Bizness Magazine May 2015 issue

24 EXPERTS YOU CAN COUNT O N

M A G A Z I N E SHARING THE MIRACLE OF SUCCESS Greater Jerusalem Area www.biznessmagazine.com Circulation: 21,000 copies MAY 2015

Element Wood

Outdoor Building & Wood Creations

Ari Katz

Creating Clients, not Customers

AG Wigs Helen Abelesz Blue Thread Marketing Netanel Buta Shimon Cohen Nachum Eilberg Rachel Factor Minda Garr Yossi Golano Richard Gussow Hatzala Beit Shemesh Ari Katz Tzvi Lefkowitz Yossi Lipsh David Litke Moshe Orman Yaakov Prince Rechavia Dental Center Restorno Dr. Bo Rosenblat Chanania Vialan Moshe Wilshinsky Karen Wolfers-Rapaport Sima Wolpin

Blue Thread Marketing An Edge in Social Media

David Litke

Financial Intelligence for the Next Generation

Yossi Chen

Luxury of Tailor Made Suits

Chanania Vialan

Plumbing & Bathroom Renovations

Nurit’s Bridal Salon

Finding your Dream Wedding Dress in 5 Minutes

Leah the Clown

Bringing Joy & Smiles

Tzvi Lefkowitz

Exclusive interview with

Video Eden

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Minda Garr

Transformational Healing to Renew our Spiritual Connection

Richard Gussow

Yogi Berra’s Investment Advice

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contents M AY 2 0 1 5

MAIN FEATURE

26 Interview with Tzvi Lefkowitz EXPERTS

FEATURES

08 Outdoor Building and Wood Creations

04 Content

10 “My business vision is to create clients, not more customers” 12 “We can offer clients an edge in a crowded market to hone in on real success.”

16 “We specialize in general plumbing and full bathroom renovations.”

18 Financial Intelligence for the Next Generation 19 Sweeten Up Your Spring and Shrink Your Waistline…With Fruit!

20 Your Path to Freedom

14 Myths and Facts About Tax Avoidance: Voluntary Disclosures, FBAR, and Renouncing U.S. Citizenship* 15 Experience the Luxury of Tailored Made Suits at an Affordable Price – Right at Your Home or Office 35 Oven Features which are worth having 37 How to Webcast Your Event For Free

22 Adjusting for Our Children’s Special Needs 24 What’s Right and Wrong with Your Interior Design

45 Chaiyanu Runs the Jerusalem Marathon

25 Dispatcher Duties

48 Camp Girls R’ Us

28 A Perfect World 30 Do It Yourself Painting: How to Protect Your Pergola 32 Travel and Health Insurance 34 Taking The Right Amount Of Time For The Mortgage Approval…

Yours and the Banks 36 Yogi Berra’s Investment Advice 40 Don’t Think You Can Beat the Taxing Authorities 42 Moving Forward through Letter Writing 44 Transformational Healing 46 Let’s Hear What Everyone is Smiling About 4

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MAY 2015

SHARING THE MIRACLE OF SUCCESS

Editor in Chief Ariel Topf Business Development Yisroel Meir Simon Chief Designer Adam Ram Editorial Manager Aviva Sapir Contributing Editors Sivia Sekula Contributing Writers Helen Abelesz, Shimon Cohen, Nachum Eilberg, Rachel Factor, Minda Garr, Eliyahu Gherman, Yossi Golano, Richard Gussow, Nati Journo, Yossi Lipsh, David Litke, David Page, Moshe Wilshinsky, Karen Wolfers-Rapaport, Sima Wolpin, Dr. Bo Rosenblat Advertising Chaya Hyams Graphic Artists Aliza Sokol How to reach Bizness Magazine Advertising

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23 Nurit’s Bridal Salon

39 “A successful night is when everyone has a good time.’’

38 Tenant Tips

M A G A Z I N E

23 In every issue 06 Letter from the Editor 49 24 Experts you can call

Bizness Magazine

Send your ads to Letter to the Editor Ask our Experts Request for Interview General Inquiries ADVERTISING

ads@biznessmag.com editor@biznessmag.com experts@biznessmag.com interview@biznessmag.com info@biznessmag.com

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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.

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Letter from the Editor Dear Readers,

Why do people mostly engage in unproductive activities?

When you are on a call with a client or when clients are in your place of business, you are obviously working towards selling your product or servicing an account.

When you are not making a call or when you are not in front of your client, the question arises: What are you doing now in order to get closer to your goals? I’m of course assuming that you have short-term, mid-term and long-term goals set up already and you have a clear vision of what they are and by when you want to achieve them.

Highly effective people and achievers are always working towards their goals.

Every minute of the day that they are not working towards their goals, they know that they are actually working against them. It’s very easy to be busy throughout the day. I know people who are always busy counting their inventory, watching their Facebook page, driving around doing business errands, talking to the telephone company, the bank, etc. They are all business activities but are these activities taking them closer to their goals?

Most of the activities that “regular” business people are engaged in during the day do not get them any closer to their goals. These “regular” business owners must learn to ask themselves before they start any activity such as making a telephone call, getting out of their office, surfing on line, etc., if that activity is in fact going to take them closer to their goal. If the answer is, “Yes,” then go ahead. But if the answer is, “No,” then make an effort to immediately desist and redirect towards a real productive activity. This is very similar to trying to lose weight: Is having that chocolate milkshake get you closer to your optimum weight? No? So redirect to a lemonade.

The difference between the “achievers” and the “regulars” is the type of activity they are mostly engaged in. Both groups are always busy. One group is productive and the other one is simply active. The words may be similar but the results are far apart.

The only way to graduate from “regular” to “achiever” is to focus on productive activities, activities that will result in establishing new accounts, creating a better product or creating a better you.

Ariel Topf ariel@biznessmag.com

Ariel has built several companies on three continents in the fields of internet, retail, wholesale, franchising, direct sales, high-tech, employment, food manufacturing, food supplements, clothing manufacturing, pet nutrition, personal development, restaurants, advertising and publishing. In this process, Ariel has headhunted, hired, trained and managed over 20,000 individuals. Among other ventures, Ariel heads BiznessPro, a business consulting division dedicated to help companies and entrepreneurs who are serious about success. (www.biznesspro.com).

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MAY 2015

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Outdoor Wood Design

Outdoor Building and Wood Creations Interview with Netanel Buta of Element Wood Design How many years have you been in the wood business?

I have been in the wood business for about nine years. I started my own company in 2010 and since then I have expanded many aspects of the art of wood building.

What do you specialize in?

My company specializes in wood, which includes almost everything you can dream of in outdoor decoration and building.

We build decks, pergolas, fences, cover-up wood paneling, pools, and also American method houses (precision-engineered prefab structures).

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging aspect in my job is creation. When I come to a customer’s house I need to imagine how it will look at the end of the project. I love to build unique solutions that fit the customer’s character and are also efficient in maximizing space.

Who designs your pergolas?

All the designs are my creation. Every year I attend international conferences in order to learn more about the wood industry in the world and I collect a lot of new ideas about wood design and integration of other materials with wood.

How about maintenance?

The maintenance of a pergola includes preservation every five years (more or less, it depends on the type and color of paint that is used). The preservation starts with water-wash in order to sand down all the dust and dirt, filling in the places that were exposed to the sun, and at the end painting with wood colors. You can paint the pergola in a deep oil color, half sealed color or sealed color.

How long does it take to build a pergola?

It is hard to give an average amount of time since it depends on the size of the pergola and the complexity of the design.

Tell us about your team.

My team includes three expert craftsmen that I trained personally.

Which geographical areas do you service?

We work in Jerusalem area, the Shfela area and the center of Israel.

If people want a pergola for the summer, when should they contact you?

We are careful to answer phones and provide immediate assistance to all customers throughout the year.

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MAY 2015

What would you say is the difference between your pergolas and others?

Element Wood Design maintains uncompromising quality materials using trees that are properly dried and processed. We make sure to work with the leading colors and materials in the world market. We meet regulations in the areas of disinfection and pest control, flame retardants, correct infrastructure and so on.

Is there any summer special?

We have sales four to five times a year, usually during holiday seasons.

What’s your approach to customer service?

Our motto is to provide customer service and craftsmanship at a very high level. This includes our availability and compliance with customer expectations; keeping on schedule is one of the most important values in our company. By us “the customer is always right” is not a cliché; we believe that our customers should be fully satisfied.

Do you have a showroom where people can see the different types of wood available for the different projects?

Yes, Element Wood Design has an office, a workshop facility and a showroom. Customers can make an appointment and we can meet in the customer’s home or in one of our showrooms. 

Bizness Magazine

Tel. 050 676 3222 element.nati@gmail.com wooden-pergolas.co.il Find us on Facebook elementwood

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ELEC TR I C I A N

“My business vision is to create clients, not more customers” Interview with Ari Katz, Mr. Fix It Electrician What are your credentials in the electrical field?

I have been an official electrician since I was a child and was able to fix anything. My university degree is in chemistry as I found that biochemistry, electricity and even a difficult Tosfos, were all expressions of my primary mental programming: To know how things work. After aliya, marriage and most of the money running out, I began fixing things for money. Thank G-d it’s been going well. I have polished my skills over the past five years and am now focusing on the area that I enjoy the most, namely electricity. I have a wide client base in the Anglo-community who know me as the “go-to guy” for almost anything.

What can I say? I’m Mr. Fix it.

Do clients call you for your expertise in the field or is it due to your personal service and your relationship with them?

The question already includes the answer. My business vision is to create clients, not more customers. Customers come to a store to buy milk; clients come to THIS store to buy milk because more than just fresh milk, there is an immeasurable quality of feel. Two electricians can offer the same quality product at around the same price but doing business with one of them just feels better. For a woman to have a technician in her home with all of his equipment can feel unnerving. Having a repairman that she feels at ease with is worth way more than price alone. A quality product is the ante into the game; client retention is all about personal relationships.

What are the most typical problems you are called in to fix?

The range of issues could be anything from outlets that won’t stay in the wall to a full AC installation. If I had to list the five most common problems they would be: Burnt outlets, Shabbat timers, electric trissim (more on this in another article), installation of lights and fans and boilers.

What was the most dangerous technical problem you have seen in a home?

Old apartments are often limited to 40 amps, which may have been fine 35 years ago, but a couple of new air conditioners can overtax and repeatedly trip the main. Often a “specialist,” a.k.a. the ba’al dira’s [landlord’s] nephew, will swap the main breaker to provide that extra power. This is a recipe for a disaster because the whole point of the breaker is to shut down before overload. Higher level currents need thicker wires and 10

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MAY 2015

more lines to spread out the electrical load across the board.

Without this, there can be a meltdown, damage to the appliances or even a fire.

Tell us about the LED lights that you sell. What are the benefits of using them?

By now, most people have heard of LED lights but know very little about them. They’re not just another good idea in lighting, they’re the future! They are brighter, last many times longer, require no maintenance and although more expensive, pay for themselves many times over in electricity savings. The LED lights I am providing are commercial-grade lights, which were built to be left on for twenty hours a day, seven days a week. Shuls, yeshivas, office buildings, hospitals and parking garages can save tens of thousands of shekels per year by switching to LEDs. However, as with everything, there is a large quality scale and people shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking a LED is a LED is a LED. Otherwise, they’ll only be LED down. HA! If someone is handy in the house, does he really need to call an electrician for something like connecting a ceiling fan or can he do it himself?

The answer is yes and yes. Unlike other areas of home repair,

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people are generally very scared of electricity and for good reason. The 110 volts in American homes can give a very powerful and painful electrical shock. The 230 volts in Israel can be deadly. If a person knows he is competent and turns off all the electricity, then he can probably handle small jobs like changing an outlet. A ceiling fan is a much larger job which, in addition to the wiring and assembly, also requires the tools and knowledge of how to anchor it to the ceiling. Sometimes it can feel like you’re drilling into a solid steel beam and guess what? You are!

Other times it’s like trying to anchor a fifty pound rotating fan into a piece of stale matzah.

Are there any differences in the electric infrastructure in Israel and America?

In theory, the electrical systems work the same, however there are two major differences. First, the vast majority of buildings here are built from poured concrete with newer and renovated apartments using drywall for the secondary, innerwalls. In America, the majority of homes are drywall over a wooden frame. This is why when people move here they cannot manage to hang a picture as they mercilessly try to pound a nail into the concrete wall. The electrical aspect of the job is actually the easy part, but cutting into the wall, cementing in a round connection box, laying insulated wire into the cut, and finishing the wall with plaster and paint needs the proper tools and experience. Second, there are far more regulations in America and requirements for whom you hire. Everyone is afraid of a lawsuit, so the inexperience novice is generally not hired, but here, it’s like the Wild West and anything goes. Regulations are like suggestions and paying the lowest price for a service provider is almost guaranteed to be that inexperienced novice that in the end will cost you much more.

Do you recommend upping the electricity in the house to three phases? What does that mean anyway?

Simply put, the power you use flows in a single line from the city grid to your electrical box. From there, separate lines are laid out throughout the home each with a breaker in case of overload. The more power used, the thicker the lines need to be.

Most homes may have a line for all the living room lights because all together they may only use 200 watts, but an oven can use 2000 watts for hours on end. So that oven line has thicker wires, a higher tolerance breaker, and nothing else connected to the line. That’s fine until you start adding a dud (2000 watts), a space heater or two (1500 watts each), an AC unit (700 watts minimum), and even a hair dryer (1000 watts), and suddenly the whole system is being over-drawn and the house goes dark. A three phase main is basically three separate lines flowing to the house instead of one, so the larger loads are spread-out over multiple lines allowing for much more power to be used without overloading the system. If you find that the house can’t handle the load you’re using, then this could be a neat way of upping the capacity of the house.

Is it worth bringing in electrical appliances from overseas?

I’m very opinionated on this. I buy everything here. Not for ideological reasons, but pure practicality. Appliances from America, big or small, need electrical converters to run them.

Often people are told whether in American stores or Israeli Tambor stores that a certain small converter is fine. So the

fancy hair dryer/electric shaver/coffee machine/toaster oven/ washing machine works for a few months or weeks until it stops working altogether and all that’s left is an almost new, completely worthless appliance. Even if you manage to buy a big, bulky converter, eventually your appliance will need service or parts, and that’s a whole new problem. I was once on a Mincha break and noticed a massive refrigerator sitting by the entrance to a building. Nearly the size of a Subaru, it was clearly fresh off a lift from the States. It took me about five minutes to figure out what it was doing there--- any guesses?

Their four-door, refrigerator sedan wouldn’t fit in the building. We’re a well-stocked, first-world country with access to quality appliances from all over the world, so really, there’s no need to bring the fridge.

