Pessach Food Packages for the Needy

B"H

Pessach in Jerusalem: Haredi charity organizations handing out food for the needy.

All photos HERE !

A Generation of Schnorrers

Seen in Tel Aviv

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Yes, it is Chanukkah and we all should have some positive thoughts. Nevertheless, these days I keep on asking myself why so many religious institutions as well as Rabbis are asking for donations. Of course, they need support and money but sending out constant e - mails begging for donations may not be of such a great help. Honestly, it sometimes really gets on my nerves. 

What is even more upsetting are children from certains Rabbis who see their parents living from donations; so, why should they (those children) look for a job ? I personally know Litvishe guys who don't even participate in a lot of Yeshiva studies but just hang around. In Internet Cafes. One even got married a few years ago, has children and recently bought a house in Beit Shemesh. But do you think that this guy has ever worked in his life ? Not once !

Those are the moments when I am asking myself what I do wrong. I work and still don't own a house. If I don't work, I don't have a place to live and nothing to eat either. It really bothers me that there are many religious kids who don't have any intention of doing something in their lives. The parents receive donations, so why should the kids don't use this money for their own well being ?

I don't give any money to religious institutions and especially not to the Schnorrer kiddies. First of all, when you support religious institutions, the main amount of donations goes into red tape. Fundraisers get their commission, the institution needs to cover its bills such as rent, electricity, phones, etc. 

What I do prefer is giving money to people with a goal in life. To a religious artist, computer developer, scientist or enterpreneur. One who is doing something and doesn't only sit and say "I am Rabbi so - and - so's son and this is why I have to receive donations from you !"

It is the responsibility of a parent to raise his child to a human being with a goal in life. Achieving something and be proud of what one has gained or learn from the mistakes when you fail. But do something in life and don't only walk around shaking a cup in your hand !

Not only Zedakah but Family

B"H

There are countless of religious Jews who follow the Mitzvah of giving Zedakah (charity). They donate and donate or arrange new connections between the needy and potential donors. Showing their kindness (Chesed) by helping other people.

OTHER people but how about your own family ?

Don't you have a brother or sister you haven't spoken to in years ? Do you speak to your parents on a regular basis or do you have been hating each other since you moved out ?

Many people love doing kindness in connection with strangers but when it comes to their own relatives, all the thoughts of struggling, quarrel and suffering are coming up. "I don't speak to him because he has done such and such !"

Maybe it would be better taking care of your own family matters instead of only helping out strangers !

Why I am saying this ?

Because I am exactly in that kind of position at the moment. A long forgotten family branch suddenly reappeared in my life. Tonight I spoke to an uncle I haven't spoken to since I was a child more than thirty years ago. What he said was: "Isn't it sad that family matters such the death of a relative is bringing you together again after such a long time !"

The Vishnitzer Rebbe Menachem Mendel on ZEDAKA

B"H

The Vishnitzer Rebbe Menachem Mendel (unfotunately the text I read didn't mention which Menachem Mendel of the Vishnitzer Rebben) said the following about giving charity (Zedaka):

A rich Jew should not increase his amount of charity in order to avoid becoming arrogant and proud. The same with a poor Jew who should not diminish his amount of Zedaka in order not to feel unimportant or less than anybody else.

The Vishnitzer Rebbe is absolutely right. Just let us take a look at public institutions or Yeshivot and schools. Especially American Jewish donors insist on having their name published on a  big sign. The worst example for this is the new AISH HATORAH building across the Western Wall (Kotel). You cannot even use the washroom without seeing a name on the toilet paper (donated by so - and - so).

The example with the toilet paper is a joke but just look around:
Sometimes it looks as if a private rich American donor Jew rules over Israel and not G - d. At least G - d does not insist on having His name written anywhere you go.

A Mitzvah for a Drug Addict ?

B"H

Last night me and a friend spent some time in Tel Aviv's IN street "Rothschild Boulevard". Rothschild where the wealthy live or at least those who try to look richer than others.
Suddenly a woman as thin as a concentration camp survivor walked along the street and started begging. She was rather staggering around than walking. Wearing a pair of used black old shoes obviously pulled out of the garbage.


I gave her a Shekel and something because I didn't know what to do. Should anyone give Zedakah to a drug addict even when it is known where the money goes to ?
My friend was embarressed and couldn't get the woman out of her mind afterwards. Maybe we should have bought her a meal and not just let her go ? On the other hand, the woman may have asked for the money we were prepared to spend for her meal.


It was a strange situation I am not used to at all and we were too shocked to react in the right way. What would you have done ?

The Donation Business

Cartoon: Airforce Obama

B"H

Generally I have nothing against fundraising if it is for the right person. Due to the worldwide financial crisis many institutions which have so far relied on donations / funds suddenly have to take care of themselves. Find more donors or think more public relation. If you are rich and don't know what to do with your money, there are plenty of opportunities to help. Chesed organizations or Rabbi Mordechai Machlis, for instance. The latter organizes Shabbatot at his house in Jerusalem and I have been trying to do some advertising for him because he is honest in his doings.

The problem with fundraising is always that there are people working for someone else (raising the funds) who also want to get paid. Hardly anyone is doing that kind of job as a volunteer because everyone needs an income. However, when you are an institution or a Rabbi looking for donations, those people working with you ask for their share. Usually a firm percentage of the donation amount.

