M A G A Z I N E SHARING THE MIRACLE OF SUCCESS Greater Jerusalem Area www.biznessmagazine.com Circulation: 21,000 copies APRIL 2016
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Avrum Aaron Alef Alef Garage Netanel Buta Meryl Cohen Shimon Cohen Jerrold Hyman Paul Incitti David Joelson Ari Katz Tzvi Lefkowitz Moshe Orman Rechavia Dental Center Restorno Ilan Rubinstein United Hatzalah Moshe Wilshinsky
Chag Pesach Kosher V’Sameach!
Moshe Tortomasi
Peace of Mind With Self-Defense
Kitchens
Making Good Choices in Hardware
Villa Tiferet
You Have to To See it to Believe it
Avner Slater
A Real Estate Lawyer Who Speaks Your Language
Daniel Benchamou
Jeeps and Fun in the Judean Desert
Jerusalem College of Technology An Oasis of Torah and Academics in Jerusalem
Jeff Mor
Interview with
How to Find Diamonds that Really Sparkle
Zvika Ilan CMO
Alan Cohl
Never Build Without an Architect
Ilan Rubinstein
Government Programs for Purchasing New Properties
Avrum Aaron
NETSPARK
Your US Commercial Lawyer in Israel
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World’s # 1 in Internet Content Filtering
Can Your Painter Paint with Both Hands?
Moshe Wilshinsky
Don’t Rely on Miracles With Your Mortgage
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contents APRIL 2016
EXPERTS and ARTICLES 5
TAMA 38 Real Estate Investments in Israel
23 Junk It or Restore It?
7
Beautiful Paint Jobs
24 Powerful Filtering Technology
8
Tzfat’s Splendid Stone Villa
26 Pesach Insurance Tip 28 Rebirth of Color
10 Go With Wood
29 Don’t Rely On Miracles with Your Mortgage
12 If You Build It, They Will Come
30 A personal training must-read
14 Helping Yishuv Eretz Yisrael 15 Heaps of Fun in the Judean Desert 16 Legal Guidance for the US Market
32 Torah, Academics and Technology 34 Transparent Car Deals 36 Why Mileage Matters
17 Training Mind and Body with Krav Maga
38 Doctor, I Would Like to Ask You‌
18 Lower your monthly utility expenses
40 Smooth Sailing in Your Kitchen
20 A Cut Above the Rest
41 Safe Use of Cleaning Agents
22 Guide to Buying a NEW Apartment
42 Chaiyanu’s Team Lifeline
TRUST • FOLLOW-UP • ONTIME FLEXIBLE APPOINTMENTS • FLEXIBLE PAYMENTS • GENERAL DENTISTRY • WHITENING • COSMETIC RESTORATIONS THE “OLDESTâ€? DENTAL PRACTICE IN RBS A ... THE “NEWESTâ€? DIGITAL EQUIPMENT.
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DOCTOR OF DENTAL MEDICINE GENTLE DENTISTRY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
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TAMA 38
Real Estate Investments in Israel
Earn 15% per year Excellent collateral / secure loans
• TAMA 38 is a unique construction program recently launched by the Israeli Government to increase urban housing and to protect older apartment buildings from earthquakes. Developers get to add new floors on the top of existing apartment buildings in exchange for doing improvements on the building. Improvements include strengthening existing building, elevator, new façade, balconies, safe rooms. • For their work in improving the existing building, developer ends up with the best new apartments (top floors), in newly renovated buildings, in the best locations of existing high demand neighborhoods. • In the next 10 - 20 years over 25,000 residential apartment buildings in Israel will be rebuilt to TAMA 38 standards, creating thousands of
new, safer homes in Tel Aviv, Herzylia, Petah Tikvah, Jerusalem and other very high demand areas. • American Israel finances the construction of TAMA 38 projects, through secure loans from private funders. Funders may also have the option to purchase new apartments at discounted prices. • Funders receive an annual return on investment of 15%/year with minimal risk and excellent security. Investment time frame is 24 – 36 months for most projects. Minimum investment 300,000 nis • TAMA 38 projects very much help the State of Israel. They make apartments safer and stronger. They create much needed new housing. They generate jobs and stimulate economic development and tax revenue.
TAMA 38 Secured Loan High Interest
The developer gets the new apartments on the top floors The first building has had TAMA renovations. Originally it looked like the middle building The middle building has not yet been renovated The third building is in the process of being renovated
The apartments in the TAMA renovated building are now larger, safer & worth 30% more This is a great way to have a hassle free, high return investment in Israel. Watch our short video at . . .
Recent Projects funded : Ma’alot Dafne, Jerusalem / Kehilat Tzion 6-8, Herzylia / Ein Ganim 53, Petah Tikva / Hadror 3, Hod Hasharon
www.americanisrael.com
Daniel Blush, Specialists in TAMA 36 financing
USA (212) 933-9524 / Israel 054-441-3275, daniel@pollackrealestate.com
Aryeh (Larry) Deverett, 053-831-0270, aryeh@americanisrael.com
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M A G A Z I N E
Letter from the Editor
SHARING THE MIRACLE OF SUCCESS
Editor in Chief Ariel Topf Business Development Yisroel Meir Simon
Dear Readers, Your friend Sarah calls you up and tells you that she just started a new business. She is selling for Pesach free range eggs directly to the consumer. She wants to know when she can drop by and show them to you. As an astute consumer, you ask her right there on the phone about price, minimum orders and quality before inviting her to your home. She explains to you that though the price is higher than at the supermarket, that her eggs are free range, organic, and much bigger. After hearing the price you reply that you will consult with your spouse and get back to her. A week later she calls you again and you tell her that you did not have a chance to speak to your spouse, and anyway you just got home from shopping and have enough eggs for the entire chag. Can you imagine how Sarah would feel if the first ten friends she called responded like that? She would probably be depressed, regretting investing most of her savings in the new biz, and hiding from her husband who told her it was a bad idea to get into that business in the first place. Sarah is not selling items such as computers, air conditioning systems or water filters that you might not need right at this moment. She is selling eggs – everyone needs those! How difficult is it to congratulate your friend on her initiative and invite her immediately to show you her product? If her eggs are bigger and better, what can you lose by buying from her? Many people are not sensitive enough to understand what goes on in the mind of the new entrepreneur, and how fragile such a person can be during the early days of a new business. There are also some people who will accept Sarah’s offer to visit their homes and then proceed to squeeze her for as much as possible to get a great deal. “Sarah, we’re good friends, what’s the best price you can give us?” If you are such a good friend then don’t choke her! Let her earn a living. I always wonder why the “seller friend” has to be the one reducing profit. Why, if I’m such a good friend, should I expect her to earn less from me than other people? Shouldn’t I, on the contrary, feel that I want to be more profitable than the average client? At the very least I can pay the regular rate; and, if I can afford it, it would be nice to order a bit extra to ensure that she earns good money. This will keep her positive and enthusiastic, which is 90% of what she needs to succeed. How many times have we heard the “client friend” say “I’ll buy now buy half of the minimum order to test the product if you give me a 30% discount”? With friends like that, who needs enemies!?
Chief Designer Adam Ram Editorial Manager Aviva Sapir Contributing Editors Naomi Isaacson, Chayale Saibil, Yael Unterman Contributing Writers Alef Alef Car Garage, Netanel Buta, Shimon Cohen, Tomer Cohen, Nachum Eilberg, Aryeh Deverett, Minda Garr, Richard Gussow, Jerrold Hyman, Paul Incitti, Daniel Kaszovitz, Ari Katz, Restorno, Ilan Rubinstein, United Hatzalah How to reach Bizness Magazine Advertising
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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. Each business opportunity and/or investment inherently contains certain risks. It is suggested that prospective business people, potential patients and clients, and all readers consult their doctors, attorneys and/or financial advisors before applying any of the information that is publish in this magazine. Bizness Magazine makes content available with the understanding that the publisher is not rendering legal services or financial advice, business advice, medical advice or any other type of advice. 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 assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Manuscripts, artwork and photographs must be accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelopes. 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 magazine 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 magazine, or are caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, defect or delay in printing. 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.
I’m not necessarily suggesting that we should buy everything from our friends when they start a business, although it would be nice if we could. I’m merely suggesting that we should be conscious that their success in their new business may very well depend on us. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” says the Torah. Let’s do whatever we can to help her exactly as we would wish, in the same situation, to be helped ourselves. Chag Pesach Kasher V’Sameach!
Ariel Topf ariel@biznesssmag.com
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Beautiful Paint Job, Guaranteed Peace of Mind Interview with
David Joelson of Unique Painting
How did you learn the trade? It all started eight years ago. I was seventeen years old, prearmy, and my dad was working as a painter for a friend of his, who invited me to come try it also. (“Maybe it’s in the genes!” he said). Luckily I have good hands and catch on easily. Though I did a nice job, I definitely needed some training. Slowly but surely I got the hang of it, and by the time I was out of the army I was training myself to be a perfectionist in house painting and repairs. Soon it was time to open my own business; and here I am today with many satisfied customers. What should people know before hiring a painter? You need a painter you’re comfortable having in your home for a few hours or days. Also, someone you can trust not to cheat by using the wrong materials to save costs etc. There’s a huge problem with cheap painters using low-end paint, and customers often don’t know enough about materials to prevent this. That’s why you need a reliable painter with recommendations who knows what he’s doing, for true peace of mind. Check his approach. Does he speak on a professional level? Does he try to understand the cause of the problem? Does he explain to you what needs to be done and what materials will be used – whether the job is mold, dampness coming through walls or paint issues – and thus avoid any misunderstandings? All of these are important indicators. Here are some important questions to ask: 1. Is your work guaranteed? Will he be around to fix anything that needs it? 2. What materials are going to be used? It’s your house and you’re entitled to check the materials. 3. Can you use a paintbrush with either hand? Not a joke! Only genuinely professional painters can do this, for straight beautiful finishes on your walls. 4. Tell me more about you. Get to know the guy you’re hiring, to build trust between you. What’s the most common type of paint job that Anglos need? A perfect finish, straight finish lines, and smooth “shpachteling”; also rolling walls, or even creating a nice effect for a beautiful finish, such as crown molding. Do you offer other services? Sure. As I said, crown molding for a high class job. I deal also with mold issues (not to be confused with molding!). I can do general home improvements and repairs, but only for my painting job customers, as I am not a handyman per se. My profession and passion is the painting industry. What type of clientele do you service? I have many English-speaking clientele in Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem, people who want high-level professional jobs and unique service. I am always interested in long-term relationships in which I can give my best service. What’s unique about you and your service?
“Unique” is my name and that’s what my service reflects. I care about my customers and respect them. Their home needs to look absolutely perfect, neat and beautiful when the job is done. My main priority is to make my customers happy when they walk into their home, and to give the neatest, most professional and reliable service possible from a paint job. I also employ only Jewish laborers, a valid concern for homeowners. Another priority is to give a 100% guarantee for my work. If something goes wrong – something I do my best to prevent, of course – it’s my full responsibility. Is the level of quality reflected in your prices? Yes. I make sure to keep prices competitive and not out of range. I am a man of my word and make sure to take care of each of my customers in the best way possible. What’s the most challenging job you ever had? Well, that’s a long story. In brief, for one of my first jobs as an independent business I was recommended to an accounting firm in Tel-Aviv located in one of those beautiful tall buildings visible when you approach the city. I suspected it would be a challenge and require 100% from me; but I really didn’t know what I was getting into as a one-man worker, truthfully. I arrived and couldn’t even see myself starting: the office was huge and I would need to paint to standards not even close to house standards. I could tell that even one small mistake would be completely visible… not to mention the carpeting covering the entire floor… The real problem was that I had another job scheduled three days later. I had no idea what to do, should I take it or not? In the end, I decided I was doing it no matter what, and I would also be on time for my next job. I worked almost three days straight with hardly any sleep; but when I finished the job and met their expectations, that was the best feeling ever. I thank Hashem for watching over me.