What piece of advice can you give our readers to help them lower their electric bill?

WARNING: There is a myth out there I want to bust even at the expense of rebuke from readers…The dud doesn’t need to be turned on and off each time you need hot water. YIKES! Yes, it’s true. Does this strange ritual exist in America? All that needless worry of standing in the bathroom, foot in the shower, waiting for it to get hot, only to remember that you forgot to turn on the dud is all for nothing. Wanna be a rebel? Go ahead, LEAVE IT ON. The boiler is like a giant kum-kum that has a thermostat to automatically turn the element on and off when the temperature is below a certain number, which can be set by the user. If it is on the roof and connected to solar panels, then the water will be hot already and the burner will not turn on. Why the myth? It seems that the standard thermostats are not of the best quality and if they fail, the dud will boil and boil until either the electrical connections melt or the switch melts or a hose blows off. Changing a thermostat is usually quite simple and inexpensive and if done every few years, will prevent any damage to the dud. The benefit of leaving it on all the time, particularly in the winter, is that it’s much less expensive to keep 150 liters of boiling-hot water hot, than it is to bring that amount of water from freezing cold to a boil every time you need a shower, especially if there are multiple people living in the home using it all the time. This little tip should save a few shekels and a whole lot of aggravation. 

Contact 052-736-7369 premiumrepairs@gmail.com

www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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Expert Welcome Blue Thread Marketing to our team of experts!

SM

SOCI A L MA R K ET I NG

“We can offer clients an edge in a crowded market to hone in on real success.”

Interview with Ahron Glazer and Mordechai Holtz of Blue Thread Marketing Ahron Glazer and Mordechai Holtz are the founders and coCEOs of Blue Thread Marketing. Their combined experience brings over a decade of digital marketing expertise to their clients. They both have prior work experience in non-profit, giving a value-added bonus to that sector. Ahron is a creative thinker and solution finder, working with clients to highlight value and differentiate from the competition. Mordechai has been a contributor to Social Media Today, Business 2 Community, Social Media Club and has been featured on Dukascopy TV in addition to other distinctions.

When did you start Blue Thread Marketing, and what was the motivation?

Our one year anniversary is coming up this July. We started this company to give a leg up to brands who want to make a strong digital impact online. With our core strengths and years of experience in this specific niche, we can offer clients an edge in a crowded market to hone in on real success.

How do you start off a company that has no social media presence?

A social media presence has come de rigueur for any company serious about online growth, and it offers several benefits for the client. Each client needs to strongly consider what its goals are when developing a social media strategy, so the first step is to ask: why do we need social media? Once the goals have been marked, the next step is determine who your audience is and where you’ll find them online. After an organized analysis has been created, create rich and useful profiles for the platforms you want, and get to work!

Who are your clients, and out of what countries are they based?

From startups to cities, our clients are currently located in Israel and North America, but deal with international audiences, so we really work across an international spectrum. While most of our work clearly targets an English-speaking audience, we also do work in Hebrew. Wherever our clients are, our goals are always the same: to create a strong online presence with a more engaged community of followers.

What differentiates you from the multitude of social marketing companies out there?

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There are critical ways that we stand out from the competition. Number one, our work is individualized for each client.

There’s no formula that gets stamped on the project; instead, we work completely in partnership with the client each step of the way to provide a holistic digital strategy that compliments other traditional initiatives and serves to create a unique plan for the company’s needs. We work together hand in hand with your brand to promote your specific message. We also offer individualized support, tools and resources to help brands succeed in online marketing. We continue to hold your hand while you realize your growth and expansion, and we monitor what’s working and what’s changing so we can restructure as necessary to maintain growth.

Are certain social networking platforms better for certain industries?

A successful brand knows how to reach its audience; that means knowing where ideal customers hang out online. Your primary social media platform of choice should be based on where your audience is. For example, a clothing company may

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want to use Instagram or Pinterest, while a media or business site will lean toward Twitter or LinkedIn. Once that platform is covered, you should spread yourself out to a few more choice platforms, but be careful not to spread yourself out too thin. That may end up being more harmful than helpful.

Is there a company that you would advise against having a Facebook page?

The short answer is no, the reason being that there is more than one advantage to having a Facebook page, and all companies can benefit for one or another reason. The first advantage for any brand out there is increased SEO (search engine optimization) – being found online more easily. It’s smart to have a Facebook page for this reason alone. The challenge is keeping it active, so that the SEO works to your benefit. The second value of having a page is to share relevant information to engage your audience. It’s a great place to share updates, offer discounts and give a behind-the-scenes look at your company.

A good social follower base can often work better for you than a good ad or commercial.

Do you encourage your clients to advertise promotional offers via their social networks?

Today in social media, it’s not easy to reach large audiences organically. If you really want to get your message to reach more vast crowds, it’s worth including a small budget for ads and promotions. However, you don’t want to waste money either. It’s important to make sure your ads are targeted correctly to reach the exact audience you’re looking for. Since your social media following is likely to be your target audience, it’s an excellent platform for offering the promotions as part of your budget.

With the explosion of social media and mobile apps, it seems that the layout of websites need to be upgraded as well. What does a successful website look like in 2015?

A successful website really comes down to one thing: does it promote the main message you’re trying to express? The layout should reflect that as well. In addition, the website needs to be responsive, impactful across all digital platforms: computers, tablets and smartphones. Your site should be creative yet simple, colorful and dynamic without being too much over the top. But most important, it should make the information easy to find and clear to understand.

Do you believe that there is significant value in getting “likes,” to the point that some companies even buy “likes” to make their Facebook page seem more visited than it actually is?

Many businesses or brands assume that if they have a large number of followers, they are more successful. There is something to be said about being “popular,” but that isn’t exactly the case. The stronger value is the amount of followers who engage with your content. A smaller but more committed fan base can accomplish much more than a larger, apathetic one.

Do you recommend that your clients do market research through their social networks?

Of course. A successful brand knows exactly who its audience is, where they’re from and what they’re interested in. The more you know about who your fans and followers are, the better you have the ability to reach and engage them.  social@bluethreadmarketing.com 052-736-6592 bluethreadmarketing.com www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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Myths and Facts About Tax Avoidance:

Voluntary Disclosures, FBAR, and Renouncing U.S. Citizenship*

By Adv. David Page, Senior Partner at Woolfson Weinstein & Co., Jerusalem, Israel What FBAR Effectively Does One of the most common questions American citizens living abroad ask me is how much to worry about the dreaded “FBAR.” Even mention of the term FBAR tends to make people nervous. But the truth is that the form is more prosaic and need not cause any panic at all in most cases. FBAR is simply an acronym for “Foreign Bank Account Report,” and it is administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Center for Financial Crimes (“FINCEN”). FBAR is a yearly disclosure by U.S. citizens of non-U.S.-based bank accounts, pension accounts and other financial accounts that contain at least $10,000 at a given time during the course of the year. The deadline for filing the FBAR for accounts held in 2014 is on or before June 30, 2015. The purpose of the FBAR requirement is obvious: To crack down on tax avoiders by forcing U.S. citizens (and the banks and financial institutions that house their accounts) to disclose financial assets held outside of the U.S. The consequence of failing to file FBAR forms in a timely fashion can literally be a visit by U.S. Treasury agents as well as a freezing of the assets held in the accounts. This of course leads to heightened scrutiny by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as well. Often those who have failed to disclose are not tax avoiders at all, they are simply unaware of the requirement; but there are effective solutions that can help.

How to Come in From the Cold: Voluntary Disclosures in the US and Israel The reason why there’s no reason for panic is that both FINCEN and the IRS have a fairly liberal voluntary disclosure regime: those who haven’t been declaring foreign financial accounts or filing tax returns can file a voluntary disclosure – often dealing with a three-year time-frame – and come in from the cold. Most of those are inadvertent failures to file. But even those who didn’t file for other reasons can benefit from voluntary disclosures. That is, they can get back on the radar screen without facing costly and painful criminal sanctions.

In the increasingly unfriendly environment for tax-dodgers, where no countries and no financial institutions remain “offshore” for long, this option has become increasingly used. Indeed, the Israeli Tax Authority also has a voluntary disclosure option, although in some ways it’s less liberal than that of the United States. The days of “staying off the radar screen” as a successful tax avoidance strategy are pretty much over, as the ongoing recent crack-downs on both US and Israeli offshore accounts have shown. A well-crafted voluntary disclosure can minimize liability and maximize peace of mind, and that’s why people are choosing that option.

The Myth about Renouncing Citizenship There is a persistent myth – often coupled with a lot of emotion 14

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and occasionally arguably a lack of gratitude towards a country Rabbi Moshe Feinstein called a “nation of kindness”– that renouncing US citizenship will save the headache of U.S. tax compliance. That’s a dangerous myth. It often comes about from a mistaken impression that not living in the US should exempt a U.S. citizen or former citizen from paying taxes in the US. That’s not the law, and instead the U.S. and Israel have a treaty that avoids double income taxation for Israeli residents but that does not avoid the need to file U.S. taxes. Renouncing citizenship doesn’t circumvent that legal requirement to file taxes. Rather than doing so, the U.S. person renouncing his or her citizenship will subject him- or herself to heightened scrutiny by the IRS as well as a very thoroughgoing disclosure of all financial activities over the past years. Any inconsistency or inaccuracy in those disclosures potentially subjects the former US citizen to criminal penalties. Due to the cooperation and tax reciprocity between the U.S. and Israel (and indeed many other formerly “offshore” jurisdictions around the world,) the renunciation of U.S. citizenship is not only not a good solution for financial planning, but it actually may subject a former US person to greater risks and criminal exposure. It’s a high-risk strategy with not much benefit and many downsides.

The same goals can be accomplished by less dramatic means.

The current article is written about a topic that is exceptional due to the consistent and persistent questions I have received on the FBAR topic. In my next Bizness Magazine article, I will return to explore common tools used to legally avoid unnecessary tax liability via the use of trusts, while at the same time fulfilling other important estate planning needs. *In accordance with Treasury Regulations Circular 230, any tax advice contained in this article was not intended to be written to be used, and cannot be used for the purposes of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any taxrelated matter addressed herein. This article is also not meant to constitute legal advice for a particular client, for which consultation with a qualified attorney is required.

The writer, David Page, is an American and Israeli attorney at the law firm Woolfson Weinstein & Co. His practice areas, among other fields, include Wills, Trusts and Estates Law and International Tax practice under both Israeli and US law.  © 2015 by David Page, all rights reserved.

Contact David at 02-678-9111 ext. 222 or 054-463-6824 Visit his website at www.ww-law.co.il/en/ Connect with David on LinkedIn.

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Experience the Luxury of

Tailored Made Suits at an Affordable Price

– Right at Your Home or Office Interview with

Yossi Chen, GRACIAN CEO

What is your background in the textile industry?

I started GRACIAN four years ago, after ten years of service in the IDF. I have always had a passion for clothing but had difficulties in finding the right clothes. The idea of being able to have the right style, choice of fabric, with the correct fit and design exactly like I wanted sounded amazing. I started a long journey of R&D, spent time in Europe, China and the USA and launched the service in Israel nearly three years ago. I can say now based on our customer’s feedback that the service is great, many of our customers tell me that after experiencing our service they cannot buy clothes anywhere else.

Tailored made suits till exist today!? I thought that concept was left back in the shtetl?

Tailor made clothing was the only option, to the best of my knowledge, until the industrial revolution when the demand for big amounts of production eliminated the option and turned tailors into FIXING MACHINES doing almost only alterations for existing garments. Today, with recent technology advances including CAD software and high performance cutting and sewing machinery, the option of Tailor Made clothing is back big time! I strongly believe that this is the future of clothing.

What does the name “Gracian” mean?

GRACIAN is the ancient origin of my family name. Chen-Gracian goes back hundreds of years in Spain. Both the name and the symbol originally belong to the family. I chose it to represent my company as it transmits old- world luxury and nobility.

Who are your clients?

By now, GRACIAN already has a few hundred customers, among which you can find top Israeli lawyers (we are proud to serve at least five of the DNB listed leading Tel-Aviv law firms and counting), elegant businessmen who are turning the wheels of the Israeli economy, and the average Israeli who likes to dress well and is looking for high value for his money.

In a few weeks we are launching our new product line: GARCIAN Lady. We will create tailor made skirts, jackets, shirts and more for women--- made with high quality fabrics and with many styles and designs to choose from.

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Which materials do you work with?

We work with a wide range of materials, both for the suit and for the lining. We use only natural fibers like wool, silk, cotton, from the highest standards in the industry. Our fabrics come from Europe and from the East. We are proud to carry seasonal fabric collections from the best mills in the world for example the Tasmanian 150’s by Loro Piana, Italy, or Nobility 150’s from Cerruti, Italy.

What stylistic options do clients have to choose from?

We have basically any style that may be requested for men’s jackets, suits and shirts. We have a style catalog with hundreds of options and variations. Costumers choose their preference from our lining collection, button collection, stitching options, and decorations.

How do your prices compare to those of an upscale brand of suits?

Our suits start at $650 and can go to $1600 depending on the fabric chosen. Our $650 suit is a much better option than a suit of comparable price that you would find in stores in terms of material, finishing, style and fit.

Did you ever have the situation that your measurements weren’t accurate?

After nearly three years of business, more than 90% of deliveries have not required any alterations. In case alterations are required it is done easily in Israel, and usually returned to the costumer within two to three business days.

Where do your clients have to go to get measured and pick up the suit?

Our customers don’t have to go anywhere! Both the fitting and delivery is done at the client’s office or home at the costumer’s convenience. We service the whole country.

What is the real difference between a GRACIAN suit and a designer suit in terms of its fit and comfort?

Most designer suits come with standard sizes and limited choices of fabric and design. GRACIAN suits are custom made to fit the customer perfectly and come with all possibilities of materials, design and fit. We use only the highest quality of materials to ensure comfort and durability.

How long does a GRACIAN suit last on average?

GRACIAN suits are made to last at least two and a half years with everyday use; with less intensive use, even longer. We have customers who bought nearly three years ago and their suits are still in great shape.

Do you guarantee your product? How? All GRACIAN products are delivered to the customer after strict quality check. We have a lot of confidence in our products. That is why we declare that our products can be returned with 14 business days from delivery with a full refund or credit. I can say at this point that we have never had any returns.

What is the most important principle you have learned in your business?

Uncompromised customer satisfaction is the most important thing that GRACIAN stand for. This is not only in our service but also in fit and quality of the product. 

Bizness Magazine

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054-446-9120

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Expert Welcome Chanania Vialan to our team of experts!

PL

P LU MB I NG

“We specialize in general plumbing and full bathroom renovations.”

