Bizness Magazine November 2012

BIZ

M A G A Z I N E

10

EXPERTS you can call now

HELPING YOU ACHIEVE THE MIRACLE OF SUCCESS NOVEMBER 2012

4 new Experts

Bet Shemesh - Jerusalem

How to Prevent

Break-Ins & Home Invasions

Learn the

Check Bizness Mag’s

INSURANCE Real Life Claims

common causes of fatigue

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Discover

Shiduchim

the hidden

costs of buying property in Israel

Main mistakes olim make when taking a mortgage

Dr. Rothstein “only 10% of kids diagnosed with ADHD actually have true ADHD!”

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contents

NOVEMBER 2012

12

The Ten Commandments of Getting More Sales

Even if you think you have enough business today, you never know what tomorrow has in store.

16

Can it be Fatigue

Fatigue can affect every system of the body. Often the symptoms present themselves gradually and the patient is not aware that his/her abilities and functioning have decreased.

18

Market In

The Global Economic Crisis and Its Effect on the Israeli Real Estate

the summer of 2006, the dollar began to fall, even plummeting to well below 3.4 NIS to the dollar at one time.

26

Moshe Wilshinsky A 27-year Veteran in the Mortgage Industry Joins our Team of Experts I advised

a number of people in about four government agencies, their intent being to advance the mortgage market in Israel through a secondary market.

28

Advanced Insulation Detection Technology can save you thousands of shekels Wouldn’t it be bet-

20

ter if we could seal that point alone?

22 24

rael

Egert Cohen However, soon after arriving here, the value of the South African Rand fell and Mr. Egert decided to make a fresh start in the insurance business.

Jewish vs. Western Legal Philosophy On

the other hand, a system based on obligations is a system based on “giving”.

Signs your Car is in Trouble For cars up to

5 years, it is recommended to check fluids at least once a month.

4

• November 2012

30

Hidden Costs and Expenses of Buying and Selling Property in Is-

There is a tax break to newcomers (Olim) but it does not apply to those who already own a home in Israel.

32

Don’t take your Water Heater for granted

Cleaning a solar panel is not just cosmetic, but is necessary for it to operate at its rated capacity.

36

Getting your kids the right shoes for the

Winter For older children, you have the option of a closed shoe or a shoe with a mesh.

38 40 42

Exercise at the office

Here are a few simple stretches to help keep the blood flowing and muscles working.

Preventing Break-Ins and Home Invasions

Pashoot is a company that manufactures its own products.

Thou Shall Have Enough Money Don’t

spend your life savings because these savings are generally what you need in case of emergency or for your children’s college fund.

46

The perfect pampering experience in the Galil for your next family event Ashishot V’Tapuchim

is located in the enchanted landscape of the foothills of Har Meiron in the Or Haganuz community.

Bizness Magazine 02 999 3939

WORLD OF CONSTRUCTION

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TO ARRANGE FOR A CONSULTATION MEETING: CALL YOSEF AT 050 488 7133

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contents

Editor in Chief Ariel Topf Contributing Editors Rivkah Lender Chief Designer Adam Ram Contributing Writers Helen Albesz Yair Bruck Shimon Cohen Akiva Danto David Druttman Eliyahu Gherman Mindy Grinsberg Nachum Kligman Sue Lachman Edo Lavi Tzvi Lefkowitz Nicole Levin Ben Levine Ariel Levy Meir Luzon Eliezer Rosenblum Eva Topf Harry Zettel Larry Deverett

50

To this day, people often drop gifts off at her door and these varied presents are given as the sixth gift to the kallahs, who pre-order five gifts by choice.

52

Smiling from Bet Shemesh to Jerusalem with Smile Talk Timing is Everything Only those

with this education are eligible for membership in the AAO.

54

Advertising

56

Advertising

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Send your ads to Letter to the Editor Share your Views Ask our Experts Ask our Readers Kidz Biz Stories Something great to say Request for Interview Announce Job Openings General Inquiries

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62

10 EXPERTS YOU CAN CALL

10EXPERTS you can call now

LEARN THE

COMMON CAUSES OF FATIGUE

Discover the hidden

COSTS OF PROPERTY

buying

in Israel

Main mistakes olim make when taking a mortgage

6

4 NEW EXPERTS

Bet Shemesh - Jerusalem

CHECK BIZNESS MAG’S

INSURANCE Real Life Claims

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Dr. Rothstein “only 10% of kids diagnosed with ADHD actually have true ADHD!�

SHIDUCHIM

FEELINGS OF SELFDOUBT & INSECURITY Advance technology saving thousands to home owners Don’t take Real Estate in Israel your Is the bubble water heater going to burst? for granted

• November 2012

60

Legal Rights in Israel - Do they exist?

herself and gave me a call.

Although they both stem primarily from English common law, the distinctions between them grew immensely over the years.

62

Smoking

Angels

While pregnant, Hagar’s attitude towards her mistress Sarah underwent a radical change.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR INBOX

HOW TO PREVENT

8 10

02-999-3939

58

Regaining Lost Confidence - Going Back to Work She felt down on

On every issue

interview@biznessmag.com

ADVERTISING

Break-Ins & Home Invasions

The Subtle Flavor of Herbs, Spices, & Seeds The display in

the market is so attractive it’s irresistible.

How to reach Bizness Magazine

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Great Expectations in Shidduchim We usu-

ally have the pleasure and enjoy the company of many boys at our Shabbat table.

William Eicoff Ari Gingsberg Adam Levy Helena Topf Graphic Artists Aliza Sokol Photography Yael Ita

The wedding is just four weeks away...

Bizness Magazine is published monthly. 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 and all readers consult their 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 or business advice. 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

I

t’s all about expectations!

I speak with about 20 business owners every day. In some cases it’s to give them advice, to negotiate agreements, or to discuss various business matters. I have been doing this for over thirty years. I usually start by asking them how things are doing in their business and what type of day are they having. The most successful ones are always very busy. They are focused on what they are doing, they are multi-tasking, and are ready to tackle the next opportunity or challenge coming their way. They enjoy the thrill. It’s difficult to take them away from the office, similar to taking children from a toy store. Then comes the next group, the ones who are hassling to build their businesses, whether they are new or already a few years in the market.

Many of them dream of success and are willing to do what it takes to accomplish their goals.

They have a vision and understand that there is a price to pay. And finally, we have a third group. They work very hard, but they are not so happy. They daydream about short days and easy times, perhaps an easier type of business. This is the group I would like to focus on now.

Entrepreneurs in the third group tend to think that they are the only ones working very hard.

When I ask them about their businesses, they usually complain about their situations: they keep crazy hours, don’t have enough money at the end of the month, and are wishing for an easier way to make a living.

When they hear that I still put 15-18 hour days, they look at me in disbelief. I explain to them that that’s the nature of the beast. I tell them that I have built 15 businesses in a wide variety of fields, small and large, and have yet to find an easy launch for a new business.

Furthermore, many times that’s the way it stays even after several years. Many business people live like that for decades.

Somehow people have the misconceived idea that owning a business will be an easy ride.

Wishful thinking! Business people spend their hours, days, weeks, and years constantly fighting to make sales, to negotiate purchasing agreements, to get their personnel to produce. They have to battle with bureaucratic issues, taxes, banking, accounting, collections, advertising, customer complaints, problem solving, legal, etc., etc. If this is what you expect from the very beginning, you will not be disappointed and will deal with it accordingly. Having the right expectations will put you in the first two groups mentioned above. It’s all about expectations.

The reason to be in your own business is not for the easy ride, but for what you can accomplish, for the magic of creating and helping people the way you envision it, and for the feeling of joy that freedom of enterprise can produce. Most important, it’s for what you become in the process.

Have a happy, productive, and healthy winter!

Ariel Topf ariel@biznessmag.com Ariel has built several companies in 3 continents in the fields of Internet, High-Tech, Retail, Franchising, Food Manufacturing, Clothing Manufacturing, Direct Sales, Wholesale, Personal Development, Restaurant, Advertising and Publishing. In this process, Ariel has headhunted, hired, trained, managed and/or mentored over 20,000 individuals.

8

•

November 2012

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Ask our Experts You can now ask any questions to our Columnists. If your question gets published you will earn a prize! Send your questions to our experts at experts@ biznessmag.com

inbox You write to us we publish it (maybe)

I have something great to say about…

Dear Mr. Ariel, I find your magazine extremely interesting and very informative and I would like to know where can I find it outside of Bet Shemesh. My wife goes to BS once a week and whenever its there, she picks up a copy from the Big Deal 

store. I read that Magazine from cover to cover and never that I read something

Any subject, share your views.

more interesting than your magazine. Almost all the writing is incredible as I al-

We may even skip your compliments and hide your name

ways learn something from everyone no matter what the subject is. Thank you for such a wonderful magazine. May you continue with Hatzlacha. Is it possible to get

Send your comments to inbox@biznessmag.com

a subscription? Y.P. Jerusalem I would like to commend the positive feedback we received following the pub-

ARE YOU HIRING?

lication of our ads in Bizness Magazine. This is the first year we advertise for the

Send your opening jobs to jobs@biznessmag.com

Anglo-Saxon audience and we received many responses following the release of your latest issue. As someone who professionally deals in the field of advertising,

Do you need to hire employees?

I will definitely recommend my own clients to advertise in this magazine. Thank

Advertise in Bizness Magazine for free.

you! Rivki Weisfish - advertising director of “Sukkot Jerusalem.”

Send us only the following info: Industry, Job Title, Location and Contact info.

Hi Ariel, I would just like to express my thanks for publishing your recommendation section in Biz Magazine. It brings in a lot of work each and every time.

Thanks! Mark Eilim

ASK OUR READERS You can ask any questions to our readers by writing to readers@ biznessmag.com Bizness Magazine reserves the right to publish or withhold any answer and/or the names of the Asking or Answering parties.

We also used Tzvi The Handyman, thanks to your magazine. He was absolutely terrific! David W. I was really uncomfortable in this heat with my broken air conditioner. I called a few places to get estimates but everyone who does repairs was extremely busy and quite expensive. I finally reached Yoseph Hai Meiri. His quote was much lower than the others. In less than 10 minutes my air conditioner was running like new.

Yosef speaks English and has an excellent personality. His number is 057-225-

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Binyomin and his staff are a pleasure to work with. It’s comforting to know that the man who made my kitchen lives close by and will always be around for all my kitchen needs even long after the last payment was made. I feel safe and comfortable recommending to all my clients to put in a first class kitchen from Kitchen Connection. Yossi Lasry We just got back from Elbaryo’s dairy restaurant in the Sheinfeld shopping area went out to lunch with my parents who came in to visit. Everything was really great

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Business Finance

The Ten Commandments

of Getting More SALES A

nd it was said . . . “Let there be more sales . . . and there were more sales . . . and it was Tov

Meod!

Whether you sell products or services, all of these commandments apply to you.

Every business should always want more sales. If you think you are busy enough now, you are not!

Commandment # 1: Always be HAPPY with what Hashem provides you every day, but always keep trying to increase your sales.

Even if you think you have enough business today, you never know what tomorrow has in store. In business, it is always better to have the problem of “I have too much to handle” vs. “I have too little to make a parnassa.” Don’t ever turn away business. Try to be creative and figure out how to handle more when it comes. Otherwise, you will have to figure out how to downsize your business when your customers go elsewhere because you don’t have time for them.

Commandment # 2: Always say thank you and appreciate every sale, big or small.