Paint job and repairs for your home on a different level
Tzfat’s Splendid Stone Villa Interview with Nicole
Bem, Owner of Villa Tiferet
How did you get into the vacation industry? You could say I was ‘born’ into it! My father owned a charter travel company in Canada, and I worked as a copywriter on travel accounts at an ad agency, so this business was always a part of my life. As for Villa Tiferet, my husband and I originally bought the house for our family, but when the children grew up and could no longer come to Tzfat with us, we felt we had to share the place with others; the house is too unique and beautiful to sit empty. So here I am, back in the travel industry! What is Villa Tiferet, and how long has it been around? Villa Tiferet is a kosher vacation home. The house was originally part of an Armenian Church built 400 years ago. It has since been the home of several artists, and in the 1970’s, it was a café for the local art scene. We bought the property from an artist and then renovated it, transforming it into a vacation home. How did you find such a gem of a property? We have always loved Tzfat and kept going there for Shabbatot. Eight years ago, we became friends with a local innkeeper. We loved his place so much, we actually asked him if we could buy his property! He laughed and said, “No, but I’ll help you find a special place to buy.” We looked at many old stone homes until we finally found the right place. What changes did you make to the house? As the house was once an art gallery, we basically had an empty shell to work with. The walls and high domes were covered with white plaster and our contractor recommended we remove all the plaster to expose the stone. This was a bold move, but he was right. The exposed stone is exquisite and is one of the most 8
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beautiful features of the home. We then decided where we would place the kitchen, dining and living areas. Inspired by Moroccan and Spanish styles, we designed and decorated the space ourselves. We also redesigned the courtyard, laying down stone and tile, adding Moroccan-style cushioned seating and a serene, splashing fountain (my favorite element). What’s the benefit of renting a vacation home over a hotel or tzimmerim? Vacation homes are a great choice for families. Staying in a private home, your family can be as loud or as quiet as you wish with no worries about disturbing (or being disturbed by) the guests in the hotel room next door. You can make your kids their favorite meals and serve them when they want to eat. Unlike a hotel room or tzimmer, this 3,800-square-foot home gives everyone room to spread out. And when there are six guests or more, the house is actually more affordable than renting a few hotel rooms – not to mention the money you also save by not having to eat every meal out. How many people can be accommodated in the villa? We can accommodate up to 13 guests in four bedrooms. There is a private cottage on the ground level that is great for a couple or grandparents. There are two bedrooms upstairs; one bedroom has a bunk bed and is great for up to five kids, while another room is great for parents. There’s also a pullout couch in the family room, and we have a portacrib. What was the inspiration behind the lavish royal decor? The original soaring stone domes and Moorish stone tiles inspired us to use a Moroccan theme in our décor. We bought a few design books for ideas, then wandered the streets of the
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Photo Credit :Jordan Polevoy
Florentine area in Tel Aviv, discovering ceramic kitchen knobs, hand-painted tiles, exotic glass lighting and fabrics. What facilities do you offer? This is a home away from home, so it has everything (just bring along your clothes and toothbrush). There’s a kosher kitchen with two ovens, two dishwashers and two sinks plus dishes and utensils. If you want to cook, we provide oils and spices, coffee, sugar and tea as well as everything one needs for keeping Shabbat. There’s a washer/dryer, iron and hairdryer upstairs. The family room, with its books, puzzles and games, Wii, Xbox, hundreds of Apple TV movies plus Netflix, is a great place for kids and adults alike. There’s also an office area with a printer, screen and Wi-Fi. So your guests actually can cook a full meal when they’re away from home? Yes – and in style! The large, open-concept kitchen offers everything a chef would need, plus there’s a huge wooden counter with bar stools so you can entertain and cook at the same time! Ideal for celebrations and Shabbat meals, the dining room table opens up to seat 16 guests. In fact, we’ve hosted Pesach Seders with over 20 people. The house has meat and dairy dishes, cutlery, tablecloths and beautiful serving plates for elegant dinner parties and Shabbatot. What age groups is the villa most suitable for? We have had visitors of all ages, from babies to grandparents. It is ideal for a multi-generational family get together where the grandparents, parents and grandchildren can relax together. People who celebrate bar mitzvahs in Tzfat like to stay in the house and then host a special meal there. (I dream of seeing a chuppah on the rooftop….we once had a couple get engaged there!) When families stay at Villa Tiferet, do they generally spend their days touring or can they be kept busy on premises? Most guests who come to Villa Tiferet use the house as a
base and then spend time visiting galleries in Tzfat as well as touring the north. They go hiking in the Golan, take guided tours, visit nearby wineries and Tiveria. But we’ve had some guests who are so smitten with the house, they don’t want to leave. One can spend tranquil hours in the courtyard with its splashing fountain, catch the sunset from a hammock on the rooftop, and in winter, relax by a cozy wood-burning fire. What local amenities are there? The house is in the Artists’ Quarter and is a three-minute walk from Rechov Yerushalayim, the main shopping street. Here guests can find bakeries, a pharmacy, banks, restaurants and places that sell prepared food for Shabbat. There are some shuls a few minutes away, while the shuls and galleries of the Old City are a 10-minute walk from the house. What was the best feedback you ever got? We have been very fortunate, as everyone falls in love with the house as soon as they walk in. One visitor recently described it as ‘jaw-dropping!’ (When you walk in the front door and stare up at the stone domes, you will understand why!) Many people also describe it as ‘magical.’ All of our TripAdvisor reviews are five star, so we know that people are very happy. How long do your guests usually visit for? People who live in Israel like to visit for Shabbat. A Shabbat in Tzfat is very spiritually uplifting and powerful, especially in the ancient synagogues of the Old City and in the Kikar Meginim, when the yeshivas say Kabbalat Shabbat together outside. Overseas tourists usually come for three to seven days so they can enjoy Shabbat as well as have time for touring. 054-311-4669 Nicole 054-311-4668 Amir www.villatiferet.com Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/villatiferet www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com
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Go With Wood:
All the O Reasons to Choose Wooden Deck Flooring
nce, the ultimate Israeli dream was a house with a red roof and grass lawn. Nowadays, wooden decking is the in thing. In recent years we’ve seen more and more houses, businesses and public buildings upgrading their overall design with a wooden deck. A deck lends a design touch to a wide variety of spaces: private gardens, roof apartments, seating areas in outdoor restaurants and cafés, and more. Why are so many people today attracted to this option? The reasons for choosing wooden decking are obvious: It’s decorative, economical and easy to maintain. In the past, the areas surrounding a building were usually covered with grass. But now, considering our national water crisis, an excellent substitute for grass is wood. A wooden deck requires no outlay for irrigation equipment, landscaping, or inflated water bills; its maintenance is infrequent and relatively cheap. It’s also advantageous in terms of convenience: no more dew-soaked grass or damp soil making a mess. Instead, you can sit cleanly and comfortably, breathing in the fresh air. That’s why decks are the preferred choice in cafés and restaurants with open-air seating. And there are aesthetic considerations, of course. A deck presents an elegant, warm and luxurious appearance. Typically we would arrange plants and special lighting around it, and add furniture made for gardens and outdoor environments. When all this comes together, we enjoy a taste of chutz laaretz right here in our home. What are the differences between the types of wood used in its construction? We can use several types of wood to build decking. The differences between them lie in their convenience of maintenance and design, as well as initial cost and maintenance cost. Pine Pine wood is the oldest and most common choice for decks. Most is imported from Finland and Russia. Pine lumber qualities are differentiated using a test that checks the number of “eyes” in each meter of wood. Pine wood tends to have multiple “eyes” – darker colored circles of a slightly different texture. To increase its durability, pine decking must undergo a disinfection process, known also
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as “green impregnation,” that leaves the wood with a green hue and protects it over the long term. The most popular type of decking pine wood in Israel today is Finnish pine. The choice of Finnish pine combines low cost with convenience of assembly and maintenance. This wood is characterized by extra durability and is therefore particularly suited to the Israeli climate with its rainfall, drought and heat waves. Ipe Ipe (pronounced eepay) is in increasing demand when it comes to decking. It comes from tropical regions such as countries in South and Central America. Ipe’s advantages include its great durability and strength, which is why it’s used in the fields of construction, manufacturing, design and art. When it comes to choosing the wood for your deck, ipe has many advantages: strength, solidity, durability and a natural and high-quality appearance. The only disadvantage is the high price per unit, resulting from the increasing demand for this type of wood. Teak Teak wood is very similar in its traits to ipe. This tree grows in Asia and is used there as the primary raw material in many different areas. Using teak for decking is considered a prestigious, high-quality selection, based on its strength and great durability. Its natural color tends to a golden brown. It’s relatively soft and flexible, which is why artists who work in wood like it too. Remember – any type of wood used to build a deck must go through a special drying process in an oven to retain its shape in all our local weather conditions. No matter which wooden deck you choose, one thing is for sure: it will upgrade your summer this year. Along with its aesthetic and chic appearance, you’ll have ensured for yourself a comfortable pleasant space in which to relax in the long summer days. Element Wood Art wishes a happy and kosher Pesach to all. Tel. 050 676 3222 Off.: 02-570-9702 Nati netanelahb@gmail.com wooden-pergolas.co.il Find us on Facebook elementwood www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com
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If You Build It,
They Will Come Interview with Alan Cohl of Studio ACA Where are you from Alan? I am originally from New York, and made aliyah over 21 years ago. What inspired you to study architecture and where did you study? I wanted to be involved in building and design from a very early age. I was always the kid that could draw things, even abstractly; I simply saw things differently and figured out I had a sense of proportion. However, it was not until the year I spent in Israel between high school and university that it all came together. The country itself inspired me. Our land was, and still is, a construction site in many ways, literally and figuratively. It was then that I returned to the States and set out to pursue the practice of architecture. I first studied fine arts and theater as a foundation in the arts, then moved on to a Bachelors in Architecture from Pratt 12
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Institute in New York and eventually earned a Masters in Architecture from Harvard University. What has been the most rewarding part of teaching Architecture and Interior Design in America and in Israel? Teaching for me represents not only the clichéd notion of “giving back”, but also an opportunity to constantly regenerate the creative aspect of my own professional thought process. Often, an architectural student transitions from the world of design academia to built reality with an eye-opening shock, on realizing that most of one’s professional time is allocated to aspects of technical limitations and budgetary constraints. My teaching approach tries to bridge the gap, yet still encourages dreaming. What are the differences between the US and Israeli approach to home design? As you can imagine, there are too many to list. However the
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most important differences are the palette of materials and historic precedent. The local materials and resources of any location should directly guide the methods of construction. Nowadays, this might even be considered ecologically correct. Additionally, the traditions of building influence design approaches. The US has a much longer, rich history of European influence, while Israel has had to start with crisp modernism as its backdrop. What type of projects do you do? My practice is filled with many typologies and scales of projects, ranging from an item of furniture, through houses from scratch and all aspects of residential design, to large scale corporate interiors and even small civic buildings. However, a lot of my current work is residential, catering both to new olim and those who live in the States and are building a foothold here. What has been your favorite project? I still learn from every project – you could call that my favorite aspect of the profession! However, my favorite “project” would have to be my next one. Should one use an architect just to add a room or two to the house or enclose a porch? Only a trained architect has the design tools to apply a comprehensive approach to any existing space. Even when just adding a room, it should always be evaluated within the interior and exterior context. Sometimes those exclusively trained as interior designers lack the global vision. What’s the advantage to dealing with an architect who is also an interior designer? It’s much more than a one-stop shop and saving on costs. I approach architectural design methodology in a holistic manner. The condition for making habitable space is a fusion from within and without. Interiors are a natural outcome of function, as the sculptural form of any building is a result of the surrounding context: urban and natural. The integration of these two forces makes it difficult to isolate architecture from interiors. Also, an architect simply has much more knowledge than an interior designer of building methods and materials that enhance, and of design solutions. What should you ask an architect before hiring him or her? I always recommend not to spend too much time interviewing the architect. Of course, you should have a good rapport with your designer, creating a channel of communicative trust towards an open forum of exchanging ideas. However, more important is that you ask for a client list that pertains to your scope of project. Use this list to contact the previous clients and interview them on how the entire process transpired. Seductive photos on a website might have been the result of a very stressful and challenging process between designer and client – something you want to do your best to avoid. What do people get when they hire you? My practice provides comprehensive design services. I try to hand-hold the client though the entire aspect of the process: from understanding how to read plans to the smallest details of cabinetry. I don’t impose my design ideas, but rather take direct cues from my clients regarding their own sensitivities and aesthetics. In the end, they have to be comfortable with the space they eventually will use. Can a good design save you money? Always! Good design economizes, integrates and gets the most out of every square meter of your personalized space. Added to that, there are many financial benefits that are passed down to the client via recommendations of the designer – not only where to purchase materials, furniture, lighting and many other finishes, but also the existence of actual well-designed plans provide a base for competitive bidding amongst tradespeople, such as contractors and carpenters. Who should people hire first after they decide to build? Always find your designer first: this person will be the team director. You need another pair of eyes, and a professional on your side, when you set out to structure the project team. What advice would you give to someone thinking about renovating or building? I would almost always recommend renovating over building, if it is an option. The simple ability to walk into an existing space and experience its size and proportions can never be duplicated in two dimensions, which are more often than not exaggerated in slick developers’ color brochures that show plans with smaller-scaled furnishings to make the rooms look larger. In all cases the best advice is: be prepared – to compromise, make changes, and adjust your budget. Remain flexible and the rewards will follow.
02 – 993 – 4471 cohl@zahav.net.il
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Interview with Avner Slater, Esquire
Helping Yishuv Eretz Yisrael – Bilingual Legal Services Avner Slater, Esq. has been practicing law for ten years, the ODVW ÂżYH DW KLV RZQ ÂżUP +LV SULPDU\ ÂżHOGV RI SUDFWLFH DUH UHDO HVWDWH DQG ZLOOV $YQHUÂśV IDPLO\ PDGH DOL\DK ZKHQ KH ZDV VL[ \HDUV ROG ZKLFK HQDEOHG KLP WR EHFRPH IXOO\ ELOLQJXDO $YQHU FXUUHQWO\ OLYHV LQ -HUXVDOHP ZLWK KLV ZLIH DQG FKLOGUHQ Why is it so important to have a real estate lawyer who VSHDNV \RXU ODQJXDJH Âą OLWHUDOO\ DQG ÂżJXUDWLYHO\" Your lawyer has to be able to explain to you the ins and outs of the process you are embarking upon. This process is complex and sometimes onerous, and you need to understand it in order to be able to cooperate with your attorney. Speaking your language literally is imperative, obviously. Figuratively, hiring someone who understands your needs makes it more tolerable and possibly even pleasant. At the same time, as important as it is to be amiable and accommodating to the clients, the attorney must have what it takes to push things through the bureaucratic system. How can a well-seasoned attorney help clients avoid costly pitfalls even though they are already using a professional UHDO HVWDWH DJHQW" The attorney’s job begins where the realtor’s ends. While \RXU UHDOWRU ZLOO KHOS \RX ÂżQG WKH RSWLPDO DSDUWPHQW LWÂśV the attorney’s job to do the proper legal research, negotiate the legal terms of the sale contract, and inform the client in DGYDQFH RI WKH WD[ UDPLÂżFDWLRQV ZKLFK DSSO\ WR WKLV GHDO plus what other expenses or fees he can expect to pay, thus preventing unpleasant surprises. By “legal researchâ€?, I mean making sure that the apartment belongs to the seller and that the latter is legally allowed to sell it. What happens if a dispute arises after a contract is VLJQHG" The attorney’s job is to try to make sure disputes don’t happen by preparing a contract which is fair to both sides and making sure that both parties understand what their obligations are. In addition, if the contract is written properly, it will stipulate in advance how disputes are to be resolved. Some say they will be resolved by the courts. Personally, I prefer to put in the name of a local Rav respected by both sides, who can help resolve things quickly and according to Da’as Torah.
when you buy “on paperâ€? (an apartment not yet built or not \HW FRPSOHWHG DQG \HDUV JR E\ EHIRUH \RX ÂżQDOO\ JHW WKH key and move in. Make sure that you are the registered owner and not just the key holder (and arnona payer), and that if the registration of the property in your name must be delayed, your lawyer knows that this is part of his responsibility. How does it work if a will was written abroad but the GHFHDVHG OLYHG LQ ,VUDHO" I strongly recommend that people have a separate will for their assets here in Israel. This should be prepared in Israel E\ DQ ,VUDHOL DWWRUQH\ Ă€XHQW LQ (QJOLVK QDWXUDOO\ VR KH FDQ SURSHUO\ XQGHUVWDQG WKH VWLSXODWLRQV RI WKH ÂżUVW ZLOO ,W doesn’t really matter where the will was written, so much as how it was written - to be valid here, it has to be drawn up according to the requirements of Israeli law. :KDW LV D ÂłKDODFKLF´ ZLOO" :KDW PDNHV LW KDODFKLF" &DQ D QRQ UHOLJLRXV ODZ\HU ZULWH VXFK D ZLOO" If you want property or bank accounts to change hands, naturally your initial concern is that your will be considered legally a proper will. At the same time, as religious Jews, we want our wills to be correct and binding halachically as well. There are a few clauses which should be added to the will, in order to make it “halachic.â€? Mainly, the point is to give “immediately before deathâ€? gifts to the designated heirs. Since the Torah stipulates that the ÂżUVWERUQ son receives a double portion and daughters receive no inheritance at all, if you wish to distribute your assets differently you must state in your will that you want to gift them to the desired recipients before your death, before the laws of yerusha come into play. It is safe to assume that even a lawyer who is not yet Torahobservant but lives in our Torah environment knows what those clauses are. However you should make clear to your lawyer in advance that you want a halachic will, and ensure that he or she can deliver the goods. By the way, your will can be probated by either the Rasham HaYerushot or the Bet Din of Misrad HaDatot. What do you enjoy most about your work" I come from a family which takes the mitzvah of Yishuv (UHW] Yisrael very seriously. So it is honor and a privilege to help people buy or rent homes here, thus helping them carry out this important mitzvah.