Interview with Chanania Vialan, Certified Plumber Why did you choose plumbing and how long have you been in this field?

I chose plumbing because I love working with water and construction materials. I have been a licensed plumber for 12 years.

What is your professional training?

I became a certified plumber and plumbing contractor through the Ministry of Labor and I have taken various additional courses in construction management and plumbing systems.

Is one clogged pipe the same as the next, or do you sometimes have exciting finds in clients’ homes?

There are constant surprises. Once I found a tree root four meters long growing through a pipe. The most common thing in the kitchen is congealed oil and fat, and the things that clog toilets the most are baby wipes and toilet cleaner blocks.

Tell us about your bathroom renovation service.

I do full bathroom renovations, including the entire plumbing system, bathroom fixtures, tiling and flooring. A lot of handymen can do the renovations but very few are also skilled plumbers, which can cause a lot of problems down the line. I work with an interior designer who has worked with a lot of Anglos to create the perfect renovation.

Right now I am in the middle of renovating a bathroom for a family on Shai Agnon St. in Jerusalem. We are custom-designing the bathroom for an elderly lady, so the tub and everything else will be convenient and safe for her.

What is the most challenging part of your trade?

Locating the problem and offering the best solution, so that the client feels confident that the problem has been solved properly.

What does a person need to be a successful plumber?

To really know the ins and outs of plumbing and to have a lot of patience. Sometimes locating the source of the problem can take a lot of patience and diligence. Some plumbers may be inclined to do a patch-up job without really fixing the problem properly.

Do you give quotes over the phone?

Although it’s impossible to know the exact cost without seeing the problem, it is important for me to give an approximate price over the phone. It is important that the client has an idea of how much a job will cost before I come so there will be no unpleasant surprises.

What is the best way to use an electric water heater?

It depends on the size, but the best way to use an electric water heater is with a timer to prevent the water from getting completely cold and having to heat it up all over again. I am very experienced in 16

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this field. There is a new device available that has a 38-degree Celsius temperature setting, which can be used on Shabbat. There are many brands of water heaters including Amisragas and Chromagen. I advise each client, and they decide based on our professional advice.

How can you prevent pipes from bursting?

Make sure you maintain even pressure in your system. If there is irregular water pressure from the municipal system, you can put a pressure reducer on your house intake valve.

Very hot water can also cause pipes to burst.

There is a device called a mixer that sets the temperature of your water to 55 degrees, because the electrical water heater can reach 90 degrees. Keeping the temperature lower not only protects your pipes, but can prevent harmful burns.

Do water filters for the whole house really help?

I certainly recommend them and I work with a company that gives a guarantee. Although the lime build-up is not good for people or machines, it is important that there is some because it contains calcium, which we need for our health. The system I work with reduces most of the lime build-up, and leaves just a trace.

What do you enjoy most about working with the Anglo community?

Anglos love professional work and appreciate having a technician with a smile on his face. These are both ideals of mine. I have noticed that Anglos feel it is important to receive a fair quote in advance, and afterwards they won’t argue on the price.

Why should readers contact you over the myriad other plumbers available?

When clients use my services, I guarantee them honesty and professionalism, which are things everyone should demand from whomever you choose to hire. 

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Project Management Architectural Planning Construction Planning On-Site Supervision Engineering Consultation Even if you didn’t buy a residence at the Waldorf Astoria, you can still enjoy the same quality from the same management team!

Prince Construction Management

Office: (02) 535.5732 Mobile: 052.698.3534

www.PrinceCM.com

Prince Construction Management...

Consider it Done.

Expert

BC

B UDGET C O UNSELI NG

By David Litke

Financial Intelligence for the Next Generation

I

n raising our children to financial intelligence, there are several principles which we would be wise to impart: 1. Children should be taught that financial preparation for the future is a worthwhile and necessary endeavor. Lack of preparation and foresight can lead to the inability to pay for things we really need and would like to have.

2. Children must learn the importance of saving. With this knowledge, they will assimilate the discipline of buying only the things they have saved for, and will be immunized against the plague of credit.

3. Children need to learn that money is to be gained primarily through their own efforts in the form of some kind of chore or labor. The word “allowance”, as well as the practice, should be eliminated from the parent-child lexicon. Its parallel in the adult world is “welfare”. We want our children to assimilate the link between effort and reward. This is not to say that all gifts are to be outlawed. It does say that the receipt of gifts must not become the child’s normal method of acquiring assets.

Surveys show that 94% of what children know about money comes primarily from their parents. It seems very important, therefore, that great weight be attached to what we ourselves implement in regard to money philosophy and budgetary practices.

We can point to 4 areas of money activity which our children learn from us: working, saving, spending and sharing.

We earn money through laboring for it. We must create in our children’s minds the emotional and intellectual bond between money and work. An allowance does not facilitate the building of this bond. Money received as a reward for merely being born into the family does not nurture this connection as does money earned through our labors. When we spend our hard-earned cash, it gives us a feeling of accomplishment and empowerment.

As such, children should be given some specific tasks for which they may earn money, all in the spirit of building this connection in their minds. But we must also take care to teach our children that not all chores will earn them pay. Mom and Dad do not get paid for making supper or for taking out the garbage, and neither should children. Our job as parents requires that we teach our kids that there are some labors for which we are paid, and others for which we are not. So instead of giving an allowance which is unlinked to a specific activity, we can give that same money as payment for a special job done around the house. In this way, we can help prepare our children for the real world.

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Once a child has earned money, he must be taught its functions. We recommend that three piggy banks, envelopes or the like be set up for the varying uses of the money earned.

Before all else, a child must learn the meaning of giving. He should give 10% of his earnings for charitable purposes, the lesson being that all the money he earns is not his, but belongs to a higher calling, and therefore must be shared with others. A frequent occurrence in our homes is a tzedaka collector knocking on the door. Oftentimes, we’ll place a few shekels in our child’s hand and tell him to give it to the guest at the door. The off-the-mark lesson taught here is that when someone is in need, ask Mom and Dad to give us some money, so we can pass it on. If, instead, the child reaches into his own purse in order to donate, he has learned the value of saving in order to give.

Our children can also be taught to save for short and long term personal goals. We can help them decide what it is they wish to save for, and then make sure that the saved money is untouchable until the savings goal has been reached. Putting the money in the bank in a savings vehicle of sorts will also teach them the concept of interest.

Finally, a child can and should spend money he has worked for. Again, we should guide him on what are considered acceptable and appropriate spending goals. The spending money should be easily accessible, as it gives the child opportunities to make decisions independently and frequently.

In sum, children instructed in these money-related lessons will acquire lifelong skills and influences which will place them in a good position to act responsibly in, and take responsibility for, their financial lives and activities.  Subscribe to our free email tips: www.budgetrelief.co.il

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050-535-1800 david@budgetsuccess.co.il www.budgetsuccess.co.il

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Expert

WL

W eig h t lo s s

Sweeten Up Your Spring and Shrink Your Waistline…With Fruit!

By Dr. Bo Rosenblat, M.D. Chief Physician, Dr. Bo’s Diet

A

s the weather begins to get warmer, and people become increasingly concerned with their weight and appearance, I tend to get a lot of questions about eating fruit. People tend to associate fruit with sugar because of its naturally sweet flavor, however, the benefits of eating fruit are plentiful and in most cases the amount of fruit sugar isn’t as high as you may think. Fruit is a key component to a healthy diet, a major tool in aiding weight loss, and a necessary element for overall good health.

Below are the top benefits of fruit and my top fruit picks for health and weight-loss: Water: Depending on the variety, fruits are roughly 75-95% water. Eating fruit, especially in warmer weather when we tend to lose water through perspiration, can help prevent dehydration. An added bonus is that all that water helps you feel fuller. Try placing a serving of fruit between your meals as a snack. This low-calorie snack will help you avoid becoming too hungry and overindulging at your next meal.

Fiber: With daily recommendations of 25-35 grams per day, fiber is an important byproduct of fruit. Fiber helps slow the digestive process, causing you to feel fuller longer. Another bonus is that fiber actually helps your blood sugar to rise at a slower pace, causing less of a spike to your blood sugar and resulting in fewer cravings Vitamins & Minerals: Fruits contain above average levels of vitamins and minerals. Although you can take a multi-vitamin to get additional nutrients, most are better absorbed in their natural food state, meaning you will get more bang for your buck eating fruit than popping a pill. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, E, D and K, are stored in our fatty tissue and used as needed.

Water-soluble vitamins, however, are consumed and whatever is not needed on a daily basis is excreted. Some examples are Bvitamins, vitamin C, folate, niacin and thiamine. For this reason it is even more important to have a healthy flow of fruits in ones diet to keep all vitamin levels at their peak.

Disease Prevention: Eating fruits has been linked to lowering rates of certain diseases. The high amount of soluble fiber in fruit binds to fats in the liver, aiding in lowered cholesterol and lessening the rate of plaque build-up in your arteries. Additionally, people who eat fruit regularly are almost 1/3 less likely to develop type-2 diabetes. Try varying your fruit consumption by color. Each color of fruit contains different anti-oxidants, which all have varied benefits. Red colored fruits, like tomatoes, red grapefruits and

watermelon have high levels of lycopene, linked to a reduction in cancers and heart disease. Yellow and orange fruits are rich in carotene, which plays a key role in eye and skin health. There is evidence that purple foods improve heart health and brain power, and neutralize the agents of aging and disease. In cranberries, the purple pigment is seen to benefit those suffering from urinary tract infections.

And the big winner is…

Apples. We have all heard the old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but it’s only recently that researchers have determined this to actually be true.

Apples are the standout in this bunch and with good reason. These fiber-rich fruits help with everything from bloating to cavity reduction (all that munching and chewing helps clean away buildup on your teeth). Believe it or not eating one apple contains just as much fiber as eating a portion of high-fiber cereal. Apples also contain phenols, which have been shown to have a significant affect on cholesterol levels, raising HDL (“good cholesterol”) and lowering LDL (“bad cholesterol”). And recent research has even shown that people who eat at least 5 apples per week have a significant reduction in lung diseases such as asthma. Apples can actually help prevent you from getting sick; with the majority of vitamin C just under the surface of the skin, eating whole apples will help boost your immune system.

So during this busy season, when you’re low on time and looking for something that will boost your energy levels, reach for some fresh fruit. They are delicious, nutritious, and they will help keep your weight and health in balance.

Dr. Bo Rosenblatt is a Board Certified Medical Doctor who has served in many leadership positions in hospitals and clinics, and has lectured for physicians’ organizations all across the United States. Dr. Bo’s Diet is a comprehensive, customized 5-Phase Weight Management Program producing rapid weight loss in the short term, and healthy weight management in the long term. For more information call 077-228-5877 or email details@drbosdiet.com  077-228-5877 details@drbosdiet.com www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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AD

Expert

Anxiety Di s o r d e r S

Your Path to Freedom

By Rachel Factor LCSW

Hi Rachel, I’m a capable and hard working person who is currently seeking a job. I feel that I can be a true asset to whichever company hires me. At my most recent interview, everything was going well. I was telling the interviewer about a company I had recently interned for when suddenly, I was struck by an obsession (threatening thought.)

The thought was that I provided confidential information regarding my place of internship, and that this would be used against them and bring them down. I felt totally disoriented. I tried my best to pull myself together and complete the interview, though it took every bit of energy to stay focused.

I left the interview feeling depressed. I know I’m the ideal candidate for that job. However, in that state of anxiety, my thoughts didn’t come naturally. I probably seemed kind of boring and dull.

Sincerely, Feeling down Dear Feeling Down, Individuals living with OCD and other forms of anxiety often feel down when they sense that their performance has been affected in the professional or social setting. Individuals with anxiety are bright, talented, and creative. A capable person will feel bad when he is not utilizing his potential in a given situation.

Nonetheless, I wonder if you would be as hard on yourself if your performance suffered as a result of allergies, a sinus headache or worrying about a sick child. I think that in those situations, you might be more understanding towards yourself. Somehow, when it comes to having obsessions and anxiety, people can be really hard on themselves, feeling as if they caused the problems. One doesn’t cause oneself to get stuck on obsessions, and anxious individuals don’t look for things to worry about. Can you try to see it as any other biological or situational occurrence that would throw off one’s performance? Can you try to be a bit kinder to yourself?

To further this point, if you knew that your neighbor had gone on an interview, experienced extremely distressing thoughts yet did the best that he could, wouldn’t you admire that? Why can’t you admire the fighting spirit you exhibited, completing the interview while feeling that the world was crashing down around you? How many people can pull that off?

Lastly, I question whether your performance at the interview was as bad as you imagine. Individuals with anxiety tend to have high expectations of themselves and magnify their faults. On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your interview? Was it horrible, or not as good as you would have liked? I suspect the latter, but don’t get bogged down on overly analyzing the interview. Focus on accepting the situation, whatever it may be, and on moving forward.

All the best,

Hi Rachel, I am a young Mom with three kids. I think I am doing a pretty good job raising my kids. My husband is caring, and despite his busy schedule, makes time for me and the family. Financially, we are comfortable. So why am I writing? I suffer from OCD and go to horrible places in my mind. Today I questioned whether I hit a pedestrian while driving.

Yesterday I feared I gave bad advice that will mess up someone’s life forever. When people ask me how I am doing, I give a resounding “B”H, fine.” But how am I really feeling? I couldn’t be feeling more awful and alone.

Thank you, Distressed Mom Dear Distressed Mom, One common sentiment expressed by individuals with OCD and other forms of anxiety is feeling alone. You probably know many people experiencing anxiety, however like you, they keep it under wraps. Like you, they are successful parents and productive individuals.

There’s good news on two fronts. There’s excellent help available today for OCD and other forms of anxiety. One no longer needs to live a double life, pretending to be happy on the outside while suffering on the inside. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy teaches people how to tolerate their distressing thoughts and that they can successfully face their fears. I offer this form of help in my offices in Ramat Beit Shemesh and Yerushalayim. Second, I will be starting a free, confidential support group in RBS and in Yerushalayim for Women living with OCD. In a supportive environment, one will learn the foundations of OCD treatment, and individuals will be encouraged by the group to take on new goals towards achieving greater freedom in their lives.

All the best, Rachel 

Rachel 20

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Bizness Magazine

052-713-4130 (Israel) 845-510-4169 (US) Rachel@OCDsolutions.com www.OCDsolutions.com

02 999 3939

Expert

LC

LI FE C O A C H

Adjusting for Our Children’s Special Needs

By Helen Abelesz

S

arah* had four children and worked part time. She loved them all and had such high hopes for each of them. She watched them carefully for every achievement, from their first smile, their first steps to their first words.

She imagined that they would continue to grow and develop normally.