As Jews, we know that our parnassa comes from Hashem, but we need to put in some effort as well. Always thank Hashem for the business He has given you. And then thank your customers for giving you the opportunity to serve them.

Thank you is two words in English and two words in Hebrew (toda raba). It doesn’t cost you or your staff anything to say thank you. But if you don’t, it could cost you the next sale.

I personally can’t stand when I am checking out at a grocery store and the

12

• November 2012

clerk is talking to her friend, not even paying attention to me. Perhaps she is doing a good job scanning the groceries, but only the best ones ever actually say thank you for shopping here today.

As a customer, I have many choices of stores that I can shop at, or service providers that I can use. A simple “thank you” tells the customer that you actually appreciate them. Those two words often get the customer to leave with a smile and come back again and recommend your business to their friends.

Say thank you – and mean it.

Commandment # 3: Never ignore or second guess a customer inquiry or a browser – you never know who they are.

Often a customer will walk into a store to make a big purchase. But if that customer is not greeted properly or if they are ignored, they can easily walk out as quickly as they came in. Or if they phone with “a stupid question” and you blow them off, they simply do business elsewhere.

And don’t judge a book by its cover.

Just because someone is not dressed well, or doesn’t speak well, it doesn’t mean he can’t become a big customer for you. I used to have a retail computer store. Sometimes a geek would come in with a coffee stain on his shirt and pencils in his shirt pocket. Often these types of guys were just “waste of time” loiterers who just wanted to see the latest computer technology, but didn’t have any money. So it was really easy to ignore them. One time a geek came into the store - same look. One of my clerks happened to talk to him for a minute. Turns out he was a buyer for a large school board in the district and

Bizness Magazine

needed to buy over 1,000 computers.

Thank G-d she talked to him.

Commandment # 4: Always look for ways to suggest other items your customer may need.

For years I ran a retail merchandising company. We helped large retailers execute marketing and sales programs in their stores. It always amazed me that the sales clerks would try to sell someone an item, but forget to recommend the accessories. For example, they would sell a flashlight, but not recommend batteries. Or sell a drill but forget to recommend drill bits. A handyman would come to my house to fix a light, but not have any light bulbs to sell me. A gardener would come to my house to mow the lawn, but not recommend fertilizer. I think you are getting the drift.

Always recommend other items or services that the customer may need.

Not only will you make a lot more money selling these additional items, but you are actually doing the customer a big favor. How frustrating is it for a customer to buy a flashlight and forget the batteries? It means they have to make another trip back to the store.

And usually the accessories are sold at much higher profit margins than the primary products.

Did you know that in the TV business, most large screen TVs are sold at cost – sometimes even below cost.

But the stores then promote selling extended warranties, cables, wall mounts, and DVD equipment, which all have high profit margins. If a store ONLY sells TVs, they will quickly go out of business. They need to sell you the accessories to make their profit.

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November

Debbie Sassen, Financial Planner and Investment Advisor, specializing in advisory services for multinational citizens living in Israel; registered with the Investment Advisor Alliance, RIA in New Jersey.

at 6.00pm

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We used to have a joke in our business (with a lot of truth to it): In North America, when you walk into a consumer electronics store, they first ask you what extended warranty you want to buy. Then they ask you what product you would like with it!

Commandment # 5: Always keep your offers fresh.

Even if you always sell the same product or service month after month, you should try to think of ways to change how you display it or advertise it. Or change the décor in your office every so often. In today’s world, customers like innovation. New, improved, better – these are key buzzwords of any business. And even if you can’t improve a product, just changing it around makes it seem different.

We used to manage the display racks for a large distributor of DVDs in Canada. They had spinner display racks in several hundred grocery stores. The racks held about 80 different movie titles. There were certain movies (about 30 of them) that we kept in the racks all year round, but every month, we would simply change the position of the movies on the racks – same movies, just different placement on the rack. And when we did, sales instantly increased.

Even if you are in a business like dentistry, which really never changes, you can still be innovative. Simple things like changing the décor in your waiting room (new pictures on the walls every so often) or making sure you have fresh reading materials. Don’t have magazines from two years ago. Your customers may end up thinking that the fluoride you use is also two years old!

Commandment # 6: Always give a little extra.

People love deals. Everyone likes to get something for nothing. You would be surprised how much customer loyalty you can get from giving someone a piece of candy, a glass of water, or even a free coffee. Don’t consider giving something small to your customers as an EXPENSE. It is an INVESTMENT. It is something your customers remember you by and something that differentiates you from other similar businesses. Every plumber can fix pipes. But how many plumbers will actually give their customers a cute little mug or coloring book for their kids? Sounds stupid? I guarantee you that if you give your customers a n insignificant little item, you’ll get much more business in the future from both them and the friends they recommend you to.

And giving out business cards and fridge magnets does not count. Yes, you should always give a business card to a customer, but they won’t remember you by that. It’s the crazy little items that make a difference.

I once had a car mechanic who gave out little air fresheners. Every time he serviced my car, he put a new air freshener in it. It probably cost 3 or 4 shekels (a dollar), but my average car service bill was about $250. And I quickly came to associate the nice smell with having a car that ran well. I 14

•

November 2012

used him for years (until I made Aliyah). I wish I could find a car mechanic in Israel that would read this article and do the same!

Commandment # 7: Try to call or email your customers to follow up.

This will blow them away. How many businesses actually care enough about their customers to follow up with them?

It’s just a quick, 2 minute call or email to see how they liked their purchase or service without trying to sell them something else at that time. Or at least send a thank you card. Yes, you should try to get them on your mailing list for when you want to send them offers, but they will often ignore those sales pitches. If you call them or send them a personal note once in a while, just to say thanks or “how did you like what we sold you”, it will be magic for your future sales.

Commandment # 8: Make it easy for them to do business with you.

Do business in the language they prefer. Open the hours they like to shop. It intrigues me how many businesses in Israel close in the middle of the day or the evening, when customers really need to shop. Don’t tell me that “get used to it – that’s the culture”. I guarantee you that a business that stays open until 9 or 10 at night (21:00 or 22:00) will do incredible sales after 6 pm (18:00) when all their competitors close for the evening. How many of your customers can take time off work during the day? If you offer your service or keep your shop open later into the evening, you make it easy for the customers to do business with you. This is not rocket science, but it amazes me how many businesses ignore this simple practice and then complain that they aren’t doing enough sales.

Commandment # 9: Don’t settle for the norm. Be better than the norm.

Just because this is Israel doesn’t mean that you can’t be GREAT at doing business with your customers. Just because Israelis have always done it a certain way, it doesn’t mean

Bizness Magazine

02 999 3939

®“¼¬

that you can’t try a new way, a better way. Don’t just think like an Israeli – think like your customer. If you were your customer what would you want from this business? To paraphrase the famous words of John F Kennedy: ask not what your customer can do for you, but rather what you can do for your customer.

The Home of Major Appliances in Israel

Commandment # 10: Pay attention to your customers If we were to summarize all of the 9 commandments into one, it would simply be this: pay attention to your customers.

Try to give them good products and services at fair prices.

Make it fun, easy, and intriguing for them to do business with you. And appreciate them.

If you do, your business will increase dramatically.

Aryeh Deverett is an entrepreneur who recently made Aliyah from Canada. He spent years working with small companies, developing their sales and marketing strategies and programs. He specializes in increasing sales and profitability. Aryeh Deverett can be contacted at 0538310270 or Larry@deverett.net.

Harry Zettel is an MBA graduate from York University and a licensed chartered accountant. He is also a licensed trustee in bankruptcy. Harry made Aliya with his wife and five children in 2003 and has co-founded a number of startups in Israel. Harry can be reached at 0547923618 or Zettel@ actcom.net.il. 

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•

15

Can it be Dr. Gabrielle Klein, formerly from Toronto, Canada, is a specialist in internal medicine and women’s health at Leumit Health Services in Ramat Beit Shemesh. We interviewed her regarding one of the most common complaints that a family physician receives: fatigue.

Fatigue?

What are symptoms of “fatigue”?

While the dictionary describes fatigue as a “temporary loss of strength and energy from hard physical or mental work,” patients often use other language to convey a broader scope of symptoms: weakness, dizziness, imbalance, shortness of breath, feeling worn out, falling apart, sapped, lethargic, listless, tired, weary, or just plain exhausted.

How does fatigue affect daily life?

Fatigue can affect every system of the body. Often the symptoms present themselves gradually and the patient is not aware that his/her abilities and functioning have decreased. They often don’t realize the amount of energy being expended as compared to the amount required for the same tasks prior to the onset of symptoms. Fatigue can impact: MOTIVATION – there may be lack of motivation to begin an activity. STAMINA – a person tires easily once the activity has begun. CONCENTRATION – a person fatigues mentally or has difficulty with the concentration and memory required to begin or complete an activity.

What are some common causes of fatigue?

We can divide the causes into three categories: 1. Purely physical causes, stemming from an organic problem, 2. Psychological and emotional causes, and 3. Lifestyle causes.

Often there is a combination of factors. We try to identify the cause, because that is the first step in identifying the treatment.

As family doctors, we start by looking at common physical causes of fatigue: anemia (low iron or red blood cell count), thyroid disease, diabetes, vitamin D deficiency, asthma, infectious diseases such as Infectious Mononucleosis (EBV/ Mono) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), menopause and pregnancy, or heart disease.

Anything that one ingests or applies to the skin is absorbed in the body and can have adverse effects. Thus regular medications or alternative medications or herbs from the health food store can affect and alter symptoms of fatigue or weakness.

After all the physical causes are ruled out, we cannot forget to look at mental, psychological and emotional causes.

The most prevalent symptom of depression is feeling unable to complete or initiate tasks, feeling tired, unwell, and an inability to function.

Stress, anxiety, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder can all manifest as fatigue being the chief complaint.

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November 2012

Bizness Magazine

What are some things you can do about your fatigue?

If there are physical, emotional, and psychological causes of fatigue, these need to be identified by a professional and treated.

These and other causes of fatigue can be significantly improved by enhanced lifestyle choices.

There are three major categories of lifestyle choices: 1. Exercise. Many studies show the positive effect of a regular daily exercise routine on health, mood, and chronic disease. Everyone should have a regular routine built into their schedule. The recommendations are for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. This means walking, running, swimming, biking (and you should have your heart racing and be sweating). If this is too much at first, start with 20 minutes, three times per week. Be careful not to over-exercise, as this can also lead to fatigue and tiredness.

2. Sleep. We are all sleep-deprived. However, if you are suffering from fatigue, it is time to reevaluate your sleep patterns.

Most adults need between 7-8 hours per night on a regular basis. You need to assess your sleep hygiene to evaluate if your fatigue is simply due to lack of sleep. Sleep hygiene, defined as the controlling of “all behavioral and environmental factors that precede sleep and may interfere with sleep,” is important. Making sure you get enough sleep is just a part of good sleep hygiene. You may be suffering from sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or the disturbance involved in shift work. Simple solutions include only using the bed for sleeping and sleeping in a dark room at night that is lit during the day. Decrease stimulation before bed: No electronic devices, physical activity, caffeine, or stimulants. Meditation before bedtime can also be very helpful.

3. Food. What you put into your mouth can affect fatigue and exhaustion. If you are eating foods that are mildly intolerant to you, this can make you feel tired and groggy. Being aware of foods that affect your ability to function can make a big difference in your life. Eating a balanced diet with few processed foods and a lot of green leafy vegetables can give you more energy. At least 8 glasses of water per day will also help alleviate dehydration and its accompanying feelings of fatigue.