Can you give us a tip what to look out for when buying an DSDUWPHQW" There are many things to look out for but an essential one is to make sure the apartment you buy is eventually registered in your name. Too often this point is overlooked, especially 14
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Bizness Magazine
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Not Just Jeeps:
Heaps of Fun
in the Judean Desert Interview with Daniel Benchamou of Desert Adventure Jeep Tours What is your background in the field? I was a tour guide in the Ministry of Education for 14 years, and over the same period I opened my company specializing in bicycle tours for large groups. Nine years ago I began providing jeep tours in the Judean desert and around Jerusalem. Since I am fully bilingual I run tours in English or Hebrew. Where are you located? I live in Mitzpe Yericho, surrounded by the beautiful area of Nachal Prat. It’s very rich in Jewish history – especially the story of the Chashmonaim – and a great area for jeeping. My tours cover the Judean desert and the hills around Jerusalem. I can also give jeeping tours in other locations based on the client’s request. What types of tours do you provide? I do jeeping tours of all types, depending on my clients’ preferences. We can go on a simple jeep tour, or I can combine the jeeping with other activities such as: `` hikes, complete with observation points `` crawling in caves (spelunking) `` visiting Bedouin tents `` camel and donkey riding `` pita baking `` omegas `` archery `` workshops, including 3D Temple workshops I can also organize camping trips – I have a tent that can sleep up to 20 people, but I can arrange for more (I actually just took a group of 170 people camping!) Biking tours are also available, if desired. What ages is it suitable for? My tiyulim are suitable for any age, and people can even bring babies. I customize the trip according to the ages and abilities of
the participants, as safety is of prime importance. I cater to families and groups and I offer corporate day trips for companies looking for fun things for their staff to do together. I can fit 7-8 people per jeep. What else is on offer? My “khan” tent, complete with lovely carpets, pillows, chairs and tables, is available for groups on a hike to stop, rest, have a barbeque. It can also be used for celebrations such as birthdays, bar/batmitzvahs, sheva brachot, parties, staff meetings – anything where an unforgettable experience is desired. It’s much more fun to be out in nature than in a room or a hall! How is jeeping a wonderful way to experience nature? Jeep tours allow us to visit isolated places in the middle of nowhere and experience nature with all its beauty and wildness. During our tours we make a few stops at lookouts, to walk in a spring’s stream, or to sit in the shade of a tree located in an oasis. What do you love most about what you do? I love to show my clients our beautiful and fascinating Holy Land of Israel, to connect them to our roots, and to give them a very special and thrilling adventure that they’ll remember for a long time to come. Now is the time to start booking for the summer, tours fill up very quickly. There is still some availability for Chol Hamoed, call now to book a fun-filled day! 052-286-1255 https://www.facebook.com/Desert-Adventure-Jeep-Tours-776882722375038
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Legal Guidance for the US Market Interview with Avrum Aaron, Esquire Avrum Aaron graduated from The Columbia University School of Law in 1994 after earning the distinction of being a Harlan Stone Fiske Scholar. He also received an LLM in Taxation from New York University Law School in 1998. Avrum began his career at Cahill, Gordon and Reindel in the Tax department upon graduation from law school, and after a few years moved to Schulte, Roth & Zabel. A year later, Avrum started as an analyst in the Hedge Fund industry specializing in Merger Arbitrage. In 2002, Avrum moved to Israel and began working at Samet, Steinmetz and Haring. He soon moved to Cupron, Inc., a North Carolina-based company with a subsidiary in Israel, where he served as General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer for six years. After Cupron, he spent a year as General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer of RankAbove, Inc., a U.S.-Israeli software company. He currently serves as COO of Legal Outsourcing Partner, LLC (www.lop-llc.com). His practice consists of advising startups and small businesses, and his areas of specialization include licensing, employment, financing and corporate matters. He is admitted to the bar in New Jersey and Israel. What is commercial law, and why did you decide to go into the field? Commercial law is any type of law having to do with business; a lot of setting up businesses and drafting agreements among businesses. I was always attracted to the business world. I started out as a tax lawyer and gravitated away from that area as my career progressed. What services do you provide? Just about any type of business legal representation a client might need. Who are your clients? U.S.- and Israel-based small business. Many are start-ups; some are individual investors. How would a new company utilize your services? I’ve been serving many of my clients from the moment they started their businesses. We can help a client pick the right vehicle and advise on taxes. It’s best to plan ahead, in life and in business. How would an established entity utilize your services? I specialize in helping Israeli businesses that are entering the U.S. market. Considering my knowledge and expertise, an estab16
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lished Israeli business that wants to expand into the U.S. can really benefit from my services. What are some of the most important elements to consider when planning to set up a business in the U.S.? It depends on what you need to do. Taxes and intellectual property protection are important issues that are often overlooked. One of the keys to entering any new market is to make sure that you build-in the flexibility to change, as one never knows what will happen in a new market; for good or for bad. Do you deal with dispute resolution? Our job is to avoid those situations. If I need to, I can call on colleagues in all the large states to help with litigation. Is there a major difference in commercial law between Israel and America? The law, not much. The culture, a lot. What do you find is the biggest challenge for an Anglo in Israel running his own business in America? Technology has made it much easier to run a business remotely. However, the challenge remains that sometimes you need to be on scene. Of course the time difference is a challenge, mostly on Fridays for those clients that keep Shabbat. Is there any difference between establishing a business in New York or in California? There are legal differences, but in almost all cases business considerations should control where you establish your business. And, if you physically aren’t anywhere (like a website or a mobile app), then neither California nor New York is recommended. How important is it for a lawyer to understand how a client’s business works before working for him? Great question. It depends on the task. For some things, the lawyer really has to know a lot; for others, the basics are fine. A good lawyer will ask a lot of questions. It’s important for clients to answer those questions as thoroughly as possible. Should business owners consult a competent lawyer before signing any contract? Or is applying common sense enough? Common sense is almost always trumped by the written word in a legal controversy. Of course, you’d be nuts to ask your lawyer to review your cell phone contract before you sign it. If the contract is for a good sum of money, or requires significant effort on your part, it’s foolish not to consult a lawyer. How much money is a good sum? Varies by individual. Are business contracts generally drafted many times before a final version is agreed upon? They’re drafted once and then edited. There can anywhere between one and dozens of re-writes. In most cases, the number of editions is slightly more than a handful. Do you get involved in “face-to-face” negotiation with the other party? Yes, if both parties are in the same place. But even when I worked in New York, most negotiations were over the phone. What do you enjoy most about your work? I like the energy that entrepreneurs bring to the mix. It’s inspiring when someone tries to build something from scratch. I try to guide them toward fulfilling their dreams. Israel Phone: 054-398-4380 US Phone: 201-379-9230 Email: avrum@lop-llc.com
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Training
Mind and Body with Krav Maga
Interview with Moshe Tortomasi, Founder of Krav Maga Jerusalem What is Krav Maga and how does it differ from other forms of self-defense? .UDY 0DJD ZDV DFWXDOO\ FUHDWHG VSHFL¿FDOO\ IRU ,VUDHOLV WR GHIHQG DJDLQVW DWWDFNV WKDW KDSSHQ KHUH .UDY 0DJD¶V SXUSRVH ZDV WR WUDLQ ,VUDHOL FLYLOLDQ PHQ DQG ZRPHQ WR EHFRPH D PLOLWDU\ TXLFNO\ 0RVW PDUWLDO DUWV WUDLQLQJV XOWLPDWHO\ KDYH WKH SXUSRVH RI SHDFH LQ PLQG EXW WKH .UDY 0DJD FRQFHSW RI WUDLQLQJ ZDV IRU WKH VXUYLYDO DQG GHIHQVH RI RXU QDWLRQ :KDW LV \RXU EDFNJURXQG LQ WKH ¿HOG" ,Q P\ HDUOLHU \HDUV , WUDLQHG LQ VHYHUDO PDUWLDO DUWV VWDUWHG VRPH VFKRROV DQG ZRUNHG LQ WKH VHFXULW\ SURIHVVLRQ 7ZHQW\ ¿YH \HDUV DJR , EHJDQ SDUWLFLSDWLQJ LQ .UDY 0DJD WUDLQLQJ LQ 6DQ $QWRQLR 7H[DV %HFDXVH RI P\ H[SHULHQFH WKUHH \HDUV ODWHU , EHFDPH DQ LQVWUXFWRU )URP WKDW SRLQW RQ , WUDLQHG D ZLGH UDQJH RI SHRSOH LQ .UDY 0DJD LQFOXGLQJ PLOLWDU\ SHUVRQQHO PHPEHUV RI WKH ORFDO SROLFH IRUFH DQG VHFXULW\ SURIHVVLRQDOV +RZ GLG \RX JHW LQYROYHG LQ WKH ¿HOG DQG ZK\ GLG \RX RSHQ Krav Maga Jerusalem? 0\ ¿UVW MRE RXW RI KLJK VFKRRO ZDV LQ VHFXULW\ DQG WKDW VWDUWHG P\ OLIHORQJ FDUHHU LQ WKLV ¿HOG 7KH UHDVRQ , RSHQHG WKH .UDY 0DJD -HUXVDOHP 6FKRRO LV WKDW , FRQVWDQWO\ KHDUG DERXW DWWDFNV KHUH LQ ,VUDHO DQG ZRQGHUHG ZK\ VRPHRQH GLGQ¶W WHDFK WKH SXEOLF WR GHIHQG WKHPVHOYHV .UDY 0DJD WHDFKHV \RX HYHU\WKLQJ \RX QHHG WR NQRZ Who are your students? , KDYH D FRUH JURXS RI VWXGHQWV IURP GLIIHUHQW SDUWV RI ,VUDHO ZKR KDYH EHHQ ZLWK PH IRU WKUHH RU PRUH \HDUV , KDYH DOVR KDG PDQ\ VWXGHQWV IURP RWKHU FRXQWULHV MRLQ WKH FODVV GXULQJ WKHLU WLPH YLVLWLQJ ,VUDHO 0\ VWXGHQWV DUH PRVWO\ (QJOLVK VSHDNHUV $W WKH PRPHQW DOO FODVVHV DUH WDXJKW LQ (QJOLVK EXW , KRSH VRRQ WR RIIHU FODVVHV LQ +HEUHZ +RZ ORQJ GRHV LW JHQHUDOO\ WDNH VRPHRQH WR FRPSOHWH training with you? .UDY 0DJD LV D OLIHORQJ SXUVXLW VR WKH FRQFHSW RI FRPSOHWLRQ LVQ¶W QHFHVVDULO\ UHOHYDQW +RZHYHU RQH¶V SURJUHVV WKURXJK WKH EHOW V\VWHP GHSHQGV RQ KRZ TXLFNO\ RQH LV DEOH WR OHDUQ WKH WHFKQLTXHV :H GR RIIHU VHPLQDUV RQ NQLIH GHIHQVH DQG RWKHUV WKDW DUH D IHZ ZHHNV ORQJ EXW DVLGH IURP WKDW .UDY 0DJD WUDLQLQJ LV RQJRLQJ Can guns create a false sense of security and how can Krav Maga be a better form of self-defense in certain situations? *XQV LQ WKH KDQGV RI WUDLQHG SHRSOH LV D JUHDW WKLQJ EXW HYHQ LQ WKH KDQGV RI D WUDLQHG SHUVRQ WKHUH DUH WLPHV JXQV FDQQRW KHOS ,Q VXUSULVH DWWDFNV IRU LQVWDQFH ZKHUH ¿UVW FRQWDFW LV PDGH DW YHU\ FORVH UDQJH LW LV EHWWHU WR DOVR NQRZ KRZ WR GHIHQG DJDLQVW WKH
LQLWLDO DWWDFN LQVWHDG RI VFUDPEOLQJ WR GUDZ \RXU ZHDSRQ ORDG LW DQG DLP WRZDUG WKH WDUJHW 7KHVH VHFRQGV FDQ SURYH YLWDO LQ GHIHQGLQJ DJDLQVW DQ DWWDFNHU What is the mission of Krav Maga Jerusalem? 0\ PLVVLRQ KHUH LV WR RIIHU WKH PRVW SURIHVVLRQDO FRPSUHKHQVLYH .UDY 0DJD WUDLQLQJ SRVVLEOH WR DOO FLYLOLDQV DQG VROGLHUV DQG LQGHHG DQ\RQH ZKR ORYHV ,VUDHO VXSSRUWV LW DQG LV ZLOOLQJ WR GHIHQG RXU SHRSOH , GR QRW OHDYH DQ\RQH EHKLQG DQG , PDNH VXUH HYHU\RQH JHWV ZKDW WKH\ QHHG IURP WKH WUDLQLQJ , WUDLQ SHRSOH WR EH IXQFWLRQDO HYHQ DIWHU WKH ¿UVW FODVV , EHOLHYH LQ UHDO SUDFWLFDO DQG FRPPRQ VHQVH WUDLQLQJ :KHQ \RX SDVV RQH RI P\ WHVWV \RX FDQ EH VXUH WKDW \RX NQRZ KRZ WR XVH .UDY 0DJD How can ego sabotage Krav Maga lessons? 0DQ\ SHRSOH WKLQN LI \RX DUH WRXJK \RX FDQ GHIHQG \RXUVHOI 7KLV LV VLPSO\ QRW WUXH DQG LQ IDFW WKLQNLQJ WKLV ZD\ FDQ OHDG WR FDUHOHVV HUURUV LQ MXGJPHQW :KHQ NHHSLQJ \RXUVHOI RU RWKHUV VDIH WKHUH LV QR SODFH IRU HJR Is Krava Maga suitable for someone shy or of slight build, RU LV LW PRUH DSSOLFDEOH IRU VRPHRQH PRUH UHDG\ WR WDNH RQ D ¿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¿FLHQWO\ WUDLQHG WR UHVSRQG LQ WKH EOLQN RI DQ H\H DQG RXU ERGLHV NQRZ ZKDW WR GR 'R \RX KDYH DQ\ WLSV RQ KRZ HYHQ DQ XQWUDLQHG SHUVRQ FDQ become more aware of his surroundings? 2QH WKLQJ , FDQ WHOO \RX WKRXJK , FDQ¶W H[SODLQ LW IXOO\ KHUH LV WKDW DPRQJ WKH PRVW YDOXDEOH WKLQJV SHRSOH VKRXOG OHDUQ LV WKH DUW RI ³VFDQQLQJ ´ ,W LV VLPSOH UHDOO\ ,QVWHDG RI ORRNLQJ LQWHQWO\ DW HDFK LQGLYLGXDO \RX VHH RQ WKH EXV WUDLQ RU VWUHHW OHW \RXU H\HV VFDQ DFURVV WKH FURZGV RI SHRSOH DQG LI WKHUH LV D GLVWXUEDQFH \RX ZLOO QRWLFH D GLIIHUHQW SDWWHUQ ZLWKLQ WKH FURZG VRPHWKLQJ WKDW GRHVQ¶W EHORQJ ,¶YH LQ IDFW JLYHQ VHPLQDUV DERXW WKLV YHU\ WRSLF 6XI¿FH LW WR VD\ DZDUHQHVV LV WKH NH\ WR VDIHW\ IRU \RX DQG WKRVH \RX FDUH DERXW 054-253-6853 Find us on FacebookKravMaga Yerushalaim www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com
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Expert
EL
ELEC TR I C I A N
YES YOU CAN!... lower your monthly utility expenses By Ari Katz
I
