children, money management and social skills. There is also a supplementary internship course, where students actively apply what they have learned in the classroom.

“What we offer students goes far beyond just a software engineering degree,” says Dina.

“Tmura students enjoy a comprehensive program that includes limudei kodesh, social events, field trips, individual tutoring, bursaries and scholarships, practical experience within the college and through internships in real businesses, as well as job placement in full-time positions across the entire spectrum of the Israeli hi-tech industry.”

Tmura has a near-to-zero drop-out rate which Dina attributes to two main factors.

Parents fully support their daughters’ enrollment in a program designed to uphold Torah values and financially sustain growing charedi families.

“The first is that the college environment is very supportive, and students help each other and form close friendships. We help foster these relationships by integrating fun, interactive social events into the program and investing time not only in achieving a college degree but in the overall experience of a college environment. The second is that each individual student benefits from a unique program tailored to their specific needs.”

MAKING MONEY AND WAVES The real test of an educational institution is the absorption of its students into the workforce. Dina shares the rationale behind Tmura’s Job Training and Placement Initiative. “We pair students who have acquired a solid education with the needs of the hi-tech marketplace in an environment that helps advance both sides. The initiative helps students integrate with ease into small start-ups, big international corporations, the prestigious

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Israeli aviation industry, government offices and banks, as well as top hi-tech companies, with some students even writing software for renowned global enterprises. One of Tmura’s top students was recently the only software engineering graduate in Israel to be hired by Mobileye, a renowned Israeli anti-collision technology company traded on the NYSE.” A central component of Tmura’s philosophy is to ensure job placement for students even before they’ve completed their degree. One successful placement frameworks is OpalNet, an in-house, qualitative social enterprise that provides development solutions to leading companies and organizations by Tmura students. SMARTSTART is another example of a successful placement model that hooks up cash-strapped startups with inexperienced yet highly qualified graduates who join their team as interns.

“Our objective is simple: Get students into the workforce, build their resume by gaining experience in development and workplace practices, and enable them to experience the gratification of earning steady and sufficient income,” Dina sums up Tmura’s mission statement.

Tmura’s business model is so successful it has set new standards in the charedi education world and has shattered many myths on the way. Classic seminaries have responded by enabling three times the number of students to enroll in software engineering degrees and adjusting their marketing strategy to present their programs as “academic.” Bar-Ilan University, Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University, as well as various other Israeli colleges, have shown interest in collaboration with Tmura to establish similar frameworks on their behalf. Communities in Lakewood, New York, and Montreal, have approached Dina Weiss to establish colleges based on the Tmura model.

Tmura has also enabled charedi parents— who for generations have feared the negative influence university campuses could have on their daughters—to breathe a sigh of relief and fully support their daughters’ enrollment in a program designed to uphold Torah values and financially sustain growing charedi families.

Tmura has taken the simple concept of teaching a person how to fish and transformed it into a valid achievement and source of pride for an entire community. It’s just the beginning and Dina believes the sky is the limit.

Tmura College can be reached at 02-5638776, 0533153211 or office@tmura.education.

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Home ARE YOU A HOME SERVICE PROVIDER? Air Conditioning I Aluminum I Architecht I Contractor Electrical Appliances I Exterminator I Furniture I Interior I Design Insurance I Locksmith I Mortgages I Renovations I Kitchens I Movers

THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES WILL USE THE 2017-2018 HOME GUIDE FOR PLANNING, REPAIRING AND DECORATING THEIR HOMES. MAKE SURE YOUR NAME REACHES THEM! The HOME Guide will be distributed directly to homes in most of the English speaking communities in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh and will be available through our website.

TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE, CALL 052-761-1177 INTERIOR DESIGNERS & ARCHITECTS ACA Design Studio 02-993-4471 Archi & Design Office 058-650-9213 hannaoik@gmail.com Chaya Vorhand Organization Coach 052-711-7815 Estie Schulgasser Architect 052-336-8299 estieschulgasser@gmail.com Leah Irenstein Architect 053-317-7450 leahirenstein@gmail.com Miller Design Architecture 052-765-9508 dm@mdarch.co.il Revital Reich Architect 054-729-1127 revitalreich@gmail.com Rivka Porush Architect 054-843-9991 rivpor@gmail.com Shifra Fogel Architect 053-313-7231 S.F5373975@gmail.com Shira Fabian Architect 052-769-9170 arc99170@gmail.com Space Design 050-591-5005 simiz7@walla.com CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATIONS & ALUMINUM A. B. Menachem Aluminium 052-381-4744 Aderet Aluminium 02-671-9048 arik@aderetalum.co.il

Ariel Yegudayev Kablan 050-919-9227 arielconstruction@gmail.com Avi Israel Renovations 054-882-0086, 052-260-8086 aviisrael7965@gmail.com Avi Pave Project Manager 054-805-8072 agpave@gmail.com Avishai Tsalisher Renovations 052-432-7872, 052-434-5299 avishaitsalisher@gmail.com BCS Israel Building Care Services 02-678-6234, 054-242-7613 Dror Barazani Renovation and Construction 054-237-7390 indoor32.co.il Element Wood I Expert I 050-676-3222 netanelahb@gmail.com Gur Aryeh Yehuda Renovation and Project Management 052-768-8382 bitonariel3@gmail.com Harel Construction 052-607-8797 info.azoulay@gmail.com Kola Meter Construction and Renovation 050-263-3383 Mountain Air - Construction Work through Rappelling 054-314-4542 liran.sn.@gmail.com Olam Hanadlan V'hashkaot 054-234-4347 Yaniv Smadar Renovation and Construction 050-579-8536 100yaniv@gmail.com

Zacai and Sons Sealing and Renovation 050-906-6713, 050-260-4621 zacai.banav@gmail.com EXTERMINATION, WATERPROOFING, PLUMBING & MORE Ahavat Yisroel Movers 050-865-4666 Ariel Zacai Waterproofing 050-906-6709 arielzacai@gmail.com David Barak Exterminator & Waterproofing 055-660-0965, 052-377-6879 davidbarak879@gmail.com Handymench 052-342-7429 dave@handymench.co Itamar Strauss Waterproofing 052-668-7785 Moshe Cohen Exterminator & Waterproofing 052-799-7411 mosheydi1@gmail.com My Handyman 054-846-2185 AIR CONDITIONING, SECURITY, LOCKSMITHS & ELECTRICIANS Efes Takalot I Expert I 02-648-2340 apps6482340@gmail.com Elram Air Conditioning 02-640-3000 KBT Security 058-551-5200

MDAI Security Solutions 02-651-3999 mdai@zahav.net.il Moti Arush Air Conditioning 052-630-3060 Pinchas Locksmith 054-226-8637, 054-605-0210 Polar Air 08-976-1140, 052-240-5063 www.polarair.biz Security Solutions 058-403-5800 office@securitysolutions.co.il Tzvi Air I Expert I 02-826-2828 info@tzviair.com Weitz Air 077-791-2671, 050-221-9444 weitzair@gmail.com Yaakov Alkalai Electrician 052-665-8559 Yitzchak Cohen Locksmith 052-487-5656, 054-921-6525 CARPENTERS, KITCHENS, APPLIANCES & DECOR David Revivo Drapery & Linens 058-320-4971 drevivo@gmail.com Dennis Goldman Decorations 052-238-1544 agid@012.net.il Elit Doors 050-577-2055 ilancanada@windowslive.com Etz Ladaat Kitchens 050-878-8443 etzladat@gmail.com Exceptional Windows 052-607-8797 info.azoulay@gmail.com

Mistriel Carpenters 08-932-8295 gallery@mistriel.org Nisha Kitchens 050-539-0791 www.‫נישה‬-‫מטבחי‬.co.il Olam Hamizronim I Expert I 02-537-8888 Outlet Furniture 054-911-7838 Panet Electrical Appliances 02-537-7903 panetelectric@gmail.com Paramount Paints 054-527-9356 josh@paramaountpaints.com Restorno Furniture Restoration I Expert I 02-650-8777 office@restorno.co.il Salon Yerushalaim Appliances 02-624-2535, 02-624-5537 Vilon Yashir 050-402-0017 vilon.yashir@gmail.com MISC. Egert Cohen Insurance I Expert I 02-623-2546 egert@egertcohen.co.il FFG Funding Mortgage Broker 050-419-9976 9994094@gmail.com Fresh & Clean Dry Cleaning 054-721-3016, 077-350-0241 MasterPools 09-774-5125 N-Z Water Filters 054-761-7242 jack@n-z.co.il

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Home I Appliance & Renovations I Expert

Renovating & Maintaining Your Home in Israel When you make Aliyah, there are so many things you need to adjust to—the language, the weather, how to pay bills or find the products you need at the supermarket, and Israeli bureaucracy, to name a few. The last thing you need is to deal with a broken refrigerator or leaking washing machine!

We had the good fortune to speak with Dovid Ellis of Efes Takalot about how to choose good appliances and keep them in good shape, and what to do when they malfunction.

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ere’s what Dovid had to say about purchasing and maintaining appliances.

Does a higher price on an appliance guarantee better quality?

Higher prices can mean a couple of things: One, you’re getting a designer or brand name appliance, which may or may not be important to you. Two, it may be more versatile and provide more options. For example, an expensive washing machine may have more types of cycles. However, to be honest, most people have one or two favorite options and never use the rest, even on a simpler machine. So unless you’re an expert at baking or laundry, these options don’t add much practical value.

Some brands, however, really do provide better value. If you’re able to spend anywhere

from 50,000 to 100,000 NIS on a Sub-Zero appliance, it’s definitely going to be higher quality.

Your company sells the Thermobit hot water control system. What does it do and why do you recommend it?

Thermobit is an innovative device that can be installed on most water boilers. It saves energy, time, and costs by turning on the boiler only when needed and only for the amount of time needed to reach the desired temperature.

Most Israelis use solar boilers that provide hot water in the summer, but need to be heated using electricity or gas in the winter. Thermobit lets you set a thermostat and a schedule for heating that ensures that you are using the minimal amount of energy to get hot water when you need it. It pays for itself in what you save on electricity within four months to a year (depending on what type of heater you have).

What is a home surge protection system?

The voltage of mains electricity in Israel is twice that in the USA—220 versus 110. When there are power outages as a result of storms or other technical issues, these can cause power surges that can permanently damage or destroy electrical devices and appliances, including refrigerators, ovens, and computers. Why risk losing a perfectly functioning, expensive appliance due to a power surge?

Installing a surge protection system lets you rest easy, knowing that your appliances are protected.

Why does it seem that as technology advances, appliances have become less durable?

The more computerized a machine is, the more prone it will be to breakdowns, since it

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An expensive washing machine may have more types of cycles.

However, to be honest, most people have one or two favorite options and never use the rest, even on a simpler machine. So unless you’re an expert at baking or laundry, these options don’t add much practical value violates the 11th commandment: Thou shalt not mix moisture with electronics!

Any advice on how to keep a washing machine from malfunctioning?

Do not abuse or overload any machine! Keep it clean inside and out, and it will serve you well.

How often do filters need to be cleaned out?

Pump filters should be cleaned out once every two weeks, and filters on air conditioning—once a week.

Is it okay to hire a regular handyman to repair or maintain appliances?

There are some handymen with a general knowledge of appliances, but usually their expertise is limited to the simpler ones. When it comes to the newer, more complex machines, applying the same repair logic may not help, or may actually be detrimental. So if you want it done right, it’s best to have a pro look at it.

What should a customer know about an appliance technician before hiring one?

Customers should always know how much the technician will charge. Check Internet referrals and make sure you’re comfortable with the company you hire.

Other than your knowledge and expertise, what is the most important thing you offer your clients?

We pride ourselves on our customer service.

We know what we’re doing and we do it in a timely, courteous manner— which is something that Anglos and olim really appreciate.

We treat all our customers with utmost respect and do everything we can to meet their needs.

Do you offer anything else beyond the realm of air conditioners and appliances?