Is there a bottom line to the issue of fatigue?

If you are suffering from fatigue, it is important to get a full physical exam from your family doctor and examine your lifestyle and assess what positive changes you can make to improve your energy and life.

For more information about the amazing services at Leumit Health Care, please call our customer care manager, Rivka Ginsberg at 0509955148. 

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Real Estate Legal

The Global

Economic Crisis and Its Effect

on the Israeli Real Estate Market – A Real Estate Lawyer’s Perspective

BY NICOLE LEVIN

I

srael is not an island unto itself, although it may seem so at times. In the past few years we have seen a booming real estate market in Israel, with prices in major cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and the periphery, such as Modiin and Beit Shemesh, skyrocketing.

Jews from North America, England, and the rest of Europe who wanted to have a foothold in Israel invested in real estate, and many did so with the help of Israeli mortgage banks. Real estate investments were buoyed by the high rate of exchange for the dollar. At the beginning of 2006, the exchange rate reached 4.7 NIS to the dollar. The rate of exchange for the British pound and the Euro were also at record highs.

As a result of the high exchange rate, much of the real estate market (whether for second hand or new apartments) was priced in dollars, and simply paid for in shekels at the representative rate of the dollar on the date of payment.

This allowed foreigners with strong currencies to purchase real estate in Israel without worrying about currency fluctuations.

Additionally, real estate prices abroad were also high, so that a foreigner could sell his house in New York or London, get an excellent price, and have plenty of money to purchase real estate in Israel. Circumstances combined together to make the Israeli real estate market an attractive one.

About a year ago, the situation began to change. Real estate markets in the U.S. and England began to fall and

18

• November 2012

it became difficult for people to sell their properties before making Aliya.

In the summer of 2006, the dollar began to fall, even plummeting to well below 3.4 NIS to the dollar at one time.

Other currencies have also devaluated against the shekel in the past two years.

While the British pound was just over 8 shekels to the pound in October 2005, recently the exchange rate has been hovering at a little under 6 shekels to the pound. Similarly, the Euro was over 5.5 shekels to the Euro in October 2005, and today it’s closer to 5 Shekel to the Euro.

The prevailing economic situation has made it increasingly difficult for North Americans and Europeans to purchase apartments in Israel.

How will the current global economic crisis affect the Israeli real estate market? Some will argue that foreign investors who may have taken a beating in the stock market will have less money available to invest in real estate. Others will argue that real estate will become a more attractive investment than the potentially volatile stock market.

For local real estate buyers and sellers, the situation is also unclear. In the short term there may be a downturn in real estate sales simply because people are erring on the side of caution, worried about possibly losing their jobs or their ability to pay their mortgages.

Experience has shown that the real estate market tends to be cyclical.

When prices are high, or economic times are difficult, there is a slow

Bizness Magazine

down in sales. When this happens, prices may fall to encourage sales, more transactions occur, and the market comes out of hibernation.

A key difference between the Israeli marketplace and that in the US is the behavior of the mortgage banks. The Israeli mortgage banks, unlike their American counterparts, have traditionally behaved cautiously when deciding who they will give loans to and under what conditions.

The paperwork requirements have often made life difficult for borrowers and their real estate attorneys, but the banks’ caution has proven beneficial to the Israeli real estate market.

Continued caution on the part of the Israeli mortgage banks, together with a slow and conservative lowering of prices, may bring about a rise in real estate transactions. The timing of such a rise is uncertain, but the trend is to be expected.  About the author Nicole Levin is an American born, Israeli trained real estate attorney with 28 years of experience in the field. She has law offices in Bet Shemesh and in Modiin. Nicole Levin is the author of “Essential Things You Need to Know about Buying Real Estate in Israel”, which can be downloaded free from her website at www.levinlawoffices.co.il. Nicole is a member of the Bizness Magazine Professional Network offering a free 15-minute consultation to all our readers.

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BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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19

vel Insurance

The true measure of a good Insurance Agent is how effectively he deals with Claims EGERT & COHEN was founded by Mr. Roman Egert Z�L, who previously ran a large insurance agency in South Africa. He made Aliyah with his family in 1985, and planned to retire in Israel.

However, soon after arriving here, the value of the South African Rand fell and Mr. Egert decided to make a fresh start in the insurance business. From that humble beginning, Yona Egert, Roman’s son and Shimon Cohen, Roman’s son-in-law, have carried on the family tradition of commitment to top notch service.

E & C specializes in personal family insurance solutions. Furthermore, we have developed an expertise in Travel Insurance for both outgoing and incoming travelers.

An insurance agent is essentially measured by how well he/she deals with claims. Over the next few issues of Bizness Magazine, we will share with the readers some interesting real-life claims and the way our agents dealt with them.

Case 1: Our client, a new driver, picked up a “trampist� on the way back to R.B.S. She completed her good deed by letting him off near his home (which also happened to be immediately after a traffic circle).

An approaching car, while carefully entering the traffic circle, did not notice that she had stopped and rear-ended her.

Usually, the classic retort is that the car at the back should have kept a safe distance, but, in this case, there was also clear negligence on the part of our client.

Case 2: Our client was heating oil to fry a batch of chips. Suddenly, she realized that she was late for pick-up time at Gan and she raced out of the house, forgetting totally about the bubbling oil. The result: a fire in the kitchen and a NIS 20,000 claim. As in the previous

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20

• November 2012

case, there was definite negligence on the part of our client In both cases, excessive negligence caused the accidents, therefore the insurance companies involved refused to pay out the full claims.

Question Many insurance claims are due to negligence (e.g. most motor accidents and many household claims, so why are these cases different?

Answer There is something called contributory negligence. This basically means that the negligence is more than just a simple mistake or misjudgment. It is something that a normal person would not do.

A Court Case Mrs. S.G. sued the municipality of Bat Yam. She had complained about a loose manhole cover outside her front door. The municipality did not take care of it and one day, Mrs. S.G. stepped on the cover and fell into the hole.

Judge Asher Goldin upheld her claim against the municipality in that they were indeed responsible, but he also reduced the claim by 30%. In his judgment, he pointed out that any normal person would not have relied only on phone calls to have the problem fixed.

In the case of a faulty manhole cover right outside one’s door, one should place some physical barrier there as well to remind themselves of the possible danger.

This, in his words, was a case of contributory negligence.

Claims! Claims! Claims!

We have all been through it. Your car is perfectly parked outside the shopping center. You return to find a huge dent in the side of the car with a “sorry� note on your windshield. You have the damage repaired and then, because the other party is totally at fault,

Bizness Magazine

you make what is called a (’‍ ׌ד ג‏Third Party) claim against his/her insurance.

Now, what are your rights and obligations? i. You can only claim once for the damage. Therefore your insurance company must supply you with a no-claim letter to prove that you are not claiming from your own company. ii. You are obligated to lessen the damage as much a possible. (You cannot wait 2 weeks to repair a broken windshield and then also claim for rain damage to the seats). iii. The other party’s insurance company has to confirm the receipt of your claim (this confirmation usually comes to your insurance agent). iv. The Law states you must receive payment within 30 days of their receiving all the paperwork necessary for a claim. The 30 days are up and no payment is in sight? They have to add the C.O.L. linkage + 4% interest from the day that you sent in the claim. v. What if they agree to pay only 50% of the claim (i.e. you claim for 2 doors and they agree to pay for one only)?

By law, any amount that is agreed upon by both sides must be paid and what remains can be decided in court. Therefore if you receive a check from the insurance company for 50% which requires you to sign a full waiver of future claims, you must consult with your agent before signing to make sure that you leave your options open.

For free consultation, please contact Shimon Cohen at 050-5482192 or Yona Egert at 050-5363897 or check out our website: www.egertcohen.co.il Egert & Cohen Insurance is a member of the Bizness Magazine Professional Network. 

02 999 3939

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Legal

Jewish vs. Western

Legal Philosophy

BY DAVID DRUTMAN,

B.COM LLB MBA, DIP TRUST LAW, TEP

T

he Midrash says that Alexander the Great (“Alexander Mukdon”) came to a certain place and wanted to see the legal system, so he attended a court case. The Plaintiff said “I purchased a chest, so the diamond I found inside it does not belong to me but to the Defendant, the Seller.” The defendant said “I sold the plaintiff a chest, so anything found inside it belongs to him”.

Alexander wondered how the judge would judge the case.

Asked the judge of the Plaintiff “Do you have an unmarried son?”

“Yes”, answered the plaintiff. “And do you have an unmarried daughter?” he asked the defendant. “Yes” was the reply. “My judgment is: let the son of the plaintiff marry the daughter of the defendant and give the diamond to the couple, so that both sides will benefit from the diamond.” Alexander looked amazed, so the judge asked him after the parties had left “How would you have judged the case”. Said Alexander, “Neither side wanted the diamond, so I would have killed both of them and taken the diamond myself.”

Explained Rabbi Miller of Gateshead, Alexander was not a simple robber. He was a great philosopher and a great legal expert. What then is the meaning of the Midrash? In Rabbi Miller’s view, the Midrash shows up moral baseness of the Western legal system. That system is based on

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• November 2012

“rights”. A system based on rights is a system based on “taking”. A system based on rights, on taking, is a system based on conflict. If I insist on my rights and you insist on yours, this inevitable leads to conflict. The ultimate result of only wanting to take is to take the opponent’s life. That is what Alexander was saying.

On the other hand, a system based on obligations is a system based on “giving”. This is the opposite of conflict – it means harmony and coming together. And the ultimate of coming together is when a couple marries.

This is what the judge in the Midrash was saying.

The Romans were experts at veneer: they could cover concrete to look like marble. Much of Western law is based historically on Roman law. So law schools have courses in the “Law of Obligations”, but really they mean the law of rights.

You may note that the obverse of a “right” is an “obligation”: if I

Bizness Magazine

have a right, you have an obligation to me. And if I have an obligation to you, you have a right to demand I fulfill my obligation. The difference is where the emphasis lies. Instead of philosophy, the Midrash brilliantly illustrates the difference with a simple story.

The reader can imagine how the world would look if really everyone was seeing only at their obligations instead of their rights. For example, how would industrial relations develop if both workers and employers only saw their obligations instead of their rights? Picture the claims they would make, based on the Midrash’s illustration.

We may not be able to change the legal system overnight, but we can start by trying the “obligations viewpoint” in our own interpersonal relationships.  About the author David Drutman has been a lawyer for 36 years, including the last 13 years in Israel. He has sound experience in a broad spectrum of work in both professional and commercial environments. He is widely respected for creative, goal-orientated legal work. He specializes in transactions (property, estates, contracts, commercial matters etc), family law, and notarial work. He can be contacted at 02-995-1877 or drutlaw@gmail. com.

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Car Mechanic

Signs

BY ARIEL LEVY

C

your Car is in Trouble

ars are expensive to maintain and fix. I’m sure all of us wish we could do everything on our own.

Well, sometimes not all things are the way we want them. Here is a list of things to keep your eyes and ears opened for in order to keep maintenance to a minimum (and save selling a kidney for a motor): Let’s start with how often you should check fluids.

For cars up to 5 years, it is recommended to check fluids at least once a month. For cars up to 10 years, check at least once every other week. Beyond that, have your car checked at least once a week If your car is missing more than a liter of anything, you should have it checked out. While you’re at it, check for anything out of the ordinary, e.g. antifreeze or oil marks, or puddles on, around, or under the engine. Check the alternator/ac belt (it’s that rubber belt wrapped around a few wheels). See if it’s worn dry or ripped.