Let's say you donate 100 Dollar to someone, then the fundraiser receives a commission. Thus, the person who actually needs the money gets less due to the fundraiser's commission. The question is if this is fair. Other people working for people in need talking their own share ?

Within the past months I have been making some advertising for chesed institutions / rabbis in need of money. I only do this for honest organizations but I have had the experience lately, that more and more companies / fundraisers involved try to cheat. Let's say an institution in need of funds orders a company to do some commercials or send out PR letters. This is how it usually works but what is bothering me, and I am very much disgusted by that, is that those connected companies suddenly start sending out donation letters as well. And not only that but especially to those donors donating to the person they are working for. The companies claim in their newsletters that all of this would be on behalf of the person they are working for but this is a lie. The marketing companies' only goal is to get money into their own pockets by using their customer who is actually paying them for sending out his advertising.

As soon as I am making fundraising advertising for a private person, I am receiving e - mails from people who are connected to this person because they all want their share. I would rather wish that the money I am donating is going directly to the person in need and not to some greedy middleman who is living on the expenses of the person in need.

It looks to me as if today some people are too lazy to work and thus start looking for donation victims. "I organize your donations and you pay me 10%".

Maybe this is the way it works today but I am just wondering if such parasites are not ashamed of themselves. And don't send me any more e - mails asking for help on behalf of a needy but move your behind and look for a job !

"Gimme a Shekel !"

The grave of Avraham Avinu in Hebron

B"H

I was just coming back from Hebron last Sunday afternoon and leaving the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem. Spiritually a little uplifted because I had never been to the graves of our forefathers in the "Ma'arat HaMachpelah", I was in a great mood despite wearing a long skirt.
Nothing against skirts and a Jewish modest dress but … I am not a skirt type.
However, I went to the ancestors and wanted to make a good impression in front of Avraham, Sarah, Yaakov and Leah. The Hall of Yitzchak is only accessible for Jews during the high holidays of Pessach and Sukkot. Otherwise the Arabs are occupying the hall.

Unfortunately I didn't see the graves of Adam and Eve (Chava) who are also buried at the Machpelah. What I saw was a huge white door (locked by the Arabs) and a curtain hanging in front of it. This would be the entrance to Gan Eden (Paradise). Not the locked Arab door but somewhere behind, deep underneath the ground in a cave. Right next to the curtain there was a poster saying that "this is the place where the Neshamot (souls) rise up to the upper spiritual worlds". Rabbi Nachman of Breslov would say so in his "Likutei Moharan 17".

When I came out of Jerusalem's Central Bus Station, I crossed Jaffa Road and walked straight through a small alleyway. Somewhere else in my mind and deeply into thought, two Breslover Chassidim asked me for Zedakah (a donation) while passing their stand. I just kept on walking but then turned around and asked if they were from Rabbi Arush.

Rabbi Shalom Arush is a "big" Breslover Baalei Teshuva (Jews who became religious later in their lives) and a former student of Rabbi Berland (who has another Breslover Baal Teshuva movement).I am neither with one of those Rabbis, as they try too much selling themselves. However, it is a good thing what they started. Giving the newly religious a chance to study Breslover Chassides.

One of the two Chassidim turned around and said that they are actually Rabbi Berland's students. And then he went on and on about how the children are starving in the Berland Breslov community in the Arab Quarter (Old City) of Jerusalem. The Berland Yeshiva "Shuvo Banim" provides meals for its hungry students and I should make a donation of 55 Shekels (approx. 11 Dollar).
I told the Chassid to ask Rabbi Eliezer Berland himself for a donation and not me. The Rabbi demands 1000 Dollar for a private meeting with him.
First, the Chassid I spoke to was shocked about the fact that I knew but then told me two "spiritual" stories about what his Rav does with the money (the 1000 Dollar). Once a rich guy came to Rabbi Berland with a suitcase full of money. As far as I remember, the man was sick and asked for a healing prayer. Afterwards he told Rabbi Berland to take as much money out of the suitcase as he wanted.

"How much do you think my Rabbi took ?" the Chassid asked me.
"The whole suitcase ?" I asked.
"No, only 50 Shekels (approc. 10 Dollar)", the Chassid responded. "See my Rabbi is not after the money but he cares about your soul".

I just wanted to leave and wasn't willing to spend the 55 Shekels anyway. The Chassid kept on begging me:

Him: "Give 50 Shekels".
Me: "No".
Him: "Give 20 Shekels".
Me: "No".
Him: "Give 10 Shekels".
Me: "No".
Him: "Give 1 Shekels".
Me: "No. Are we in the Arab market here where everyone is dealing about a Shekel ?"


The Chassid was upset because I didn't give him any money but before he went wild, his friend interferred. If I was married ?
"No, I said".
Him: "Do you want to get married ?"
Me: "I don't have time now".
Him: "Give the donation and the Rabbi will make a Mesirut Nefesh for you. He will promise you health etc."
Me: "No one can promise anything except for G - D !"
Him: "Give the donation for the Mesirut Nefesh".
Me: "No, I have enough of you and I don't give anything".

I left the greedy cash cow scene.

Unbelievable what kind of "Chassidim" Rabbi Berland is sending out.

By the way, would I have got a receipt for the tax office ?

The picture above doesn't show the real grave. See all details on this map !
I bet NOT !