≥ Renovation done by Efes Takalot

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Efes Takalot has progressed into a renovation company as well as air conditioning and appliances in order to fully reach our potential in our main product, which is customer satisfaction. It pains us to hear stories from our customers about situations where they needed construction or renovations and didn’t receive what they had ordered or that a job was left unfinished or G-d forbid they lost large amounts of money on people who were less than honest.

At Efes Takalot, we do all standard renovations—including renovating bathrooms, closing in porches, adding rooms, opening challals, etc. Taking things to the next level, we have added innovative products to the industry, such as our customized staircases. We sell and install staircases to fit your needs, it comes pre-packaged according to your order and we simply assemble and install it, presto!

Our main goal is to provide a one-stop service in air conditioning, appliances, renovations and electrical work — all you need is one number for all your technical needs.

Do you recommend that families making Aliya bring their appliances with them?

Unlike others, I do not recommend bringing your own appliances from the US. You’ll need to spend everything you think you’ll save on setting them up so they’ll function here.

Do you have any other advice for olim?

I made Aliyah after 20 years in the appliance industry in America and started my own business here. It’s not an easy transition, especially for an entrepreneur. Israel is not a vacation spot; don’t spend money on a higher standard of living than you can afford, and save as much as possible—get started right away!

Make sure to research carefully what the requirements are in your field—what licensing, documentation, accounting, and legal issues may be involved.

ABOUT DOVID ELLIS EFES TAKALOT Dovid Ellis is an appliance specialist and owner of Efes Takalot, a full service mechanical company for home and business solutions. They specialize in installation and repair of home and commercial appliances, including air conditioning installation and maintenance. They also sell innovative products such as home surge protection systems and Thermobit hot water control systems, and provide insurance policies for air conditioning and appliances. Dovid has been servicing clientele for more than thirty years in Israel and abroad. He has a graduate certificate in appliance repair and air conditioning mechanics. His company emphasizes excellent customer service, doing their best to meet every customer’s needs with the highest level of professionalism and courtesy.

Efes Takalot can be reached at www.efestakalot.com, *2184 02-648-2340, appsp10@gmail.com.

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Home I Insurance I Expert

Summertime Insurance It’s time to see what’s new on the insurance “shelf.”

A few new and interesting policies are now available.

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7) Top Building Pro – Are you doing a “shiputz”?

Coverage for projects up to 2,000,000 NIS and up to 24 months. Includes: natural disasters, faulty planning, property being worked on and all standard contractors’ policy coverages.

The policy is in the name of the owner or property developer and includes Third Party liability of 5,000,000 NIS.

By Shimon Cohen

h, summertime! The flowers have bloomed, the sky is blue and it’s time to see what’s new on the insurance “shelf.”

A few new and interesting policies are now available.

Our claim of the year!

1) Top Sport – This is a policy for any sports trainer – swimming instructor, gym teacher, karate/judo instructor, personal trainer, etc.

You need a certificate from a certified training center and also a certificate that you have passed a first aid course.

Coverage is up to 10,000,000 NIS. 2) Top Director – This covers the personal liability of all directors, CEOs, or managers of companies or amutot. The policy covers claims from workers, service or goods providers, clients, other stock owners, banks/other lenders and competitors. Coverage includes civil claims, investigation by tax authorities, criminal claims, etc.

(These types of claims are dramatically on the rise in Israel!)

3) Top Design – Professional and product liability for event planning, graphic design, interior design, garden planning, lighting/ acoustic advisor, fashion designer and more.

You can also add coverage for loss of documents, slander and unscrupulous workers.

4) Top Clinic – For any medical or dental clinic. Coverage of structure, contents, employers liability,Third Party liability, cash on premises, electronic equipment, personal accident insurance and loss of profits in case of fire, flood or earthquake.

Special add-ons: glass doors or windows, damage to electric box, collapse of shelving and personal effects of workers/visitors.

5) Top Look – Third Party liability and product liability for cosmeticians and hairdressers/barbers.

6) Top Cyber – Which business doesn’t need this protection? Coverage for theft of data, slander or shaming on social media, viruses in your database that may have caused damage to your clients, restoration and reconstruction of lost data, cyber piracy and worldwide cover.

A young lady in one of our Taglit programs was taken to the hospital with what seemed to be a case of jaundice. Unfortunately, this quickly developed into complete liver failure.

She was transferred to the transplant center in Beilinson hospital. As her situation continued to deteriorate, the medical team decided to send her to Paris, which gave her the greatest chance of finding a suitable donor. She was flown in a complex medical flight on the same day President Trump arrived in Israel.

In Paris, there was no immediate donor available and after the terror strike in Manchester, there may have been a chance of a liver from one of the victims. However, a few hours later, a young man died in a motorcycle accident in Paris and his family donated his liver!

While all this was going on, a crowd-funding campaign was launched to cover the huge expenses. In a period of a week, over $550,000 was raised by over 8,000 people!!

B”H the young lady underwent the transplant successfully and is now up and eating normally.

All in a day’s work!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shimon Cohen is the manager of Egert Cohen Insurance.

Egert Cohen is a family business that specializes in serving the Anglo and new olim populations. They provide a friendly and professional one-stop-shop for all your insurance needs.

Egert Cohen can be reached at 02-622-7999 or through their website www.egertcohen.co.il.

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Home I Construction Project Management

All About Project Management In the Israeli construction world, there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen. Even if you hire a contractor to manage a construction or renovation project, he will need to hire other professionals to address the aspects of construction beyond his area of expertise while he acquires materials, oversees labor, and deals with paperwork—and certain details are likely to slip past him. It is not unheard of to move into a brand-new apartment in Israel only to discover that the electric sockets don’t all work, some of the pipes in the kitchen leak, or that a door wasn’t hung straight. Even worse, projects often end up costing significantly more than the original price quote because of unexpected issues the contractor encounters along the way.

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nter the construction project manager. A project manager helps you plan your renovation or construction work from beginning to end, hire a contractor, and ensure that the entire project proceeds according to plan and within your budget.

Avi Pave has been in the business for 30 years, and he was kind enough to share with us some information about his profession.

You started your business 30 years ago.

What inspired you to work in this field?

I entered this profession by chance. I used to belong to a kibbutz. In the kibbutz you don’t do what you want; you do what they tell you to do.

So I was involved in some building projects on the kibbutz, and that’s how I got into this field.

What kinds of projects are you hired for?

Mostly private projects.

How are you involved in the proceedings?

My job begins when I meet with a family, sit with them, and listen to them describe what they want. I ask a lot of questions, and use the information they give me to tailor the project precisely to their needs. Then, I supervise the project from start to finish. I am there every day, on site, walking around and making sure things are being done according to plan.

If someone wants to do renovations, are you the first person a family should call before calling an architect or contractor?

What is the process?

It’s best to start with a project manager, be-

cause he can direct you to professionals who will understand you and suit your style. You should have good chemistry with the person who is designing your home.

How do you work with the architects and other professionals hired for a project?

After I ask the family questions and learn about the planned home, I design a comprehensive plan that includes guidelines for the engineers and architects to ensure a good outcome. Since I have dozens of years of experience, I know just by looking at the plans how best to proceed.

After we finish the plans, I give the professionals a booklet outlining all the specifications. There is a saying in the army: “If the ABOUT AVI PAVE Avi Pave is a construction project manager with over 30 years of experience. He is a licensed contractor and received certification as a project manager through the Technion. His construction projects throughout Gush Etzion and Kiryat Arba have included housing and educational institutions such as Hertzog College.

Avi can be reached at 054-805-8072.

training is hard, the battle will be easy.” I want to work hard in the beginning, so that when we go out to the site to start the work, there are no additions, changes, or surprises.

How long does a project take from beginning to end?

It depends on the architects and interior designers. I don’t hold anything up. A week after I receive the plans from the architect and interior designers, I advertise a tender and get 4-6 price quotes from different contractors.

Then I meet with clients to interview our top picks, and I help them with all the paperwork.

Once that’s done, we start working. I visit the site almost every day and supervise as necessary. I maintain continuous contact with the family and immediately notify them of any issues that arise. There is a lot of cooperation and communication with the clients.

Do people save money by hiring someone like you?

Certainly. Thanks to my careful planning, there are almost no additions, or unexpected problems. I can’t promise no exceptions. But I work hard beforehand, and I learn all the details about the project, and based on my experience—I know what to expect. This way, I save my clients 20% of the cost of construction.

There is a saying in the army: 'If the training is hard, the battle will be easy.' I want to work hard in the beginning, so that when we go out to the site to start the work, there are no additions, changes, or surprises That generally covers my fee. I also arrange the payment schedule to the contractor, to make sure there is no foul play. All the payments go through me.

How do you charge for your work?

We agree on a price at the beginning, and we divide it into monthly payments.

Americans are often perceived as “easy prey” for dishonest Israel professionals who overcharge for their services, or ask for all the money up front… what can you do to prevent this?

Yes, unfortunately, I am familiar with that problem. I have a lot of experience with that.

When people hire me, the payments are made through me, and I make sure the work is done properly before anyone gets paid. I decide when and how much, and I protect my clients from people who try to take advantage of them.

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Home I Architecture

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esign (like in the word “designate”), means deciding the way something should be.

How big, from what material, how much it’ll cost, etc. The architect’s job is to take what the client wants and turn it into a buildable, sustainable, viable design, and then to see that through to construction. The architect knows what the client wants on the one hand, and what the authorities will permit on the other. He coordinates what the consultants need in order to make sure the building will stand up, have running water, stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and (hopefully) he still manages to make it look nice too.

We had the pleasure to speak with one such architect, Miles Hartog, to acquaint us a bit more with the ins and outs of the field.

What inspired you to enter the field of architecture?

I’ve always loved to think out of the box, create things, and make various and complex elements come together. I also love engaging with people and helping them get things done. I am a “type A personality”–as a result, I am always concerned, reliable, on the ball and looking to bring the best result out of any challenge. Architecture gives me the opportunity to do all of that every day.

What types of projects do you do?

My experience ranges from small scale renovations, residences and interiors, to large scale institutions, offices, commercial centers and industrial buildings. I also deal a lot with Town Plans (TABA) and Master Plans, which has given me a broader view of the design process.

Right now, we’re developing several projects: small extensions to private apartments and houses in Efrat, a commercial center at Tzomet Gush Etzion, high end renovation and interiors in David’s Village in Jerusalem, finishing up two hotels in downtown Jerusalem and doing several master plans.

The bottom line is, no project is too big or too small. We bring the same expertise, care and go-getter attitude to each.

What are your favorite projects?

Every project has its challenges and rewards. My favorite is one where the clients get just what they wanted, plus a little extra they never dreamed they could have.

Why would someone use an architect to add a room or two to the house or enclose a porch?

Firstly, it’s the law. Certain changes–including changes to structure, exteriors and areas, require a professional to plan and obtain permits. Otherwise, your addition will be illegal,

The Mother of all Arts and Father of all Sciences An architect is a design professional and bound by a set of laws, a code of ethics, and of course his own sense of the way things should be. He is there to take the client’s desire, and turn it into a reality–by way of design. will be harder to sell later or have lower resale value, and might be dangerous.

Secondly, you want someone who sees the big picture, who’s able to coordinate all the players (city council, supervisor, electrical consultant, etc.), and who’s been trained to look at design in a holistic fashion.

As an example, a family came to me recently, frustrated after three years (!!!) of trying to make changes to their house. It was instantly clear to me that only a change in Town Plan (TABA) could help. Although this takes time, it will afford them the house they want and

There’s no way to design, or properly understand a space, without going there first

need. No one except an architect could have done that for them–not an engineer, not an interior designer and not a contractor.

Can an interior designer replace an architect?

There’s a very big difference between an interior designer and an architect. You can see, from the answer to your previous question that an interior designer wouldn’t succeed.

Secondly, an interior designer isn’t licensed to deal with permitting and doesn’t have the level of training of an architect.

However, while there are many projects where I do the interior design as well as the architecture, in order to have full control over the outcome, there have been instances where an interior designer has been just the bridge required between the client’s aesthetic and the interior space.

What should you ask an architect before hiring him/her?