Listen for any whistles, whines, knocks, or grinding from the car. Have the noise checked out before it’s too late. Grinding is usual a sign of no brake pads. Do not play around with such issues; have it taken care of immediately.

When driving, always pay attention to the gauges (temp. gauge in particular - we live in the desert).

Watch out for any odd noises or lack of power from the engine. If you catch it in time, you have a chance of saving the engine.

If you hear any hissing from your car, it might be a busted water hose. Look underneath for any leaks. Do not drive with a water leak!!

Last but not least: It’s winter and the rain season is back .Watch out for any puddles!! They can cause complete devastation to your electrical system, and could possibly ruin your engine.

Simple…  About the Author Ariel Levy’s new car garage is located in the Bet Shemesh industrial area on Rechov Hamasger (across from Yifrach building supplies and next to the Moadon Haklavim pet shop). Ariel is a member of the Bizness Magazine Professional Network offering a free 15-minute consultation to all our readers. He can be contacted at 054 205 0389.

Excessive car leak.

24

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November 2012

Bizness Magazine

02 999 3939

‫בס"ד‬

‫בית‬ ‫האמנים‬ ‫רמת בית שמש‬

‫לשכת הדובר‬

‫כבוד‬

‫הזמנת‬

The Beit Shemesh Municipality is pleased to invite Ramat Beit Shemesh Artists in the following �ields: Painting, Photography, Music, Digital Art

To the Launch of 'Beit Haomanim' Ramat Beit Shemesh

Arrival and refreshments Greetings from: Mayor Moshe Abutbol Yehuda Berzon, Chairman of the Board of Directors, The Ramat Beit Shemesh Foundation The Evening will Feature: Ofer Goren in a Fascinating Pantomime Performance Melave Malka music and songs with:

Yosef Chaim Shwekey | Ephraim Mendelson Yosef Karduner | Eli Friedman | Shir Vardi MC: Matitiyahu Rosenzweig, City Spokesman

Motzei Shabbat Parshat Chayei Sarah 10/11/12 19:15 at the RBS Matnas

Please con�irm participation by email or phone with Lior Rot, Project Manager, bethamanim@gmail.com, 052-231-3985

BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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25

Mortgage

Moshe Wilshinsky

A 27-year Veteran in the Mortgage Industry

Joins our Team of Experts W e have the pleasure to announce that Moshe Wilshinsky, a 27-year veteran in the mortgage industry, has joined our team of experts. Moshe is the CEO of Moville Mortgage and Finance LTD. We interviewed Moshe to learn more about his impressive career.

Moshe, what’s your experience in the mortgage industry?

I started the mortgage business in 1985 in California and became involved in the mortgage market in Israel in ‘92 (it was only in 1990 that Israeli Banks started giving mortgages from their own funds). A person in the Misrad Hashikun asked me to get involved in order to give US industry input. I advised a number of people in about four government agencies, their intent being to advance the mortgage market in Israel through a secondary market. Through this I became familiar with the mortgage process in Israel and many senior bank managements, and eventually worked with some of those same people regarding the Consumer Credit Legislations. Today, we at Moville Mortgage & Finance utilize that knowledge and experience to assist our clients through the entire mortgage process.

How did you become selected to sit in the Knesset finance committee meetings as an industry expert, and what was your role?

After getting involved with the

26

• November 2012

government on mortgage issues, I learned there was no consumer credit reporting industry in Israel. I knew it was essential for mortgage underwriting (i.e. making proper credit decisions) and other type of consumer credit. The chief counsel of the Bank of Israel liked my idea and encouraged me. A few years later, a Knesset committee was formed to discuss the consumer credit reporting law. I sat in the committee meetings with other private industry executives over the course of seven years. During that time, I cofounded one of Israel’s first consumer credit reporting firms.

How is it different to get a mortgage in Israel compared to the US or other western countries?

There are many differences and a number of similarities. Especially in today’s ever changing market, consumers need to be educated of their options. We feel that an educated consumer is the best decision maker. I’ll point out a few of the crucial differences to our readers.

Disclosure - Since the 1970’s, the US has expanded disclosure laws to make mortgage terminology more transparent and easily understood by the consumer. Israel, though it has much more complex mortgage terminology, has far less mortgage disclosure laws.

The factors that affect lending decisions - for example, bounced checks in the US are almost a non-issue, while

Bizness Magazine

here a few bounced checks could negatively affect a client’s ability to get a mortgage In the US, the acceptance of an overseas co-borrower is unheard of.

In Israel they are more understanding of familial ties and allow a co-borrower from overseas.

What are the main mistakes olim make in Israel when taking a mortgage?

I would have to say the most common mistake is when an Oleh makes assumptions about how much he or she can qualify for, or the types of loans available to them. There are a lot more moving parts here, and most do not understand the whole picture.

Bad decisions can be made, which can result in a very costly mistakes.

That is why at Moville Mortgage and Finance we like to educate our clients and empower them to make their own informed decisions.

What’s exactly the role of a mortgage broker?

In America a mortgage broker acts as an intermediary who brokers mortgage loans on behalf of individuals and handles the entire process in place of the bank. In Israel, the industry is not only in its infancy, but the term is used to mean many different things; advisor, filing service, etc. Ironically, though in a market like Israel where the process, products, and rates can vary from bank to bank, the role of an American mortgage broker is needed

02 999 3939

even more. That is why at Moville Mortgage and Finance, we emulate that tradition of service, and we have the background and familiarity with the Israeli industry to do just that.

Is it possible to get a mortgage in your country of origin to buy property in Israel? Is it recommended?

Not if you want to use the property in Israel as collateral, but you can if you have a property in the country of your origin as collateral and can qualify.

Do local banks check the borrowers’ credit reports from their old country?

Yes, very often a new Oleh from the US, Canada, and the UK. etc. will be requested to show his credit report and credit score from his country of origin. We can help borrowers obtain that report.

What questions should a person ask his potential mortgage broker before hiring him?

Like the rest of the world, the mortgage market in Israel is getting more conservative in how they approve loans. That is the nature of the industry; it follows economic cycles.

You want to make sure you have someone with the experience who has been through a tight cycle before. You also want to make sure they have the expertise to educate you to make informed decisions, and of course look for the highest level of customer service.

What’s the best advice you can give to people looking for a mortgage?

The only way you can make an informed decision is by knowing what your options are and what the ramifications of those options are. You should ask questions and not assume anything. Ideally, as in any other important transaction, you hire a professional expert to take you through the process.

What does Moville Mortgage and Finance offer to its clients?

We offer unmatched experience; many of our methodologies were

developed based on knowledge from the decades of involvement in consumer credit risk assessment, underwriting, and risk based pricing in the US and Israeli markets. We strive to deliver all this to our clients with a passion for customer service. We believe this is why (with help from above) we have been able to get borrowers with excellent financial status, better terms than their private bankers have offered, and borrowers who had had past challenges, loans

at terms were others failed.

Moshe, what’s the best way for our readers to contact you?

They should call our main line at 073 796 2226 and press our special 711 Bizness Magazine extension. If they have relatives overseas they can give them our numbers in the US 201 377 3418 and in the UK 208 596 4501.

They can also email us at questions@ movillefinance.com and visit our website at www.movillefinance.com. 

BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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27

Home Inspection

Advanced Insulation

Detection Technology can save you

BY MEIR LUZON

A

thousands of shekels

blessed winter season is upon us, and with it, the real possibility of various water-related damages inflicted on our homes. Whether it is water penetration, dampness, mold, or moisture, the assumption has taken root in our country to immediately call a professional repairman to repair the source of the leak. However, the questions that we must ask are: Is he a professional in this field? Does he have an interest to tell us exactly what the problem is? Can any handyman be a waterproofing contractor? What should really be done once moisture is discovered in the house?

We will try to answer these questions in this article, but first I would like to share with you a revolutionary advancement that took place in the industry in this country. In recent years, the building industry has adopted the most advanced technological developments from the field of medicine; namely, the infrared thermal camera.

In medicine it is known as the, X-ray camera. In a nutshell, just as the X-ray scans our inner body with an external body examination, so to, thermal camera photography penetrates the ceilings / walls of our homes.

What does all this mean to you, the reader? In this article, I would like to touch upon one aspect: Water Intrusion Detection.

We often hear the contractor says there is no choice but to seal the whole

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• November 2012

roof or wall or porch. This means that the homeowner must spend several thousand shekels; a considerable sum considering that many a time the problem is limited to a single point in the house, sometimes, right in the middle of the living room. Wouldn’t it be better if we could seal that point alone?

This kind of questioning brings upon us a flash flood of excuses by the contractors, and we have no choice but to trust them and hope that all this extra work and money will end our leaky problem. Using thermal camera testing prior to all this superfluous work can detect at 99% accuracy the source of the water penetration, and only a local repair will be needed! This revolutionary testing option caused a major shift in the way various entities approach these water-related problems. Entities include insurance companies, homeowners, project managers, engineers, and more. If in the past it was necessary to replace an entire roof, today, it is no longer necessary.

Story from the field: A private home in Maale Adumim, a terraced structure with porch of 50 meters or more, had a water penetration problem last year and thus they obtained offers to seal the porch and take care of the problem.

The offers included dismantling of the pavement and removal of the waste, re-sealing and laying down new flooring. The duration of the work was estimated at 10 days (of suffering) and the

Bizness Magazine

cost was estimated at 25,000 shekels, with the possibility of the work being extended and therefore a higher cost.

The owners contacted our office and desperately asked if anything can be done about this problem and the proposed (costly) solution. I suggested we come and examine the situation. They agreed and our examination discovered the exact source of the water penetration. It took the removal of eight tiles and an expense of 2,700 shekels to seal the leak and solve the problem.

The moral of the story is one that no contractor will dare tell and it is embedded in our motto: “One does not invite a professional contractor before conducting a thorough thermal examination.”

You can learn more by contacting Meir Luzon at 02-590 1227 or info@luzon.co.il.  About the Author Meir Luzon is a professional in the field of property inspection for over 25 years, specializing in water leakage and moisture detection. He was the first to import advanced U.S. standard detection technology, to precisely locate insulation weak points. Utilizing his experience and knowledge will allow you to save thousands of shekels when buying or renovating your home. Meir is a member of the Bizness Magazine Professional Network offering a free 15-minute consultation.

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Real Estate

Hidden Costs and Expenses of Buying and Selling Property in Israel

BY BEN LEVINE, REGIONAL MANAGER, REMAX MORIYA, JERUSALEM

B

uying property in Israel can be tricky, and knowing some of the fine points that differ from the US can make all the difference. In this series of articles, let’s begin with costs and expenses that can be an unpleasant surprise to the Anglo buyer, as they can easily amount to 5-10% of the purchase price.

Purchase Tax (Mas Rechisha): Mas Rechisha is by far the largest cost that is added to the purchase price. It is a gradual tax imposed on all purchases of property in Israel and must be paid within 50 days of signing the contract. It could be up to 5% of the purchase price.

There is a tax break to newcomers (Olim) but it does not apply to those who already own a home in Israel. An Oleh is entitled to a reduction in purchase tax at a rate of 0.5% up to a maximum amount, which is updated every 3 three months. This entitlement applies in two cases and must occur between a year before making Aliyah and up to 7 years thereafter: 1. A first time buyer of a residential dwelling or land for constructing one.