She noticed at an early age that her third child, Shmuel, wasn’t developing at the same rate as his older siblings. She assumed that he would catch up on his own. It was only when his ganenet voiced her concerns that she realized something was wrong and that she needed to see her pediatrician. That was just the beginning.

There were the countless appointments to schedule and an endless list of tests. Then there was waiting for the results, and the worrying just worsened. How would he cope at school?

Would he be able to have a full, meaningful life? What did this mean for his future? So many questions and too few answers.

When the results finally came, Sarah discovered that Shmuel was delayed in his speech development, social skills and fine motor skills.

From having an orderly week, Sarah’s time was now filled with taking Shmuel to therapy and doing speech and occupational therapy exercises with him at home, as well as trying to reschedule her work and other commitments. What made things worse was that Shmuel wasn’t being very cooperative.

He didn’t like being taken out of gan, schlepped to different strangers and the difficult and frustrating exercises he now had to do. He took it all out on his mother.

Sarah was also getting pressure from all sides. The ganenet complained about Shmuel’s change in behavior. Her boss tried to be sympathetic but really needed her in the office, not going off to appointments. Her husband travelled a lot and left her to worry about Shmuel, brushing off her concerns.

She would toss and turn at night with worry. She blamed herself for Shmuel’s problems, for not doing something about it sooner and for not being more assertive in getting quicker appointments. But mostly, she worried about his future. Would he be able to go to a regular school? Would he be able to overcome his challenges? Would he always be struggling? Who 22

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would look after him when he was older? And finally, was she giving enough attention to her other children?

Sarah was overwhelmed, feeling stressed and anxious. She knew she needed help to take control of the situation, for the benefit of her children. She gave me a call.

Sarah needed to work on two areas. First she needed help relieving her stress, and then she needed to explore her feelings. When we have a child with some kind of special needs, we sometimes need to mourn the child we thought we would have and accept and embrace the child that we do have. This process, which can be painful and difficult, takes time. But it is important. Not just for you and how you feel about your child, but also for your child, as he too needs to accept himself and feel good about himself. And special needs children, like all children, have so many strengths and reasons to feel good about themselves Sarah had many adjustments to make, from reducing her stress to being more assertive in getting the help Shmuel needed, but with careful coaching, Sarah continues to succeed and is raising happy children, all working to achieve their fullest potential.

If you, like Sarah, are feeling overwhelmed and would like to learn how to cope with stress and the challenges that life throws at you, give me a call for a free first consultation. You are not alone.  * Not her real name and all identifying features have been changed.

Bizness Magazine

054-482-9815 helenabelesz@gmail.com

Facebook: Life-Coaching-for-Women/643214162406829

02 999 3939

NURIT’S BRIDAL SALON

Forty years experience results in kallahs finding their dream wedding dress in five minutes!!!

As one mother of the bride relates: “After visiting several wedding dress salons for my daughter’s wedding I came across Nurit’s in the heart of Bet Shemesh; wished it would have been my first stop. In a matter of minutes, Nurit helped my daughter find her dream dress and the whole experience had been such a pleasure.”

Nurit, where are you from?

I am Israeli and have been living in Bet Shemesh for the past 19 years.

How did you get into the wedding gown industry?

I saw that the industry was too out of control— the bridal shops were charging exaggerated prices for a dress to be worn for one night only. For the family, it is a huge expense on top of the multitude of other expenses for the wedding. I decided it was time to take charge of the situation. Since we have a family chain of bridal salons across the country for over 40 years, I decided to get into the thick of things. I started learning the secrets of the trade through my family’s salons and got to the level that even the biggest, most famous bridal salons would aspire to reach.

Baruch Hashem, for the past eight years I have had the privilege of helping kallahs receive a complete product, with fine attention to detail and with prices suitable to every budget.

What are the main points you take into consideration when choosing a dress?

I quickly determine the kallah’s style and consider the kallah’s height, weight, background, personality, etc. This helps her to keep an excited attitude instead of boring her with models that are not for her. Then I show her every suitable dress with endless patience until she is sure of what she wants. I always advise kallahs to try on more than one dress.

After she makes that momentous decision, the kallah and I fully customize her dress.

Please describe the process on getting a wedding dress • It is recommended for a kallah to come and choose a dress two to three months before her wedding if possible. Once the dress has been chosen, a month before the wedding we call the kallah for the first fitting.

• The wedding gowns are sewn by top-notch seamstresses, ensuring a perfect fit.

• Usually we require three to four fittings. Sometimes before the wedding the kallahs looses or gains weight, so we have to make adjustments.

• Our goal is for the kallah to be 100% happy with her dress. We have had cases in which the kallah decides to make changes at the very end and we are happy to do all the alterations needed until she is satisfied.

• About two weeks before the wedding, the dress is ready to be picked up.

• We have an all inclusive fee that includes all alterations, dry

cleaning, and all types of veils, trains, crowns, etc.

How about your pricing?

Our fee can be cheaper than getting a dress at a gemach!

What advice can you give to the mother of the bride?

Shopping for a wedding dress with your daughter is an experience like none other. All of a sudden you have tangible proof that your daughter is soon going to be married. It’s the dress of all dresses; the one that will live on forever in pictures and albums for years to come. So make a point to make it fun for your daughter to try on dresses and ensure you go as rested as possible. Be there for your daughter without causing her a lot of stress. The key is to be patient with each other! Moms--give constructive comments, but remember the decision is hers. Daughters--take into consideration mom’s ideas, but go with your heart. If it makes you look beautiful and if it feels comfortable, choose it.  I felt that Nurit knew what she was doing. She had a very wide selection of dresses, she has a fun personality and makes you feel very comfortable. – E.C. Nurit has a very good eye, she is very professional and the first thing she showed me was what I ended up taking. I felt that I was going to be taken care of. – T.W. I was able to choose and design my own dress, Nurit really knows her business. She gives you advice without forcing anything. I was able to make all the changes I wanted. – R.R. I was very impressed with Nurit. She takes the time to discuss what is best for the kallah while constantly telling her that it is going to be beautiful. Totally puts the kallah at ease. She really wanted the kallah to feel amazing. What more can a mother want for her daughter! - T.R. (mother of a kallah) Wishing that every kallah will wear her dream dress at her wedding!! – Mazal Tov!

Nurit’s Bridal Salon With you on your special day with quality, service and beauty.

052-766-0866

www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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What’s Right and Wrong with Your Interior Design: The Battle Between Traditional and Modern Furniture design has come full circle, from the time the ancient Egyptians pioneered most of our construction techniques up to our post-modern era. Most of us are either ensconced in traditional styles or struggling with typically less comfortable sculptural abstractions, known as modern furniture. Unlike technology, furniture design reached zeniths in the past and has not progressed in quality or style recently. “They don’t make ‘em like they used to” is an appropriate expression, whether applied to Classical European masterpieces or 1920’s Art Deco. However, sometimes I see eye-popping decor that makes me say, “Wow! I never liked that, but here it really works.” This article reviews why many people cherish traditional European styles, what went wrong with these styles and how one Israeli client redefined for me the battle between traditional and modern décor.

Let’s begin after World War II, when mass production progressed from armaments to consumer industries like furniture to satisfy an exploding population’s needs. 1950’s furniture design can still be found in many Israeli homes, because the good stuff was built to last, used quality materials and had a timeless appeal. Clean lines, exotic veneers over a plywood construction and bentwood chair bases are all hallmarks of what many now call the Retro Look. By the 1960’s and 70’s, Scandinavian designs reigned on the upper end of residential décor, made popular by companies like Shomrat Hazorea. However, the fine Art Deco inspirations of the 1920’s were more and more replaced by cheaper furniture that could be called “Dreko.”

Because so many immigrants came with no furnishings at all, modern furniture simply invaded many Israeli homes.

However, American homes were often stocked with traditional furnishings and became modernized over time.

The first casualty in this battleground of ideals was the rocking chair, or the old wing-chair. In order to control his turf in front of the television, the man-of-the-house installed the recliner. Some models resembled upholstered hospital beds, while others were more akin to upholstered wheel chairs. Other innovations crept in according to needs; for the masses, the futon, a formless, inexpensive but comfortable sofa-cum-bed, was just fine, while the convertible sofa was reserved for more exclusive homes. Naturally, children preferred the bean bag, unaware of its subversion against traditional décor (or is that decorum?).

By the 1980’s and 90’s, people who were not brought up to appreciate truly fine furniture, but could not feel comfortable in a modern, boxy environment either, opted for hybrids; faux modern-bland traditional. This non-style commonly minimized the use of traditional fabrics with colors and patterns in favor of rather monotonous pastels or black and white. Even natural wood grain became an enemy

of the sterilized and uncluttered environment, requiring it to be masked with paint.

Some designers led a retreat to the ‘good old days’ of Eames Chairs and Lawson Sofas, but most people did not really notice, perhaps because computer and movie screens were more interesting and critical in their lives, and they felt esthetically complacent. Even for many who could afford to invest in quality furniture, disposable furniture conquered the market with its convenience and quick-fix feeling.

Fortunately for this furniture restorer, enough true-believers in fine furniture survived to keep his 35 workmen busy in New York City, until his aliya in 1996, where a growing clientele in Israel does the same. In fact, as more and more people realize that disposable may be cheap now but expensive in the long term, the trend is back to fine furniture that can be restored.

As life is Israel is always full of surprises, I discovered a proof of that trend when I was hired to reupholster many furnishings in a unique penthouse in Tel Aviv. Always a fan of classical styles, I was confronted with a client and a designer who demanded that I cover a fine European reproduction armchair with gold and black leopard skin, exquisite Empire dining chairs with bright red chintz with clowns and outstanding Italian lounge chairs in metallic silver and gold fabrics! Here was an extraordinarily talented homeowner with extremely original and expensive taste who was brave enough to contrast here and balance there traditional with modern design. It was waaay over the top, but it worked according to her rules! I encourage everyone to break out of the routines of traditional decors, be they traditional or modern, and express a new, personal style that has both.

RESTORNO Tel. 050-764-6726 | email: yona.restorno@gmail.com

Expert

FR

FIRST RESPONSE

Dispatcher Duties Hatzala Beit Shemesh

I

t’s 3 AM Shabbos morning. Your child comes running into your room, unable to breathe. He’s coughing, with sounds like a seal.

You’re in a panic. You’ve never heard such a thing before. You reach over and find your phone. You already have Hatzala’s number speed dialed into your phone, and you make the call.

Hatzala, shalom,” says the voice on the other end of the line.

“My son is not breathing,” you yell into the phone. “Come quick!

Help!”

“I will send you someone to help right away. What’s your exact address and phone number? Please send someone outside to flag our first responder!”

The next thing you know, someone is at your door, providing caring assistance.

For the patient and his mother, this is an out-of-the-ordinary story.

But for our dedicated Hatzala dispatchers, this is the norm. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether in shul on Shabbos or at 2 AM, on Yom Kippur or in middle of work, two dispatchers are on the other end of the Hatzala emergency number and volunteers are on standby to respond to any emergency, waiting to help you during your time of need.

From call to home What happens after you hang up the phone with the Hatzala moked? First, the dispatcher puts out a tone over all of the responder’s radios, letting them know there is an emergency. The dispatcher then requests a first and second responder to the scene. While the responders are on the way, a driver is dispatched to the ambulance, who then proceeds to the scene. On Shabbos, in coordination with local Rabbonim, we operate slightly differently to ensure kavod Shabbos and often have a non-Jew assisting – with no delay in care.

Who can be a Hatzala Dispatcher?

“Being a Hatzala dispatcher is not just rolling out of bed and answering the phones,” says Zecie Maltz, Hatzala Beit Shemesh’s Dispatch Coordinator. “It involves a number of hours of both medical and procedural training, as well as a number of training scenarios, both one-on-one and in a group.”

Hatzala Beit Shemesh dispatchers must be able to speak English and Hebrew, and to handle multiple calls at once. Many of them speak additional languages such as Yiddish, French and others, which is a very appreciate benefit in cases of emergency. “Just this last Shabbos, our dispatcher was on the phone with a caller, when another call came in at the exact moment,” says Dovid Cohen, Director of Operations for Hatzala Beit Shemesh. “It is sometimes a juggling act for our dispatchers to ensure that the correct information and the proper units are sent to each call.”

What training is required to be a dispatcher?

Haztala Beit Shemesh has a rigorous training regimen for the

dispatchers. It starts with a comprehensive CPR/First Aid course followed by the protocols section of the course. This consists of learning how to take calls, control the call in order to get the information needed quickly and accurately, the proper way to dispatch responders, and call management. The candidates must pass a dispatching test where they “take calls” of increasing complexity, with numerous twists and turns thrown in.

“We did one training, and one of our role-players started screaming on the radio that he had hit a child on the way to the call. It was so real and convincing that I actually asked him to confirm that he realized it was a drill!” says Cohen. “In real life, you can get hammered.

A responder may have an issue with his car while responding to a call, and another unit might have to be dispatched. The ambulance may get waved down for some other emergency – and you then have two calls to manage. There may be multiple patients… the scenarios are endless. We want to ensure every single dispatcher can handle mass confusion – and keep everything straight. That’s their job.”

Are your dispatcher’s required to be in an office during their shift?

The beauty of the Hatzala dispatching system is that our dispatchers can be anywhere – in their home, office, store, even shul. Using an advanced phone system, Hatazla dispatchers can log in and out of the system without any interruption. This also allows the option of having multiple dispatchers on the system at any given time. “In the event of a mass incident, we can bring in all of the dispatchers, and have the system route calls to all of them,” says Cohen. “We have tremendous flexibility – which allows us to answer emergency calls without interruption or delay.”

Life as a dispatcher The #1 job as a Hatzala dispatcher is to answer that phone immediately. Each call can take between three to thirty minutes to manage.

“Managing a call requires complete and total concentration to ensure that it is being filled correctly, recording arrival times, calling for additional resources such as the fire or police department, and monitoring the status of the call,” says Chana Kaminker, one of Hatzala Beit Shemesh’s newer dispatchers. “It means dropping everything. But at the end of the shift, you know that you helped someone in a way that many people are not able to.”  Office: 02-991-2345 Emergency line: 02-999-9992 hatzalabeitshemesh.org www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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Interview with Tzvi Lefkowitz

We

interviewed Tzvi for the first time in 2012 when he had just one service car, then we interviewed him again in 2014 when we saw three of his cars on the road, and now we sit with him in front of his impressive four-car fleet!

What do you attribute to your fantastic growth reflected by your car fleet going from one to four in such a short period of time?

Siyata D’shmaya. And, I’m fortunate to have a team of loyal technicians and excellent office staff that help me keep pace with customer needs.