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First, I recommend meeting face to face or at least by phone/Skype if you’re overseas. This is someone you’re going to be working with for a while and the interpersonal relationship is critical. Many times I’ve been asked to act as the client’s “eyes in Israel” or “eyes on site.” The architect is the primary point of contact and you should feel you’re in capable and (most importantly) trustworthy hands.

You could ask: Can I see some of your previous projects? Can I speak to some previous and current clients? What kind of work do you do?

That should give you a good place to start making decisions.

Is there a noticeable difference in architecture in Israel and abroad?

I think there’s a noticeable difference between everything in Israel and abroad! In architecture, there are different building codes, materials and methods; different permitting laws and, primarily, different cultures! I’m from Australia and I’ve been here 25 years.

Ian Dorn, who works in my office, is a recent oleh from the US (New York and other locales) who’s been here four years. He has a very strong background in interior design as well as architecture. We certainly have what it takes to bridge the culture and language gaps that often make dealing with construction in Israel intimidating to olim and foreign residents looking to build or invest.

How important is it for an architect to be artistic?

Architecture is made up of many disciplines (in university they called it the “mother of all arts and father of all sciences”). There are all kinds of architects with strengths in different fields. Some are very artistic, but less concerned with technical details. Some are super focused on making sure nothing slips through the cracks in the process, but their artistic tendencies are less pronounced. I think an architect needs to aim for the Golden Mean between those extremes.

How important are architectural renderings and how accurately do they predict the final product?

We mostly work in 3D. It helps clients visualize the project. Of course this depends on the project’s scope and the client’s ability to read plans. Basically, any tool that helps us understand each other is great.

Do you make hand sketches?

There’s no other way to start a job! I was taught in my first year of studies to buy the cheapest sketch paper available so I wouldn’t be tempted to skimp on initial brainstorming and sketching stage of the process, which can be so critical to the outcome. Extra time at sketch stage saves a lot of heartache at the later stages of design.

What are the main determinants in the

design process for you?

The client’s wish list (which becomes a program), the site, the budget and the schedule.

Beyond that, the design can take off from a springboard of inspiration, an interesting problem-solving standpoint or a lot of hard work.

What inspires you?

My wife. 22 years of marriage and seven kids leave me in awe of what a person can accomABOUT MILES HARTOG Miles Hartog was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, with a short spell in the UK. He started his architecture degree in Sydney and completed it in Israel at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Miles has been working in the field of architecture in Israel and overseas since 1992. His 25 years of experience has provided Miles with an extremely broad palette for design and problem solving, which he now applies to every project–large or small.

Miles can be reached at 054-436-4492 or through his website www.mileshartog.com.

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plish, day by day, year by year.

What do you think is the strongest skill that comes across in your work?

I think it’s more a trait than a skill–but that would have to be reliability.

Do any specific projects that you really enjoyed stand out in your mind?

I’ll give three examples from different fields: A 60 sqm apartment in Sha’arei Chessed, built for an LA resident while they were overseas. We made it look easy to fit 3 bedrooms, 11 beds, a living, dining and kitchen area and entry hall into that space. Space saving abilities, communication with the client and constructive work with an interior designer made it a great project.

A 350 sqm architectural and interior renovation in David’s Village. We designed the entire project in 3D from start to finish before we started construction. Working with the top tradesmen in each field, using cutting-edge technologies, high-end finishes, doing interiors in-house and fully controlling the project, made sure everything went great for the client while they were in Toronto.

Four flight-simulator buildings for the IAF. Hi-tech mixed with low tech, specific programming, set budget, working with a great contractor and doing something that helps our country. Very rewarding.

Is there a need to visit the actual worksite? Can it inspire your design?

There’s no way to design, or properly understand a space, without going there first. I won’t offer a quote for work until I’ve seen the space with my own eyes. And yes, the site is one of the cornerstones of design and the inspiration that drives it. If you’re designing a house opposite a view and turn your back on it, you’ve achieved nothing. If you can make an entry more accessible by utilizing the slope of the site, you’ve done something great.

What advice would you give someone who is looking to go into the field?

Only do it if you love it!

Architecture (starting from the studies) is incredibly demanding. Like any art or design, it requires that you reach deep inside yourself and pull something out of thin air. Like any science, everything you do must be able to stand the test of real life–gravity, weather, budget, timetable…And, like any management job, it requires you to bring together experts from various fields and make the whole thing work.

So, if it’s not burning in your soul, maybe try out engineering?

But if it is, don’t let anyone stop you.

And if you’re studying architecture right now, get a job in the field–part time to start–as soon as you can. Get a foot in the door, see how it works in the real world and place yourself in a position to hit the ground running!

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Beit Shemesh branch: Ha Charash 9,

(opposite to the parking lot of Big fashion mall)

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RBS A branch: Park Center Mall, Timna 19

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 9 AM- 9 PM Fri/Erev Chag: 9 AM- 1 PM

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DENTISTRY Rechavia Dental Center I EXPERT I 02-561-9770 Dr. Mitchell Rudy 052 339 2131 Dr. Ari Stern 02 999 6046 Dr. Chaim Lewitan 052 761 5359 Dr. Mark Lewitan 02 995 2707 Dr. Links - Dr. Garalnick 02 992 4267 Dr. Chaim Eliezer Jacober 02 999 7479 Dr. Edo Lavi 02 992 3363 Dr. Jacki Glassman 02 566 9061 Dr. Yoav Orbach 02 545 5603

Dr. Claude Hayat Periodontics 02 566 0436 Dr. Daniel Fruchter 02 536 2244 HEALTH Eliezer Rosenblum Chiropractor 052-662-4658 PlayAttention Solution for ADHD 054 794 3797 Get Fit with Karen Personal trainer 054 572 1651 Rochel Geller weight loss 02 992-1821 Reuven Rosenberg Chiropractor / Complementary Medicine 052-761-6793 Bioresonance Alternative Clinic 077-212-7567

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Gavriel Tornek Meditation 054 652 1770 Miriam Maslin Bioresonance Therapy 052-324-4604 Dr. Rina Granot Health & Nutrition 052 674 3838 Dr. Chaim Pinchuck Neurofeedback 050 303 0939 Sara Shaposhnik Energy Healer 050 229 2316 Jerry Hyman Personal Trainer 050 779 8886 Jordana Staiman Speech Therapy 053 311 3916 Kerry Bar Cohn Chiropractor 052-659-4488

THERAPY/ PSYCHOLOGISTS Dr. Michael Portman Clinical Psycologist 052 269 4030 The Place Emotional Wellbeing Center 02 580 8788 Menachem Schloss NLP Therapist 054-743-8109 Minda Garr Holistic Psychotherapy 052 614 6932 Karen Rappaport Narrative Therapy 050 990 6368 Rachel Factor Anxiety Disorders 052 713 4130 Dr. Genstil Psychologist I EXPERT I 052 260 9087

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Health & Wellness I Rabbi Dr. Moshe Rothschild I Founder and Director Lobby of the new psychiatric unit

Mayanei Hayeshua Dr. Rothschild’s House of Healing An Interview with the Founder of Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital

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abbi Dr. Moshe Rothschild is the founder and director of Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital, a charedi hospital in Bnei Brak.

Born in Zurich to a family of local community leaders, he studied medicine at Zurich University, specializing in pediatrics and general medicine. He made aliyah to Bnei Brak in 1971, and after a few years of serving the local community (and a number of great rabbis) as a doctor and mohel, he began gathering funds and resources to build a hospital that would meet the needs of the charedi community. Mayanei Hayeshua opened the doors of its labor & delivery unit in 1990, and gradually inaugurated additional departments over the next few years. It currently treats around 100,000 patients per year.

We had the honor of interviewing him about his unique background, his hospital, and his plans for the future.

Can you tell us a little about your background?

I was born in Switzerland, and I became a pediatrician there and had a very big office.

In the year my father died, I went to my rebbe, Reb Moshe Soloveitchik, one of the gedolei hador, and I told him I wanted to travel to

Japan to a big conference for pediatricians.

He advised me not to go, and instead to go to the Yarchei Kallah kollel at the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. This was more than fifty years ago. So I went to Yarchei Kallah, and the second night I was there, I was called to the mashgiach, Reb Yechezkel Levenstein, who had a bellyache. I had drops with me for treating stomach pains in babies, and I gave it to him, and it helped. From that moment, we became very good friends.

I realized that they had such great people here in Bnei Brak, and I decided to move to Israel with my wife and 17 children. When we came, I was, in practice, the only doctor who was here in Bnei Brak during Shabbos and Yom Tov. Many times on Shabbos, even on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, I was unable to attend prayer services—my avoda was to help people. I had the tremendous honor of tending to all the gedolei yisrael—from the Baba Sali to Rav Hesteipler.

Why did you decide to build a hospital?

It was these great Torah scholars who told me to. They said, “You have to build a hospital, because you could save many lives.” I come from Switzerland; in Switzerland there is no city of over 20,000 residents with no hospital,

and at that time there were 120,000 inhabitants in Bnei Brak. So they told me I should establish one.

People told me, “You’re crazy, you can’t do this!” And they were right, I was crazy, and I am crazy!

The first building opened its doors 27 years ago. We had 300 births in the first month. At the moment we have 40 births a day. So, we say “Mazel tov” 40 times a day at Mayanei Hayeshua.

Was there much resistance to establishing a hospital in Bnei Brak?

I had endless problems. But I had the backing of gedolei hador. Baruch HaShem, HaKadosh Baruch Hu has solutions for everything.

At first, the other hospitals argued that we didn’t need another hospital in Bnei Brak, and they put together a fund of $1 million to fight against us, to prevent us from taking away their patients. They thought I was going to be competition. But very soon they came to understand that I don’t compete with them, I complete them.

In what way?

If an old man, 80-90 years old, comes to the emergency room, what he might hear is “Oh, grandfather, you’ve had your life, don’t take a bed from a young man.” I will take him; they’ll send him here, we’ll take good care of him, and after a while he’ll walk out of the hospital healthy. So they know there is someone who will take such cases. I am now good friends with Professor Shani, the head of Tel HaShomer. My hospital is not better than the big hospitals; what we do, we do well, and we cooperate and work together with the other hospitals.

Our specialty is that we value the sanctity of life above all else. When you can save a life, you must do what you can to save it.

I don’t call my hospital a “beis cholim”, a “house for the sick”. I call it a “beis refuah”—a house of healing.

Why did you name it “Mayanei Hayeshua”?

There was a donor from England named Yehoshua Frishwasser. Frishwasser—fresh water, like a freshwater spring, a ma’ayan; Yehoshua, redemption—yeshu’a. So I named the hospital after him.

How did you build your staff?

My policy is to offer good conditions to doctors who are planning to retire early. Here in Israel, doctors generally retire in their early 60’s. That way, the finest and most highly experienced doctors from Tel HaShomer and

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Beilinson came to work for us. We have the big names; a wonderful staff.

How many rooms are in the hospital?

350 beds, aside from the newborns—another 100 beds—and we don’t want to get too big, because there’s a big advantage to being a small hospital. The staff knows everybody and can give personal attention to their patients. I don’t see the advantage of having 2,000 beds. I’m very happy with what we have.

The hospital serves secular people as well. Why do they choose to come here?

The majority is frum people. But secular people do come here too, for the personal attention, for the excellent facilities, and for the way we make medical decisions—valuing life above all else.

Tell us about your new mental health department.

When I established the hospital, I realized that there was a great deficiency in the world of medicine, called psychiatry. There was not one place in the world where a frum Jew can go and be sure that he is being treated according to the Torah. My hospital is the first place in the world like this. We opened a mental health department five months ago, and it’s incredible how we are helping people—very quietly, but tremendously. The problem all over the world at the moment in psychiatry is that people don’t want to come to treatment, and if they come—they don’t accept medication. There is a stigma. So it’s a very delicate matter, and we work very quietly and discreetly. I built the mental health department to fight the stigma.

What is unique about your mental health program?

In the mental health department, I am very strict about having only shomer mitzvos staff members. A lot of the patients suffer from religious problems, so the staff needs to be understanding of that and have the right worldview.