2. The purchase of a business or land for constructing a business.

Real Estate Agent’s Commission (Tivuch): Generally, the real estate agent’s fee is 2% of the amount of the transaction plus VAT, and applies to both the buyer and the seller.

Purchaser’s Legal Fees: It is imperative to have representation by an Israeli lawyer whether buying or selling property. The fees vary between 0.5% and 2% of the purchase price plus VAT. Seller’s Legal Fees: When buying a home under construction, the seller often requires the buyer to pay his legal fees which are typically 2% of the purchase price plus VAT. Exchange Rate: One must take into consideration exchange rate differences and bank commissions for converting foreign currency into Shekels. The purchase price is usually fixed in Shekels at the signing of the contract. There is a risk (as well as a potential windfall) if foreign currency will be used to pay for the proper-

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Bizness Magazine

ty. Any fluctuation in the value of the foreign currency relative to the Israeli Shekel effectively means a change in the price of the apartment.

Mortgage Fees: When taking a mortgage in Israel, the bank will often charge a fee for opening a file. This fee can range between 0.25% and 0.5%. The bank will likely require an appraiser (Shamai) to determine the fair market value of the collateral. The typical fee charged is 500-2500 Shekel plus VAT. Maintenance Costs: A buyer should also be aware that there are regular maintenance costs once you take possession of the property. The buyer is obligated to pay monthly municipal taxes, committee charges for the care and upkeep of the common property, as well as home insurance.

Payment Schedule (Luach Tashlumim): When buying property under construction, the payment schedule should be in stages which are pegged to stages of the construction. When buying second hand property, the payments may also be in stages.

However, possession will be transferred only when the final payment is made. At the contract signing, you could need up to 35% of the purchase price to cover the initial payment and fees.

Cost of Inspection: The seller is obligated to disclose any defects in the property. However, if defects are discovered following occupancy, legal costs involved in a lawsuit may be prohibitive.

The best way for the purchaser to minimize this risk is to hire an engineer who will inspect the property. Another important thing to check is if there are any building code violations, which could result in municipal lawsuits and even a possible demolition order.

It is also advisable to check municipal plans relevant to the property and its surroundings, which could affect the future value. The typical cost of a reliable inspection is from 1,500 to 3,000 Shekel plus VAT.  About the Author Ben Levine is currently the Regional Manager of Remax Moriya, 11 Shlomzion HaMalka Street, just a few steps from the Mamilla Mall. He focuses on Jerusalem’s central neighborhoods and the Old City. Ben was born in Germany, grew up in the US, holds a B.Sc. in Business Administration and Hotel Administration, an MBA in Finance, a Commercial Pilots License, and speaks Hebrew, English and Yiddish. He first made Aliyah in 1986, and after a stint back in Atlanta and Monsey, came home for good in 2007. Since 1989, he has been involved in one facet or another in the world of real estate: residential and commercial mortgages, group acquisitions, hotel and commercial development, and residential sales. His expertise and love for what he does and where he does it makes the perfect combination for turning to him to sell your property or to buy a new one. He can be reached at benlevine10@gmail.com or at 054-587-9350.

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O

ne of the most cost-effective, efficient, and ecological ways to heat water for your home is the dud shemesh (solar water heater). The two basic components of the solar water heating system are its solar panels and the water tank. Like all systems, solar powered water heaters and their components require maintenance. Cleaning a solar panel is not just cosmetic, but is necessary for it to operate at its rated capacity. It’s always a good idea to periodically have the surface of the panels or collectors cleaned. A dirty surface will compromise the thermal performance and efficiency of the panel.

Since water in Israel is generally hard, the sediments in the water supply build up over time, creating a layer of sludge on the bottom of the water tank, hampering the heater’s perfor-

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www.HandymanTzvi.com 32

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November 2012

Bizness Magazine

mance, and shortening its life. It’s highly advisable to install a whole-house water filtration system that reduces scale, dirt, sediment, and rust particles from your water. Softer water increases efficiency and triples the life of water heaters by reducing wear on both the panels and the tank.

During winter months, when the sky is often cloudy, the source of hot water (water heating) switches from solar to electrical. Common malfunctions of electrically operated water heaters include failures of heating elements, thermostats, or the pressure relief valves. The heater may be noisy or leaky.

The hot water may be dirty or not hot enough. It takes about one hour to fully heat up a 100 liter tank of water to 60 degrees Celsius. A water heater that takes much longer to heat up is a sure sign that the heating element has to be replaced. A professional technician can diagnose and repair any water heater malfunctions, and recommend a replacement when needed.

And, it’s important to make sure that the technician one hires uses original manufacturer replacement parts.

Often, people wish they didn’t have to waste extra time in the morning waiting for the water to heat up. Or they forget to turn off their water heaters long after their need for the hot water passes, resulting in wasted electrical energy. After all, energy consumed by a water heater equals to that of 40 seventy-five watt light bulbs.

A great solution for both issues is an electrical timer which can be installed in place of a red “dud” switch. Such a timer is easy to program. For example, someone who likes to shower at 6 AM, can set up the timer from 5:00-6:00. This makes life much simpler and energy usage more efficient.  About the Author Handyman Tzvi has many years of extensive experience in general contracting and home construction and renovations.

Tzvi made aliyah from New York where he built multi-unit projects and custom homes. He gives a thorough explanation of the work to be done with honest and affordable prices. Tzvi is a licensed Chromagen water heater and solar panel installer.

Tzvi is also an expert in all other home related services such as electric, plumbing, major appliances, and air conditioning repairs, as well as general repairs. Tzvi has a large customer base in Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh. He can be contacted at 054-4985298 or visited on his website www.HandymanTzvi.com

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Exclusive Interview

A Cure for

W

ADHD?

elcome, Dr. Rothstein. I understand that you just made aliyah in July 2012. Please tell me a little about your background.

I graduated from the University of Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in 1981. After my internship, I served 3 years in the US Army at the US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases. I went into private practice in Baltimore, MD, where I focused on treating pain due to injuries and accidents. During that time, I received specialty level training in Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT). In 2005, I published my book, Brain Fog: Solve the mysteries of decreased mental capacity and keep your brain fit and functional throughout your life. I have always been holistically oriented – looking at the whole person and trying to find the source of their pain and dysfunction so that their condition can be healed and not just masked with medications.

What is an Osteopath?

In the U.S., Osteopaths, or D.O.’s, have the same medical training and licensing as M.D.’s. However, we receive additional training in using our hands to diagnose and treat patients which allows for other options besides medications and surgery.

Can you give me an example?

Sure. Many babies with colic are diagnosed with GERD - Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. The babies are given medications that block the production of stomach acid, which inhibits the absorption of some essential nutrients in their developing bodies. In most cases, the babies are not suffering from a true disease at all, but an anatomical strain that can be safely, gently and effectively corrected in just a few sessions of OMT. The wonderful thing about OMT is that treatments are safe and effective for all ages, from birth to old age.

I’ve heard you also have success with ADHD. What is ADHD and how do you treat it?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Basically it means a child has difficulty sitting still, staying focused, cooperating, and learning in a traditional classroom setting. True ADHD is a lack of dopamine in the brain, which leads to erratic and disruptive behavior patterns. In a case of true ADHD due to dopamine deficiency, the optimal treatment is with medications such as Ritalin, Adderal, Concerta, etc. The problem is that only 10% of kids diagnosed 34

• November 2012

Bizness Magazine

with ADHD actually have true ADHD!

What is your experience with ADHD? In the vast majority of cases, what looks like ADHD is not true ADHD. Something else is causing symptoms that appear to indicate ADHD. Sometimes people are suffering from food allergies or sensitivities. In other cases there is a structural imbalance and the person is acting out due to physical discomfort of which they might not even be aware.

Is there a way to know if a person has ADHD-like symptoms as opposed to true ADHD? Yes. I have found in treating hundreds of children and adults diagnosed with ADHD that all you need to do is ask a simple question: CAN YOU STAY FOCUSED FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME ON SOMETHING IN WHICH YOU ARE INTERESTED? (For a child that would be playing with Legos or blocks, reading or being read to, doing an art project etc., but does not include computer or video games which can actually induce symptoms).

If you can answer “YES” to this question, there is a good chance that Osteopathic treatment will be effective and there is no need for medication.

You’ve specialized in the treatment of pain due to accidents and injuries. How did you begin treating ADHD? I noticed that when my patients were relieved of their pain, their mood, memory, and concentration also improved. When I began to apply this approach to children who had ADHD like symptoms, the same thing occurred.

A 10 year old boy was brought to me by his mother because he was getting into trouble in school, not sleeping well at night, and had begun smoking. After the third treatment, his mother came back glowing! She said her son’s teacher had written her a note saying how wonderful he had been in class. He stopped getting into fights and his grades improved.

He was also more pleasant at home.

Why did treating him with OMT relieve his ADHD symptoms?

When he was a toddler he fell down a flight of stairs. The doctor told his mother he would be fine and not to worry. However, everything was not fine. The child had suffered neck injuries and

02 999 3939

a concussion, and from that time he was always uncomfortable.

Therefore, he couldn’t sleep well, and over the years he became more and more agitated and irritable. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with ADHD. Using gentle Osteopathic techniques I was able to release the strain pattern in his body. Once his pain was gone, he was able to rest well and behave normally. Many people think the skull is one bone. In actuality, the skull is made up of 22 bones that are designed to move ever so slightly to accommodate the pulse of the brain. Whenever there is trauma to the head, the bones can jam or lock and inhibit the natural pulse of the brain. One mother came to me after her toddler had a hard fall. He had started biting, crying often at night and having continual “meltdowns” throughout the day. After one treatment his disposition changed and he was playful and happy again.

What’s the usual course of treatment for ADHD? The great thing about working with kids is their responsiveness. Usually within 3 treatments ADHD symptoms are significantly reduced without medication, if not resolved entirely.

Can you tell me something about how you treat pain due to accidents and injuries?

M o s t practitioners address the area of complaint. They examine the wrist when there’s carpal tunnel syndrome. They check behavior if there are ADHD symptoms. They only look at the knee if the knee hurts, the neck if the neck hurts, or the head if the patient is complaining of a headache. What I’ve found in over 30 years of treating patients is that rarely is the area of complaint the real issue.

Can you give me some examples?

Here are just a few case histories: One patient had been knocked unconscious when a huge closet cabinet fell on her. She had chronic pain in her left arm and was unable to open her left hand. She had been to many doctors and therapists but found no relief. It was clear to me that the problem was in her neck and upper back. Once those areas were treated, the pain in her arm

and hand resolved and for the first time in three years she could open her hand.

A little 17 month old girl refused to walk because it was too painful. Every time she tried to walk, her feet would turn out forcing her to walk on the inside of her ankles. After a few seconds she would fall down because of the pain. The orthopedist told her parents she would need braces and might be crippled for life. The problem was not in her feet and legs, but was actually caused by a strain pattern going all the way up to her head and neck. Three weeks after beginning treatment she was walking normally and a week after that she was running.

A man in his 60’s had open heart surgery. Although the surgery was successful, he still suffered from chronic pain due to muscle spasms and irritation in his chest.

He couldn’t take a deep breath without pain. Narcotics were of no benefit. Cortisone shots and anti-inflammatories didn’t give him relief. He was told he just had to live with it.

I treated the compensatory strain patterns in his body and after two treatments h i s pain w a s completely gone. He had been suffering for 5 years.

A girl in her twenties developed hydrocephalus and had to have a shunt put in her skull to drain the fluid. She had extremely severe and debilitating headaches and the doctors at Johns Hopkins finally told her there was nothing more they could do for her. I found the real problem was stemming from her coccyx (tailbone). Her headaches completely subsided after 2 treatments.