What’s the advantage of having a four-car fleet?

Well, obviously we can now be in four places at one time. Perhaps more important is to maintain my time commitments to customers. We try to be 100% finished in one day without troubling the customer with repeat return visits. If I see that we need assistance to meet this goal, I’ll call up one of the technicians to help out. Without the additional cars, I couldn’t meet those commitments.

For example, last week we installed a central AC system in the Old City, a very challenging place to work. Our small cars allowed us to maneuver in very tight street conditions. The AC was very critical for the health of the client and we committed to remove the old, 18 year system and install a top quality Fujitsu, all in one day.

When we met you in 2012 you were Handyman Tzvi, then you became Handyman Tzvi Technical Services and now we see a new and improved Tzvi Air. Tell us how have you evolved and what prompted you to change?

This is Israel, the wild Middle East. And yet we’re in The King’s Palace. The only way you can make it here is to break yourself. If you want to be something, first you have to become nothing. In New York I was a builder- eight story buildings, high end villas in the Five Towns, a crew of 25 workers, we were flying!

We wanted to be close to my family here so we moved, thinking, hey, if you can make it there (New York) you can make it anywhere, Ha! Ha! Big surprise. So I started off as a Handyman because it was a quick way to find jobs. And then I added the Technical Services so people would understand that I was a one stop shop for all home and office needs. Then, finally, I realized that I was spread out too thin, like shpachtel. I didn’t want to be a Jack of all trades and a master of none, so I chose to specialize. Why air conditioning? Because the work is gratifying and the field is in desperate need of service and 26

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installation improvements which I excel in.

We still handle most of the handyman calls that come in.

People moving in from abroad or from another city appreciate the extra service, but we’re not focusing our advertising on it.

From Purim to Succot my head is thinking, dreaming and spinning with air conditioning all day long, and that’s what my clients want. I need to evaluate whether it’s worthwhile for the owner to continue to service their ailing unit, or to replace it with a new one. I need to know exactly which unit from which company is going to fit their needs in quality and price. I can have four or five different units that can work on paper, but only one is going to fit the physical conditions of the site. And the future service and maintenance of the system has to be well thought out. I have to have my pricing in my head, payment schedules. You want to go with a cheap brand? Here are the pros and the cons. I never recommend it but customers can certainly rely on the fact that their installation and service will be top notch.

Why Tzvi Air, what’s the message?

I invested a lot of energy in my previous company names, I don’t want to lose name recognition. A tzvi is light and quick. That’s us.

What is your secret to customer satisfaction in your field?

Excellent question. Customer satisfaction is unconditionally guaranteed! If anything happens—and although rare, it can happen—during installation or maintenance or after it, we take full responsibility. We’re into building long term relationships. You see our prices are highly competitive- if there are small things that aren’t included in the pricing, we’re not going to go nickel and dime, we’ll just take care of it.

How did you get to the point that when people think “air conditioning” they immediately think of you?

That’s the secret of success, reputation. That’s why we spend so much effort on pleasing our customers, because people will recommend you and word of mouth can break you or make you.

What should people do to prepare their systems for the summer?

Filters should be cleaned before the summer and cleaned again every three to four weeks during the hot season. When you remove the filter look at the evaporator coils and check if they are dirty, moldy

Bizness Magazine

02 999 3939

or black. If they are , then seriously consider getting professional advice. People shouldn’t wait until the middle of the season. Prevention and maintenance is one of the keys to a well-functioning AC. We are intrigued to see that Baruch Reens of Fantasia Fans has now joined the team of Tzvi Air to help create a comprehensive Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Company.

He is a PRO in his own right, how did that happen?

Ever since I started working in Beit Shemesh I have known Baruch. Everywhere I turn around I see another fan installation par excellence. Baruch cares about his work, cares about his customers, this I like. His ideas are also cutting edge, simple and they work! Now here’s the icing on the cake: Baruch is a visionary, he’s constantly looking into ways to improve products, create products, improve production, and of course his hands are gold.

Baruch had corporate experience in New York and understands how to help the company move to a higher plateau, which I something I need. In the short time that he has been with us he has already made positive changes.

Baruch, tell us something about yourself.

I was born and bred in the States, studied Architecture, Urban Planning and Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park and spent 6 years working in New York City in Construction Management. Then I decided to “downsize”, which is another way of saying, “I’m trying to find myself”, so I came to Israel volunteering on a kibbutz and finally ending up in the Old City in a Discovery program at Aish HaTorah, and now my payos are flying in my face all the time.

How did you get into Ventilation?

Years ago in Beit Shemesh, my parents came to visit and my father noticed that we had no cross ventilation in the apartment. “Come,” he said, “let’s buy a big fan and put it in the laundry room.” In the States, a whole house fan system is as standard as apple pie and Chevrolet.

But here, people thought I was crazy. We stuck the fan in the laundry room window with some cardboard to fill the empty space and it worked! I made some improvements and then I started advertising.

Slowly I branched out into other areas of ventilation.

You can survive a while without food, less without water but air, hey, don’t take it for granted. Yet ventilation for some reason is on the bottom of the list when planning and building, or renovating a house or apartment. Most of my work comes from troubleshooting, but more and more people are getting a hold of me in the planning stage to avoid extra costs after the job has been finished.

Why did you decide to join forces with Tzvi Air? Tzvi called me four years ago after he saw one of my installations and told my how excited he was that he never saw someone as talented in a technical field and he wants to meet me. Then we started sending each other customers. After Tzvi decided to move permanently into the field of expertise he knows best, air conditioning, I thought the timing was right to form an HVAC company which is not common here.

Every so often I would notice his intense effort to please customers and to create an American standard of quality and service.

And then, of course, his organizational skills impressed me. Before I joined Tzvi, if a potential client wanted me for a job and was busy I would say, “look, my secretary went out to lunch 25 years ago and hasn’t been back since, so could you please call me

T h e E v ol u t io n 2012 : Handyman Tzvi 1 service car 2014 : Handyman Tzvi Technical Services 3 service cars 2015 : Tzvi Air 4 service cars

We finished the job, we’re going home.

back?” Now there is a very professional and sophisticated infrastructure that can free us up to do what we do best.

We’ve seen some of your innovations in the field of ventilation, what about the field of Air Conditioning?

Oh, I drive Tzvi crazy with my ideas. I’ll share one with you: Whether you own a wall unit or a mini-central, you will be recirculating the air in your house with no fresh air entering. Let’s increase the stakes, I want to have the option of running my central air only on fan mode and pump a lot of fresh, cool evening air in throughout the house, costing almost nothing to run. This is what we’re developing. If you’re interested in being one of the first ones, we’ll install it for you for a little above cost price.

Who else is on your team and why did you select them?

Kalman Perry, a Beit Shemesh resident who’s fluent in English, Hebrew and middos. He’s diligent and dependable, excellent integrity and is currently completing his AC Technician license.

He is also looking to grow with the company and understands the value of customer service and product satisfaction.

Avi Gavriel, first off he gets a mazal tov, he’s engaged. Avi has been with us for two years, with seven years of experience in related fields. Avi is our backbone in the field, he’s a perfect installer and technician, he thinks things through, he doesn’t take risks, yet he knows how to get the job done in a timely manner and with a smile on his face. He’s a pleasure to work with and our customers are very pleased with his performance.

Tzvi, what is your next move?

We’ve geared up for the summer and are ready for the demand.

Internally, we’re focusing on improving communication and of course trying to increase customer satisfaction. Come, try us. Fly with Tzvi Air!  www.TzviAir.com email: tzvi@tzviair.com Tel. 02-628-8282 www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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Expert

CR C R A FT I NG

A Perfect World

By Yossi Golano

E

ver since I was a young boy growing up in the quiet suburbs of Chicago, I was a team player in almost every activity I participated in. Constantly striving to determine and exercise my gifts, talents and abilities, I would challenge myself by applying them to any team dynamic. Since then, I haven’t changed in that respect.

As a designerand artist, I have always appreciated how the many different people I’ve encountered express themselves through their art, no matter what the medium, be it socially or by means of business. However, I learned early on that an artist is often times limited in their abilities by the challenges residing outside of their art form.

There is a heaviness one carries when facing those obstacles, and one can become discouraged, feeling like one’s gifts and talents will forever go unnoticed and unappreciated, and that one’s future success lies out of reach and out of one’s control.

But one artist’s weakness is another’s strength. In other words, artists need other artists. Deep down we all know it. Some artists paint vast landscapes with sunlit horizons while others compose heartfelt poetic verses. Some, like me, create out of wood and others clay. Some create with their hands. Some create with their minds and words. No matter what the medium, we all want it to mean something to someone else. There are so many who have been enriched by their own G-d-given gifts and passions. But the greatest feeling is to share it with others and aspire to become apart of something greater than one’s self.

Ever since I started my first high-end custom cabinet shop some 30 years ago, I have dreamed of a day when people with diverse backgrounds, gifts, talents and aspirations would band together and create a thriving team that could effectively navigate through the economic and social challenges of their day.

Today in Israel, we face many difficulties in business. Almost every business owner I speak with struggles with many challenges and when they face them on their own, that’s when the challenges seem almost impossible to overcome. Many gifted artists and businessmen find it difficult to support their families through their art form,this being a common feeling of newcomers to Israel especially. The natural response when facing potential challenges in an unfamiliar environment could very well result in uncertainty and in turn may cause one to guard oneself. But this can keep one from ever reaching the potential their passion and talents could take them. We have to turn our concerns and fears into determination and strive to project whatever talents we possess toward reaching out to others for the purpose of helping them succeed. The truth is, here in Israel the team mental28

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ity is needed now more than ever, not only to survivebut to flourish as well. By isolating ourselves, we aren’t exempt from failure, and we miss out on a very valuable and relevant lesson of the Jewish People, which is that we are ONE. We can be a united coalition for success during these challenging times. I have always believed in the power of synergy, i.e. the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. In other words, there is strength, personal growth and great success in numbers – this is the team mentality.

I dream of a world where various gifted and talented artists, designers, tradesman, businessmen and sales and marketing specialists unite together for the purpose of mutual success. Where the success of the team becomes more important than the small personal victories we may attain.When a person thinks about the power of this idea, they soon realize the myriad of benefits, such as sharing resources, the ability to cause positive growth in another’s life, advanced problem-solving capabilities, stronger networking capabilities, learning from others,and the ability to access purchasing power like the big companies, and so much more. Above all our customers benefit the most with better customer service, fair and reasonable prices and higher quality products. This is the advantage we attain when we unite for a common goal!

In the coming months, many people will see the practical steps I will be taking to obtain this goal by reaching out to those inside and outside of my field, as well as anyone else who shares the same values. My hope is to inspire others in combining our efforts for success. We all have so much to learn and improve in, as well as so many things to offer one another. So, let us step up and do it together. Let us succeed together.

This is my vision of a perfect world. 

Bizness Magazine

052-704-2800 yossidesigns@gmail.com yossidesigns.blogspot.co.il

02 999 3939

Insurance is always on our mind so it doesn’t have to be on yours!

Peace of mind.

INSURING YOUR: Home | Health | Life | Auto | Business | Travel Egert & Cohen. Always by your side.

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Tel. 02 992 5665 Cel. 052 768 8663

In the underground parking under “Yesh� in the RBS A Center (Entrance from Nachal Nitzanim)

We accept credit cards

Expert

PA

PA I NT I NG

Do It Yourself Painting:

How to Protect Your Pergola

By Nachum Eilberg

A

pergola is a wooden structure that is used to provide shade. In Israel, it is very common to see a pergola on a mirpeset (porch) which offers shade and which can also be used as a frame for a succah. If you maintain a pergola, it will last a lifetime. Without properly treating the wood, the rain and the sun will damage the pergola and cause it to rot.

In this article, I would like to guide the Do It Yourself people on how to best take on this project. In many ways, this is one of the simpler do-it-yourself projects and in some ways one of the most stress-free projects to work on. You do not have the same pressure that you would have with starting a project in the home where you would need to finish it within the day. With outdoor work, you can stretch out the project over a few days or weekends without disrupting your home.

Like all projects, it is crucial to have the tools and equipment necessary to do the job properly. You need a ladder to be able to safely reach above to the top of the pergola. It is the top that you cannot even see from below that receives the most damage from the rain and sun and that needs the most attention.

An electric rotary sander (with 80 grid sanding pads) will be the most expensive tool needed here. It is necessary to sand the wood in order to open up the wood pores that allow the stain to penetrate the wood. As with all painting projects, it will also be necessary to have a means to cover the floors, railings, outdoor furniture and anything else -- especially your neighbor’s mirpeset that may be below. Paint brushes are needed. Although a compressor and sprayer are often used, it is not necessary for the Do-It-Yourselfer.

It is important to inspect your pergola. If you have any boards that are severely cracked, warped or rotted, they must be replaced. If you have any nails or screws that are coming out, it is best to remove them and replace them with new screws that are a bit longer.

With the pergola inspected and the tools purchased, you are ready to sand the wood with the rotary sander. It is very difficult and impractical to do this manually with sandpaper. Often we see mold on the wood. In these cases, bleach is needed to clean the wood. If there is no mold present, it is best to avoid cleaners that contain bleach. Even the wood cleaners available on the market are not needed if you sand properly. That way you can avoid the need to wait for the wood to dry prior to the staining.

What type of stain do you buy? I recommend only the Flood

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Stains that are imported from America. These stains will last up to 15 years versus the local brands that barely withstand three years. The stains are available in multiple colors from the traditional wood look like mahogany to the more modern light bleached look. There are basically two choices of stains. If you want to maintain the look of the wood grain, you need to use the Flood Semi-Transparent stain. These stains will last only five years as they do not completely provide UV protection as they are semi-transparent to allow you to see the wood grain. The more practical stain to use is the Flood Solid stain. This will look more like paint as you will no longer see the wood grain but you will get maximum UV protection that will provide 15 years of protection.

With the preparation work behind you and the stain purchased, the fun begins. Here you will see satisfaction with each brush stroke. How many coats are needed? That will greatly depend on the condition of the wood. The wood will absorb as much as it needs and will take no more. The upper areas that get the most abuse will always require two or more coats, sometimes as many as five coats. The lower areas that are often shaded may only require one application. As soon as the wood does not absorb any more stain, you are done, ready to clean up and enjoy your pergola.

Nachum Eilberg of Walls R Us Painting, will be happy to answer any painting related questions. Please submit questions to nachum@wallsruspainting.comand perhaps your question will be published in a future issue. Nachum of “Walls R Us Painting” can also be reached at 052-611-9500 or by visiting the company website at: www.wallsruspainting.com 

Bizness Magazine

052-611-9500 www.wallsruspainting.com nachum@wallsruspainting.com

02 999 3939

VENTS E L IA C E SP S* H A ZV IT M T *BIRTHDAYS*BA ENT! AVAILABLE FOR YOUR NEXT EV

It all began with a clown costume

that Leah tried on for Purim; it seemed that everyone was smiling everywhere she went! Leah discovered that by just putting on a clown nose and making some funny faces, she could bring joy and smiles to everyone around her.