So we are always looking for nurses who are shomer Shabbos—both male and female nurses who specialize in psychiatry. In fact, they don’t need to specialize in psychiatry; I will fund their training if they are willing to come work in our psychiatry department. We have the doctors, the psychiatrists, and the psychologists, but we need more frum nurses.

We are planning to open a department specifically for treating anorexia. There is a 20% mortality rate from anorexia, even in America.

20%! A significant portion of them also go off the derech, fall away from religion. So I am in a unique position to help with both of these issues: mental health and hashkafa.

The department is very modern and welcoming. It doesn’t look like a clinic, it looks like a hotel.

Today, modern medicine has figured out that people are more than just a body. Chazal knew this from the very beginning: diseases are not just disorders of the body, but also of the soul.

At Mayanei Hayeshua, we treat both.

You are also planning another project, a shidduch information center. Can you tell us about that?

I want to create a center where everyone in the world can call anonymously and speak to doctors, social workers, and other professionals, to ask questions pertaining to shidduchim and various diseases and disorders. There is a lot of misinformation and a lot of silence around medical issues, and people don’t know who to ask, what information to share, etc. You can’t imagine how many important

A man should know where he stands and what his limits are

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things people don’t tell before a shidduch— very serious diseases that they try to hide. I plan to establish a global center that is based on daas Torah and medicine, where people can get the right information and medical advice.

Would you mind telling us how old you are?

I’m 88.

And at 88, you are still running a hospital?

All my sons learn, but one of them directs the hospital, so we work together to run things, raise money, etc. I have lots of help.

But age is an individual matter. I have friends who are 60 and would never be able to do what I do. Hashem gives us strength. A man should know where he stands and what his limits are.

If I didn’t have the strength, I would not be doing this. Time is not the limiting factor; quality of life is. I think this is true of me and others as well.

What else do you do during a typical day?

I visit the doctors to know what the patients need. I go from bed to bed to see what each patient needs. If they have problems, they can ask me.

You visit all the patients?

Sure. I go to every one. I greet everyone I encounter on my way.

How long does that take you?

It depends. A couple of hours. But people feel my presence, and they know they can come to me.

Do you have plans to retire?

I had them 50 years ago…! Ask HaKadosh Baruch Hu! Hashem gave me a special gift that at this age, my body and mind are still working.

As long as I have it, I want to use it, and I pray every day for His help.

What would you tell people in their 60’s and 70’s who are considering retirement?

If they’re going to sit and learn, that’s best. If they can, they should come here and help! We have a lot of volunteers. If my wife would look for a profession, I would tell her two things: a nurse, or a mikvah attendant. This way you can help and you can influence people.

The new psychiatric department at Mayanei Hayeshua is in need of much assistance.

We are also looking to fill a demand for good male or female shomer mitzvos nurses, and as mentioned I am willing to fund their training.

Please pass on this information, and help make a vital difference in the lives of our patients.

I can be contacted directly at 054-660-1800.

For more information about M.H. Hospital please visit www.afmhmc.org.

Cafeteria in the maternity unit

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Family Matters: Shalom Bayit and Fertility Many of us live in communities where building a bayit ne’eman b’Yisrael and rearing a large family are central values and mitzvos held in high regard. The problem begins when either of these don’t exactly go as planned. If the former isn’t functioning properly, the latter is negatively affected, and vice versa.

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very individual is part of various systems, such that the degree to which these systems are healthy or unhealthy stems from the role of each individual in it.” says Dr. Sara Genstil, who holds a Ph.D in Psychology and specializes in Intersubjective Systems Theory.

“Family and marriage are complex systems,” she adds. “If a couple hits a rough patch in their relationship, it means that both spouses have contributed to the kink in their system.”

“In a marriage, each spouse brings his or her very being,” says Dr. Genstil. “Each spouse’s perception of the world is based on experiences from early infancy and throughout life, which shape their individual world view (defined as their “organizing principles”). In order to improve their system, we need to identify the organizing principles (both from the distant and recent past) that influence each spouse’s behavior—especially in cases when this behavior causes friction or conflict—and work on changing them.”

Healing a relationship means healing the system that was fashioned from both spouses’ input. Having a full understanding of and responsibility for this input is essential for change. Alter one part of the system and the entire system will be changed as a result. Dr. Genstil’s Marriage Counseling Treatment Model allows couples to share feelings and thoughts, build trust, learn how to be responsive to each other, accept each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and thus facilitate change.

Over the years, Dr. Genstil has worked with numerous couples who had trouble conceiving. “Unexplained infertility is a condition that I have encountered throughout my ca-

reer and is the diagnosis given to about 25% of couples who are having trouble conceiving after all medical problems had been ruled out,” In addition to various other professional roles, she has served as a psychologist in a fertility clinic and has developed a Fertility Treatment Model based on the principles of Intersubjective Systems Theory.

Believe it or not, extreme tension and stress can impact fertility for both men and women. Research found that pregnancy is much more likely to occur when couples reported feeling happy and relaxed than feeling tense or anxious.

ABOUT Dr. SARA GENSTIL, PHD Dr. Sara Genstil, PhD, is a seasoned psychologist with over 35 years of clinical experience. Dr. Genstil provides counseling for individuals, couples and families. She has experience working with clients both privately and through organizations such as The Ministry of Defense and National Insurance, working with terror victims and their bereaved families. Dr. Genstil is a member and presenter for the International Association for Psychoanalytic SelfPsychology.

Dr. Sara Genstil can be reached at 052-260-9087 or through her website www.therapistjerusalem.com.

A whole slew of hormones including adrenaline and cortisol—released naturally during stressful times—signal to the body that conditions are not ideal for conception. Adrenalin inhibits women from utilizing the hormone progesterone, which is essential for fertility, and causes the pituitary gland to release higher levels of prolactin, which may prevent conception.

Sometimes, stress can be caused simply by a demanding job. “Our bodies haven’t changed over time, but stress levels have. Combined with the ticking of women’s biological clock, people put unrealistic demands on their bodies, and place their sense of worth in the hands of achievement or social acceptance,” she explains. A tense or unstable home environment—or social pressure to have children—can exert pressure on a marriage. A prolonged inability to conceive can exacerbate an already strained situation, which then intensifies the stress.

Through therapy, Dr. Genstil’s Infertility Treatment Model helps couples identify the subconscious issue that is sabotaging their fertility. “First we recognize the organizing principles (such as compromised shalom bayis, past traumatic experience such as a miscarriage, anxiety regarding the responsibility of becoming a mother, depression or other unknown emotional issues) and their impact on a couple’s behavior and physiological functioning. We confront a couple’s confusion, sadness or frustration, enable them to let go of their former organizing principles and replace them with new ones.”

Eventually, the treatment process allows couples to build the emotional readiness to become pregnant which affects the rest of the system – including removing barriers for healthy physiological functioning and cultivating the relationship with their spouse.

Often well-meaning friends or family offer counterproductive advice by telling you to “just relax” or “pull yourself together.” In fact, this could generate even more stress. “Telling a person to calm down rarely results in them actually calming down,” says Dr. Genstil with a smile that says she’s been around the block more than a few times.

What she does recommend, however, is for both spouses to look into their own lives and try to find tiny spaces where they can each give their body and mind a respite from the stresses of everyday living and family demands. “Don’t just try to relax because you think that it’s going to help your fertility but relax because it feels good. When you feel good, you’ll see your relationships from a new perspective and you’ll be better equipped to work on your input in your various systems.”

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Yummy Diet With a diet – as with life – there are no shortcuts. But “Yummy Diet” is the next best thing. “Yummy Diet” involves a revolution in your way of thinking about health and weight loss.

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he “Yummy Diet” doesn’t require you to count calories or how many bites you take. And you don’t have to give up everything sweet and tasty. You will simply eat those foods at the appropriate times.

The idea behind “Yummy Diet” isn’t to “peel away layers” or to “melt fat”, but rather to treat the cause of recurrent weight gain after and even during every diet. With “Yummy Diet” you get accustomed to eating at times that are best for your body’s processes.

During the course of “Yummy Diet,” eating is compartmentalized and the body is cleansed and refreshed. When the body’s metabolism returns to healthy and correct functioning, it does the work for you.

“Yummy Diet” doesn’t just guide you in how to eat correctly, but the required food is actually prepared and sent to your home every morning.

Understanding the logic behind the method makes it is easier to internalize it and lose weight. After a diligent and consistent 90 days, you will be well on your way to achieving healthy, comfortable and desirable dimensions.

The basis of the diet is a few interconnected rules: 1. In order to lose weight – you must eat.

You must never go hungry and you are allowed to enjoy sweets.

2. An effective diet is one that leaves you feeling satisfied,while loving and enjoying what you eat. Drinking a lot is the basis for losing weight, and is even more important than eating. We recommend drinking at least two liters of water per day. The more the better. Drinking water promotes biochemical processes in the body that help refresh and repair the metabolism.

3. Separating food into groups speeds up digestion, makes it more efficient and

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enables our bodies to utilize and break down excess fat.

4. Night is the time for rest and that goes for the digestive system, as well. You must follow this iron-clad rule even after the 90 days.

Who has the patience to stand and prepare all sorts of meals, including a variety of salads– all for the purpose of losing weight?

This is where “Yummy Diet” steps in, pampering you with your daily fare. A thermal food storage bag arrives at your door, containing all your food for the day.

Meals are delicious and healthy and leave you feeling full.

Mr. Y., Jerusalem, age 35: Until age 30 I was on the skinny side. I loved being able to eat whatever I wanted without feeling guilty. But over the last five years I have been constantly gaining weight and my repeated attempts to diet have at best lead to short term results. As soon as I end a diet, I regain all the weight I lost, along with a few added kilos that weren’t there before. My last attempt before undergoing gastric bypass surgery was the “Yummy Diet.” My wife had heard about it and

urged me to give it a try. To tell the truth, I didn’t really believe it would work. But from one day to the next I became a great fan. The food arrives in attractive packages and is varied and very delicious. My fear of feeling hungry and deprived disappeared on the first day of the diet, when I saw the bag full of good food. I have lost more weight than on any other diet.

At the end of the three months, I had lost 17 kilos!

What did you enjoy most about the diet?

For more details please contact us.

Email: yummydiet24@gmail.com, Phone: 054-8423575, Call or email to sign up for a tasting evening in Jerusalem.

I am not a very consistent person and it’s hard for me to stick to a routine.

In order to persevere at something, day after day, I need a lot of support and encouragement. The regularity of “Yummy Diet,” along with the continuous support when I needed it, made it possible for me to successfully complete the entire three months. Today, almost a year later, with results that have remained even though I have returned to eating normally, I know that I made the right choice.

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Quick Braces Patients often require a correction of small problems in their smile in a very short time frame. Is it possible to move teeth in one hour and make them stay that way?

Actually sometimes it is! Let me explain…

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By Eliyahu Gherman DDS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

t happens all the time… A patient comes in, a week before the wedding, and says “Doc, can you fix my teeth?”

Most of the time the answer is no, teeth take a long time to move; however, there are times when a small problem in the patient’s smile can be corrected in a very short period of time. For example, a space between the teeth or a tooth that sticks out can be fixed within a couple of months, weeks and, yes, even one hour!

How is that possible? Let me explain…

When I was in my orthodontic post-graduate program at Montefiore Medical Center, one of my teachers, Dr. Shelton, patented a method called “Fingerdontics.”

Besides being a high-end Manhattan orthodontist, Dr. Shelton was also a professional jazz flutist and naturally a very patient man; for Fingerdontics you need a lot of patience.

(First a warning: Do not try this at home as you may damage your teeth.)

Dr. Shelton would gently lean his finger on a tooth, while explaining that teeth are actually joints. The tooth sits in a socket of bone, surrounded by connective fibers. These fibers

Dr. Gherman has been creating beautiful smiles over the past 16 years. He received his dental training at New York University College of Dentistry. Dr. Gherman was granted a special award by the American Association of Orthodontists for his achievements in helping to further the science of orthodontics. As an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists and numerous study clubs, he continuously stays up to date with all the latest technology.