Where do you practice and how can you be reached?

I treat people in Ramat Beit Shemesh and also in Yerushalayim. I can be reached at 058.610.9149.  BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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35

Getting your kids

the right shoes for the Winter

T

he rains are hopefully on their way. Rain forces us to prepare in many areas such as sealing our homes, repairing our car brakes, and buying umbrellas. But how about our shoes? We asked Ronen, the owner of Carmit Shoes, for some professional tips on our kids’ winter shoes.

How should we choose the right shoes for the rainy season?

It depends on the age of the child. For children up to 4 years old we concentrate on how the shoe is built. Since it is unlikely that the child will be outdoors in the rain for a long time, we look for shoes with adequate support, arch, flexibility, and appropriate height.

For older children, you have the option of a closed shoe or a shoe with a mesh. Ideally, kids should wear leather or synthetic leather shoes from well-known brands such as Nike, etc. The outside is made out of synthetic material, but the inner part of the shoe is made of high quality materials. A good quality shoe affects the overall health of the feet, which is reflected in the smell that we encounter when taking off the shoes.

There is no shoe that is 100% water proof. It is a myth that shoes with a mesh are not for the winter. The latest collec-

tion of name-brand winter shoes come with a mesh. Although children spend most of their time at home or in a classroom and hardly walk in the streets in the wet season, they always manage to step in a few puddles before getting to their destination. Shoes with meshes will allow the feet, the inside of the shoes and the socks to dry faster, and provide much needed ventilation. The shoe with a mesh does get wet faster, but dries faster, too. Leather shoes get wet and stay wet for much longer. We carry New Balance and Nike shoes that are made with and without meshes. It is just a matter of preference.

Generally speaking, most rubber shoes and boots are waterproof, but water can still get inside from the stitches (we have sourced a special spray that helps prevent water from filtering in). Boots and rubber boots are waterproof but are not warming, unless they have a fur-like material inside, which most girls love! Zippers in boots and shoes increase the chances of water coming in. We do not recommend the use of rubber boots for the whole day on children.

In short, we suggest everyone have a good pair of boots and a good pair of quality winter shoes. We better run now before it starts to pour! – Carmit Shoes is located under Zol B’Shefa in RBS A. 

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Bizness Magazine

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37

Exercise at the office (Lower Body)

L

ast month we discussed certain exercises for the neck and upper body. This month we are going to take a look at the lower back and legs.

Here are a few simple stretches to help keep the blood flowing and muscles working. Remember this is not a substitute for regular exercise; it is just something to keep you going between workouts.

Warning: Do not do if you have disc problems or low back pain. You should feel a stretch, not pain when

performing these.

Low Back

Lie on your back on a table or firm surface, knees bent, feet flat on the table.

Action: Cross your arms over your chest. Turn your head (trunk) to the right as you turn both knees to the left. Allow your knees to relax and go down without forcing. Bring knees back up, head to center. Reverse directions.

Lie face down.

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Push up into elbows.

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Lie on back place towel around your forefoot.

Gently straighten leg without bending your knee Repeat with the other leg.

Quad Stretches

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By pulling the heel of your foot slowly and gently

towards your buttocks, the quads get a good stretch.

If you’re doing this stretch in the standing position, be sure to have a chair, wall, table or buddy close by to avoid the one-legged-balance hop.

If you are unsure as to how to do theses stretches feel free to call me. Be careful!

Stretching too hard or for too long can cause damage to muscles.

There are many other stretches that can be done for each part of the body.

Remember the most important thing is to get your blood flowing and your muscles moving.

About the Author Dr. Eliezer Rosenblum, a Board Certified Chiropractor and Physiotherapist, has offices in Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh. Also available are visits to offices and work sites to analyze and correct workplace ergonomics problems. Dr. Rosenblum trains your staff the proper, proven techniques to avoid injuries, reduce stress, increase productivity, and enhance the work place environment.

To schedule an appointment or to discuss how this service can work for you, speak with Dr. Rosenblum at 052-662-4658. 

BIZNESS MAGAZINE

•

39

Preventing

Break-Ins and Home Invasions

W

e hear of break-ins in Bet Shemesh almost daily.

We asked security expert Albert Abraham about break-in prevention.

Where are you from?

I’m originally from London.

When did you make Aliyah?

We have lived here for 5 years and made Aliyah 3 years ago. I wish we did this many years earlier!

How many years have you been in the business of security bars?

I have been in the window business for 25 years, 10 of which have been in the security side.

What motivated you to work in this field in Israel?

I always wanted to work with security in Israel but couldn’t find the right company to work with. It was bashert that I was introduced to Pashoot. I saw straight away that this was a company I could work with and rely on. Security bars and gates help to make one’s life more comfortable, safe, etc. It is a huge responsibility when you install gates and bars in this country, especially in someone’s home: they trust you to get it absolutely right. We pride ourselves on our meticulousness, and take the responsibility of what we do very seriously indeed.

Tell us about Pashoot.

Pashoot is a company that manufactures its own products. We have a large factory and employ a large number of people; all Jewish labour. Pashoot has been in business for about 20 years.

This type of experience is invaluable in this industry. We use the finest se40

• November 2012

curity products available and have our own dedicated installation teams.

Tell us about your work.

We are absolute experts in the security field. The directors of the company speak English fluently; one is originally from America. This is a company you can trust and who will be there for you when called upon. We take great pride in the work and products we provide. A large percentage of our work is for major commercial companies and small businesses. We have now expanded into the residential market as well. We bring our vast experience and high tech equipment used in this sophisticated market to make your home look beautiful and safer.

We offer dozens of different colours at no extra charge. Our installation teams work solely for us and do not leave a job until the client is completely satisfied. Furthermore, one of the company directors carries out the survey (including taking measurements) and one of them is always present on site at the time of installation.

Why should people buy from Pashoot instead of other small workshops?

Bizness Magazine

I was highly recommended to work with Pashoot. When I first met the directors, I was impressed by their easygoing nature and their attitude. Nothing was a problem for them. Working with Pashoot leaves one in a very confident position. If for example, if a gate is made wrong for any reason, we do not just force it in or cut it down on site, weakening the structure of the frames and resulting in an ill fitting gate which is easy to get through or force out. If we make a mistake, we simply make a new gate, no fuss. Smaller companies cannot afford the loss involved and certainly do not use the quality of materials we do.

Tell us about your quality.

As an example, we galvanize the steel internally and externally so that there is no possibility of rust. Most other companies do not galvanize at all, or at best may just do so externally.

We also bake our paint, which gives the steel a silky type of finish. Before painting is carried out, the steel is immersed into a bath of acid to burn of any sharp edges and impurities the raw steel may have. We do not paint by hand or spray paint.

What about your locks and hinges?

We use the best locks and hinges available today, as well as the highest quality handles and screws. After the installation, we fill in all the heads of the screws so that burglars cannot open them up. We also, as a standard practice, use steel plates in front of the locks from the outside, ensuring burglars cannot attack our locks.

Do other companies offer this service?

02 999 3939

Simply not! We want to be sure we are providing the highest quality materials, the best surveys, and the best installation possible. No other company that I know of offers this level of quality of materials, installation, and full unconditional guarantee. We also offer an interest-free payment plan where we spread the payments for our clients.

What do you perceive to be the security situation in Bet Shemesh?

I believe the situation is difficult and burglaries are at an all time high.

I also believe it will get worse, as it is an affluent area with a high percentage of Anglos. Burglars are walking away with thousands of dollars of silver, computers, phones, etc. and are making the lives of the residents here miserable. It is well known to construction workers and others what valuable possessions a property here has.

Which are the sensitive areas in most homes?

The most sensitive areas are ground floor windows, French doors, and patio doors. The reason is that the burglars can stand on the floor and use body leverage to prise open the windows.

Even if one has security gates, they can also be attacked if they were not

manufactured and installed correctly.

Patios and first floor window are also targeted frequently.

What are the advantages of having security bars and doors?

It is a visible deterrent, a very powerful one indeed. When burglars are looking to break in, they first decide which property looks vulnerable, which ones do not have security gates or bars. Secondly, even if they do have bars and gates, they will attack it if the gates are rusty, old, or badly installed.

Needless to say, if the property has silver and computers etc., they will even try to cut or force the best gates if they can. Our job is to give the burglars the hardest task possible by giving our clients the best possible service, the highest quality materials, and a first-class secure installation. That’s exactly what we do.

How can people contact you?

For free advice and quotation, people can call me at 02 999 6179 or 052 752 1181 or visit us at www.pashoot.net. 

ADVANCED DENTAL IMPLANT TECHNOLOGIES Tour and smile leading Israeli oral and maxillary facial surgeons utilizing state-of-the-art clinics

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our and Smile brings you world class leadership in Same-Day implants, medically referred to as “immediate loading”. Rather than the traditional 3 to 9 month waiting period between receiving implants and crowns, during which time the client typically wears a temporary denture, same-day implants offer complete, new and functional teeth the same day. Same Day implants can also be inserted immediately following a tooth extraction, speeding up the healing process.

Calls us for a free consultation 054-236-9001 www.tourandsmile.com BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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The Third Commandment:

Thou Shall Have Enough Money (Part 2 – Raising Funds)

BY NACHUM KLIGMAN Money-Raising Options Where to get money? Savings, friends and families, credit cards, banks, venture capitalists (VCs)? These are not great options. The best option is actually to win the lottery; but seriously, unless you have your own excess funds to put in, below are some of the options you may have to use.

Savings Don’t spend your life savings because these savings are generally what you need in case of emergency or for your children’s college fund. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t use any savings - you should. Just don’t use more than you are willing to kiss goodbye. Again, it depends on how much you believe in your idea. If you have US$30,000 in savings, perhaps you can afford to take $7,500.00 for your start-up. Make sure that once you decide on an amount, you lock up the rest so you don’t keep dipping into it. Otherwise, you may find yourself constantly using it as a crutch and end up with nothing.

Friends and Family Money lent by friends and family is how most businesses get started, since it is usually the people who know and trust you who are willing to take a chance on you. This is also the riskiest source, because if your venture fails, the relationships you cherish most can become disasters as well. Believe me, if your venture does fail, it will be your family and friends whom you will need to lean on the most.

Make it crystal-clear to them that if they want to invest, they need to fully realize that they can lose their money. If they do lose their investment, you want to make sure your relationship won’t change.

When I started ViewBix, I was able to raise US$150,000 from friends and family. They invested because they said that 42

• November 2012

they recognized my passion. They were investing in me more than in the business idea.

Credit cards Credit cards are so tempting to use.

They give you access to instant cash and you don’t have to give up any equity in the company to use them.

The problem is that if you fail, you fail big time. You can be stuck with paying a few thousand dollars a month in credit card bills with no income. This is a big mistake. It is OK to use OPM (other peoples’ money). That is why there are investors. Seasoned investors are big boys and can handle it if the investment turns sour, but can you? This is one temptation you don’t want to give in to.

Banks For me, banks are a non-starter. Unless you have assets, such as your house, that you are willing to put up against a loan, they won’t fund you. This is especially true for a start-up and even more so if you don’t have a proven track record of success. It’s a catch-22 with banks. They will only fund you if you can show that you don’t need the funding.