A simple advertisement on the back of an Egged bus clinched her life-changing decision. She registered for a course to become a certified “medical clown” which actualizes science’s newest discovery that the key to healing is bringing laughter and joy to mankind.

In her trademark polka dot outfit, bright red nose and lipstick smile, Leah may clown around with a four year old on his birthday, kibbitz with a withdrawn woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dance and do tricks at a chasunah. The excitement and joy proves for tremendous therapeutic results (as well as wonderful entertainment.)

zechus of my life to bring people joy and happiness.

When I see a sad or sick child, it is my absolute privilege to be able to offer a few simple words or actions to turn his frown upside-down into a cheek-tocheek smile.”

Don’t hesitate to call Leah for your next upcoming event or just to ease the pain of someone suffering from illness or sorrow.

Exciting Activities for birthday parties and events *BALLOON SCULPTURES – EX: ANIMALS FLOWER S ETC. *MUSIC – SING ALONG WITH INSTRUMENTS *ORIGAMI DESIGNS *BUBBLE FUN

“It’s all about empowering individuals and bringing them into the present joy of life and living,” says ‘Leah Halaitzanit.’ She can usually tell what an individual needs. She is free to be happy or silly playing guitar, sculpting balloons, performing sleightof-hand tricks – whatever it takes to connect with and make an individual happy.

Clowning skills include pantomime, dance, music, voice improvisation, costuming (including face paint & crafts) and special effects such as helium balloons and balloon sculptures for Bat Mitzvah and Birthday events.

“Clowning is inspiring,” Leah explains. “It’s the biggest

*GAMES *CRAFTS *FACE PAINT *MAGIC TRICKS *LAUGHTER THERAPY *DANCE & EXERCISE

CAMPS: RESERVE NOW for special magic trick & balloon sculpture shows!

New!! Helium Balloons for your party or any other event

058-484-1185 leah@simchaclown.com

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Expert

In

I NSURA N C E

Travel and Health Insurance

By Shimon Cohen

T

he recent tragedy in Nepal really brought home the importance of having a comprehensive travel insurance plan. Two of the insurance companies that we work with (Harel and Clal) had extensive “search-and-rescue” teams on the ground within hours of the earthquake.

One of our clients was a student with whom contact was lost after the first quake. When we checked the policy details, we found to our dismay that the policy had already ended, due to a human error on the part of the parent who took out the policy! We immediately contacted the insurance company to explain the mistake, and she was added on to the list of missing Israelis. Baruch Hashem, the next day she managed to contact her worried parents and soon after that returned home.

A few lessons to learn: 1. Never, ever travel overseas without comprehensive travel insurance. For a reasonable amount of money, you cover yourself for up to $1,000,000 with options for pre-existing conditions, maternity, medical evacuation, extreme sport, etc.

2. Make sure you have an insurance agent whom you can call in the middle of the night in case of emergency! Even though you can purchase travel insurance through your Kupat Cholim or travel agent, only your devoted insurance office (that’s us) will: a. Issue a last-minute policy as you board the plane in the event that you completely forgot in all the rush. b. Extend your policy if you need to stay on unexpectedly. c. Issue a policy even if you only realize two weeks into your stay that you forgot. d. Make sure that your Saba’s heart condition and your daughter’s maternity is properly covered. e. Deal with your claims personally and professionally when you return.

3. Even with the best planning and effort everything is essentially in G-d’s hands!

Supplementary Health Insurance After months of rumors and misinformation from various government offices there seems to finally be some clarity with regards to the following questions which people are asking.

1. I already have Meuchedet Si or Maccabi Zahav. Do I really need another private supplementary health policy?

2. If I do decide to take out a policy, what’s the big rush davka now?

And now… the answers!

Answer 1: Israel has a wonderful health system, but like all national health systems, it has its deficiencies. The main problems 32

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are also those that cost the most money, such as complicated operations which are best done overseas, transplants and expensive medicines that are not in the general “basket of services”.

These are the medical conditions that are the subject of the heart-breaking appeals all of us hear in shul, on the radio etc. – the life-saving operations that must be done in Boston, the experimental cancer drugs that cost 50,000 NIS per month. We therefore recommend most strongly that every family should “top up” their Kupat Cholim with this inexpensive cover.

Answer 2: Why now? Because the law regarding private health insurance is changing on Jan. 1st 2016. Up until now, once you had a policy, you were guaranteed cover for life. The new policies will be 2-year renewable policies. This means that companies will be able to change premiums, stop offering certain coverage and cancel policies completely. In other words, there will be no more guaranteed coverage or cost. The logic behind doing this is so that the client should not ‘forget’ about his/her coverage and theoretically end up with double coverage.

We feel strongly that every family should have the lifetime basic coverage in place and then you can always decide to cancel if necessary. In other words, you still have all options open. If, however, you miss the deadline you will no longer have the option of long-term, guaranteed coverage!

Table of Prices for Health Insurance Policies: (monthly premium in shekels) Age

Men

Women

0-20

8.91

8.91

21-24

26.58

30.98

25-29

25.42

32.21

30-34

25.13

33.87

35-39

27.70

34.65

40-44

32.30

36.29

45-49

38.75

39.23

For a family policy, the fourth child and onwards is free.

Bizness Magazine

02-623-2546, 050-548-2192 www.egertcohen.co.il

02 999 3939

Relatives can’t make it to your simcha?

Let them watch it

ONLINE LIVE

from home or work!!!

We also take a collection of approximately 300 FREE photos at the venue and upload them right away!

We pride ourselves in being very unobtrusive.

Much cheaper than flying family over to Israel!!!

• • • • •

LiveStreamSimcha@gmail.com 058 538 1902|USA +1647 495 9493 | UK + 44 207 048 7028 www.livestreamsimcha.com

Hear the dvar torah at the Bar/Bat Mitzvah!

Watch the kallah walk down the aisle!

Rejoice with the wedding guests!

Hear the naming of the baby at the bris!

You can even give a speech to the hall in Israel from your computer anywhere in the world!

Expert

MO

MO RTGA G E

Taking The Right Amount Of Time For The Mortgage Approval…

Yours and the Banks

By Moshe Wilshinsky, CEO, Moville Mortgage and Finance Ltd.

I

am often asked when someone should start the mortgage process when looking to purchase a home. My answer is always, “yesterday, because it is never too soon.” There is a common misconception that you should start the mortgage process after you find a property, when in fact, that is often late in the game.

The mortgage process is more than just putting the documents together; it determines firsthand what you can actually qualify for.

Sometimes, during the process, people discover issues they did not realize were important that need addressing. For example, if people have their US tax returns on extension for a long period of time or their Israeli tax returns have not been filed for a company they own, these are all issues that can slow down the process and even make it more difficult to get a mortgage. Another example is when someone has had credit problems, they may need a longer lead time to get the accounts and credit history back in shape; it’s better to discover this before starting the house hunting process.

There are a myriad of factors that can dictate both a mortgage amount as well as the interest rate available. Mortgage regulations in Israel can be introduced at any stage of the process that can change the qualification opportunities for borrowers, e.g. when foreign borrowers woke up to a maximum of 50% LTV when they had applied for 70%, or when borrowers applied for 90% LTV mortgages with the Israeli private mortgage insurance company EMI, only to see the use of policies disallowed. There was a time when Israeli borrowers could get a whole mortgage on an adjustable basis. They woke up one day to find a new regulation that limited the adjustable part of the mortgage to only one third of the total mortgage amount (remember, mortgages in Israel can have multiple parts, each with different terms).

Sometimes, a transaction will need to be done differently, e.g. a co-borrower would need to be named in a contract due to recent regulation differentiation between co-borrowers and guarantors.

These are just examples of what has happened in the past. My objective here is to highlight that this process may not be simple depending on your situation and may take more time than anticipated for any number of reasons (regulatory issues, market chang-

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es, etc). Consider this process the time required for the banks to understand how good of a borrower you are---you do not want to rush that. Equally important, but often overlooked, is the time for you to understand which of the given mortgage options is best for you.

By going through the process and having an approval in hand even before you go out looking for a property you will be more focused and be able to complete a transaction more quickly. By doing it this way, even if you run into challenges with qualifying, you can take the time to work it out and make a decision based on what is best for you objectively, as opposed to needing to take a mortgage that is not 100% best for you, just because your timetable was dictated by a contract you signed. By having time on your side when going through the mortgage approval process, you can not only find a lender that will approve your mortgage, but find the lender and mortgage that best meets your own approval. 

Bizness Magazine

073-796-2226 ext. 911 questions@movillefinance.com www.movillefinance.com

02 999 3939

By Tomer Cohen

Oven Features Which Are Worth Having T

he oven is one of the most used household appliances, and probably especially so in frum homes (okay, not counting the washing machine).

The differences between a good oven and a better oven can spell the difference between longer cooking times, flopped cakes, and food which is too brown on one side. For the Yiddishe Mama who expends time and effort on providing her large family with nutritious, home-cooked meals, delicious baked goods and weekly fresh challos, it is definitely important to know which oven features are worth looking out for and spending that bit more on.

Shabbos Mode: Surprisingly, even non-Jews like this feature because it’s great for keeping food warm for an extended period without the food drying out (as in when hubby calls from work saying he’ll be late – again!). On Shabbos, it can eliminate the need for a hot plate, especially if the only hot food you serve for Shabbos lunch is cholent which you make in a Crock-pot (you can put your soup in an oven-proof pot). When set to Shabbos mode, the oven automatically switches off at the pre-set time.

Self-cleaning: This is already a familiar feature for most people, but what you may not know is that self-cleaning ovens tend to have better insulation than other ovens, and so are more energy efficient. However, many manufacturers recommend not using the self-cleaning feature more than once a year, although with higher-end brands this shouldn’t be a problem.

Safety lock: This is a minor feature, but certainly essential if you have little kids. The safety lock disables the buttons and locks the door, which means that curious toddlers won’t be able to set the alarm, change the time display, or any of the other things they somehow manage to do. This feature doesn’t add that much to the price of the oven, so look out for it.

Rack configuration: Many people forget to actually inspect the inside of the oven, so taken are they with the other various features (most of which they’ll never use).

The position of food in the oven is important for certain dishes, like pizza, bread, cookies and casseroles. It’s worth going for an oven that has five or more rack positions.

Before heading off to the appliance store, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with various features available and focus on the ones most suited to your family and lifestyle. That way you know which questions to ask the salesperson, and can make an informed decision.

Chashmal 1/2 Chinam is an electric appliance store located on 9 Yitzchak Rabin St., Bet Shemesh Tel. 02-999-7193  www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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PERS O N A L FI N A N C E

Yogi Berra’s Investment Advice Investment Plan

By Richard Gussow

T

he baseball season began a few weeks ago. I’ve been a baseball fan for many years (the New York Mets unfortunately), and one of my favorite baseball personalities is Yogi Berra. For those of you who don’t know, Yogi Berra was a great catcher who played most of his career for the New York Yankees, a rival team to my Mets. The Yankees are despised by many Mets’ fans and dare I say, by many fans of other teams as well, but enough of my ranting, let’s get back to Yogi. After he finished his playing career, Yogi went on to manage both the Yankees and the Mets. Although he had a great career, he may be most famous for some of his sayings, known as “Yogiisms”. One of his most famous is “Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.”

Not long ago, Vanguard published a brilliant blog article by Fran Kinniry, listing some of Yogi’s statements (or at least those that have been attributed to him). When I read them I laughed at how silly they sound, but then I realized just how ingenious they are and how they apply to so many things in life. So here is a list of some of Yogi’s famous phrases and how they apply to financial planning.

“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”

When we plan a trip, we use maps, GPS, etc. in order to help build an itinerary. If we don’t prepare, we will likely get lost. The same applies to financial planning. Without a roadmap, we are unlikely to reach our financial goals. Planning is crucial to achieve the lifestyle we desire.

“We made too many wrong mistakes.”

I don’t know about you, but all my mistakes have been wrong.

Every single one. Everyone makes mistakes. The key is to learn from our mistakes and to avoid making them again. Unfortunately, in investing we tend to repeat our mistakes. The key is to build a solid financial plan and to follow it, making adjustments along the way when our circumstances change.

“A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

No question, a million dollars is a lot of money. It is considered by many to be the benchmark for wealth, which is why we have television shows like “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” As a child I remember the reruns of a television show called “The Millionaire” in which every week a fictional multi-millionaire would send his assistant out to deliver a check for one million dollars to a total stranger. The show ran from 1955-1960. However, as Yogi says, “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.” The last check

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Key Goals

Risk Tolerance

Funding

Knowledge

Options

Followup

Adjust for one million dollars distributed in that show is worth less than $129,000 in today’s purchasing power. This is the effect of inflation, something that is often inadequately considered when planning our future. It is critical to consider inflation in our planning, and to build portfolios that will not die before we do.

“It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

I think Yogi was actually thinking of the old Yiddish saying: “Der mentch tracht un G-t lacht” — “Man plans and G-d laughs.”

In financial planning, almost all assumptions are wrong from the start. We cannot exactly predict the financial markets. We may suffer an unexpected event such as job loss. We do not know when we will die. Despite this, we need to plan for our financial future.

We need to make reasonable and conservative assumptions to minimize the impact of life’s inevitable surprises.

Yogi may not have ever been a financial advisor, but we should recognize the genius behind these quotes, even if at first they sound ridiculous. There is a lesson in each one, which if properly followed, could help us lead a more successful financial life.  The information in this article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice or any other advice. It is general in nature and not specific to you. Before using this information to make an investment decision, you should seek the advice of a qualified investment advisor and undertake your own due diligence.

Bizness Magazine

(03) 970-7070 (052) 806-6690 richard@theservice.co.il www.richardgussow.com

02 999 3939

How to Webcast Your Event

W

For Free

ith today’s marvelous technology, watching a live event from overseas is a great option for those who cannot make it physically to your simcha. If it is a family member who is ill, about to give birth, too old to travel, or a friend who is about to close a multimillion dollar business deal they all would love to participate, but just cannot make it.

To do this, all you need is a Skype account (create one for free) running on a device with an internet connection, such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone, and someone at the wedding to connect to.

Use Skype’s video call feature to connect the two devices, and voila! You can see everything live. Other family members who are missing out on the simcha can do the same, as long as they’re connecting to a different device. If there are multiple family members who are stuck on the wrong side of the ocean, it can be lots of fun to get together for a live viewing session.