have to find a source for the phenomenon, but at some point in our exodus from Egypt, we must have been required to obsess about cleaning everything, whether or not it has anything remotely to do with leavened bread, while gratuitously spending enough money on food and Pesach provisions to actually last forty years in the desert. We Jews have gone through many a famine and dark times, so it’s no wonder people are eating pizza like it’s going to be their last pizza ever, only to return eight days later as if they have never tasted the stuff before. So as Mr. Fix it, I will throw in my advice on a few small things that can be done to your home to save you real money on your utility bills, which is probably important now that you have spent a month’s salary on eggs and chocolate macaroons. 1. Water leaks: These innocent little drips will cost you big over time. A leak that fills a small plastic drinking cup in 5 minutes, will cost you 2,100 shekels per year! Many homes have toilets that leak slowly, but go unnoticed as the drip ends up in the bowl. Other culprits are the dud shemesh, and outdoor irrigation. Especially after the “freeze” in Jerusalem this winter, many dudei shemesh are still dripping away, wasting water, money, and worse - causing damage to the roof. 2. Switching to LED lights: I have written much about LED in my articles praising the longevity and savings. Before buying, call me, please. It’s a new technology and you have to know what you’re getting. But assuming you purchase high quality, longlife LED, the electrical savings are very good. For example, a normal two bulb, fluorescent tube fixture will cost 175 shekels per year at eight hours per day. Switch to LED and the cost will be 49 shekels per year. That’s 125 shekel savings per year and it’s only one light fixture. Multiply it by 10 or 20 and the savings grow quickly. 3. Clean your AC units: This is NOT rinsing off the screens, although that’s a start. An internal chemical clean every few years will preserve the life of the machine for years. It will insure maximum efficiency and, most of all, will spare you from watching your AC unit create those lovely, impressionistic drip stains on your ceiling that, believe it or not, are impossible to paint over. 4. Ceiling fans: If you are from the US then you definitely had 18
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them. They make them here too and work wonders. The majority of evenings do not need A/C and a strong ceiling fan, even on a low setting, can make a huge difference in cooling the home. 5. Use the sun and not the dryer. I know how difficult it is to keep up with the laundry. We are six people and the machines never stop. However, if you use a high speed spin cycle, the Mediterranean sun can dry those clothes in about 10 minutes, no joke. A dryer is an energy guzzler. Buy a good quality drying rack, bribe an older child to do it, and give him or her the savings which at one load per day could possibly be 700 shekels a year. 6. Curtains, trissim and screens: I know it’s simple, but how many people don’t have curtains and hate the trissim? For a relatively inexpensive cost, screens can be added to windows so they can remain open and the house bug free while the curtains and trissim keep the effect of radiant heat out of the house. Summer is summer and we need A/C, but we can give the A/C unit a break by eliminating some of the heat within the house allowing it to cool off and stay cool for less money. I have made these suggestions based on my personal experience in dealing with these products over the years. Feel welcome to call and ask away. When it comes to these topics, I always welcome a good schmooze.
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COMPLETE PROPERTY SERVICES
BCS Israel offers a comprehensive full service solution to suit all your needs Our services include:
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A CUT ABOVE THE REST Interview with
Jeff Mor
Diamond and Jewelry Wholesaler
What related services do you provide? Besides selling diamond jewelry that I make, I am frequently asked to reset a customer’s own diamond into a new setting. Both of my jewelers, one here in Israel and one in New York, can custom make any piece just from a picture. Therefore, I tell my customers to look online for exactly what they like, and I make it for them for a much lower price. Who are your clients? Baruch Hashem, I have been very fortunate to sell many young couples their diamond engagement rings. Most of them are from Bet Shemesh or Jerusalem, and many have referred their friends to me as well. I also have clients who come to me to purchase a beautiful piece of jewelry as a special birthday or anniversary treat for their wife. Why have people been buying from you for the last 20+ years? I believe people appreciate the honesty and high quality product that I give. I also always educate each of my clients about the different variables of carat size, color, clarity and cut, showing them in different diamonds. Almost all the GLDPRQGV , VHOO DUH *,$ FHUWL¿HG ZLWK ³7ULSOH ([FHOOHQW´ WKH highest of standards) in cut, polish and symmetry. This makes WKH GLDPRQGV , VHOO DEVROXWHO\ PRUH VSDUNO\ DQG ¿HU\ WKDQ other diamonds. What does a consumer need to be wary of when choosing a diamond? There are a number of aspects to buying a diamond that require caution. 0DNH VXUH DQ\ GLDPRQG \RX SXUFKDVH LV FHUWL¿HG ,I LW LV QRW how can the purchaser be sure he is getting the color and clarity that he is paying for?
How did you get into the diamond industry? After graduating from Yeshiva University in 1991 with a degree in Business Finance, I started working with my uncle’s diamond company on 47th Street in New York. My uncle and father had been partners in business before my father ]´O SDVVHG DZD\ LQ , OHDUQHG ¿UVWKDQG DERXW GLDPRQG cutting from the rough and about jewelry-making. How do you operate your business? After working for my uncle for three years, I decided to start my own diamond and jewelry company, as my wife and I were making Aliyah. My uncle was very supportive, and signed as a guarantor to the bank for my credit line, and to get me accepted as a member of the prestigious Diamond Dealers Club of New York. I started traveling between the Diamond bourse in Ramat Gan, to buy diamonds directly from the rough manufacturers, and New York, where I would certify all my diamonds at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). I would then sell those diamonds to jewelry stores and other diamond dealers. Throughout these 20+ years, I have made, and sold, hundreds of diamond engagement rings, diamond stud earrings, diamond tennis bracelets and diamond pendants. I am able to supply these items at true wholesale prices.
7KHUH DUH PDQ\ ³OHQLHQW´ ODERUDWRULHV WKDW ZLOO JUDGH WKH diamond a higher color and higher clarity than the diamond really is. This is bad for the consumer because he will now pay a higher price than necessary. If that same diamond were FHUWL¿HG LQ *,$ WKH PRVW UHSXWDEOH DQG VWULFW ODERUDWRU\ LQ the world, then the consumer would only be paying the fair market value. (YHQ ZLWKLQ WKH *,$ FHUWL¿HG GLDPRQGV WKHUH DUH UDQJHV from poor-fair-good-very good-excellent in each of the FDWHJRULHV RI FXW SROLVK DQG V\PPHWU\ $ ³JRRG´ GLDPRQG will have much more of the diamond’s weight distributed into the depth of the stone, resulting in less surface area. An ³H[FHOOHQW´ GLDPRQG ZLOO KDYH WKH SHUIHFW UDWLR RI ZHLJKW distribution into the diameter of the stone, resulting in the stone looking larger and more sparkly. $QRWKHU DVSHFW WR EH ZDU\ RI LV WKH ³ÀXRUHVFHQFH´ RI WKH GLDPRQG ³1RQH´ LV WKH EHVW DQG ³IDLQW´ LV RND\ WRR EXW ³PHGLXP VWURQJ DQG YHU\ VWURQJ´ ÀXRUHVFHQFH UHGXFH WKH YDOXH RI WKH GLDPRQG VLJQL¿FDQWO\ What are your plans for the future? B’ezrat Hashem, to continue to see the smiles on the faces of my clients for many more years to come!
0505-739-061 jeffmor36@gmail.com 20
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Diamonds & Jewelry
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Expert
RE
R EA L ES TATE
Bringing Jews Home
Ilan’s Guide to Buying a NEW Apartment in Israel Continued: By Ilan Rubinstein
Government Programs
Mechir Lemishtaken (“Buyer’s Price”)
This program includes limited grants to eligible buyers in peripheral areas of between 40-60,000 NIS, along with discounted prices – via a reduction in the price of land to developers, and state subsidies for development costs. The developers compete for the lowest price per square meter for an apartment. As of now, many of the tenders have been issued, and the lotteries for eligible buyers will be announced in the coming weeks. Which individuals are eligible to participate? The government set up this new program to help those who “lack housing,” which for this program’s purposes is defined as follows: Anyone who has not in the past six years owned an apartment (or part of one), or rented one under the Tenant Protection Law (key money); who is not defined as an heir to housing units on estates, farming communities or community settlements; and holds no rights to an apartment under construction. The program is intended for: • Married couples • Unattached individuals (singles, divorced or widowed) over 35 • Single parents with at least one single child under 21 who is in the parent’s custody • Disabled people aged 21 and over, certified as such by the Ministry of Health, confined to a wheelchair, with a permanent disability level of 75% or more Which apartments are eligible to participate? Minimum compulsory technical specifications for eligible apartments have been laid down by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, available upon request. Areas covered These include Jerusalem, Ramat Bet Shemesh, Haifa, Herzliya, Raanana, Lod, Afula, Rishon Letzion, Atlit, Kiryat Motzkin, Tiberias, Tel Aviv and more. There are benefits for local residents – those who have lived in the area for the past few years are given priority in purchasing an apartment. Prohibition on Reselling Apartments purchased through the Mechir Lemishtaken framework are prohibited from reselling to a third party for five years from the date of “Tofes 4” (Certificate of Occupation).
Mechir Matara (“Target Price”)
Mechir Matara applies to residential apartments constructed within the framework of new building projects throughout the country, with apartment prices being determined through tenders and approximately 20% below the market value. These apartments range in size from 60-150 m². A Mechir Matara apartment includes at least one parking space. 22
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Which individuals are eligible to participate? Like the previous program, this one is similarly intended for those “lacking housing,” but also for those “looking to improve their present housing circumstances.” For the purposes of this program, “lacking housing” refers to individuals at least 35 years old, and/or family units, where no member has had rights of ownership to an apartment unit (or part of one) for the ten years prior to purchasing a Mechir Matara apartment. “Looking to improve their housing” applies to an individual at least 35 years old, or a family unit, who own an apartment unit which will be sold within 12 months of receipt of government form 4 for the apartment being acquired, or who owned an apartment unit in the ten years prior to purchasing a Mechir Matara apartment. Which apartments are eligible to participate? High quality standards and technical specifications are determined by the Ministry of Construction). Reselling Apartments purchased through the Mechir Matara framework are prohibited from reselling to a third party for five years, an action incurring a penalty of 250,000 NIS Renting Out Apartments acquired may be rented out for residential purposes so that one need not wait for exactly the right apartment to turn up to get onto the housing ladder. Lotteries The Rosh Hayin lottery was announced in March and 196 families were given the opportunity to acquire 4-room apartments for just over 1.14 million NIS and 5-room apartments for around 1.3 million NIS. How do I proceed? If you think you may be eligible for either program, feel free to contact us for further advice. The government is marketing up to 60,000 apartments this year, which means that you actually have a decent chance. If you are not eligible for either program, there are still new apartments available for sale from earlier tenders, on private land and on Tama 38 projects, which we will discuss in the next issue. The writer, Ilan Rubinstein, UK born, is a licensed Israeli real estate agent with 15 years’ experience in Israel real estate. Ilan is the CEO of I.L.A.N. Estates & Investments. Ilan advises & assists olim in acquiring new & existing property, investments and businesses throughout Israel. The above article is intended as a general guide only. Accordingly, no warranty is given on any information contained herein.
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Tel: +972(0)774108011 Cell: +972(0)504-910-604 Skype: ilanrubi www.ilanrealestate.com office@ilanrealestate.com www.facebook.com/ilanrealestate
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Junk It or Restore It?
GUIDELINES ON SAVING AND TRASHING OLD FURNITURE
S
pring is in the air! For Jews, that means Pesach cleaning, and a compulsory review of the home and its contents; what needs to be fixed, junked or purchased. This is the best time to get the house and its contents shipshape, and it might be the only opportunity. As one client summed it up: “If you don’t fix my sofa before Pesach, then it will have to wait another year.” But how to decide what furniture is worth fixing or buying? Sometimes, householders might be stumped by this puzzle, feeling as if they simply don’t have enough information at their fingertips to act. The basic criteria for whether to save or buy a piece of furniture can be simplified, but some equally important questions are how we perceive furniture and what motivates us to like it. Historically, furniture is like the town clock. Entire towns would, in the past, pool their money for a clock in a tower; but with the machine age and the evolution of mass production, clocks became more and more common, and today clocks exist everywhere. We can say the same for chairs. Once, chairs were made by craftsmen, and built to last a lifetime; today, they’re molded in cheap plastics by the millions. While today we have much more wealth than ever before, and can afford much better furniture than ever, still many believe that throwaway consumables and disposables are preferable. Thanks to slick marketing, popular consensus justifies buying costly electronics that last only a few years – for instance, the latest smartphone that people seem to think they need will set them back over 3,000 NIS. But quality furniture that will outlast them many times over seems expensive. Paying 2,000 NIS for a chair seems really expensive to people of today’s mindset, and especially those who have learned to like furniture by that unnamed Scandinavian manufacturer, because it is so cheap and disposable. So don’t be fooled by the consumer hype. With a little effort, you can find excellent vintage and antique furniture well worth restoring. Even though it will cost more upfront, it will serve you in greater style and comfort for your lifetime, and maybe the next generation, too.