Venture Capital WIKIPEDIA: “Venture capital (also known as VC or Venture) is a type of private equity capital typically provided for early-stage, high-potential, and growth companies in the interest of generating a return through an eventual realization event such as an IPO or trade sale of the company. Venture capital investments are generally made as cash in exchange for shares in the invested company. It is typical for venture capital investors to identify and back companies in high technology industries such as biotechnology and ICT (information and communication technology).

“Venture capital typically comes from institutional investors and high net worth individuals, and is pooled together by dedicated investment firms.

Bizness Magazine

Venture capital firms typically comprise small teams with technology backgrounds (scientists, researchers) or those with business training or deep industry experience.”

Venture capital is the Hollywood of investments. It’s the one that gets the most press and seems to be the most impressive.

While it is true that most of the bigname technology companies have raised VC money, you need to remember that VCs are betting against you. Let’s assume you can secure a meeting with a VC and let’s say you wow them enough to invest in you. Generally, they will give you their standard contract, which virtually puts them in control. The two biggest problems are that: 1. They expect 6/10 of their investments to fail 2. Their goals and agendas are different than yours You need to be very careful when working with VCs and you absolutely must speak with people you trust who have experience working with venture capitalists. Otherwise, you can find dealing with VCs to be the biggest hurdle of your start-up.

In order to get a meeting with a VC and be taken seriously, you need an introduction from someone known to the VC. This could be a fellow entrepreneur who was funded by the VC, a professor at your university or your lawyer. Most VCs make less than eight investments a year, yet they go through hundreds of executive summaries per year. If you try to get in on your own, the odds are that they won’t even look at your paperwork.

Right now, venture capitalists are only investing in five types of companies: 1. Companies that are already in their portfolio.

2. Companies which are already at breakeven or close to it.

3. The one-in-a-million company that is

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going viral by acquiring millions of users each month, such as Twitter.

4. Companies that have IP (Intellectual Property) that can be defended. Meaning a new invention of a technology that no one else can touch.

5. Companies founded by experienced executives that have a proven track record If yours are not one of these five types of companies, you are wasting your time pursuing VCs. If you do want to go the VC route, the one exception area you may want to check out is VCs willing to consider early-stage businesses.

be prepared to answer all of their questions in as much detail as they ask you to provide.

A great source for getting your startup noticed by Angels is by publishing it on Angel list (http://angel..co.

Our Angel Story We had one of those Angel stories that you only read about in books happen to us when we were launching Viewbix (then it was Qoof) After twelve months of working on Viewbix, raising about $150k from fami-

ly and friends and getting my initial team around me, it was finally time to publicly launch our first product for Viewbix. We called it Usermercials for user-generated commercials. We were set to launch on Jeff Pulver’s VON show in San Jose, CA on March 19th 2007.

This trip was one full of adrenaline. Before leaving on the trip, my partners and I had an offer on the table for $500k from a small VC based in Israel. We were desperately trying to close the deal with them, even though the terms were horrible. We

Angels & Angel Groups Relax. All is not lost, my fellow entrepreneurs, because there is a group of saviors out there who are willing to invest in your start up! They are known as Angel Investors, and they, my friend, can be the real secret to your success.

Angel Investors are usually former or current entrepreneurs who have had a great deal of success. Based on their success, they love to help out fellow entrepreneurs with both money and advice.

They know the ropes and they understand the risks. Furthermore, since they have been through it themselves, they love the start-up process.

There are thousands of Angels available, although many of them may not call themselves Angels and they don’t often advertise themselves. The best way to find them is through your own contacts.

Ask your family, friends, and old classmates if they know of any Angel Investors. Ask your bank manager, as he/she may have the inside information on those who may be willing to invest. Use your network and ask around.

Another way to find an Angel is by applying to Angel groups. You can find Angel groups in virtually every state in the USA. You can do a search on Google, as well as look for them on LinkedIn. Though they may be very receptive to hearing from new start-ups, you must understand that working with them won’t be easy. Take them very seriously, and

Gold of Jerusalem

... an Inspiration in Jewelry

7 Beit Hadefus St. Givat Shaul Tel. 02-6511788 Fax. 02-6515755 BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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were almost out of cash, and we needed to get to the next level. We had the term sheet, we made counter-proposals and were waiting for them to fax us the signed copy, but they kept pushing it off.

I went in to the show with my two new partners while our fourth team member was working literally day and night to the last minute to make sure our technology would be working at the show.

On the second day of the show, we met with Kfir Pravda, a well known marketer and founder of Pravda Media. He is

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• November 2012

also a visionary and saw right away the potential we had. Later that same day, he brought by Ariel Maislos to our booth.

We didn’t know it at the time, but Ariel was the founder of an Israeli company that had one of the largest technology exits in Israel’s history.

Ariel was and is a super-nice guy, and he took a liking to us and to what we were on to. He asked us if we were looking for an investment and we said we were. We agreed to meet at about 4 o’clock p.m. later that day for a discussion.

Bizness Magazine

Just before our meeting, I made one last effort to get in touch with the VC to give them one more opportunity to close the deal with us. Once again, they said “Tomorrow.”

It was then that I realized that they wanted to see the reaction we got from the show to decide whether to sign the deal with us or not. This was the thought going through my head when I sat down with Ariel and Jon while Hillel manned the booth.

Ariel offered us a $100k investment, which we declined. I told him that we needed at least $200k to get us to the next level. He agreed and we went over the terms, which were much better and less controlling then the ones from the VC. He just needed to get in touch with his wife before he handed over the check.

Jon and Hillel agreed to meet with him on Friday morning to get the check, but I had a flight out Thursday night to NY. Friday morning, Ariel gave Jon the check as planned. There were no lawyers’ needed and no heavy paperwork. It was basically a handshake. The reaction to our presence at the show was amazing.

Everyone loved what we were doing, and now we had a check for $200k!

I met up with Jon and Hillel on Friday and they put the check into my hands. As the deal called for, it was in the amount of $200,000.00. This was by far the largest amount of money I had ever held in my hands up to that point, and seeing it made out to Qoof, the company I founded and had lived for during the past twelve months, was surreal.

There was only one problem. Jon had spoken to a friend of his and told him by phone about our company and what we were up to. On the spot, he offered us $400k for almost four times the prevaluation. This was just crazy! That Sunday we agreed to accept the second offer, but first it was only fair that I give the same offer to Ariel. Ariel declined, because he felt the valuation was too high for him at this point, but he told us that we should take the other deal and that he would have done the same. He was/is a real mensch.

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No matter what happens, we realized that we must always do what is best for the business and for our investors. When I hung up the phone after my conversation with Ariel ended, I did something that I never thought I would do: I went into my wallet, took out the $200,000 check, and ripped it up.

The next telephone call was much easier. That was to the VCs in Israel to tell them that we decided to accept funding elsewhere, since they hadn’t been able to commit and kept playing around with us.

They were not happy with us at all, but we were finally on our way.

Start-Up Incubators Using start-up incubators is one of the best ways to get your new enterprise off the ground. They are very selective regarding who they allow into the program, but once you get in, it can become a huge advantage for your business.

There are many types of incubators, and they often operate in different ways or focus on specific niches, such as biotechnology or clean technology. The

idea is the same. An incubator will usually give you seed money and a whole slew of resources in order for your company to have the best chance for success.

In return, they get equity in the company they are helping to hatch, but it is usually a very fair amount in lieu of what they give you.

Many of the best incubators have direct connections with larger investors, government funds, and many of the wealthier Angels. They also have extensive connections with the press and mainstream bloggers. They help guide you in every aspect of your start-up by giving you the best advice and resources - everything from accounting and legal advice to helping you find the right employees.

You will also be in the program with several other entrepreneurs. This involvement can be a powerful experience when you are going through the same steps as everyone else. You learn to feed off each other’s successes and know-how in order to help each other in times of stress. It’s like one big family.

Unfortunately, an incubator program is not for everyone. Often there are strict guidelines you need to follow, and in many ways, you need to report back to a “superior”. Also, the demands can be very high. Although that makes sense, it is not for everyone. Almost every American state and many cities in large countries have a few start-up incubators.

Be sure to investigate thoroughly what’s available. There is certainly no harm in applying.

I’m passionate about start-ups and bringing ideas to life. I just re-launched my website which I welcome you to come check out at www.IdeaGo.com.  About the Author Nachum Kligman is a serial entrepreneur, consultant, and speaker. He is the founder of Ideago.com and ViewBix Inc, and the co-founder of SportsFan. me, PeerBid.com, TeesAtRisk.com, and BabyAndMeGifts.com, amongst many other Internet startups. He is also a partner in Cellar 18, a boutique wine store located in Ramat Bet Shemesh.

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Ashishot V’Tapuchim

The perfect pampering experience

in the Galil for your next family event

BY ARI GINSBERG

W

e sat with Eliyahu and Yifat Turgeman, owners of Ashishot V’Tapuchim, and asked them about their beautiful tzimmers and resort.

Where are you located?

Ashishot V’Tapuchim is located in the enchanted landscape of the foothills of Har Meiron in the Or Haganuz community, a pleasant pastoral location full of beautiful scenery and kedushah.

Tell us about Or Haganuz.

Or Haganuz is an active and vibrant religious community in the upper Galilee. It has a shul, a mikvah and a kosher lemehadrin supermarket. It is approximately a 40 minutes’ walk from Kever Rashbi, and there is even an eiruv which enables carrying form the village to the kever.

What about the complex?

The tzimmer complex includes beautiful rooms and a large dining eating area with a spectacular view. It

is fit to host many a kind of family events; Aufrufs, bar mitzvahs, sheva brachos, chalake, family reunions and more. The community has many other tzimmers that we can add to accommodate bigger groups.

Tell us about the cabins.

Our charming log cabins have a large room on the lower level with a double “Jewish” bed, a dining area with table and chairs, and a kitchen fully equipped with mini-fridge, coffee, milk, a Shabbat hot plate, and an urn. There is a full bathroom with a hot tub. The upper level has a sleeping gallery which can comfortably fit four children. Guests receive bed linen, towels, soaps and shampoos, and homemade fresh pastries we prepare ourselves…Perfect pampering for our guests. The parking is next to the cabin, as is the courtyard with a swing and a private swimming pool!

What do you offer to the guests?

We offer full board, including 3

Shabbat meals at any level of kashrut requested. There are drinks, challot, nuts, cake, fresh seasonal fruit, a mini bar for liquor, disposable utensils, and waiter service. More importantly, we offer the perfect holiday atmosphere with the spiritual experience of holiness.

What about the food itself?

We cook all meals ourselves. As a graduate in Chinese medicine, I am interested in good nutrition and put an emphasis on the quality of the food and dishes. We do not cook with sugar, trans fats, margarine, MSG, soup mixes, or preservatives. We do not use frozen food, but rather the freshest ingredients. The dishes are heimish and we can put together gluten free, vegan, and other natural menus.

How can people contact you for more information?

You can find us on Facebook under the name ‫אשישות ותפוחים‬, or call Eliyahu at 054-454-3372. 

KEREN DAVID MOVERS Professional Movers Since 1979 Fully insured-Jewish workers only All types of moves– big and small Extra careful with your belongings Reasonable rates– No surprise charges

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Bizness Magazine

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They are Both Much

Much Nicer

BY AKIVA DANTO

than Me

This is a reply to the article “Bet Shemesh Encounter”, which appeared in an earlier issue of Bizness Magazine, relating the story of the interaction between a driver who took two parking spots and a driver who needed one of them.

S

imply put, both Mrs. Yelnik and the guy with big van (Mr. Topf) are much nicer than me. While I have come across hundreds of cars taking up more than one spot, allow me to share my own experience with one such car, and a vision to correct another communally insensitive behavior.