Take out the schnapps and drink a l’chaim with the people on the screen! They’ll feel like they are right in the middle of the hall.

If you want your free webcast to run smoothly, it’s best to consider several factors. Most importantly, make sure that the internet connection on both sides is excellent. Slow connections will result in pixelated video, slow motion, or possibly no connection at all.

Very annoying! There’s nothing like a slow connection to hijack the excitement, turning everyone’s joy into frustration.

If there will be many devices all Skyping the event at once, it’s a good idea to okay it first with the ba’al simcha, since having loads of phones or laptops waving around with people yelling ‘Can you see?’ may be a little distracting.

There are other factors to consider, but Skype can certainly be useful in some circumstances - especially if catching every moment, such as the chuppah or dancing, is not a necessity...

If you are interested in properly streaming a live event, the best way to do so is by letting the professionals take care of it for you. They will ensure a good internet connection, a high quality video camera that will get everything from close up, a proper server allowing hundreds of simultaneous viewers and many more features that using Skype cannot begin to offer.

Video Eden is a full-service production company that has satisfied thousands of customers over the past 20 years. Video Eden specializes in advanced video solutions tailored to your needs. We cover event videos, Live Streaming solutions, Portable Video Conference solutions, PR, fundraising, recruitment and instructional videos, video editing and duplication. Video Eden uses unique equipment such as aerial video footage to get special video from way above, and Steadicam devices to offer Hollywood style moving video.

In 2000, Video Eden’s CEO, Daniel Wetzler, founded Simcha Connect, a video streaming service.

Daniel teamed up with Everest Productions to provide professional service in Israel, Europe and the U.S. Simcha Connect can transport your event TO anywhere in the world, and FROM almost anywhere in the world.

They work with the most professional equipment and latest modern technology, with high speed internet connections and even a back-up system.

Viewers across the world can be ensured a great experience joining in on that special day.

Simcha Connect’s service is actually not only for smachot. Unfortunately, a loved one may pass away and it may be impossible to make it to the funeral. Large corporate meetings, seminars, and conferences may need to be attended remotely by international participants. Daniel and his team will ensure that all parties can easily be a part, no matter which continent they are on.

Anyone who is involved in making a simcha will tell you that the smiles they bring to people’s faces are definitely the best part of the job. Simcha Connect has been a part of so many special occasions, and has brought together so many families over the years, bringing smiles to faces the world over simultaneously.

Just this week Daniel got a call from a grandmother in America who so enjoyed watching her grandson’s wedding through Simcha Connect that she praised him for over 20 minutes concluding with blessings for his portion in this world and the world to come.

As one satisfied client shared: “It was like being part of the wedding!! You did a wonderful job! Grandma Miriam laughed and cried. The pictures sent were clear and colorful, and the sounds were perfectly in sync. What a wonderful vocation you have…to bring such joy to friends and families.”  For livestreaming events or any highly professional video needs contact: daniel@videoeden.com 02-999-4934 050-251-5404 www.videoeden.com www.simchaconnect.com Simcha Connect – a service of Video Eden and Everest Productions Everest – way above the rest

www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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RE

R EA L ESTAT E

Tenant Tips

By Yossi Lipsh

Tenant Tips As the rental season approaches, here are some tips to make your move smoother.

Don’t ignore the small print Carefully review all of the conditions of the tenancy before you sign on the dotted line.

Your lease or rental agreement may contain a provision that you find unacceptable, for example, restrictions on guests, pets, design alterations, or running a home business. Check that the agreement includes all the relevant information, such as what the rent covers. Does the owner pay Va’ad Habayit fees? If not, make sure it’s written that if any major building fees come up, such as a leak in the roof or elevator repairs, the owner should pay those expenses. You should also check whether you can leave before the end of the tenancy and how much notice you have to give. Ask questions; make sure you fully understand the lease.

Make sure the inventory is accurate The inventory is a list of everything that’s provided with the property, including furniture, carpets, curtains, appliances, A/C unit and anything else that comes with the apartment. It should also record the condition everything is in – for example, existing damage or wear, such as an old stain on the carpet. Always make sure you are provided with an inventory – ask for one if necessary. If you’re not given one, write one up yourself, get it signed by an independent witness and send a copy to the landlord. Additionally, ensure that all utility bills have been fully paid by the previous tenant.

Keep good records To avoid disputes or misunderstandings with your landlord, get everything in writing. Keep copies of any correspondence and follow up an oral agreement with a letter, setting out your understandings. For example, if you ask your landlord to make repairs put your request in writing and keep a copy for yourself. If the landlord agrees orally, send a letter confirming this. In addition, 38

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always keep receipts for any items you’ve replaced or repairs you paid for.

Protect your privacy rights One of the most common and emotion-filled misunderstandings arises over the tension between a landlord’s right to enter a rental unit and a tenant’s right to be left alone. If you have an understanding about your privacy rights, for example, the amount of notice your landlord must provide before entering, it will be easier to protect them.

Talk to your landlord Keep communication open with your landlord. If there’s a problem, for example, if the landlord is slow to make repairs, talk it over to see if the issue can be resolved short of a nasty legal battle. Sometimes apartments are run by property managers.

Make sure you know the realtor in charge and keep him up to date regarding payments and any issues that arise.

And finally Make sure to leave the apartment in the condition you received it. The contract will have your obligations written in it, such as having the apartment painted before you leave. Don’t leave odds and ends for the next tenants; people like entering into a completely cleared out place where they don’t have to deal with a random hanger and left over food in the cabinets. Read your meters before you leave and pay all your utility bills so you don’t have to be contacted later for owing part of a month’s bill.

Protect your security deposit To protect yourself and avoid any misunderstandings, make sure your lease or rental agreement is clear on the use and refund of security deposits, including allowable deductions. Take into account that it may need to be used if you left behind a lot of damage.

Wishing you a Yishuv Tov! Yossi Lipsh Realty

Bizness Magazine

02-999-4466 info@yossilipshrealty.com www.rbs-realty.com Facebook: RBS-Realty

02 999 3939

“A successful night is when everyone has a good time.’’

Yisroel, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to be a DJ? I’m originally from Queens, NY and I’ve been living in Israel for the past five years. I first discovered the joys of music when I was around six years old. I was that kid who idolized the band playing at family simchas, and I always knew that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up.

What experience do you have with music?

I’ve been playing the drums since I was 10, and taught myself to play the keyboard by ear. Back in NY, I had a small recording studio at home just for fun. Now in Israel, I have a professional recording studio where you can come and record your own songs.

What exactly does a DJ do?

A DJ compiles a playlist of songs according to the client’s request. There are many factors to take into account, like the type of affair it’s going to be (a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Sheva Brachos, birthday party), the style or genre of music, and how many guests there will be. One of the most important for a DJ is his mixer and high quality sound. Good DJs will use only the most professional equipment out there, because it’s the quality of the sound that drives everything. With professional gear, you hear everything that the music producer intended for you to hear, but at the same time it won’t hurt your ears.

What are the advantages of a DJ over a band?

Unlike a band, which plays its own version of songs, a DJ uses songs from the original album, which means that you’ll be getting studio quality music right there at your event. Also, a band is more likely to be disconnected from the crowd, whereas I get personal. Although the playlist is usually compiled in advance, a good DJ knows how and when to improvise based on the mood. I watch what’s going on on the dance floor and really get into the action! I’ll play certain songs longer or switch to a new song depending on the response of the crowd. Sometimes I’ll even join in the dancing for a bit! Another huge advantage is that you create your own playlist. Often, with a band, clients will request a small list of songs, leave the rest to the discretion of the band and then get upset when the band plays some songs they didn’t want. With a DJ, the full playlist is discussed in advance so there are no surprises.

Who picks the songs?

When a potential client calls me, I arrange to meet with them in person so that I can get a feeling for who they are

Interview with

Yisroel Tzvi Laub, DJ Leibedik

and which type of music would interest them. Usually, the client tells me what songs they want, which I am always glad to accommodate. Some clients aren’t too sure about the kind of music they like and are happy to leave it up to me.

I have a collection of over 13,500 songs and I can play any kind of music, based on the client’s request.

What events do you usually do?

Most of my events are Bar Mitzvahs and sheva brachos.

I’ve also done engagements, brissim, upsherins and more.

What is the most popular song out there today?

Well, it used to be V’afilu B’hastara, but now everyone wants to hear Hashem Melech from Gad Elbaz.

How do you measure the success of an event?

A successful night is when everyone has a good time.  054-840-3694 www.leibedik.com

www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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TA

Expert

CERTIFIED TAX ADVISOR

Don’t Think You Can Beat the Taxing Authorities

By Sima Wolpin, Certified Tax Advisor

T

he tax authorities can be much more creative than one may think. They have developed very clever ways to detect tax cheats and bring them to justice. I would like to share with you two true cases which reflect just how crafty the tax authorities can get when they want to catch businesses which under-report their income.

The first case is a well-known case among tax advisors and accountants. It deals with a falafel store. It is a given that such businesses work with a lot of cash giving rise to the temptation not to necessarily ring up all sales in the cash register and to report them. Well, with this poor falafel store owner the tax authorities had reason to believe that was the case here, too. So, with cunning and a lot of creativity, they decided to perform a “sting” operation on him.

Two agents cleverly went undercover and entered the store.

The policy of this store was to cut off the tip of each pita so they could then easily slice it open to fill. One of the agents asked the store owner what he did with those cutoffs. The owner responded that they have no value and he simply discards them. This was the opening these two agents were looking for. Claiming to be the owners of a number of birds who love to eat bread, they offered to buy the cutoffs which the owner had been discarding up until now.

Obviously, the owner was quite excited to be able to make money on what, up until now, had been his waste.

The next few days, these agents came in like clockwork and purchased the cutoffs as was agreed. After a few days, they were able to count the cutoffs and determine the average number of falafels that were sold. Now, with this information they were able to compare their number with that of the store’s records. They determined that there were a significant number of falafel sales not being reported by the store. In other words, the store owner was caught “red-handed”. The store was then dealt with accordingly as the undercover agents’ evidence was beyond any alternative explanation. This is a situation which none of us wants to be in.

So we see that keeping good records is not the only thing that is important. Even perfect records do not stop the tax authorities from delving deeper as this next case will also demonstrate.

The second case shows that the tax authorities also have other creative ways to determine exactly how much cash a business is not reporting. This second case recently happened in my office. It had to do with a large air conditioner installation

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company. In this matter, the taxing authorities simply asked for all of their books and records.

They held the books and records for a week or so, and went through them with a fine tooth comb. While they couldn’t find anything wrong with them, (of course as it was my office that maintained them for our client), they didn’t stop with the procedure.

They approached the installation company’s largest supplier and requested the supplier to provide them with a detailed listing of all the air conditioning units purchased by this installation company. For some reason, the list which was presented to the tax authorities of the units purchased by the installation company far exceeded the amount which the installer’s books indicated.

The tax authorities concluded that the difference between what they found from the supplier to that reported by the installer had to have been paid for by the installer with cash. The next conclusion was obvious: the installer paid for the units in the cash he received from him customers from the sales which he never reported in his books. Now it was quite easy for the tax authorities to determine how many units the installer installed without reporting the corresponding income. They were able to calculate the standard markup used by the installer and assessed him accordingly, along with the appropriate penalties, interest and linkage.

All this proves that businesses not only need proper and complete accounting records, but they also have to operate their businesses within the confines of the law. Should you need any advice, or have further questions on this or any of the other matters I have previously presented, I am available to discuss any related tax matter with you. 

Bizness Magazine

052-763-2408 sima.taxadv@gmail.com

02 999 3939

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Expert

NT

nar r ati v e th e r apy

Moving Forward through Letter Writing

By Karen Wolfers-Rapaport, MA

W

e are in the midst of the Omer count. We are climbing up the 49 steps towards personality rectification! Each day we count the highlighted qualities connected to that day; each day we have an opportunity to work on a middah, an aspect of our personality, a relationship…

Usually, a countdown implies counting from the highest to the lowest, like ten to one. In this case, we count from one to forty nine, from the lowest to the highest. One explanation offered for this is that unlike by Pesach, where in order to bring us out of Egypt, natural laws were suspended and open miracles abounded, this is a time where it is through our own efforts that we leave “Egypt.” We ascend towards a more whole self in order to prepare for Shavuot. We make the effort. We do the work. This is an opportune time to get in touch with those stories and narratives that keep us from “ascending” and living the life we wish to live.

One Narrative Therapy technique that has the potential impact to “get us in touch” is the use of letter writing. That’s right…Narrative therapists like me use letter writing as a way in which to show the client how their “old stories” may prevent them from developing their new narratives; the up and coming stories that are healthier than the old ones. These are the stories that help them break free from relationships, habits and thoughts that no longer serve a purpose in their lives.

What other purposes does letter writing serve for the client?

I believe that letter writing affirms to the client that the therapist has heard her voice. The letter sets up the client as the final editor of both his old and developing stories. He is in charge. He is empowered. Another great benefit is if the client reads the letter between sessions, it gives her the opportunity to extend the conversations in therapy to her everyday life. It helps her recall; letters can be saved, while conversations may be forgotten.

In the letter, questions rather than direct statements can be used to explore underdeveloped areas in a client’s life. Also, focusing on unique outcomes or exceptions to the problem story is vital, as it helps the client recall his resources and the direction he hopes to pursue in the future.

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Excerpts from a letter written to a client that suffers from anxiety might look like something like this: Sarah…so here is the summary from our time together (content of conversation)……I hope I was able to capture the essence of the conversation. You spoke about times you did not surrender to anxiety and its friends. “I had a teacher who believed in me and I believed she truly cared. She saw me as an individual and appreciated me for who I was. You can’t imagine her impact. I was the top student in her class, and the sweaty palms and destructive thoughts I had been plagued with all but disappeared there”. Sarah, that was a courageous acknowledgment. Just wondering what might happen if you recalled her impact, her presence, when you experience anxiety now? Would it help to undermine current anxiety? Given your current situation and its triggers, perhaps you can use those feelings and sensations her classroom evoked to help you now.

What do you think?...I really appreciate your story. It takes courage to see this from a different perspective. I admire that.

Thank you, Karen.

Narrative Therapy letter writing can take many forms. In the letter, I work with and acknowledge the complexity of a person’s story. My aim is to unravel the tension between problem stories and those stories filled with promise, hope and solutions. The tension between the two stories becomes the seeds for change.