Before and after of pine cabinet painted in an off white translucent wash. A special effect finish can transform a simple piece into a centerpiece.
Materials, Construction and Functionality Whether you have inherited something from Grandma or you want to buy a vintage item, first assess the quality of the materials it’s made from. The overriding factor in materials and construction is if the piece will be flexed or remain static. For chairs and seating, the joints are stressed every time one sits, requiring mortise and tenon joinery, or at least dowels. One of the most important factors in construction is the quality of the glue. Even chairs from the best companies will fall apart eventually. Although most chairs today are made from high-quality parts, these unfortunately fall apart when the glue fails. Look for hardwood frames with stretchers between the legs, glue blocks that reinforce the seat, and the absence of screws. Try to avoid items where the frame is constructed from extra thick material, making the chair extra heavy. It may look impressive, but it indicates usage of weak, low-quality wood. In static pieces such as closets, libraries, etc., medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with a wood veneer can be used effectively, if the hardware is sufficient and if it will not come into contact with moisture, including high humidity. Closets and tables can be constructed with more simple joinery, which relies on hardware. A Word on Finishes Furniture finishes come in two varieties; repairable and irreparable. If the finish has hairline cracks running all over it, that means it needs refinishing. Any efforts to build on top of a weak foundation will end up cracking. However, old finishes that are badly scratched, but not full of cracks, can often be repaired. If you want to make a major investment in your furnishings, and are not certain about the technical aspects of the furniture, Restorno offers a technical appraisal service. Soon, Restorno will be offering courses for those who want to restore their own furniture, or who want to purchase from our inventory of unrestored furniture. We would like to receive emails from anyone interested in such courses. Stay tuned for the opening of our furniture gallery.
k pa in t is e hi de ou s bl ac Un de rn ea th th d, so lid oa k ar m ch ai r, fte ra ho lster y a ha nd -c ish in g an d re up wa iti ng fo r re finits or ig in al be au ty. to ex po se
Th is Vic tor ian pa inted bla ck an d sid eb oa rd wa s ug ly, bro No w its tim ele ss be ke n, be fore res torati on . au ty sp ea ks for its elf.
Yona Triestman can be contacted at yona@restorno.co.il or 050-764-6726
Powerful Filtering Technology Slowly but surely, Israeli company NetSpark is becoming a foremost world player in the field of filtering undesirable content on the Internet and smartphone. Over the past two years, the Haredi public in the US, Canada and Europe have undergone a revolution; entire communities and leading organizations dealing with the damaging effects of technology and smartphones have chosen NetSpark’s app as their preferred filtering system. We spoke with Mr. Zvi Ilan, vice president of international marketing at NetSpark, about the company, the technology, and the solutions already being implemented in tens of thousands of households. How and when was NetSpark created? NetSpark was founded around eight years ago by a group of scholars and investors led by Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira, Rosh Yeshiva of the Ramat Gan Yeshiva, and Mr. Moshe Weiss, an American-born Karliner Hassid and ultra-Orthodox businessman, now living in Jerusalem. They recognized the need to create genuine solutions for the problems arising from uncontrolled Internet content and surfing. Back then, almost no technological tools existed refined enough both to protect surfers from seeing problematic content, and yet at the same time to allow them access to everything else. This was NetSpark’s goal. Another important principle and aim was to develop cheap solutions so that anyone, regardless of means, could purchase it without financial strain. Where is the company located? In Kiryat Matalon, Petach Tikva’s high-tech area. We employ dozens of workers in various fields: software engineers, computer programmers, cyber professionals, content developers, customer service staff and more. Serving people from all over the globe as we do, we are open for business almost round the clock. What’s the background of the company’s founders? Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira is today considered the leading educational voice in the religious sector in terms of understanding its needs, charting the right course, and familiarity with problems and solutions available in Israel and worldwide. As the company’s Torah authority, all the basic filtering levels and packages are set according to his halachic rulings. Mr. Moshe Weiss, the company’s chairman, is the driving force behind all its daily operations. He brought in the company’s largest investor group, which has already sunk huge sums into developing the technology that is today considered the world’s number one in the Internet and smartphone content-filtering field. A man of tremendous energies, Moshe can start off the week with a melave malka in a Jerusalem yeshiva whose American students have decided they want to filter their smartphone content – singing with them, giving divrei Torah and speaking from the heart until 24
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all hours, just to persuade as many people as possible to install our filtering system, NetSpark Mobile, and start living with content protection. The rest of his week he’ll spend running around between educational institutions, company management and strategy meetings, and trips abroad to promote the company’s vision: that each and every Jewish person, no matter from what worldview or community, will own a kosher – or at least filtered – smartphone. Moshe is a highly sought-after lecturer in Israel and worldwide by people who want to hear his philosophy and how to apply it in practice. It’s to Rabbi Yehoshua’s and Moshe’s credit that tens of thousands of Jewish homes, and hundreds of thousands of users in Israel and worldwide, can surf the Internet appropriately at home, at work, and on the smartphone. Who developed the technology? Our team of programmers and cyber professionals, all company employees, who are drawn from various computer and undercover units in the IDF, or are proven geniuses in programming, computer solutions and the Internet world. Walking into our offices, you’ll see people of all ages and religious levels – the Jewish people at its best. We’re extremely selective in who we bring on board, and most developers come in by word of mouth. What type of protection does the product provide? What’s unique about NetSpark’s technology is that it is actually an “artificial intelligence” – a technological system that learns to identify in real time what is being streamed, and decides to either allow or block the content before it ever reaches the viewer. It does this at incredible speed, in a matter of milliseconds, yet still at unbeatable quality. After you initially choose your preferred level of exposure and blocking, the system runs automatically. The technology also allows control and filtering of apps, adaptation to various browsers, filtering for entire categories such as shopping, games and social networking sites, and specific filtering for a particular app or site. The NetSpark app provides extra features such as tools to limit Internet/ app time and usage on smartphones. So advanced are the capabilities of our technology that when I travel to offer companies our tech solutions, the professional staff almost fall off their chairs. Is it an “all-or-nothing” filtering technology? Definitely not. The remarkable uniqueness of our technology lies in its ability to extract objectionable content. In contrast to other technologies that block entire pages or sites, we are able to eliminate a specific movie, picture or text, allowing customers to continue peacefully browsing. This is very important when it comes to mixed content sites such as news sites, where the decision to allow or block an image is implemented online even if the image was uploaded moments earlier. Thus someone who uses news sites for work purposes can read the news, while we take care of problematic content in real time. Most other technologies that block entire sites and apps prevent legitimate content from being viewed. Alternatively, once they’ve allowed a page, if an immodest picture is then uploaded, it prob-
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Conquers the Jewish World (and Beyond) ably won’t get blocked. Studies show that most of those who end up abandoning filtering technology were using a crude tool such as this. It reduced the benefit and easy use of their smartphones to unacceptable levels. Hence, we’ve invested heavily in developing technology that won’t even be noticeable. Does the filtering slow down the surfing speed? Not in any tangible way. Without technology making evaluations within milliseconds, no one experiences slowdown at such speeds. As the surfer scrolls through the page, the system smoothly blocks or allow contents at the surfer’s scroll rate. Just to give you a sense of things: our current system filters 24 million new YouTube videos and 200 million new photos per day, and more than 500 million text characters per second. Obviously, this represents tremendous computing power, allowing an absolutely uninterrupted surfing experience. How do you protect users of social media such as Facebook? On the strictest protection level, all social networks are blocked by default, unless the person specifically requests something else or makes the change independently, so as to be able to use a network such as Facebook. On the lower protection levels, we eliminate the problematic content from the site. How do you keep up with new ways that online inappropriate content is delivered? Our highly advanced team is familiar with technology on the most sophisticated levels, including secret technologies used primarily in warfare, so we can find solutions to almost any problem. I’m not aware of even one significant problem we didn’t solve within a very brief time; 2-3 days maximum. Can each smartphone user set up personal filtering preferences? For sure. All customers who’ve acquired our software are given a control panel allowing them to operate their smartphone remotely from their computer. We recommend using managed services, such as those provided by stores that install NetSpark Mobile for you, so you benefit from guidance and assistance, as well as protection from temptation that could potentially cause customers controlling the system on their own to lapse. How does it work on smartphones and tablets? You can download the app from our website www.netsparkmobile.com or from Google Play (look for “NetSpark Mobile”). It’s a relatively simple procedure of a few steps, taking less than seven minutes, during which the filter is installed on the smartphone. It comes with a seven-day free trial; payment begins only after those seven days. By the way, again, the most foolproof method that avoids all problems is to contact one of the stores nationwide and have it installed professionally. The app now supports Androidand iOS-based systems, and can be used in more than 90% of smartphones around the world. Today you don’t need to replace your device or pay more; you can get low-cost filtering within a few minutes, or through a professional installer in a store. Who are your clients? Well, it varies greatly. We sell to telecommunication compa-
nies, cell phone providers, educational institutions, technology distributors and manufacturers, and private customers. Our customer base extends far beyond Israel to the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America, and increasingly now in the Far East. For educational institutions and communities we offer a management system unparalleled anywhere in the world that allows them to customize special packages for their students or community members, and to manage them. Our clients in the Haredi sector in Israel and abroad include Chabad (whose Beit Din gave a special hechsher to our app), Belz, Vizhnitz, and even some of the more “extreme” communities. Is there any reason not to use this web-filtering technology? Yes, if you don’t own a smartphone or tablet! Seriously, though – we actually don’t encourage the use of smartphones or Internet. Rather, we’re a solution for those who are currently using an unrestricted smartphone and feeling apprehensive about the high risk of inappropriate content and the inevitable harm it causes. What would you tell parents and educators who have not yet provided this level of protection to the children under their supervision? I think they’re playing with their children’s fate. The statistics, even in the religious and Haredi communities, don’t paint a good picture. Children and teenagers are exposed to appalling content that causes unimaginable corruption, G-d forbid. I want to tell these parents and educators: don’t bury your heads in the sand, it’s not a question of “if” these children and youth will end up seeing, and being damaged by, these internet abominations, but of “when.” Even if you give a teen an internetless smartphone, that’s no guarantee! A smartphone is able to connect to WiFi, and the child will go ahead and find the network that will give him or her Internet without restriction or filtering. Don’t play with fire. Your job is to protect your children. You wouldn’t let them get drunk, do drugs or drive without a license. Don’t leave them unprotected on their smartphone or tablet. www.netsparkmobile.com Zvika: zvika@netspark.com www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com
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INSURANCE
Pesach Insurance Tip By Shimon Cohen Pesach – that time of year where even the tiniest crumb is important. Some insurance cases which “turn on a word”: Good Intentions Mr. Z. B. worked for the same firm for 30 years. In that period of time, he had a bituach menhalim policy that did not include permanent disability cover. He then moved to a new employer who took over the original bituach menhalim and agreed to carry on paying the premiums. The new employer also added an extra 2½ % ostensibly to add on disability cover. However, neither the employer nor his bookkeeping staff specified what the extra money was meant for. The insurance company (Migdal) simply added the extra amount to the savings part of the policy. Unfortunately, Mr. Z.B. was then diagnosed with a brain tumor and was totally unable to work. The family claimed for the disability and this was rejected on the grounds that no one had ever asked for the disability cover to be added on, and that at least two yearly reports had been sent both to Mr. Z.B. and his employer. Mr. Z.B. in turn claimed that there was obvious intent to add on the cover and in fact an additional amount of money had been paid in each month. The judge in the case criticized Migdal for using a “rosh katan”. However, this was not sufficient to counterbalance the fact that mere intention is not enough. Without some form of written request, there was simply no basis for the claim. Moral: Check your own bituach menhalim – do not assume things and do not rely on the “ ”יהיה בסדרsyndrome! Citizen vs Insurance Company Mrs. E. insured her Citroen with the Shirbit Insurance Company. On 5.11.12, the car was stolen. To Mrs. E’s dismay, the insurance company refused to pay on the grounds that she had had a previous car stolen in 1998. The insurance company claimed that one of the questions asked on the proposal form was whether there had been previous claims or thefts. Mrs. E. stated that she had answered fully and clearly that on the Citroen there had been no previous claims. She even produced a letter from her previous insurer. Shirbit claimed that the question related to all cars previously insured by Mrs. E. and that this was important and relevant information which Mrs. E. had hidden from the company. The verdict! The court held that if on the insurance company form itself the question did not appear directly, they did obviously not regard it as being important and relevant information. Mrs. E. was not, 26
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therefore, expected to volunteer such information. Shirbit paid up the NIS 69,000 for the claim, and Mrs. E. went home smiling! Pesach Drivers 1. Your son/daughter is now home from Yeshiva/Army/ Seminary and wants the car! Make sure that you have added on young drivers to your motor policy. This usually has to be done by sending an email to your agent specifically requesting that this be added on. 2. Visitors using your car – what is the law regarding foreign driving licenses?? A quick quiz 1. An Oleh can drive for 3 years on his/her foreign license. Y/N 2. As long as you retain your tourist status, you can drive on your foreign license indefinitely. Y/N 3. If you’re a returning Israeli and you took out a foreign license just before coming to Israel, you can transfer this to an Israeli license. Y/N *See bottom of article for the answers
A quick summary 1. Oleh Chadash, Tourist, Returning Resident-Temporary Resident - Needs an Israeli license? Not immediately. Period of time? Up to 1 year from date of entry to Israel. 2. Tourist/Student (coming in and out of Israel during the year) - Period of time is unclear in the law, each case to be decided separately. Usually, each new entry to Israel starts the process again. 3. Transferring a foreign license to an Israeli license Oleh Chadash – License can be transferred within 3 years of being in Israel, on condition that foreign license was issued before the Aliyah date. 4. Temporary Resident, Tourist, Returning Israeli – License can be transferred within a year of arrival in Israel, on condition that it has been valid for at least 6 months. For all transfers, one needs to take a simplified lesson/test, contact a local driving school. So, all of you driving with valid New York licenses, but not valid Israel licenses….don’t take the chance!!