Rechavia Dental Center is a full service American dental and orthodontic clinic in Jerusalem.

Rechavia Dental can be reached at 02-561-9770 or through their website www.rechaviadental.co.il.

can stretch, so after just a short time the tooth will visibly move. After his “show and tell,” he would leave the room and within seconds the tooth would move back out of place!

We all learned the lesson; the problem with “Fingerdontics” is that the same fibers that stretched and allowed for the tooth to move will then return to their original shape and bring the tooth back with them. This is what orthodontists call “tooth memory.”

One way to reset tooth memory is through the normal course of orthodonture. This allows enough time for the fibers to take to the new position. The other way is to place a fixed or permanent retainer after the teeth are moved.

So how is it possible to move teeth in one hour and make them stay that way? We place a fixed retainer on the back of the teeth. I use a small and sleek fixed retainer and coat it with a very smooth material. Patients are very happy because the fixed retainer is comfortable and avoids the need to wear a removable retainer full-time. I’ve also modified Dr. Shelton’s Fingerdontic method, since I have rachmanus on my patients and on my finger, and instead use a couple of braces to accomplish the same thing.

To sum up: We often can correct minor spacing or tooth misalignment in one hour with some braces and a fixed retainer. So when you have an important business meeting tomorrow but fear you will look like Nanny McPhee… Or if you’re afraid your date tonight might call you Sponge Bob, it can’t hurt to give us a call. You have more than enough time! Quick braces!

Please note: We don’t recommend waiting untill the last minute for orthodontic therapy.

If there’s something in your smile that you want to correct, come in for a consultation as soon as possible.

TESTIMONIAL: E.H. Jerusalem

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

It was only a couple of weeks before my engagement party and I had a large unsightly space between my teeth. The amazing and caring team of dentists at Rechavia Dental Center met to determine the best way to solve my predicament: To close the gap before the party. They determined that bonding the tooth would not be an option as the tooth would look too large. The best plan was to move the tooth orthodontically. Braces?!

Wouldn’t that take at least 6 months? I didn’t imagine that within 2 days Dr. Gherman could fix my smile! Thank you Dr. Kaszovitz, Dr. Schlussel and Dr. Gherman, for your care and expertise, and for the amazing smile I will have at my engagement party and wedding.”

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Health & Wellness I Social Skills I Expert

Dealing with Bullying: You Don’t Have to Be a Victim Can you remember a situation where you felt you “couldn’t say no”?

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By Mrs. Shaindel Cohen

e’ve all been there. The last-minute Shabbos guests with nowhere else to go; the desperate mom who needs someone to watch her kids for a few minutes at an inconvenient time; the boss who makes it clear that if we don’t stay overtime, there will be grave consequences.

Situations like these can make us feel helpless. We are taught to be kind and generous; offering to help with a smile and without complaint is highly valued in our society. But is saying “yes” in such situations always the healthiest approach?

It is, of course, wonderful to be a giving spirit who is happy to accommodate others’ needs.

However, what we sometimes fail to realize is that we cannot truly give to others when we are empty ourselves. When we drain all our resources in service of others, there may be nothing left for us—and our #1 responsibility is to ourselves! That’s why knowing how to say “no” in uncomfortable situations like these—setting healthy boundaries—is such an important skill.

Being assertive and setting healthy boundaries is even more important in situations of abuse, manipulation, or bullying. This is just as true for children as it is for adults—if not more so.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics, between 1 in 4 and 1 in 3 students in the USA report being bullied in school. An Israeli study found that close to 70% of elementary, middle, and high school students were bullied in school.

Included in these statistics are diverse types of bullying: verbal, physical, social, and online.

Every type of bullying can have serious and long-lasting effects on the victim, including depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, loss of interest in activities

one used to enjoy, various physical ailments, decreased academic achievement, and other symptoms of trauma and distress. These effects can persist into and throughout the victim’s adulthood.

Children who are victims of bullying are often given two pieces of advice to handle the bullying: ignore it, or tell an adult.

The reasoning behind ignoring is that the bully gets his sense of power from the victim’s reaction, so avoiding a reaction may make the bully lose interest. The problem is, this only works some of the time—and other times, it can actually escalate the situation and make the bully more violent.

Telling an adult is another strategy that may be effective in some cases, and not in others. Telling an adult only works if there is ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mrs. Shaindel Cohen is an internationally acclaimed educational consultant and social skills specialist who has lectured in Israel, England, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the United States. She specializes in nurturing the shy and selective mute child and has designed and taught programs related to this field such as communication and friendship issues, assertiveness training and selfesteem, social skills, conflict resolution and much much more.

She is available to work with children, teens and adults on any related social skills challenges.

Mrs. Shaindel Cohen can be reached at 02-543-0734 or by email shaindelcohen@gmail.com

an adult present and available to help (which there often isn’t) who happens to be equipped to handle the bully (which many aren’t). Additionally, even if an adult is available to help one time, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be there the next time—and the bully can make sure that they won’t.

There are schools and other institutions that practice a zero-tolerance policy. However, this doesn’t always work, and if your own child is being bullied at school, you won’t want to wait for other people to act to protect your child.

The good news is, you don’t have to.

Almost without exception, people who exhibit bullying behavior have been victims of bullying themselves. Bullying is a destructive response to a sense of powerlessness; bullies abuse others to gain a sense of control over their lives.

For this reason, bullies usually select “easy targets” for their abuse: victims who seem likely to submit to them and don’t project self-confidence, especially ones who are socially isolated, or who have something “different” about them. This way, the bully can exert his physical, mental, and social power over the other child, and this makes him feel powerful. We see these behaviors in the adult world as well—more subtle, perhaps, but just as destructive. Child bullies often grow into adult bullies if they are never taught how to cope with their difficult emotions more constructively. I once worked with a 63-year-old client who was being bullied by his 65-year-old sister!

Bullies are much less likely to pick on people who are assertive and sure of themselves.

Fortunately, even people who are naturally cautious and timid can learn how to be assertive, set healthy boundaries, and respond effectively to bullying!

If you or your child is a victim of bullying, it’s important that you know that you can put a stop to it. Assertiveness, boundary-setting, and de-escalation skills can help you feel less helpless and more in control of your life. All you need to do is learn how.

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Health & Wellness I Psychotherapy

Building Lasting Bonds Growing up is hard to do. That’s not just a refrain from an old song, but a challenge for every generation. Today’s world, which has become increasingly confusing and complex, is rough terrain to navigate for both children and adolescents regardless of age

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By Yonatan Sapir M.Sc.

ne of the most effective tools to ensure our children’s wellbeing is a healthy and positive parent-child relationship. If we provide them with emotional security, we help them develop a positive self-image, courage to take risks and resilience to deal with life’s inevitable challenges. And we stand a better chance of imparting the values we want them to embrace. And even though most teenagers have a fierce desire for independence, some part of them is usually yearning for a close connection with us as parents. But the means to that connection usually eludes us.

Love and respect are the two fundamental components of a healthy relationship, and Chazal echo this concept when referring to a relationship between husband and wife. But what do we mean when we say we love someone? Partly, love is the ability to appreciate and to cherish our loved ones. In colloquial terms, we could say we are their biggest fan,

and being a fan could be one of two things.

In sports for example, one type of fan loves a team because the team is most likely to take home the cup at the end of the season.

The other type of fan loves a team even when they’re stuck in last place. Chazal called these two types of love: “dependent on external factors” and “not dependent on external factors.” The kind of love we should project and actively communicate to our children is of the unconditional kind, not dependent on what they do or how they act, so that they develop a sense of their innate goodness. When a child behaves in a way that drives us crazy, it can be especially challenging and requires a lot of thought and self-introspection to relate to that child from a place of love. When we find our aggravation getting in the way, a therapist can be helpful in overcoming feelings, which, when left unchecked, can overwhelm and prevent us from connecting to our children.

Another aspect of love is the desire to be close to someone we love. This entails wanting to spend time with them, getting to know them better and being genuinely interested in their lives. But we live in a fast-paced society and many of us are so engrossed in our own lives, we feel we just don’t have the time to be with, enjoy or try to understand our children.

When we do eventually get round to it, we find it difficult to relate to them. Their games ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yonatan Sapir, M.Sc. is a psychotherapist who works with individuals, couples and adolescents. Yonatan sees clients in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh.

He can be contacted at 052-767-7304 or ysapir1@gmail.com.

become boring and sometimes we can’t even understand their language. We do love our children and the most basic way we express our love should be by thinking about them, talking to them and playing with them. I once had a 12-year old client who loved to play a particularly boring game with me. That game wasn’t necessarily fun for me, but when we played, the child, who was often ignored at home, felt that I was attuned to his needs. The way to show a child they are important is to do things that are important to them.

The second component of a good parent-child relationship is respect. We must respect our children. You might be thinking, “From my knowledge of the ten commandments that sounds a little backwards,” but this is an essential lesson for us and them.

Respect requires a different stance than love.

Love makes us want to get as close as we can to someone (even in the physical sense) but too much closeness sometimes constitutes a lack of respect. We can define respect for children as appreciating our children as competent individuals, separate from ourselves. It is what renowned family therapist Murry Bowen called “differentiation.” When we helicopter parent or overcompensate, we disrespect their individuality, undermine their security and relay the message that they are incapable. Even when we scoop a young child up and whisk them away to the bath with no regard for their objections, we are asserting control and demonstrating a lack of respect. Conversely, when a child comes home from school and we probe them with questions about their day, we haven’t considered whether they are ready to talk. Holding back can be just as challenging as displaying affection but is just as necessary.

As a child gets older, they need even greater autonomy. Teenagers, in particular, have a need to feel validated, and if they don’t feel respected and heard, will often rebel as their way of expressing frustration. When parents recognize that their teen is ultimately responsible for their own decisions, it enables the child to move in a positive direction. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t offer our advice or opinion.

A child should know how we think and feel. We must be cautious, though, not to become overbearing or try to rob the child of his autonomy.

The balance between helping our children develop and grow by giving—and simultaneously holding back—can be a tricky one. But once we get the hang of it, we’ll be giving them the eternal gifts of security and belonging, a solid self-image and powerful tools to forge a successful life path.

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Health & Wellness I Miraculous Recovery

The Whole Megilla My Personal Purim Story 5777 and the Ribbono Shel Olam’s Amazing Hashgacha Pratis Revealed

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By Yehoshua Levinson

n February 22, 2017, I boarded my El Al flight to JFK on a fundraising trip on behalf of Yeshivas Ohr Yehoshua Nesivos Hatorah a premier yeshiva gedola in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

My second Shabbos in Flatbush was a very cold day and as I stepped out into the below freezing air I felt my body and chest momentarily tighten as I proceeded to shul for shacharis. I felt good (and in fact enjoyed the cold as it reminds me of skiing) walking the five blocks to Rabbi Shimon Alster’s shul on Bedford at L. I actually planned to return to Rabbi Alster’s shul for mincha, however my Shabbos shluf was five minutes longer than planned so I opted instead to daven across the street at Rabbi Weinfeld’s shul. Following mincha, I stayed in shul with my host,Avrohom Pinter, for seudas shlishis. After taking a few bites of challah, I felt a very subtle strange sensation—a single gentle trickling pulse migrate from the interior of my left elbow to my wrist, and then it disappeared. I thought to myself “that was weird.” I have no idea what compelled me, but I asked Avrohom, “Hypothetically, if someone is having a heart attack, is it the right or left arm that people feel a shooting pain?”

My friend replied, “I don’t know, but one of the top cardiologists in the city, Dr. Yanky Schachter, a real mumche (expert), is sitting at the next table. Why?” I told him about the odd sensation, but said it was probably nothing. Avrohom was insistent that I speak to Dr.

Schachter. Dr. Schachter took me by the arm and asked me to walk with him to the other side of the shul.

As we slowly walked, he asked me a series of questions: Did I feel any tightness in my chest? “When I first stepped out into the freezing air this morning”; did I feel any tightness in my neck? “No”; tightness in my jaw? “No”; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing? “No”; dizziness? “No”; faint? “No”; nausea? “No”; sweaty? “No.” He set up a few chairs in a row and said, “Everything will be okay, but you’re having a heart attack.”