Seeds of change dominate this month. May we use this as a time for recalling, affirming and transforming. Good Luck… 

Bizness Magazine

050-990-6368 karenwrapaport1@gmail.com

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Expert

HP

Holistic Psychotherapy

Transformational Healing

By Minda Garr, MSW

W

hen people ask me what I do, I sometimes wonder how to explain the many aspects of my work: I run a private practice in therapy, I practice holistic psychotherapy, I do transformational healing, I do soul healing…And then I catch myself. How do I get across the true nature of what I do without getting lost in words? What do I mean when I talk about “transformational healing”?

I often find that people who turn to me for support feel a sense of dissatisfaction with their lives. Sometimes they can point to a specific cause – a problematic relationship, a lack of a meaningful partnership, a behavior of their own that they are unhappy with, or difficulty in achieving goals. Sometimes, the dissatisfaction they experience is far more general – a sense of not knowing who is the “authentic me”. They feel like they don’t know who they really are and what they are meant to be doing in this world. Often what they express indicates a lack of clarity.

In transformational healing, we use the techniques of experiential therapy to heal the wounds of the past, often anchored in childhood experiences. The purpose in revisiting those wounds is to gain clarity about how they are impacting on the client’s life today, heal them with the insights and resources of the adult she is today, enabling her to make real-time changes in her life. During this process, she becomes aware of beliefs she has held about herself and the world, that may have been useful at a young age, but which have become internal obstacles that she didn’t even know existed.

As the client explores early experiences, she often discovers that even the most mundane may have caused trauma for her as a young child, overwhelming her coping capabilities and resources, and resulting in a sense of having lost resources that are needed to live a full and meaningful life. Through gaining clarity about what resources have not been available to her, and the simple act of choosing to reclaim them, she may move into a sense of wholeness that can transform the experience of her life.

On a physical level, transformational healing leads to a greater understanding of the mind-body connection. We hold in the cells of our bodies the memory of all that we have ever experienced.

As we connect with the physical discomfort that we sometimes experience, we may begin to learn the “story” of that discomfort.

We gain insight into what our bodies are trying to communicate to us, and as we begin to hear the messages, the discomfort may begin to subside. It is reminiscent of the persistence of a small 44

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child who wants our attention – very often repeating himself until he is certain that he has been heard and acknowledged. Our bodies have a way of doing the same thing – persistently attempting to get our attention until we indicate that we have heard. When we learn to honor the messages of our bodies, we are one step closer to wholeness.

Another aspect of transformational healing is renewing our sense of spiritual connection. Many people confuse adherence to religious ritual with spirituality. Although some may choose a life defined by ritual because of a belief that they are acting in accordance with G-d’s commandments, there are others who make the same choice because it gives them a sense of personal identity and connection with community. At times, people are not aware of a spiritual aspect to their choice of lifestyle. I remember once asking an observant client about her spiritual connection, and she surprised herself by stating that she didn’t have one. Then there are those who are highly spiritual, who have had personal experiences of a reality which is greater than their physical body, but who do not identify themselves with any traditional religion or lifestyle. And there are people who experience a sense of desolation in their lives, who feel the loss of contact with that which is greater than our human existence. Coming into contact with that which is greater than we are can occur during experiential psychotherapy, bringing a sense of wholeness which had been previously lacking. I support clients in strengthening and reinforcing these experiences in ways that are consistent with their own sense of integrity – be it through prayer, meditation, music, art or nature.

As we reconnect with the spiritual, we often gain clarity about our purpose during this lifetime and the goals which we would like to accomplish. 

Bizness Magazine

052-614-6932 wellnessisraelhealing@gmail.com www.wellnessisrael.wordpress.com

02 999 3939

Chaiyanu C

Runs the Jerusalem Marathon

haiyanu’s Team Lifeline Israel had sixty runners who participated in this year’s Jerusalem Marathon which was held on March 13, 2015.

Many touching stories came out of that marathon. One of them is about Noam.

Noam has Ewing sarcoma in his leg and at this point is in a wheelchair. A few days before the marathon, the doctors told us that he would not be able to participate.

Noam had been on the list, with eight other children, to participate in the marathon by being pushed in his wheelchair by one of our marathon runners.

His doctor said he shouldn’t look forward to it as it was very doubtful that he would participate.

On Thursday morning, the day before the marathon, Noam’s father went to speak to the doctors to ask if Noam could at least join the pasta party that evening which was being held at the Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem. The doctors told Noam’s father that the previous night Noam had been in tears asking the nurses to try and convince the doctors to let him go to the marathon this weekend. “I have been looking forward to this for months,� he said. Since he hadn’t had fever since the day before, the doctor decided to run a series of tests to see if he could have a vacation for the weekend.

At 3:30 Thursday afternoon, Noam received the fantastic news that he could attend not only the pasta party but the marathon and

the Shabbaton to follow at the Plaza Hotel.

Noam asked his father not to push him out of the hospital in his wheelchair but to get his crutches because he wanted to walk out of the hospital using the crutches as well as into the pasta party. And so he did. Noam did not sit down in his wheelchair until the last minute at the starting line of the 10K marathon run. Then, for the next two hours and 21 minutes, Noam was pushed in his wheelchair throughout the holy city of Jerusalem.

One more quick story: A husband and wife Team Lifeline Israel runners were stopped in the middle of the run by a young man who came over to them in the middle of an uphill climb. He had to tell them something. Now picture this. They were among over 16,000 people running in the Jerusalem Marathon and all of a sudden this one young man asked them to stop for one moment because he had to speak to them. He said, “I have to tell you that you have no idea what this means to me seeing you running for Chaiyanu. I was a cancer patient and helped by Chaiyanu. I must tell you that what they did for me and my family, for sure made all the difference in my overcoming my cancer and giving me the strength, the hope and the support that had the greatest impact on me and literally saved my life. It’s people like you who enable them to save lives. “Keep running for Chaiyanu--- there is nothing like them! “Thank you.�

Donate to Chaiyanu at www.chaiyanu.org.il 

Dr. Avrohom Levy MB ChB BSc MNIMH

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Expert

DC

DENTAL CENTER

Let’s Hear What Everyone is Smiling About

By Dr. Eliyahu Gherman, DDS What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is a product produced by a California based company called Align Technology. Align Technology was founded in 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign® in 1998. The Invisalign® System is a technologically advanced esthetic approach to treating malocclusions or bad bites. It uses three dimensional graphic imaging and CAD/CAM technology to create a virtual model of the patient’s teeth.

With special software, this model is then manipulated by your orthodontist to form an ideal bite.

There are many stages to go through to get from a bad bite to a good bite. In between, the teeth will be at different positions until they reach their final stage. From each of the virtual model’s stages, Align Technology creates an aligner, a clear, nearly invisible appliance that gently moves teeth to the desired final position.

How long does Invisalign® take?

Each aligner is worn for two weeks and then changed to “Invisalign with Dr Gherman is everything as advertised.

He’s personable and fun. He completely transformed my crooked teeth to an amazingly straight smile! It’s great and easy to use. Invisalign with Dr. G is a must!”

– DG- Jerusalem “I was thrilled with the service I received with Dr. Gherman and invisalign. Everything was explained very clearly, it was easy to make appointments, and the whole process was smooth from beginning to end. I am a professional who does a lot of public speaking and invisalign never interfered with my job or my social life.

My bite is now perfect thanks to Dr. Gherman. I would recommend it to anyone who needs to adjust their teeth and is concerned about how they might look with braces” – AL- Neve Daniel

the new aligner. Typically the treatment will take 5-12 months.

However, this will vary based on your bite.

Is Invisalign® better than braces?

As I have emphasized in previous articles, there is no one orthodontic system that is the best for all patients. Your orthodontist must determine if Invisalign® will be best for you. I have been using and studying the Invisalign® system for over ten years and I can tell you if it is right for you.

Invisalign® does, however, have many benefits over braces: They are easy to use and hard to break. You can remove them for special occasions, for cleaning your teeth, or to eat some of your favorite foods that you can’t eat with braces. Of course the best part is that they are invisible!

Invisalign® recently came out with a new material called Smart Track which is faster and even more comfortable than the previous material.

So how do I know if I am a candidate?

Call to set up your free consultation. I am looking forward to helping you achieve the smile you always wanted in the best way possible! 

“My experience with invisalign was phenomenal! Dr. Gherman took care in explaining the procedure step-by-step and the process ended up being so simple and convenient!

I am very pleased with the fantastic results and am grateful to Dr. Gherman for his expertise and professionalism.”

– DD- Bet Shemesh

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11TH YEAR CELEBRATING YOUR DAUGHTERS!!

The Variety Show is not about talent (although there’s plenty of that!). The stage makes them feel great about themselves and that’s what Camp Girls R’ Us is all about! As expressed by Mrs. Cohen in an email to Captain Adam after camp a few years ago:

campgirlsrus@gmail.com Moshiach must be on his way!

Hey- Captain Adam, how are you? I just want to tell you what’s going on in my house right now. My daughter is having a sleepover –there are girls from 5 different schools here! Captain Adam- I do believe that you’re going to bring Moshiach!! Your love for achdus is so inspiring THANK YOU !!

Since 2004 Camp Girls R’ Us has been an integral part of the growing up experience for hundreds of girls in the Ramat Beit Shemesh community and beyond. It is a Bais Yaakov style camp for Anglos where girls make new friends, build self esteem and learn Torah values in a fun and loving environment.

An email from a former Head Counselor (now married –perhaps it’s a segulah that when you’re a head counselor you get married within the year!! )

campgirlsrus@gmail.com

campgirlsrus@gmail.com I can’t believe she did it!

How on earth did you get my daughter to go up on that stage during the variety show? She is SO shy!!

For many, that is the magic of Camp Girls R’ Us. By the time the variety show rolls around, The unconditional love and the girls don’t view being on stage as an in- acceptance we feel in camp iate their timidating experience. Rather, they see it as an makes girls apprec feel free and s nes que own uni extension of all the camp activities focused on to be themselves. It brings fostering great feelings, self esteem, improving out the best in me and fills d me up with energy to succee social skills and celebrating themselves. ool. sch of r yea r the CAMP GIRLS R’ US ….where we take the in ano -Dina business of having fun, building self esteem and promoting achdus seriously.

What phenomenal chessed!

Hi Captain Adam!

I just want to tell you that I was blown away today watching those children doing chessed. You run a camp where there is just such positivity and growth and you do a chessed for all the girls by giving them confidence and encouragement, and on top of that you weave even more chessed into that! I honestly was blown away today!! You are a clear example of doing so much good for so many people! It is truly amazing and I just had to tell you that!

So thank you!!

Through a wide variety of activities such as arts n’crafts, baking, sports, chesed, swimming, dance, cheers, trips, drama, song, overnights and so much more, “Captain” Leora Adam, a trained and skilled drama teacher, encourages girls to express themselves and hear their inner creative voice, all while having loads of fun.

Her tireless and enthusiastic energy is infectious and her handpicked staff is truly dedicated to bringing out the best in each girlmaking sure she has a summer she will never forget.

Mrs. Levy of RBS wrote:

campgirlsrus@gmail.com Thank you!

Camp Girls R’ Us has given my daughter amazing outlets for her incredible energy and boundless creativity.

Recognizing her need to express herself, she was given an opportunity to write her own song and teach it to the camp! In such a place- the girls have no choice but flourish and grow into their beautiful and precious selves!

All parent owes this experience to their daughters.

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Leora Adam | 0524420585 | campgirlsrus@gmail.com www. campgirlrus.com The 417 bus takes you to the door –well worth the trip!!

Bizness Magazine



02 999 3939

Life Coach Helen Abelesz Helen is a life coach who specializes in working with women who are feeling overwhelmed, lack self confidence, dealing with stress or are not achieving their potential. (02) 992 0263 | 054 482 9815 | helenabelesz@gmail.com

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They offer a 25-year guarantee!

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Personal Financial Planning Richard Gussow Richard has been involved with the financial services industry both in Israel and globally for over 30 years (03) 9707070 | 052-806-6690 | richard@theservice.co.il | www.richardgussow.com Painting Nachum Eilberg Walls R Us began in Jerusalem in 1985 and has a strong reputation for its amazing customer service and immaculate cleanliness. nachum@wallsruspainting.com | 052-611-9500 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 Anxiety Disorders Rachel Factor LCSW Rachel had a large private practice in Monsey, NY before making Aliyah in 2009.

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Wig Styling AG Wigs Ayala Greenbaum and Yaniv Hofi are the founders of AG Wigs. They sell high-end wigs in Europe, the USA and Israel. They are located at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem (formerly Sheraton) 052-654-3500 Holistic Psychotherapy Minda Garr Minda combines all her experience in her work as holistic Psychotherapist. Minda addresses the physical, spiritual, Mental and emotional facets of her clients 052614-6932 | wellnessisraelhealing@gmail.com | www.wellnessisrael.wordpress.com Budget Counseling David Litke Both Israeli and American trained, David helps families with their monthly budgeting.

He helps Olim take to control of their finances 050-535-1800 | david@budgetsuccess.co.il | www.budgetsuccess.co.il Construction Management Yaakov Prince An experienced construction manager, Yaakov makes sure any project runs smoothly. From small residential jobs to luxurious 5 star hotels 02 535 5732 | 052 698 3534 | Yaakov@princecm.com | www.princecm.com

Emergency First Response Hatzala Beit Shemesh Hatzala Beit Shemesh’s team has been serving the Community for over 10 years.

They provide emergency medical response and ambulance services.

Emergency line: 02-999-9992.

Office: 02-991-2345 www.hatzalabeitshemesh.org 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. premiumrepairs@gmail.com 052-736-7369 Plumbing Chanania Vialan Chanania is a professionally trained plumber who specializes in bathroom renovations and all plumbing needs. vialnch@gmail.com 050-343-3451 Social Media Blue Thread Marketing Ahron Glazer and Mordechai Holtz, coCEOs of Blue Thread Marketing, have a combined experience of over a decade of digital marketing expertise. Blue Thread Marketing helps brands get ahead by making a strong digital impact online. social@bluethreadmarketing.com 052-736-6592 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

Narrative Therapy Karen Wolfers-Rapaport Karen Wolfers-Rapaport is a psychotherapist specializing in Narrative Therapy. She works with her clients in overcoming issues they may have with their innate tools 050-990-6368 | karenwrapaport1@gmail.com

Air Conditioning and Heating Tzvi Lefkowitz Handyman Tzvi is a licensed technician who provides care and maintenance service and sales for all major airconditioner brands. tzviair.com 02-628-8282

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

Carpentry Yossi Golano Yossi specializes in high-end custom made furniture, producing exquisite work. 052704-2800 | yossidesigns.blogspot.co.il | yossidesigns@gmail.com

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

You can rely on our

24

Experts www.BIZNESSMAGAZINE.com

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49

Leilot Canaan–

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