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!חג כשר ושמח
All answers to the quiz are NO! 02-623-2546, 050-548-2192 www.egertcohen.co.il
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27
REBIRTH OF
COLOR
By Meryl Cohen
I
live in the Givat Sharett neighborhood of Beit Shemesh, and from my house I have a lovely view of open land where sheep graze. In the winter, the landscape is barren and devoid of color; but in the spring, around Pesach time, everything turns green. Everywhere you look you see new life budding forth from the ground and trees. Nature comes alive with a plethora of color. Like an artist’s palette. As an artist, I love working with color. Moreover, the fabrics that I use in my fusion paintings give my realistic subjects a touch of abstraction.
Whenever I go, I take time out to gaze at the flowers and local vegetation. My camera is always with me and I snap hundreds of photos. When I was visiting our daughter in Florida, in front of her home was a magnificently colorful plant. I knew immediately that it would be perfect for some new fabric that I was so anxious to use. Other flowers that captured my imagination are the chrysanthemum and the anemone (kalanit). The chrysanthemum is so colorful even though it appears to be of one color. With the kalanit, I worked
with primary and secondary colors, a favorite palette of mine. Simple flora that are a representation of G-d’s magnificent handiwork transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. Indeed, my neighborhood is filled with natural beauty. Even the streets are called by the names of flowers: Ha-Iris, Ha-Kalanit, and Ha-Nurit. I feel blessed to live in Beit Shemesh where I can encounter the beauty of nature as I travel on the highways and byways of our wonderful city. As we never grow tired of flowers on our Shabbat table, I am still painting flora.
077-228-5757 052-5959-006 merylcohenartist@gmail.com www.merylcohen.com www.merylcohenart.etsy.com Find me on Facebook: Atmosphere Art by Meryl Cohen
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Expert
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MO RTG A G E
Don’t Rely On Miracles with Your Mortgage By Moshe Wilshinsky, CEO, Moville Mortgage and Finance Ltd.
P
esach is a time of freedom and identity. First you must know yourself; and then there is the question of how other people perceive you. This might well be the subject for a whole other article, but right now I would like to discuss how a mortgage banker perceives you. So who “knows you best”? Leaving aside your parents and your spouse, close friend etc., the answer might well be longtime service professionals, your lawyer or your accountant. For some people, this applies to their banker as well. What most people fail to recognize, though, is that even if they are lucky enough to have a banker who knows them, it does not necessarily mean that the bank does. When applying for a mortgage, this difference becomes very acute. While their banker, based on a relationship spanning many years, does know them and can give certain services or make certain accommodations because of it, unfortunately the mortgage regulations in Israel over the latter part of this decade do mitigate the effect that the relationship can have on the decision process of those in the bank with the authority to approve a mortgage. How income and assets are documented, age and citizenship, are all factors dictated by different regulations that can significantly affect or even prevent bank approval of one’s mortgage. Even though a person’s retail or business banker wants to give them a mortgage, they cannot because they do not have the authority, while those in the bank who do have the authority will not exercise it unless the applicants meet regulatory guidelines. With the proper expertise in the regulatory issues and experience in multiple approaches to how to document or address regulatory requirements, with time these issues can be overcome. However, while the retail or business banker may have the desire to help, they do not have the expertise and experience. Far too often the person in the bank who has the expertise and the authority does not have the relationship with the customer, is overwhelmed with a hundred other files, and, as the responsible party for the discussion to grant the loan, simply does not want to stick his neck out. It is, after all, very rare for the denial of a mortgage application to ever come back to haunt them, whereas approving one certainly can. This can
either be because of potential default, or more likely, a Bank of Israel audit of the file. I have said many times in previous articles that the process of getting a mortgage is not something that should be started after the apartment is found or the contract signed. Ideally, the process should commence much earlier, because mortgage approval is a tool that should be used in the hunt for an ideal home. Making the assumption that your bank “has your back”, and starting the mortgage process with not enough time to qualify and fund a mortgage from a new lender, may leave the borrower facing a potential default or in need of a miracle. Like many things in life (e.g. cleaning for Pesach), the earlier you can start the mortgage process the better. Having an approval before signing your purchase contract will make the transaction go smoother and help eliminate one task from the list of things you need to get done in the course of purchasing a property. The benefit of working with a qualified mortgage broker (i.e. expertise and experience) is that while your bank will be given a chance, you are not dependent on it, and you will not need a miracle if your bank’s mortgage department does not find the details of your mortgage application redeeming. Speaking of redeeming, may we all have a redeeming Pesach. 073-796-2226 ext. 711 questions@movillefinance.com www.movillefinance.com
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PERS O N A L TR A I N ER
The Time is Now!
A personal training must-read for your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond By Jerrold Hyman
I
n my previous articles “Personal Training 101” (Chagim 2015 issue) and “Exercise and Aging” (January 2016 issue), I discussed and presented information on fitness, health, getting started, and aging-related activity. In “Unconventional or Alternative Adjunct Training” (November 2015 issue) you were updated on various methods for training. With the summer fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to start – I mean today! The following will let you know how to make this happen. One can start exercising at any age. The sooner you start, however, the sooner you can avoid problems typical to the older age brackets. As we age, problems become harder to deal with if not handled. It is easier to reverse degenerative-type development in our 50s and maintain good health into our 90s than to try to do it the other way round. People ask themselves at certain points in their lives: should I start now to exercise and get healthy? I want to be able to do more things! Perhaps self-reflection has led to renewed passion and energy, or rehabilitating an injury has brought health into focus; or maybe just plain realism has set in. The desire to be active with children and grandchildren is also often a motivator. In any case, we find both individuals and couples suddenly waking up to the question, “If we don’t start now, when will we?” There is no better time than NOW to start working towards increased fitness, health and vibrancy! But how do I start? I am insecure in my ability, my balance, stability and strength…?! This is how! After an initial conversation on goals and objectives, I will design a personal plan that I will oversee, and I will arrive at your home to help you implement it. You will be challenged appropriately to adapt to new situations with new stimuli. If you lack confidence we will build confidence, which you will demonstrate over time with your actions and abilities. I will bring whatever equipment is necessary, or we can use your own special or favorite equipment, or even no equipment at all! In the process of reaching your objectives I will assist you in becoming more independent and capable in strength-related 30
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activities, cardiovascular health/fitness, and muscular endurance, to help you get through the day. If you are an athlete, we will develop programming to move you forward in running, strength, increased athletic performance or general fitness. If you are a senior seeking to become stronger, with better balance and stability, I will assist you in developing and demonstrating more confidence in movement and stability-related activity, and to increase movement patterns that will help your brain and body work together. The rapport we will work to build will assist you in gaining new ground in multiple areas of endeavor, integrating improved mental, psychological and physical elements, to create a well-structured whole. The first step is the hardest. You can’t finish what you don’t start. So let’s get the process moving forward right now. Let’s work together to prepare you for a life of quality, in health and wellness.
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050-779-8886 02-993-4681 info@elitefitnessisrael.com elitefitnessisrael.com
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A Vision Made Real: Torah, Academics and Technology Interview with Rosalind Elbaum, Director of Development,
Jerusalem College of Technology What is the Jerusalem College of Technology? Founded in 1969, the Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT), or Lev Academic Center, is today one of Israel’s major academic institutions, home to over 4,500 students on three campuses. We are fully accredited by Israel’s Council of Higher Education. What is unique about JCT is that we specialize in a religious study program combined with academic degrees in high-tech engineering, industrial management, and life and health sciences. Over 90% of our students find employment in the field in which they studied. How do your campuses differ from each other? `` Lev Campus (Machon Lev) has been JCT’s flagship institution for higher learning since 1969, serving men pre- and/or post- IDF service. The Naveh program, with programs specifically designed for Haredi (ultra-orthodox) men, is located here. `` Tal Campus (Machon Tal) is JCT’s women’s Institute for Nursing, Technology and Management. It includes the Da’at and Tvuna programs for Haredi women. `` Lustig Campus (Machon Lustig) is the Women’s Institute for Technology and Management in Ramat Gan for Haredi women. What contribution has JCT made to Israel as a whole? JCT plays an important role in developing the overall Israeli economic infrastructure, especially in Jerusalem. Through its faculty assistance and graduates, we’ve helped establish over 100 high-tech companies and participated in leading R&D national defense projects. 32
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Of no less importance is that the unique combination of Torah U’Madda (religious and scientific studies) has produced thousands of graduates with profound and enduring religious and interpersonal values. What degrees do you offer? `` Accounting and Information Systems (BA) `` Bioinformatics (BSc) `` Business Administration (BA & MBA) `` Computer Sciences (BSc) `` Electro-Optics Engineering (BSc) `` Electronics Engineering (BSc) `` Industrial Engineering and Management (BSc) `` Nursing (BSN) `` Software Engineering (BSc) `` Telecommunication Systems Engineering (MSc) Who are your students? They hail from all segments of society and across the religious spectrum. We have special programs for Ethiopian students, for immigrants (especially French-, English- and Spanish-speaking), and for Hasidic women. Tell us about your English-speaking program. The International Program in English for men spans 1.5 days of business courses per week, on Tuesday afternoons and Fridays. The rest of the week, students can learn at any yeshiva of their choice. At the end of three years, students graduate with a full degree. Our hope is that by combining academic and Torah studies, we can assist in molding the kind of young man who will be able to embark on his career path while maintaining an abiding fidelity to the Torah and Israel. Indeed, we view our mission as nothing less than shaping the future of Jewish communities anywhere and everywhere. What benefits and advantages does the program have to offer people from English-speaking countries? It provides young men not yet fluent in Hebrew with the opportunity to stay in Israel whilst studying for an academic degree. It may well assist them in deciding to make Aliya. Additionally, the religious studies component is crucial. Some students come to us seeking spiritual and religious growth that academic studies in a university “mechina” program can’t provide. Others are those who might wish to remain in their yeshivas in Israel, but are hesitant to continue with a full program of Jewish learning and risk falling behind in professional advancement and higher education. It’s not uncommon for young men to forgo the opportunity to remain in, and benefit from, a yeshiva program due to this fear – unfortunately, the pressure to become educated and earn degrees at an early age prevents many from doing as much learning as they could. JCT’s International Program allows such students to enjoy the best of both worlds, offering
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Torah lessons with their favorite Rebbeim alongside studies towards a prestigious academic degree in business. Once they’ve graduated, our college’s solid nationwide reputation helps these young men improve their chances of being hired and being able to stay in Israel, from a financial perspective. Furthermore, many of our graduates over the past forty years have opened their own companies and, knowing of the skill sets acquired at JCT, are open to giving younger graduates a chance at entry level positions. In addition, as a government-recognized institute of higher education, our programming is under constant supervision by the Council of Higher Education. JCT has over forty years’ experience in practical academic programming. The cost of the program as set by the Council of Higher Education comes to less than $4,000 per year. While this figure is higher than that of the Hebrew speakers’ program, due to the smaller class enrolment and the extra tuition and special programming provided for these students, it is still much lower than equivalent studies in the United States. How has your institution impacted Israel’s high-tech industry? Graduates are employed in leading high-tech companies and R&D units in the IDF. Graduates have set up major high-tech companies such as NDS (which was bought by Cisco), and successful start-ups such as Zuta Labs, inventors of the mobile pocket printer and Glide live video messaging. What option is there for religious studies while at JCT? Most programs have compulsory religious studies – in the Bet Midrash at Lev, or the Midrasha at Tal – under the auspices of Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon, recently appointed rabbinic head of JCT. Students who join us after several years of full-time yeshiva study may receive an exemption and only come in for academic studies in the afternoon. What are the most popular career tracks today’s students are choosing? All the ones we teach – accounting, nursing, computer programming, engineering, and high-tech. Our degree programs are developed and designed to meet the needs of industry. We have leading professionals on our academic advisory committees to ensure this. Tell us about your program for Ethiopian students. JCT was one of the first of Israel’s leading institutions of higher education to take up the challenge of integrating members of the Ethiopian community into academia and the workforce, establishing the Education for Ethiopians (EFE) program eighteen years ago. 54% of our graduates have engineering degrees and 36% of those are officers in the IDF utilizing their engineering education in helping to defend the country. There are currently 125 students (66 men and 59 women) studying at JCT for degrees in engineering, accounting, management and nursing. How does the multicultural makeup of your student body enhance the classroom experience? JCT is one of the most “pluralistic” institutions within the Orthodox community. Haredi, national-religious and Ethiopian students all study together in an environment of mutual respect. At JCT we break down the barriers, enabling each sector to meet and learn both from and with each other. Haredim see that you can be yirei shamayim, study Torah and serve in the IDF without compromising your religious commitment; while they, for their part, bring their high level of Torah commitment and convey the message that compromising or straying from tradition in not required
order to advance in education and employment. How is JCT an ideal option for the Haredi community? The academic education of the Haredi community and their entrance into the workforce is one of the central issues for contemporary Israeli society. For over 45 years, JCT’s religious environment and its focus on professional career development has attracted Orthodox youth interested in studying for an academic degree. Now the ultra-Orthodox too are attending JCT. Here they’re provided with the necessary tools for success and to become contributing members of society as scientists and engineers, in high-tech and in business. JCT’s gender separate campuses provide the Haredi population with the environment suited to their needs. T here are currently some 2,000 Haredi students enrolled (550 men and 1,450 women). Many of the Haredi men are older and with large families; all Haredi men arrive with little or no exposure to secular education. The vast majority of our Haredi students – over 700 participants annually – start their academic studies in a pre-academic ‘mechina’ program, designed to fill in the gaps in their scholastic background and prepare them to succeed in college. Lack of secular education coupled with tremendous financial pressures are the key challenges facing this group, who suffer from a relatively higher early dropout rate. Those that do complete the program and receive their degree often have a difficult time getting their career started on the right track. Lack of exposure to work culture and insufficient English language skills make finding the right job extremely challenging for the new graduates. Our Center for the Advancement of Haredim at the Lev Campus helps alleviate these challenges by providing Haredi students with a one-stop center for all the tools and assistance they need to complete their studies and find employment in their chosen professions. As a leader in the effort to successfully integrate this population into the Israeli workforce, JCT recognizes that the center’s activities are essential to the successful education and integration of Haredim. They are enabled to support themselves properly, thereby improving the overall economic situation of the Haredi community in Israel and reducing their dependence on government and social support. What do you offer over other colleges and universities in Israel? JCT just came top (including a 100% success rate at Lustig) in the national accountancy boards, and our nursing graduates continue to attain the highest scores in their national exams. So there is no doubt that our academic programs are top of the league. In addition, we offer generous stipends and a holistic approach to helping our students succeed, providing those in need with academic reinforcement, help with job placement etc. All this is besides the special religious hashkafa and environment that JCT provides, unique amongst all colleges in Israel. What is the mission of JCT? This is how the founder Prof. Ze’ev Lev z’l described the mission of JCT: “The institute I envision will educate students to synthesize their profession with a Jewish way of life… not only to provide manpower for Israel’s developing high-tech industries, but to produce leaders who are strongly committed to Torah, to our Nation and to our People.” 02-675-1269 www.jct.ac.il
development@jct.ac.il
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Transparent Car Deals With No Nasty Surprises!