“What!! Are you kidding me? I can’t be. I’m not feeling any pain.”

He looked me square in the eyes and said, “You’re having the onset of a heart attack. I have been holding your arm and you don’t have a pulse, but you’ll be okay. Just do what I tell you and lay down here across these chairs and elevate your legs.”

That’s when I felt faint and my legs buckled under me. Hatzalah arrived within minutes and one of the three hatzalah responders was even a doctor (Dr. Chaim Gitelis), and a car-

It couldn’t be – I’m only 56 years old, I never smoked, I eat healthily, I exercise regularly, and I wasn’t in pain. I thought heart attacks are painful.

diologist at that! They performed an EKG in the shul which revealed that I had a blocked artery, and it was caught just in time. My doctors told me later that shooting pain or a subtle trickling sensation in the arm, which is only one of many potential symptoms of a heart attack, could happen in either the right or left arm, although the left is more common.

The whole experience was surreal: the entire time, until I was admitted to the hospital and about to be wheeled off to the operating room, I was in denial that this was happening to me.

It couldn’t be – I’m only 56 years old, I never smoked, I eat healthily, I exercise regularly, and I wasn’t in pain. I thought heart attacks are painful.

As an additional chessed, this all happened in the early evening in New York which was the middle of the night in Eretz Yisrael while my family was sound asleep. So when my procedure was done and I was resting in my room, I was able to call my wife and tell her what had happened and let her know that everything, baruch Hashem, was all right.

I thought I traveled to New York to help our local yeshiva, but in reality, the Ribbono Shel Olam had me come to America to get my “plumbing” fixed. He put me in the right place, with the right people at the right time…

AMAZING!!!

After settling into my seat on my return flight two and half weeks later, I opened my Mesillas Yesharim to learn the chapter which instructs the way to acquire the middah of zerizus. The Ramchal says that a person will be moved and inspired to live his life and perform mitzvos with zerizus when he has a love and an appreciation of all the good that Hakodesh Baruch Hu does for us. The Ramchal then says that through this understanding and recognition that there is a Ribbono Shel Olam that does all this good for us, one will be then moved and inspired to act with zerizus. I closed the sefer and said to myself “WOW!!!”

Of course I know that I need to thank Hashem for everything, but I now realize firsthand that I need to thank Hashem especially for those things that appear to me as “not going my way.” What Hashem did for me, He does for all of us every day and at every moment.

This entire experience was and continues to be a tremendous chizuk for me and an aliyah in my emunah; and my hope is that this extraordinary event will continue to give me and others chizuk and increase our emunah.

Note to readers: Visit your doctor regularly, ask to have cholesterol, triglycerides and other risk factors checked, follow doctor's orders regarding medications, diet and exercise, and, of course, daven.

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Simchas Planning a Simcha?

Let SIMCHAS 2017-2018 do the planning for you.

Get your copy of SIMCHAS or check out our vendors by visiting us at www.simchas.biz

PLANNING & DECOR Arts by Jordana jordana.klein@gmail.com Esther Miller Flowers 02-537-3226, 053-524-7918 estermiler@gmail.com Lenny Davidman Events 02-673-0721, 054-557-3101 lenny@ldevents.com Oraisa Sofer Stam Consultants 052-598-4568 Malky Neumann Event Planner 02-537-3024, 052-765-9024 mychoc.israel@gmail.com Rachel Schreiber Simcha Coach 053-315-0982 rachelst982@gmail.com Simcha Success Event Planning 052-713-3564 simchasuccess@gmail.com Simchonim Souvenirs 02-500-0599, 03-952-4646 simchonim@simchonim.co.il Styley Event Design 054-203-3963 HALLS & VENUES Achuzat Wagshal 03-579-9959 Crowne Plaza 054-470-0797 Ein Chemed Hall 02-570-9494 Emerald Hall 02-992-4445 Gavna BaGush 02-533-6036 gavna5@gmail.com Hagan Hakasum 02-999-9444, 050-447-5495 eruimbenoam@gmail.com Heichalei Beitar 02-502-1633 Jerusalem Gardens Hotel 02-655-8888

Kedma Midtown 02-534-0800, 058-707-0021 info@kedma-midtown.co.il Maskit Hall 054-666-0693 Nikanor Hall 050-909-9000 kpekan@gmail.com Nof Hayarden 02-563-6464, 058-690-3030 Ramada Hotel 02-659-9973 Rodriguez 02-581-5815 Skyline Chef Restaurant Isaac: 052-255-9939 isaacinisrael@gmail.com CATERING & DESSERTS Antaka Catering 02-990-0217, 054-660-0709 antaka5@gmail.com BeSimcha Leeba Rosenthal 054-232-3410 Bleecker Bakery 02-991-9700 Brunch Bagel Dairy Catering 058-668-8949 bb5004001@gmail.com Catering Chen 02-651-3314 ch.fency1@gmail.com Daniel Catering 077-915-1155 La Nougatine High-end Bakery 072-251-1511 Maadanei Melech Catering 02-502-1633 My Chocolate Place 02-537-3024, 845-531-5268 Schocketino Catering 052-855-1538 hschockett@gmail.com Scoop Catering 052-771-0489 Sugarela Cake Designs 052-289-5580 Toubin Catering 02-534-6328, 02-533-3864 toubin@015.net.il

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY Benzion Cheirif Photographer 052-552-1961 bcheirif@gmail.com Dinner Video Productions 052-717-4200 dinnervids@gmail.com Herschel Gutman Photography 052-740-9287 h@herschelgutmanphotography.com

Menachem Herman Band 02-991-8314, 053-315-0624 menachemherman@gmail.com Moti Hecht Minhag Yerushalayim Band 052-717-0004 motiht@gmail.com.

Ruach Hakodesh Band 054-943-6343 israelweddingband@gmail.com Yosef Chaim Shwekey Music 052-433-9353

Image Photography & Event Production 052-593-3234, 052-766-9669 Live Stream Simcha 058-538-1902 livestreamsimcha@gmail.com Nachshon Philipson Photography & Videography 054-668-0200 nachshonp@gmail.com Natan Betzalel Videography 052-650-0226 Shmuel Diamond Photography www.shmueldiamond.com TeknoArt Photography Studio 052-267-0131 info@teknoart.co.il Yoni Zur Videographer 052-458-8631

WEDDING GOWNS & FASHION Bellisima Boutique 02-500-4603 Demiss Designer Hat Store 052-713-0185 Einit Eyewear 02-500-2050, 02-991-8111 Eti Melar Gown Rentals 050-419-4374 Lili Sock Shop 02-999-7454 One of a Kind Elegant Wedding Collection 02-537-7679 Salon Nurit Bridal Boutique 02-999-1564, 050-410-4422 Sari Greenblat Wedding Gowns 052-712-0617

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT Bat Mitzvah Dancing with Eva 052-721-2252 Darrell Mordecai Caricature Artist 054-842-5099 darrellmordecai@gmail.com Eliyahu Stein Musician 054-249-1271 eliyahustein@gmail.com Kol Simcha Band 052-688-9123 Lehava Orchestra 052-263-1597 Mebereshit Band 050-257-5273 mb05052575273@gmail.com

BEAUTY & WIGS Sipora Baron Professional Makeup Artist Specializing in Bridal & Event Makeup 052-514-4600 sipora.makeup@gmail.com Ahuva Rubin Wigs 02-992-1974, 058-666-9447 ahuvawigs@gmail.com Amir Moyal Hair & Wigs 02-999-4829, 054-666-1826 amirmoyal2011@gmail.com Elianna Gasner Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist 052-362-8463 Hair Removal by Rachel Leah Dubovick 02-999-5925, 050-275-5567

Ita Fischer Wigs 02-581-6562 office@fischerwigs.co.il Or Barashi Bridal & Evening Makeup 050-925-4106 Princess Spa & Cosmetics 072-222-4022 sarit472@gmail.com Ralph Wigs 054-578-8523 Shaindy Wigs 02-652-3010, 052-763-7425 Tagless Wigs Consignment Shop & Wig Outlet 058-402-4200 taglesswigs@gmail.com Tova Rena Makeup Artist 052-768-3629 Wigs by Ali 058-445-6476 JEWELRY, HOUSEWARES & GIFTS Aria Diamonds 02-500-4450 Ben Barber Linens 03-618-9837 Brilliant Gifts & Fine Houseware 02-650-0369, 02-626-1295 Chen Vakesef Judaica 02-537-4894 Eisenbach Tefillin 02-581-4031, 058-710-7200 Feinstein Jewelry 03-574-1382 Furniture Outlet 054-911-7838 Gal Hachashmal Appliances 02-651-3383, 050-866-9910 galelectric1@gmail.com Ilan Perel Watches 02-625-4256 Jewelry Studio 02-500-0797, 054-596-3408 Vagshel Publishing 02-590-2616 v5354345@gmail.com Zvi Hager Jewelry 054-499-9402

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Simchas I Caricature Art

Beyond a Thousand Words “A good caricature artist can capture the essence of a subject better than a photograph can“

H

ow did you get started in the field?

I’ve always loved art. My grandparents were artist as well. As a child, I loved reading Mad Magazine and I used to copy the cartoons and paste the drawings on the walls of my room. With my mother’s encouragement, I attended a high school that specialized in art.

About a year ago I was commissioned to do a few bar mitzvah portraits to be placed at the entrance of the party for guests to sign.

I went on to market this idea with logos for simchas, welcome packages and other personalized gifts. I also began drawing guests live at bar mitzvahs and other events as a memento.

Why caricatures?

Looking at political caricatures, I was always amazed at how a few lines could capture a person. A cartoon can often tell a story better than words. I also love getting out of my studio and drawing live. There is something special about contributing to the atmosphere at an event. As a caricature artist I can sit quietly in the corner and just enjoy the happiness and laughter when they see their pictures.

Do you need proper training to be a caricature artist?

As far as I know, caricature artist are usually self-taught. There are great books on the subject, but at the end of the day the only way to get good at it is constant practice.

I also had a bit of a head start because I have been doing portraiture since I was in high school. Many of the skills are similar so I was able to develop into a professional caricaturist.

Why do you feel that caricatures capture a person’s essence better than a portrait?

The likeness of a person comes from the relationship between the features, so a traditional portrait artist starts by measuring everything in a very mechanical way. If the measurements are correct, the portrait looks like the person. A caricature artist studies a person, assessing what essentially makes up his likeness. He then emphasizes that and de-emphasizes everything else. What results

ABOUT THE ARTIST Darrell Mordecai is an accomplished artist with an amazing ability to express mood and personality through his cartoon illustrations, caricatures and company mascots. Darrell creates studio portraits, draws live at simchas and offers classes and workshops.

Darrell can be reached at 054-842-5099, darrellmordecai@gmail.com or through his website artofdarrellmordecai.com.

I love getting out of my studio and drawing live. There is something special about contributing to the atmosphere at an event.

is a portrait with the volume turned up.

Do you need to be good at drawing to be a good caricature artist?

If you come to my weekly workshops, you will see that anyone can learn to draw. People who don’t believe they can create more than a stick figure are able, with careful instruction, to bring people to life on paper. The results are outstanding and the creative excitement is palpable.

What makes a good caricature artist?

A good caricature artist can capture the essence of a subject better than a photograph can.

How do you walk the fine line between exaggerating a detail and not insulting the client?

In order to create a good caricature, the artist must draw what he sees. At the same time, if his subject has a feature that is not so flattering, he might draw it as it is but emphasize some other feature. This draws attention away from that feature.

Can a caricature be used for marketing?

A caricature or mascot can be a powerful element in the branding of a company. It would express the personality of a business as personal and approachable, even adding a little humor. It adds a human element in a world of cold impersonal corporations.

Nowadays, all artistic fields have been changed via technology, for example Photoshop and Lightroom are necessities for

photography. While a lot of caricature work is done on the spot, is there any technology that corresponds with your field and how do you use it?