Exclusively With Big Lease
I
t’s been five years since Big Lease’s entry into the ultra-Orthodox sector, and by now it’s very clear that Big Lease is at the forefront of the Haredi car purchase revolution. First, Big Lease introduced the 100% financing deal, with the lower interest rates. Then it made the crucial connection with Albar, the large leasing and rental company, enabling Big Lease to offer its customers a huge range of cars, exclusive prices, massive discounts of thousands of dollars less than the list price on new cars, and other perks. Recently, Big Lease made a surprise move that “popped the balloon” of all the other leasing deals in the private market. The word ‘surprise’ is a pretty ironic since the whole point of this move was to make the commitment: “No more surprises!” From now on, whatever’s agreed in advance when closing the deal is exactly what you’ll pay for the entire leasing period, with no additions, no interest (yes, you heard correctly – even deals with 100% financing come with zero interest!!), no roadworthiness fee, and no Consumer Price Index increase charges… Just a completely transparent, clear, cost-effective deal, effective immediately upon signing and till the end of the payment. We turned to Shlomo Sorasky who serves as Big Lease’s CEO and chairman, to find out more. Can you explain the problem with leasing deals till now? Till now, deals in the world of leasing have been based on an attractive rate for the vehicle itself – which, of course, was advertised widely by the companies – while other hidden incidentals only emerged once the leasing period began. These include interest rate hikes during the leasing term, the cost of the loan and interest rates in general, roadworthiness package fees, increases due to currency linkage, and a variety of expenses not included in the deal. Why are deals structured this way? Because actually when you approach a leasing company or
private leasing, you’re buying two things: a vehicle, and financing. Most companies constructed the deal in the easiest way for them. They’d offer a large discount on the car in the deal with the importer, while the financing component (usually from non-bank credit card companies) was at interest rates so high that they’d significantly reduce the discount received, and even at times shoot up the cost of the overall deal beyond the actually cost of the vehicle including interest rates. How would they get away with selling you this unprofitable deal? By building the loan with a balloon payment. It starts with a low first installment, advertised with a lot of hullabaloo so the customer thinks this is the payment throughout… and when the surprise balloon comes, it’s too late. What’s different about Big Lease’s deal? Big Lease is exclusively offering all customers a clear and transparent deal in advance, with no surprises. We have a fixed, known fee for the entire payment period. There’s no extra roadworthiness cost, no financing costs, and no currency linkage during the deal term. And all this for a monthly fee that reflects the vehicle’s depreciation, the lowest monthly fee available in Israel. So how do we manage it? Very simple! Collaborating with Albar, we get vehicles at an enormous discount that we roll over to the customer rather than to our own pockets. Additionally, re: financing, we recently reached an exclusive agreement with the banks allowing us to get that same car on an interestfree loan, also rolled over to the customer. So Big Lease’s customers benefit from a rare combination of a fair price for the vehicle and fixed monthly installments with no surprises and no interest. To build a personalized package of up to 100% financing, call us today at 1-700-550-650 or visit our showrooms at 39 Yirmiyahu Street, Jerusalem, and 106 Kahaneman Street, Bnei Brak.
1-700-550-650 www.biglease.co.il
Jerusalem Showroom: Rechov Yirmiyahu 39, Bnei Brak Showroom: Rechov Kahaneman 106 34
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שירותים.א.מוסך א
Alef Alef Car Garag e
Under the Management of Avner and Benny Michaeli
Why Mileage Matters
M
ost car owners have a fairly good superficial knowledge of important car features, and they leave the rest to the pros. Mileage is an important element in monitoring how your car is doing, and it’s a key element in searching for a used car. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of mileage and what it means for you as a car owner. How does mileage affect your car? The simple but misleading answer is that it doesn’t. Mileage is simply a marker of how many miles, or kilometers as the case may be, your car has been driven. The truer answer, however, is that the mileage is, generally speaking, an excellent indicator of the car’s condition. Most people are aware of this, but to clarify, in very general terms, the lower mileage, the better condition the car is in and vice versa. This is due to wear and tear, which happens to a car no matter how careful the driver is. There isn’t really anything you can do about it, but if you drive safely and keep your car in good shape, the mileage plays less of a role in its condition and value, and you should get many years of good use out of your vehicle, mileage notwithstanding. What type of mileage is typical? A car is typically driven between about 15,000 and 20,000 kilometers annually. How much of a factor should it be when choosing a secondhand vehicle? There are many factors to consider when purchasing a car second-hand, and mileage is only one, but an important one. The mileage gives an overall picture of the condition of the car as said
earlier, so it’s a snapshot of where this car is holding and how much more life is left in the car. Therefore, it should be a big factor when determining if you should buy the car at all, and if yes, the value of the car and its price. That’s why mileage plays a bigger role than years owned. If a car was preowned for only two years but driven 70,000 kilometers each year, (quite a feat!) that’s already 140,000 and a good chance of strong wear and tear. A car that’s four years old but was only driven 20,000 miles a year is almost certainly in much better shape and will last you much longer, even if the styling is a bit more outdated. Beware of cars that were driven too many miles annually, as in the former case, as it indicates strain on the car and greater wear and tear than if the car was driven the same amount of miles in more years. In the previous example, if both cars had the same amount of mileage but one was two years old and one was four years old, the newer car might actually be in worse shape. Since, as we know, mileage is really simply a number, any car you’re thinking to purchase should always undergo a thorough inspection by an experienced and knowledgeable mechanic. What does monitoring mileage do for you as a car owner? Mileage is used as a monitor for testing and changing different parts of your car. For example, as a rule tires need to be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. So, mileage does matter; but don’t think about it too much when you’re driving. Keep your car in good shape and enjoy the drive!
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Tel. 02 991 5777 Cell. 053-723-1030/1/2 Fax 02 999 1404 Email 55559066@walla.co.il Industrial Zone Nesher Har-Tuv (Behind the Police Station) Find us on Facebook מוסך אבנר מיכאלי 36
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WE BUY WHOLE & PARTIAL HOUSE ESTATES
ORMAN’S
REFERENCES UPON REQUEST
SILVER & GOLD EXCHANGE
WE BUY Silver Items
Gold Jewellery
Watches / Pocket Watches
Old Documents
Judaica
Gold / Silver Coins
Bronzes
Torah Scrolls/ Megillot
Ivory
Precious Stones
Special Art
Any other interesting items
OME WE CYOU TO
054-250-2043 ormanantiques@gmail.com www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com
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DC
DENTAL CENTER
Doctor, I Would Like to Ask You… By Dr. David Schlussel, DDS
I’
m frequently asked many interesting questions by my patients regarding their dental care. I would like to share a few with you along with the responses I commonly give. Do keep in mind, though, that while two different patients can ask the same question, they may receive different answers, depending on their specific set of circumstances. The following are some typical answers. Q: I’ve been told my teeth need to be extracted. Are there any new advancements that could save them? I really would like to hold on to my own teeth! A: Bone is what holds teeth in place. Most people lose teeth due to periodontal disease, which is the destruction of the bone surrounding your teeth. In the past, when there was a significant amount of bone loss teeth were extracted because the bone support was too badly damaged and there was no chance of saving them. Today, a majority of teeth that we would have extracted in the past can be saved. A special procedure called LANAP can regenerate some of the lost bone support and save teeth previously considered hopeless. Over 25% of periodontists (gum specialists) are using this procedure in the US. We are the only providers of LANAP in Israel. You can learn more at www.lanap.com Q: I don’t like my smile, but I’m not sure I’m ready for extensive work. Are there simple solutions for a nicer smile? A: There are always simple solutions. The question is, are they appropriate or adequate? Smiles can be dramatically improved with simple whitening or slight tooth reshaping. Sometimes something more involved is required, such as orthodontics or porcelain veneers and crowns. Each case has to be evaluated on its own merit. I’ve seen too many shortcuts taken that result in esthetic failures and the need for the procedure to be redone. Usually, a well-thought-out, comprehensive plan will yield the best results that will last a long time. Q: I’ve been told I don’t have enough bone for implants, but I won’t wear a denture! Are there any new solutions for me? A: Unfortunately, over time, bone loss occurs after tooth extraction. Coupled with the bone loss due to periodontal disease, there is often not enough bone left for implants. Thanks to new advances and procedures, under the right circumstances, dentists can replace missing bone with bone grafts. Sinus lifts for the upper jaw have become easier and less traumatic and rebuilding the lower jaw has become more predictable. With regard to sinus lifts, sometimes there is adequate bone to place the implant at the time of the sinus lift. This is done with a revolutionary procedure known as the iRaise 38
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sinus lift. Patients leave the same day with an implant and sinus lift and very little discomfort or swelling. If there is not adequate bone, then a relatively new, much less invasive, sinus lift can be performed. Both procedures are done in our office. While we can’t totally replace what was lost, often dentists can build enough bone in order to be able to place implants. Q: Do I really need x-rays? I am worried about the radiation. A: This is a good question and a valid concern. Dental x-rays help the dentist to detect cavities, bone loss and infections early, before they become a big problem. They can prevent root canal treatments, loss of teeth and major infections, all of which untreated could lead to much greater health concerns. In general, dentist try to take the least amount of x-rays possible, but we still need to take them. On the other hand, radiation has its dangers and also its safe levels. Dental x-rays fall well below the danger zone. Did you know that while just standing outside in the sun for 15 minutes, or flying on a plane, you can receive more radiation than from a full set of 18 dental x-rays? There is a set amount of radiation exposure that is considered safe for radiation technicians in a hospital setting, and it would take 10,000 digital x-rays (not conventional film) in one year to reach the safe level determined for them! In the worst case scenario, a patient would need at most 40 x-rays in a year, and that is only if they had major dental problems. We, at Rechavia Dental Center, use the latest in digital x-ray systems which uses 90% less radiation than film thereby making the risk factor extremely low. So don’t be afraid of them – on the contrary, they can really make a difference in keeping you healthy.
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5
HARDWARE: SMOOTH SAILING IN YOUR NEW KITCHEN
When you are the process of visualizing your new kitchen during the design stage, many times you’ll hear the word “hardware”. Before you decide what, where and how much, you need to know what hardware is. Kitchen hardware is a term that includes everything involved in the opening and closing of furniture. Without it, kitchen furniture would be nothing more than a bunch of wooden boxes.
AT KITCHENS WE PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR NEEDS AND PREFERENCES, AND WILL PROFESSIONALLY DESIGN A KITCHEN TO YOUR SATISFACTION.
Doors, for example, open and close with the aid of hinges and drawers, moving on rails. Many types of hardware solutions exist, and you need to match these to your personal needs, the type
of furniture you have, and its location in the kitchen. Hardware products are used on a daily basis, which explains the tremendous importance of high-quality purchases. It’s a much nicer experience to open and close a drawer that moves easily on its tracks, shuts quietly, and poses no danger to little hands, than to have to constantly battle an unruly drawer that stubbornly gets stuck halfway every time. Quality hardware is something that is experienced – and sometimes even heard – each and every time you open a cupboard or pull out a drawer. Quality hardware directly affects the quality of your life. Quality hardware upgrades the level of your kitchen by several degrees! The vast majority of hardware products will be installed by your kitchen’s manufacturer, but it’s still important for you to be involved in choosing it. Pay attention to the differences between products, and request the hardware that exactly suits your needs. Why is it important to choose the hardware already at the design stage? Hardware is part of the kitchen’s foundation. It includes a variety of options such as cabinets with lift-up doors, pull-out shelves, magic corners, carousels, air vents, pantries, drawers of various sizes, and much more....Only after you familiarize yourself with the possibilities of the various types of hardware can you design the structure of your cabinets and ultimately pick the best design. Remember: you can always change the look of your kitchen, but the hardware will be with you for the lifespan of the kitchen!
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NEW SHOWROOM: RECHOV NAHAR HAYARDEN 10, BEIT SHEMESH. TEL: 02-624-3773 WWW.KITCHENS1.CO.IL
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Opening hours: 11:00-18:00 Mon – Thurs
Expert
FR
FIR S T R ES P O N S E
Pesach:
Safe Use of Cleaning Agents By United Hatzalah
T
he days leading up to Pesach, and particularly the week before the holiday, show a marked rise in the incidence of child poisoning. Most cases are children under six who’ve swallowed various detergents, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This picture repeats itself annually as Pesach preparations get underway, with the thorough cleaning, scrubbing, painting, and polishing of dishes and kitchen, all of which are accompanied by risks. Detergents, chemicals, paint and pesticides often sit around open, within easy reach of children. While restocking our medicine cabinets, many drugs find their way into the trash, accessible to little hands and mouths. Safety Rules in Using Detergents and Chemicals • Place detergents out of reach of children, in a high or locked place. Immediately after each use, be sure to close the container properly and return it to the secured place, so as to avoid the risk of ingestion, inhalation of toxic substances, and burns. • We recommend buying detergents and drugs that come in childproof containers. • Never mix cleaning agents, especially acids and bleaches. Such mixtures can release toxic gases that are highly dangerous when inhaled. • Don’t store cleaning products near food products and drinking glasses.
• Be sure to store liquid cleaners beneath those that come in powder form. • Read instructions for use of the product carefully before opening, and follow them strictly. This will benefit adults and children alike. Some Simple Steps to Perform After Exposure to Toxic Substances: • Stay alert to signs that point to a potential poisoning situation (e.g. empty packets of drugs, syringes, a closed car [carbon monoxide] etc.). • Call for help – dial 1221. • In a case of loss of consciousness, start CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). • Wait for advanced medical help to arrive. • If there is any suspicion of poisoning, don’t wait for symptoms to develop! Immediately call the Poison Information Center at 04-854-1900 and follow the instructions. • Do not induce vomiting. • Do not let the victim drink anything (milk, etc.). • Take the container with you to the emergency room (medicine package, bottle of bleach, etc.) Wishing you a safe and happy Pesach! In the event of an Emergency, Dial 1221 United Hatzalah Beit Shemesh United Hatzalah Of Israel
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Chaiyanuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Team Lifeline
O
nce again, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jerusalem Marathon included hundreds of runners, benefitting the 570 children of Chaiyanu with cancer. Among these dedicated participants were many of the children themselves. They were so excited to be a part of the event that they showed up early, stayed until the end, and some even joined the volunteers and staff of Chaiyanu for a celebratory Shabbaton at the Leonardo Hotel. Yehuda of Beit Shemesh is 11 years old. After going through two rounds of chemotherapy and receiving a bone marrow transplant from his older brother, he is finally entering remission. In addition to fulfilling Yehudaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wish for an iPad before the bone marrow transplant, Chaiyanu has been providing his family of seven with food, shopping, musical melave malkas and substantial financial support. Chaiyanuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedicated volunteers have been taking Yehuda and his
six siblings to bowling, go-karting, and picnics in the park, aside from spending many hours daily in the hospital and at their home. Moshe Lavi, Yehudaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assigned Chaiyanu volunteer, said that at the marathon Yehuda was so caught up in the excitement that he wanted to get out of his wheelchair and join the runners. And that is exactly what he did---only wishing he could do the full 10k. At one point he decided to turn the tables and push his volunteer, Moshe, in the wheelchair. Yehuda was a real winner and we hope to cheer him on at next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jerusalem Marathon as he crosses the finish line!! ď&#x20AC;ź Donate to Chaiyanu at www.chaiyanu.org.il
Insurance is always on our mind so it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be on yours!
Peace of mind.
INSURING YOUR: Home | Health | Life | Auto | Business | Travel Egert & Cohen. Always by your side.
Â&#x2C6; \\\ JLJWYHTMJS HT NQ Â&#x2C6; JLJWY%JLJWYHTMJS HT NQ Â&#x2C6; YWF[JQ%JLJWYHTMJS HT NQ 42
â&#x20AC;˘
APRIL 2016
Bizness Magazine
02 999 3939
Travel safe and with peace of mind Like every other year, after you’ve finished cleaning the house, you move on to the car so that you’ll be able to take your family out on the approaching Chol Ha’Moed. But what about the car’s functioning; the tires, air conditioning systems, and brakes? For this time of year, Musach HaTzomet is offering full preparation and check-up of every system in your vehicle so you’ll be able to start this vacation without worries and enjoy every trip to the fullest. Come to Musach HaTzomet today and ensure the functioning of your vehicle.
Travel safe and with peace of mind.
Happy and Kosher Pesach to our Customers and all Am Israel
Exclusive Arrangements with all Insurance Companies Yigal Alon St. 24 Bet Shemesh Industrial Area hazomet@netvision.net.il
Tel. 02-991 6520
Mechanics | Wheel Alignment | Electricity | Air Conditioning | Body Work | Painting Room | Windshield Repair Exhaust | Radiators | Accessories | Alarms | Tire Punctures | 10,000 KM Service | Annual Test Preparation
&+$* 6$0($&+ )520 683(5 3+$50
YIGAL ALON 1, BIG FASHION MALL, BET SHEMESH TEL. 077-8880930 HOURS: SUN-THU 08:00-23:00, FRI 08:00-16:00, HALF AN HOUR AFTER SHABBAT UNTIL 24:00 $IÀOLDWHG ZLWK DOO WKH .XSRW &KROLP
Selection of Perfumes for
Selection of Perfumes
for
Selection of Perfumes
for
Selection of Perfumes for
Chol Hamoed Pesach Family Farm Fun at
Davida’s Petting Farm
Moshav Yishi 82 Near Bet Shemesh (Road 38)
Milking & Spinning Demonstrations
Horseback Riding
Planting Corner
Trampolines
Horseback riding lessons and therapeutic riding during the year. Tickets: Children ages 2 to 12 yrs : 40 sh. (includes all activities). Adult ages 13 yrs + : 15 sh.
Tractor & Cart Rides
Big Farm animals
Hours: 11:00 -19:00 Erev chag: 11:00 -16:00
Davida 0505-739899 / 02-9910061
Beautiful villa in the Galilean Mountains • Private secluded outdoor swimming pool •2 minutes from Monfort Lake (boating, ice-skating, etc.) •Right next to a shul •Beautiful scenery •Jacuzzi •6 bedrooms, 18 beds with additional spare mattresses •2 living rooms •Separate meat and dairy kitchens with all the amenities •Porch, garden, and area for barbecues
For more information call Ruth 04 9971084, 054 6650394 ruthpesach@gmail.com
Schmerling's Chocolate It's A Classic
For more than 50 years, we've been producing chocolate from select raw materials manufactured in a traditional Swiss method – all so that you can enjoy the very highest quality chocolate.
There's chocolate and there's Schmerling's
OPE ALL N YEAR
The Rosemarie Series – Premium Swiss Chocolate: � Praline-Filled Milk Chocolate � Harmony Praline-Filled White Chocolate � Pareve Praline-Filled Chocolate � Split with Praline-Nougat Filling � Cappuccino with Praline and Coffee Filling � Caramel with Caramel-Flavored Praline Filling � Coconut, with Coconut Filling � Kids Extra Milk with Extra Milk Filling � Licensed Distributor in Israel: Kedma Jerusalem Ltd.
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What to Consider When Buying an Iron
M
ost households today keep an iron on hand, but the use in each home is variable. In some families, all clothing is ironed regularly, while in others it is used only for special occasions; and still others use it only for crisp white shirts. Depending on how you use an iron, some factors will play more of an important role than others. Wattage The most prominent feature in any iron is the wattage, which affects the heat of the plate. The higher the wattage, the faster it heats up and the hotter the plate stays. Higher wattage irons come at a price, of course: the higher the wattage, the higher the price tag. A more expensive iron will have a temperature setting, so you can further control how hot the plate gets, depending on the type of material you’re ironing. Steam These days, every iron is a steam iron, which means that there is a place in the iron to pour water, and holes in the metal or ceramic plate that release the water as steam. Another basic feature is a spray button, which allows you to spray a light mist over the garment. Upgraded steam features include: a temperature gauge, so you can control how hot the steam gets; vertical steam, which allows you to use the iron as a steamer and lightly steam hanging garments for a perfect finish; a transparent water reservoir, so
you can easily see how much water is remaining; and a removable water reservoir, for easy refilling. Automatic shut-off option This is a great feature, especially if you have kids around – if you leave the iron on without it being in use, it will automatically shut off after a certain period of time. Cordless option This type of iron can be removed from the heating element and maintain its heat for about five minutes, so you’re not tied down to an outlet. This is excellent for garments that have nooks and crannies. Retractable cord Some irons have this option, which makes for easy and simple storage. Keep in mind that many of these features add quite a bit to the price of the iron, but most are not relevant to the actual performance of the iron, so you should weigh how much they help you before you plunk down money on them. That said, the higher wattage models that perform better often only come with upgraded features, so you may have to purchase them all as a package for a tidy sum. And if you instead choose to go with the simpler and lower wattage model, it’s usually good enough for most household ironing.
DANIEL ZAHAVI-ASA Computer & Network Services
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Chashmal 1/2 Chinam is a home appliance store located on 9 Yitzchak Rabin St. Bet Shemesh Tel. 02-999-7193
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Mo Kamioner Č&#x2039; Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6; ʹͲͳ;Č&#x152;
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For more info and registration please call Orly: 02-580-3765 | 058-320-3765 Œ¢ª¹Â&#x17E;°Â? Lookingto Œ¢§¢¢°³§ forward ou! For private counseling call seeing y ³¢¹Â&#x161;ÂŤÂ&#x161; ÂŚÂ&#x203A; Dr. Rina Granot PhD (USA) 052-674-3838 | 054-843-4984 Email: dr.rina10@gmail.com | www.dr-rina.com
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APRIL 2016
Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x161;Â&#x2039;Â&#x201E;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Ǩ
Bizness Magazine
Computer Science
Three Year Programs
Business Administration
Torah Environment
Complete English Degree
02-675-1011
www.jct.ac.il/en
Rabbi Adi Isaacs
054-3326802 02 999 3939
Real Estate Ilan Rubinstein A veteran real estate agent with 25 years’ experience, Ilan of Ilan Estates & Investments makes the procedure of buying property in Israel as painless as possible. 077-410-8011 Cell: 0504-910-604 office@ilanrealestate.com www.ilanrealestate.com Personal Trainer Jerrold Hyman Jerrold is an experienced personal trainer with a wide range of skills, which are available through his company, Elite Fitness Israel. He works with any age, and is available to make a custom made plan to help you achieve success. 050-7798886 02-993-4681 info@elitefitnessisrael.com www.elitefitnessisrael.com Furniture Restoration Restorno Nati Journo and Yona Triestman both have strong backgrounds in furniture restoration. They offer a 25-year guarantee! 02-650-8777 | nati.restorno@gmail.com Mortgage Moshe Wilshinsky A 27-year veteran in the mortgage industry, Moshe is the CEO of Moville Mortgage and Finance LTD. Call 073 796 2226 and press their special 711 Bizness Extension. questions@movillefinance.com | www.movillefinance.com Air Conditioning and Heating Tzvi Lefkowitz Tzvi of Tzvi Air is a licensed technician who provides care and maintenance service and sales for all major airconditioner brands. 02-628-8282 www.tzviair.com
Insurance Egert-Cohen Egert-Cohen is a Jerusalem-based brokerage specializing in helping English speaking Olim with all insurance needs. Shimon Cohen 050-548-2192 or Yona Egert at 050-536-3897 | www.egertcohen.co.il
Emergency Response United Hatzalah Largest network of first responders across the country with 3,000 volunteers in 40 locations operating 400 ambucycles. In the event of an emergency or lifethreatening situations it is vital to call 1221 or 101 to ensure a rapid response time.
Dental Care Rechavia Dental Center The Rechavia Dental Center staff is comprised of three highly qualified American-trained specialists, dental hygienists and dental assistants. 15 Ibn Gevirol Street, Jerusalem | (02) 561-9770 | rechaviadental.co.il
Car Mechanics Alef Alef Car Garage Alef Alef is a full service car garage in the Industrial zone Nesher Har Tuv (behind the police station). They have decades of experience and they service all makes and models. Call for any consultation at 02 991 5777 or 053 723 1031.
Antique Dealer Moshe Orman Moshe buys and sells items of value. That includes gold and silver pieces, watches, antiques and more. 054-837-3874 | 054-250-2043 ormanantiques@gmail.com Electrician Ari Katz Ari Katz, a.k.a Mr. Fix It, has been successfully fixing things since he was a child. He specializes in electricity, and makes customer service his top priority. 052-736-7369 premiumrepairs@gmail.com Outdoor Wood Creations Element Wood Creations Netanel Buta is a creative craftsman who is always expanding his knowledge in the field. Element wood creates custom made decks, pergolas, pools and anything else you can dream of for the outdoors. 050-676-3222 element.nati@gmail.com www.wooden-pergolas.co.il
Building Care Services BCS Israel BCS offers a comprehensive solution to all you building’s needs. Thorough and efficient, you can count on them for any job. 02-678-6234 info@bcsisrael.com Meryl Cohen Fabric Fusion Artist Meryl is highly talented fabric fusion artist who crerates an entirely new perception of the everyday world. Check out her work online, or contact her directly 077-228-5757 or 052-595-9006 | merylcohenartist@gmail.com | www.merylcohen.com| www.merylcohenart.etsy.com David Joelson Painting With painting in his genes, David of Unique Painting provides a guaranteed professional job, with beautiful finishings. unique_painting_service@yahoo.com 052-557-6360 Avrum Aaron Corporate Lawyer Avrum Aaron is a corporate lawyer who specializes in helping Israeli businesses enter the U.S. market. 054-398-4380 US phone 201-379-9230 avrum@lop-llc.com
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SOCCER GOALS ALL SIZES
JACUZZI HOME SPA SYSTEM
GREAT SELECTIONS OF BASKETBALL HOOPS
INDOOR / OUTDOOR PING PONG TABLES
INFLATABLE BOATS
GRILL STATIONS & OUTDOOR KITCHENS
GRILLS
AMAZING HAMMOCKS
HOME TRAMPOLINES AVAILABLE SIZES: 38” / 40” 48” / 60”
INFLATABLE HOME JUMPING CASTLES
SWING SETS & OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT
TENTS AND CAMPING GEAR
INFLATABLE MATTRESSES GREAT FOR GUESTS
INFLATABLE POOLS FOR TODDLERS & KIDS
METAL SHEDS IN ALL SIZES
KIDDIE PLAY POOLS
PROFESSIONAL ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION [] PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION AT CLIENT’S HOME *Up to 24 interest-free credit card payments & up to 12 payments by check (subject to company approval). *Pictures for illustrative purposes
RECTANGULAR POOL Ultra Frame 9.75 m X 4.88 m X 1.32 m
RECTANGULAR POOL Ultra Frame 4mX2mX1m
ROUND POOL Ultra Frame 4.88 m X 1.32 m
RECTANGULAR POOL Ultra Frame 5.49 m X 2.74 m X 1.32 m
RECTANGULAR POOL 4.5 m X 2.2 m X 85 cm
ROUND POOL 3.66 m X 99 cm
ROUND POOL 3.66 m X 1.22 m
POOL Metal Frame 3.60 m X 1.20 m
CHEMICAL & NATURAL DISINFECTION SYSTEMS FOR POOLS
ROUND POOL 3.05 m X 1.07 m
ROBOTIC & OTHER POOL CLEANING SYSTEMS
ROUND POOL RATTAN 3.66 m X 1.00 m
ALL TYPES OF POOL COVERS & UNDER POOL PADDING
RECTANGULAR POOL Ultra Pro 4 m X 2 m X 1.22 m 4.57 m X 2.25 m X 1.5 m
POOL FILTER PUMPS & SAND FILTERS
Rechov Hatzaba 5, Beit Shemesh | S-TH 9 AM - 8 PM F 9 AM - 3 PM 02-991-8001 | shop@bigsport4u.co.il | www.bigsport4u.co.il