I do a lot of my painting work digitally, in the studio. It’s unbelievable how the computer is able to imitate traditional media. You can create caricature with any medium. Obviously the advantage of the computer is that you can correct mistakes and make adjustments until you are happy with is the final product.

Tell us some more about your studio work.

Studio portraits basically are caricature portraits created from photos that are emailed to me by clients. They are similar to the live caricatures but since I invest far more time into them, the final product bears a deeper resemblance to the subject. They are a great gift idea and can be used as family portraits or corporate gifts.

What do you find the most exciting part of your work?

I love bringing my art to people. Art is usually is a very solitary thing so I enjoy bringing it to simchas and watching people enjoy my creations. That's what makes caricatures such a great activity for bar mitzvahs, it's not only an awesome souvenir to come home with, but it creates great energy and fun for the simcha!

The thing I love about art is creating something that didn’t exist before. I love expressing funny wacky ideas through my art.

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EVENTS 2017 Exclusive collection for special occasions

BRS BELLISIMA - Brand name imports 12 Malachi Street, Jerusalem | Hours: 10:00-14:00 ,16:00-21:00 | Tel: 02.5004603

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Ketuba Art by Jordana Jordana.klein@gmail.com www.jordanaklein.com 050-673-5428

Customized Text & Design â‚Ş1,200

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DISTINGUISHED JEWELERS Aria offers high end-diamonds, precious stones and gold jewelry at competitive prices. Contact us to view our luxurious collection or visit our concept gallery where our designers will create a magnificent piece to suit you and your budget perfectly.

TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL: 02-5004450

WWW.ARIAJERUSALEM.COM AZZA 3 JERUSALEM

(across from Cafe Paris)

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Making a Simcha in Israel?

Make it memorable!!!

052-7659024 02-5373024 mychoc.israel@gmail.com partyplanningbymalky.com

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B a t M it z va h

g DanciEn va w ith

Eva Cohen is a fun, energetic, experienced dance teacher and choreographer who will get ever yone on their feet and make your Bat Mitzvah a party to remember!

Guaranteed to make your party a blast! | Music customized to your taste | | C ompetitive prices | | Many references available |

052-271-2252

Natan Bezalel VIDEOGRAPHY 052-650-0226

O ption of crea ting a spec ial choreograph y for the Bat Mitz vah girl!

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Dining & Recreation

ATTRACTIONS GALIL & GOLAN Ruach Glilit Jeeping and Flights 052-7655139 Paradise Vacation Villa Or Haganuz 052-7655142 Fruit Picking 04-9832539 Bereishit Apple Packing 04-6961988 Fruit Magic 052-8109713 Golan Challenge Center 04-6851100 Golan Heights Winery 04-6968409

ATTRACTIONS CENTER / JERUSALEM Speedy Kef 02-5330260 Osem Bamba Factory 1700707676 Mesilat Tzion Swimming Pool 02-9915836 Coca Cola Factory 1800596596 Blind Museum 03-6503000 Caliber 3 Shooting Range, Paintball 02-9663669 Kakadu Art Gallery 052-8625271 Davida's Farm 050-5739899 Monkey Park 08-9285888

Bowling Maale Adumim 02-5909353 Keftzuba 02-5347952 Ein Yael 02-6451866 Escape Room 079-9322224 Zoo 02-6750111 Jeep B'Rama Beit Shemesh 052-7625337 Tnuva Visitor's Center 1-800-221-422 MUSEUMS CENTER/ JERUSALEM Bible Lands 02-5611066 Israel Museum 02-6708811 Museum of Psalms 02-6230025

Yad Vashem 02-6443400 Diaspora Museum 03-6408000 Ir David 1800252423 Migdal David 02-6265333 Tunnel Tours *5958 Botanical Garden 03-6409910 Diamond Museum 03-5760219 Gush Katif Museum 02-6255456 Tax Museum 02-6257597 RESTAURANTS Rodrigeuz Jerusalem 02-581-5815

Korus Pizza Center 1 Jerusalem 02-538-1227 Korus Al Ha'esh Center 1 Jerusalem 02-538-6061 Atza Sushi Bar 02 648 2778 The Scoop Beit Shemesh 052-771-01489 Holy Bagel Beit Shemesh 02-999 3121 Skyline Restaurant Yerushalayim 02 655 8847 Tom's Restaurant Beit Shemesh 072 336 0124 Bleeckers Bakery Restaurant Beit Shemesh 02 991 9700 Mesubin Beit Shemesh 02 991 1778

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Following in the footsteps of Anita Glida, the Tel Aviv based boutique frozen dessert masters, one man took it upon himself to transport some of those special flavors to the Holy City of Jerusalem, and add a mehadrin hashgacha as an added improvement!

I Scream, You Scream

Ice cream is one of the oldest pleasures of culinary culture, and all over the world chefs and ice cream connoisseurs have worked to create a perfect recipe for the sweet, cold dessert. Israelis are never willing to be outdone in any profession, and making great ice cream is yet another pursued local field.

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Dining & Recreation I Ice Story

B

izness spoke with Gil Zaguri, co-owner of Ice Story, to learn more about what is so wonderful about his ice cream and eatery.

How was Ice Story born?

I paid a visit to the Anita ice cream parlor in Tel Aviv. The Avital family makes the best gelato in Israel, and I decided that I just had to make it mehadrin. My partner Nadav Avital is the cousin of Adi Avital, the CEO of Anita Glida. Together we opened Ice Story in Jerusalem, to give chareidi customers the same opportunity to enjoy excellent ice cream as their Tel Aviv brethren have.

What do you offer?

We make the finest gelato. Gelato is Italian ice cream made with milk, cream and sugar, and flavored with fruit and nut purees and other flavorings. Gelato is usually lower in fat but higher in sugar content than other types of ice cream.

We also serve fresh bio-yogurt, fresh salads, bagels, pasta, and the king of all focaccia.

Who are your customers?

Most of our clients are Americans who live in Romema. But the word has got around and we also get clients from as far away as Ashkelon. The parlor is catered to the Chareidi community, since it is located right at the Rav Shefa Mall on Rechov Shamgar, but we hope to attract all types of customers. We offer a pleasant, cozy environment for a date or a family dinner, with an atmosphere that is appropriate for all types of Jews.

What culinary need in the neighborhood were you coming to fill?

Unfortunately, the mehadrin clientele have a very small selection of places to eat out there. I wanted to create a place that would be “rauy l’bnei melachim”–fitting for the sons of royalty, since we are all royalty.

Do more of your customers come for a meal or ice cream?

Right now we sell about 60% gelato and 40% food. I think we will see it balance out to 50/50 by Succot.

How often do you make gelato?

Daily. That’s the secret to the excellent quality and flavor.

How did you learn the technique?

My partner Nadav learned how to make gelato at Anita’s for five months without ever tasting any of the products! He is now an expert gelato maker.

Who is your chef and where has he learned the tricks of the trade?

Our food chef is really a king. Fred was a five star chef in Paris before becoming observant and making Aliyah.

Tell us about your menu.

Variety. Variety. Variety. We like to keep our customers coming back for more, curious to see what our next great item will be.

Does the menu change based on season?

It changes by the week. Fred makes new items every week. He has our full permission to make magic–we trust him to create attractive and delicious dishes, and so far we haven’t been disappointed.

What are your 3 most popular ice cream flavors?

1. Ferrero Rocher–which has chocolate hazelnut truffles mixed into the ice cream.

2. Loacker Wafers–which has hazelnut wafers mixed into the ice cream.

3. Coffee lotus and cream.

Shamgar 14 Yerushalayim 052-656-8148

What’s your personal favorite?

Sneakers. Does that sound funny? Yes, really! Ok. Ok. “Snickers –like the candy bar. It’s just that when the printer made the typo I cracked up. You can’t go wrong with peanut butter ice cream!

How do you deal with customer complaints should they arise?

The customer is always right. There is no other possibility.

Can you cater to allergies?

We have soy flavors and gluten free ice cream. Additionally, we completely wash all the machines before making each new flavor of sorbet.

What is the biggest challenge in the restaurant industry?

I don’t know about the challenges other people in the industry face but my personal challenge is to keep the establishment as clean as it was on the first day we opened.

What’s the best part of your job?

- Seeing kids run to the door in excitement.

- Seeing people at tables with open books, learning and doing homework at Ice Story.

- Making Ice Story the best part of your day.

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Dining Experience 02-581-5815 HAR CHOTZVIM, JERUSALEM

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Bein Hazmanim

Family amily Farm F Fun at

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Davida’s Petting Farm

ishi 82 Near Bet Shemesh Moshav Yishi

Milking & Spinning Demonstrations

Planting Corner

Water Slides

Horseback Riding

Trampolines

Big Farm animals

Tractor & Cart Rides

Petting Corner

Horseback riding lessons and therapeutic riding during the year.

Tickets:

Children ages 2-12 yrs: 40 nis. (includes all activities).

Adult from ages 13+: 15 nis.

Hrs: 11:00 -19:00, Friday til 16:00

Davida 0505-739899 / 02-9910061

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Real Estate

YERUSHALAYIM Alef Nadlan 052-681-9320 Angel Realty 052-458-8716 Babayoff Realty 052-620-1986 Beit Hillel Agency 054-770-1142 Divine Realty 050-367-2527 Gabbai Real Estate 052-614-1442 Galia Real Estate 054-446-3831

Goldreich Realty 050-382-0610 Home Run Properties 054-577-7509 Igud Nadlan 054-737-1333 J-Realty 050-989-4078 Jerusalem Luxury Rentals 054-546-7330 Judith Ben Avi Real Estate 050-440-9999 King Properties Jerusalem 054-203-8300 Nechasim Massets 050-960-0488

Reshet Tivuch 054-216-0203 Ruben's Real Estate 054-634-5582 Simcha Realty 050-414-2824 Sotheby's Realty Israel 058-626-6426 Tehilla Agency 054-844-3004, 052-545-1040 Tzion Apartments and Vacation Rentals 054-546-7330 Yam Nadlan Real Estate 02-678-1717

BEIT SHEMESH Alon Central 054-758-7673 Century 21 054-572-0391 Gila Gershenfeld Real Estate 058-766-1653 Hagefen Realty 054-639-3924 I.L.A.N Estates & Investments 077-410-8011 JS Realty 054-451-3847 Lemkin Realty 052-644-4588

Mishkenot Realty 052-760-3000 Nadlantown Realty 052-896-6807 Neria Real Estate 050-294-4486 Psagot Nadlan 050-414-0996 Rachel Realty 052-761-7468 Rimon Realty 02-999-1000 Shoshana Weis Realty 050-436-7797 Yossi Lipsh Realty 052-396-0551

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Real Estate I Real Estate Law I Expert

Get Your Rental Contract Right What might seem like an exclusively Anglo issue, exacerbated by language and further compounded by complicated legalese, is in fact a national problem that affects tenants in all sectors of the Israeli population

O

ver the past decade, the Israeli real estate market has been asking the chickenor-egg precedence question as it witnesses a continuing boom in demand for rental apartments, and not surprisingly, a reciprocal frantic climb in rental prices. Given the current state of the market, many tenants lose hope of finding low-cost and problem-free accommodation; so much so, that they succumb to signing long complicated contracts under pressure, before they’ve had a chance to read and fully understand them.

What might seem like an exclusively Anglo issue, exacerbated by language and further compounded by complicated legalese, is in fact a national problem that affects ten-

ants in all sectors of the Israeli population.

Just like every other facet of adult life, “doing hishtadlus” is the best way to face your first rental contract. Michael Decker, from the Jerusalem Law Offices of Cohen, Decker, Pex & Brosh, calls it “doing your homework.”

“Come prepared and you’ll avoid the most common pitfalls in signing a rental contract.”

In a market saturated with both supply and demand, coming prepared means knowing what you want and what’s available on the market. “Once you’ve defined your family’s requirements and found an apartment that meets these needs, the first and most important thing is to ensure that the rental price is justified and reflects market value.

To put it plainly: Make sure you’re not get-

ting ripped off,” warns Decker.

“You can find a number of useful market-value calculators online, but you don’t need to be a math whiz to recognize the most basic factors that determines market value: Geographic location (for prevalent price range); apartment location (within a geographic location, such as proximity to its central business district); apartment size and number of rooms; proximity to educational institutions, amenities and employment opportunities; apartment floor within a building and presence of elevator/Shabbat elevator; age of the building and condition of the apartment.”

Decker’s advice to map out the specifications of an apartment and compare them with similar properties makes a lot of sense.

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Look for the common denominator and see where various apartments differ. “To ascertain if the rental price is reasonable, compare it to other properties for rent in the same area that match the must-haves on your list.

For a truly objective comparison, widen your comparison to other agents.”

But what about local custom or law when it comes to written or oral agreements, payment methods and timetables? Is there an unspoken rule that determines who pays utilities?

Decker assures us that while Israel laughs in the face of what other countries might consider mandatory legal decorum, when it comes to real estate law, Israel is far from Wild West status. Decker recommends signing a contract that includes as many details as possible including an agreed upon price.

Once signed, it’s legally binding. In the case of rental contracts, they hold enough water to take precedence over a sale contract if the sale took place after a rental contract was signed.

Israeli legislation rarely attempts to enforce oral contracts, or even pay attention to oral agreements in any form, no matter how well witnessed. Promises made by an owner or tenant not recorded in writing, are as near to worthless as their conscience dictates.

“Don’t ever rely on an oral agreement. If an owner insists on closing important details orally, it is a MAJOR red flag and will cost one of the parties a great deal of money and aggravation.”

“Payment methods must be agreed on in advance,” he says. “There are usually one of two methods: Direct debit (authorized to the owner) or post-dated checks. Make sure you have the means for the method you agree upon to avoid defaulting on payments.” Decker also suggests that a contract should specify how often rent is paid (monthly, quarterly or annually). “Make sure you can commit to the agreed timetable. Inability to pay rent on time could be considered breach of contract, which could lead to eviction.”

In contrast to the practice in the United States, for example, in Israel it is the tenant who pays municipal taxes on an apartment, in addition to utility bills such as electricity, gas, water, building committee (vaad bayit) and so on. Many tenants are entitled to discounts on municipal taxes, for example, new olim, soldiers, the elderly, the disabled, students, etc. Decker’s tip is to check if you are eligible for a discount, which could mean monthly savings of hundreds of shekels.

A tenant is responsible for covering costs of repairs due to their own negligence or (intentional or unintentional) destructive behavior.

However, additional taxes such as betterment levies or payments to the vaad bayit unrelated to the apartment itself, e.g. painting the public stairwell or repairing the heating pipes, as well as reasonable wear-and-tear of the apartment, such as a plumbing or electricity fault, are usually an owner’s onus.

It’s starting to sound like most legal ramifications of a rental contract lean in favor of the owner. But protection of assets is important as long as it’s logical and reasonable.

An owner may request one or two months’ rent up front. This secures a guarantee of sorts if the tenant skips town after falling behind on rental payments.

However, when a marriage between tenant and owner presents as not exactly a match made in heaven, both owner and tenant have a right to early termination. The former needs time to find a replacement tenant and the latter needs time to pack up their belongings and find a new housing solution.

“Include a clause in your rental contract that offers an option for early termination, sub-

Cohen, Decker, Pex & Brosh Law Office Since its establishment in 2012, Cohen, Decker, Pex & Brosh Law Office has grown exponentially in reputation, staff and clientele. They practice in all civil law areas, including litigation, commercial law, contracts, labor law and legal consultation, with a specialization in Israeli real estate and immigration law. They can be reached at 02-624-4499 or through their website www.lawoffice.org.il.

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ject to advance notice of either 30 or 60 days,” advises Decker. “So if you find yourself in an unhealthy rental relationship with no way to bridge the divide, you can always default to that clause.”

Other securities exist to protect the interests of the apartment owner and serve to cement the tenant’s commitment. A bank guarantee promissory note or third-party guarantee are some examples.

The first is a sum of money entrusted to the bank by the tenant which the bank pays the owner of an apartment if needed. This guarantee is usually equivalent to three months’ rent. “If a guarantee is autonomous, the owner can redeem it without having to prove their tenant was in breach of contract.

In fact, an owner doesn’t even have to notify their tenant of intentions to redeem the guarantee.” The last determines that should a tenant default on payments, guarantors named in a third-party guarantee fully assume the tenant’s responsibilities and undertake to comply with all terms of the contract as though they signed it themselves.

“It’s important to be aware of these, but as long as you uphold your side of a contract, these guarantees are usually provisional only and never executed.”

The fact that rental contracts have a beginning and end date makes us falsely perceive them as less binding because of their “temporary” nature. Add to this the effort required to decipher a complex legal contract and the pressure of securing an apartment quickly, and it’s no wonder most tenants sign on the dotted line with just a hope and a prayer. “If it seems too complicated to go over a long contract and make sure that it includes all the relevant details and is free of sticky clauses and fine-print traps, retaining the services of a real estate lawyer to evaluate the rental contract is both possible and highly advisable.”

ABOUT MICHAEL DECKER

Jerusalemite Michael Decker is a partner in Cohen, Decker, Pex & Brosh and a member of the Israeli Bar Association since 2008. Decker serves as chief legal counsel for several leading commercial firms, with areas of expertise including real estate, business, commercial, nonprofit and Israeli immigration law, and significant litigation experience. He is a Co-Founder of IJA, Israeli Justice Alliance whose aim is to fight anti Semitism on an international level and protect the religious freedom of minority groups in Israel while maintaining Israel’s character as a Jewish state with a Jewish majority. His involvement in several petitions before the Israeli Supreme Court of Justice has had a real impact on Israeli legislation.

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BOWLING GAMES – RESTAURANT VOUCHERS – ENTERTAINMENT Answering correctly 10 out of 13 of the questions below will automatically enter you into our free draw to win exciting prizes. Send this page with your answers to Nachal Refaim 36/4, Bet Shemesh (if you are local), by email to trivia@biznessmag.com or by fax to 153 2 992 1903.

One prize per winner. One entry per family. Draw date: August 10, 2017. B’hatzlachah!

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1. Mention 3 major changes in this issue of Bizness Magazine: 1) 2) 3)

4. Which restaurants appear in this issue? a) b) c) d)

7. What is IceStory? a) A store that sells ice b) A bookstore for children c) An ice cream store d) A book about Eskimos e) An ice pack for sport injuries

2. How many years has Bizness Magazine been in business? a) 5 years b) 7 years c) 4 years d) 6 years e) 8 years

5. Who is possibly the most experienced insurance broker in the Anglo community in Israel?

8. He started as a handyman and is now the most known Anglo professional in Bet Shemesh and Jerusalem.

3. What does Benji Cheirif do? a) He is a top lawyer in Jerusalem b) He is a great orthodontist c) President of Diet International d) Rav of Maadanei Kehilla e) He is a 3D printing expert

6. Mention 5 professionals or companies featured in this issue who are also in the SIMCHAS 2017 GUIDE 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

9. If you need a pergola, who would you call? a) Outlet b) Salon Yerushalayim c) Element d) Skyline e) Restorno

10. Who said: “Often well-meaning friends or family offer counterproductive advice” a) Darrel Mordecai b) Sara Genstil c) Shimon Cohen d) Eliyahu Gherman e) Dovid Ellis 11. Who is our newest Expert?

12. Which of our Experts graduated from the Montefiore Medical Center?

13. Although getting lost is not a good thing, who can help you lose what you don’t need?

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Auto Mechanics I Experts

Travel Tips for Summer Trips Extreme heat and long drives are a dangerous combination for both cars and drivers, especially in Israel’s Mediterranean climate. So before hitting the road, take several simple precautions to keep both your family and car safe and comfortable.

S

By Alef Alef Car Garage

ummer vacation means high road-mileage for most families.

Kivrei Tzaddikim, hotels on the coast, tzimmerim, summer camp and visits to family and friends are all hot destinations. Extreme heat and long drives are a dangerous combination for both cars and drivers, especially in Israel’s Mediterranean climate. So before hitting the road, take several simple precautions to keep both your family and car safe and comfortable.

Keep Your Cool • DRIVER TIP: Avoid traveling during peak temperatures or immediately after a heavy meal. Plan long trips for early morning or in the evenings when temperatures drop.

It may sound pretty elementary but sunglasses can really improve your driving experience and safety, especially on long vacation trips. Traveling into the sun is the most blinding, but radiation from the sun also affects eyesight and can distort your perception of the distance and speed of approaching objects.

• CAR TIP: Keeping the engine cool is key on long vacation trips. Cars are designed to run hot, but there’s a limit to how hot they should run. Sitting in traffic is one of the quickest ways to overheat your car because there’s no air flowing across the engine to help keep it cool. A well-tuned cooling system can help, but if you have low coolant levels or a torn fan belt, your engine temperature is going to skyrocket.

Get Some Air • DRIVER TIP: Even if it’s mid-August and the air outside the vehicle feels swelteringly hot, the temperature in a closed vehicle is much, much higher. Despite the most powerful air conditioner, the heat trapped in a car releases toxins into the air which can be

dangerous and affect your concentration.

Start your trip by opening windows to let hot air out. Turn on the air-conditioner only after you’ve been driving for a few minutes.

On long trips, it’s best to open a window from time to time to ventilate the vehicle and replace recycled air-conditioned air with fresh air. Recycled air can cause drowsiness. Also remember that when windows are closed and air-conditioning is on (as well as your summer-vacation long-drive music playlist), you’re isolated from all outside sounds, impairing your ability to react to sudden occurrences on the road.

• CAR TIP: Losing your air-conditioning on the way to your tzimmer is a nightmare shared by many. The most common cause of malfunction is a low level of refrigerant.

This could be caused by a leak somewhere in the system. Since modern air conditioning systems are complicated creatures, it’s best to have a professional check out the problem.

Replacing a dirty or clogged air filter can improve mileage by as much as 10 percent but there’s no real science to knowing when it’s time to replace it. If it’s really filthy, then it obviously needs to be changed.

Otherwise, go with your gut. If you’re preparing for a long summer of hard driving,you might as well replace it. Air filters are relatively inexpensive.

Hydrate • DRIVER TIP: Long drives are like days on the beach under a cloudy sky. Your body loses fluids without you even realizing it. Make sure you drink enough throughout the trip to stay hydrated and alert.

Sitting for extended periods of time is very difficult for children but don’t let restlessness in the backseat pressure you to get to

your destination and stop you from taking breaks for refreshment on long drives. A stop of ten to fifteen minutes can be life-saving when driving in the summer heat, as heat increases blood pressure and makes drowsiness gradually set in.

If you feel yourself falling asleep at the wheel, stop as soon as possible in a safe place like a gas station (never on the road shoulder or on a highway). Stretch, have a drink and encourage your kids to walk around a bit, too.

• CAR TIP: Your car could also use a drink and oil is its beverage of choice. Oil keeps hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. But heavy driving during summer vacation increases the likelihood of overheating. So check your oil before you head out.

To check your oil, let your car run for a few minutes, then park it on a level surface and turn off the engine. Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. You’re looking for two things: oil level and appearance. The oil should look brownish-yellow with no dirt particles or grime. Anything else means an oil change and oil filter replacement.

Finally, it’s especially important to comply with road safety rules during the months of July and August.

Children on vacation mean an increase in pedestrian traffic throughout the day. Vacationers heading to various holiday destinations intensify traffic on highways across Israel. Remember that everyone is feeling the heat. Patience may be a virtue regardless of season, but is most needed in the summer.

Alef Alef Car Garage is located in the Nesher Industrial Zone Har Tuv (behind the Police Station) next to Bet Shemesh 02-991-5777, 053-723-1030/1/2.

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Traveling overseas this summer?

Don’t forget your health insurance!

Our Summer Traveler’s Health Package Includes:

Coverage of illness, accident or hospitalization anywhere in the world Customized Insurance Plans  Personal Handling of Your Claims  Seniors, Pregnant Women and Pre-Existing Conditions  

Egert & Cohen. We’ve got you covered.

02-623 2546 • www.egertcohen.co.il • egert@egertcohen.co.il

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