As a preface, there are three categories of violators who occupy two or more spots. Some inadvertently go over the white line demarcating two spots – annoying, but can happen, and could be the result of necessity in adjusting to someone else. Others, it seems, have sensors beneath their cars to ensure that the white line demarcating the two spots is precisely at the midpoint of their vehicles. The truly bizarre are those that park angled to accomplish the same goal of crossing the line. The latter two are harder to be dan l’kaf zechus.

Here’s my story: I went to my son’s school for parentteacher conference. Sure enough, first spot closest to the school is occupied by one of those people with that parking sensor beneath the center of his car. Initially, I was tempted to T-bone him in the spot and park immediately perpendicular to his car. He occupied two spots vertically; I figured I would break even and occupy the same two spots horizontally. But I did not want to block others in the cramped parking lot, so I moved on and decided that was not a productive solution. Not finding any traditional parking spots available, my new Israeli instincts took over. Rather than look for a “Parking Place”, as I have done for all my years in the States, I started to look for a “Place to Park”. Sure enough, by the steps on the side walk I found a place to park that was big enough to fit by banged up Grandis. Ever proud of my find, I shared my accomplishment with some other parents I saw inside. After an hour chasing down teachers and waiting on three lines at a time, I come back to my car to go home. Happy it was not towed, I let out a sigh of relief.

However, there, on my windshield, is a note in Hebrew tell-

ing me it is prohibited to park in this spot, and I should call 054-555-5555 to discuss it. I was shocked! Did he really expect me to call? Was I really going to call this stranger to get a lecture on insensitive/illegal parking? Not a chance! I was not happy. I only had to compromise and park in this place because someone else chose to park in two spots. Further, my parking place did not prevent any others from walking or parking, I was angry. Why was I getting the note, when there are so many violators around me who do a lot worse, unscathed? Traveling back home, it hit me. I had the solution to both the note, and two spot parking. I was going to go home and make hundreds of copies of this obnoxious note.

Each time, anywhere in Israel, I found a car parked in two spots, I would leave this note, and allow the self-appointed “Sar Ha Parking” to deal with the situation. If he was wont to be the parking Sar, let him fix this epidemic. This was a great idea. Not that I’m proud of my vengeance, but still, there is no denying the brilliance of this idea. Yet, Boruch Hashem, the Master of the world is in charge of everything.

I decided others should hear about this fantastic story. I see a friend of mine, and decided to show him the note, and tell him my great plan. I showed him the note, and before I can tell my story, the first person to hear my plan crumples up the note and throws it away. My dreams were crushed. “Why did you do that?” I demanded. Sure enough, it was he who left the note. He thought I would recognize the number and have a good laugh, not thinking I would even call. In the end we both laughed. Again, thank G-d, HE runs the world and made sure the first person to hear my plan ended it before it was mistakenly implemented. So, in the end we are left with being polite, courteous, and we all now have a great story to share when someone needs a smile.

You can request the original article from archives@biznessmag.com  BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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The wedding is

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he wedding is just four weeks away. I still don’t know how we will cover the hall and the band.”

“And don’t forget we need to pay the photographer and the caterer.”

“That’s why I haven’t even gone into a store to buy a pot or pan. Even that seems too overwhelming now.”

Such is a reality for the many kallahs who turn to Likrat Kallah. Some are orphaned, and some are converts or baalei teshuva whose families are unwilling or unable to help them as they embark on the most important journey of their lives. Other kallahs come from families where medical expenses have depleted savings. Still others come from families with 19 children! The common denominator is true need.

Likrat Kallah is a Hachnasat Kallah organization started seven years ago in Ramat Bet Shemesh with the purpose of helping these poor kallahs throughout Israel by giving them six new household items for free. A pot, a pan, a set of dishes, a set of silverware, a baking pan, bathroom towels, food containers, a small electrical appliance – these are the items that give the families a breath of fresh air.

B”H, to date, Likrat Kallah has merited to help 1,731 kallahs, from Tzfat to Eilat, from all different backgrounds.

Likrat Kallah has recently become a project of Lemaan Achai.

The mitzvah of Hachnasat Kallah is a very special kind of Tzedakah - the only one with its very own name in the Torah. As explained by the Steipler Gaon, zt”l, it is a segulah for a refuah sheleimah because it appears in our morning prayers of Ailu Devarim, sandwiched between the mitzvot of Bikur Cholim and Levayat Hamet. The Steipler explained that it appears in this order because it has the power to be a buffer between Bikur Cholim and Levayat Hamet and can empower a refuah sheleimah.

Sadeena Pinhasik started the organization after attending a shiur on shiduchim. When she heard Reb. Rothman say “Ladies, at the end of the day, if you want H-shem to help you with your kallahs, you must help H-shem with His kallahs,” she felt inspired to try and help H-shem’s kallahs. Figuring that everyone has a gift at home that they

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November 2012

Bizness Magazine

don’t need, she opened her gemach, hoping to give these gifts to needy kallahs.

To this day, people often drop gifts off at her door and these varied presents are given as the sixth gift to the kallahs, who pre-order five gifts by choice. Women also host home parties, similar to a bridal shower. Friends come to enjoy time together, hear a talk about the organization from Sadeena, and of course, everyone does the mitzvah of Hachnasat Kallah by giving an item or making a donation to Likrat Kallah. B”H, such parties have been held throughout Israel and even abroad in London, NJ, NY, Detroit, and Chicago.

The two most amazing things about the organization, according to Sadeena, are seeing the beauty of H-shem’s nation - how they care about one another and want to help - and seeing the endless amount of Hashgacha Pratit. In fact, Sadeena and Dovid Pinhasik always state clearly that they just manage the organization. H-shem runs it. Countless times, they have seen the Hand of G-d. Just when there appeared to be no funds in the gemach, someone showed up with a maaser check for $1000 dollars! Just a few weeks ago, on the day the kallahs were meant to come and get their items, Sadeena noticed that there were very few “gifts” to give the kallahs; those new and unused items that women leave at Sadeena’s door or give at a home party. It was an outright display of Hashgachat Pratit when the phone rang just four hours before the kallahs arrived. A woman in Bet Shemesh had a collection of wedding gifts that her newly married daughter did not want and wanted to know if she could bring them by that same day! B”H, there were plenty of serving platters and trays for the kallahs to choose from!

Likrat Kallah encourages everyone to get involved in this special mitzvah of helping poor kallahs build their batim neemanim b’Yisrael. Consider hosting a home party, bring your unused gifts to Likrat Kallah, and of course, come to our annual event and purchase Chinese auction tickets.

Visit our website to get a real look at what happens at Likrat Kallah: www.helpjewishbrides.org and call Sadeena at 050-909-4463 to get more involved! 

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Corporate Humor Important work laws Don’t be irreplaceable, if you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.

The more pretentious a corporate name, the smaller the organization; For instance, The Murphy Center for Codification of Human and Organizational Law, contrasted to IBM, GM, AT&T ...

The more abuse you put up with, the more abuse you are going to get.

If you are good, you will be assigned all the work. If you are really good, you will get out of it.

You can go anywhere you want if you look serious and carry a clipboard.

You are always doing something marginal when the boss drops by your desk.

Eat one live toad the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.

People are always available for work in the past tense.

A pat on the back is only a few centimeters from a kick in the pants.

Never ask two questions in a business letter. The reply will discuss the one you are least interested in, and say nothing about the other.

When the bosses talk about improving productivity, they are never talking about themselves.

There will always be beer cans rolling on the floor of your car when the boss asks for a ride home from the office.

Mother said there would be days like this, but she never said there would be so many.

Keep your boss’s boss off your boss’s back. This is what I’m doing wrong.

Everything can be filed under “miscellaneous”.

Never delay the ending of a meeting or the beginning of a cocktail hour.

To err is human, to forgive is not company policy.

Anyone can do any amount of work provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing.

Important letters that contain no errors will develop errors in the mail.

The last person that quit or was fired will be the one held responsible for everything that goes wrong until the next person quits or is fired.

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but there is always enough time to do it over.

If it wasn’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.

At work, the authority of a person is inversely proportional to the number of pens that person is carrying.

When you don’t know what to do, walk fast and look worried.

You will always get the greatest recognition for the job you least like.

No one gets sick on Wednesdays.

When confronted by a difficult problem you can solve it more easily by reducing it to the question, “How would the Lone Ranger handle this?”

The longer the title, the less important the job.

Machines that have broken down will work perfectly when the repairman arrives.

An “acceptable” level of employment means that the government economist to whom it is acceptable still has a job.

Once a job is fouled up, anything done to improve it makes it worse.

All vacations and holidays create problems, except for one’s own.

Success is just a matter of luck, just ask any failure.  BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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Orthodontics

Smiling from Bet Shemesh to Jerusalem

with Smile Talk

Timing is Everything

BY DRS GHERMAN AND LAVI

W

hat is the best time for my child to come see the orthodontist?

This is a very common question.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. By then, your child’s teeth have developed enough for subtle problems to be spotted with jaw growth and emerging teeth. An early orthodontic consultation can lead to significant treatment benefits for some, or for most, at least a parent’s peace of mind that all is well.

What is the American Association of Orthodontists?

The American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, is one of the biggest worldwide professional organizations for orthodontists.

Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized and rigorous education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth.

Only those with this education are eligible for membership in the AAO. Both Dr Gherman and Dr. Lavi are members in the AAO. Dr. Gherman graduated from the AAO accredited orthodontic program 52

• November 2012

at Montefiore Medical Center and Dr. Lavi Graduated from the AAO accredited program at NewYork University Dental School.

As a parent, can you give us some things we should watch out for that may indicate the need for orthodontic treatment?

Well, to tell you the truth, most parents don’t want to look, but if you did here are some clues: • Early or late loss of baby teeth • Breathing through the mouth • Thumb-sucking • Crowded, misplaced, or blockedout teeth • Jaws that are too far forward or too far back • Biting the cheek or biting into the

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roof of the mouth • Protruding teeth • Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet or meet in an abnormal way • An unbalanced facial appearance • Grinding or clenching of teeth Wow, that’s a mouth full! I couldn’t bear to look, so what do I do now?

Call the office to set up your free consultation.

Dr Gherman is located at 15 Ibn Gevirol Street in Rechavia. The numbers are 02 5619770 and 02 5619780 and our hours are Sunday to Thursday 8-3, Wednesday 8-7 and Friday 8-12 Dr. Edo Lavi’s office is on Nachal Tamar 1, Ramat Bet Shemesh, Tel. 02 992 3363. 

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Why should you

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Customer Service?

BY MICHAEL TOPF (AGE 12)

H

ow important is it for the owner of the store and for the employees to offer incredible customer service?

The client who comes to your pizza store comes for a reason. Maybe because of the taste, maybe because it is clean, fancy, or other motives, but the main reason your client chooses you over the other shops in town is your customer service. If they like you, they will come back or come back more often. People buy from people. If they like you, they’ll buy from you.

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Customer service includes:

• A big smile at all times, so that the client feels that you’re happy to see him.

• Greeting your client with a few words that he would like to hear.

• Call your customers by their name.

• Willingness to help your client even in things which have nothing to do with your business. Even if it means sending them to your competitor if you cannot help them. Always work with your clients’ interest in mind.

• Being very reliable and courteous with your clients.

• Saying thank you very much for coming before the client leaves.

Some people say: Why should the employees provide good customer service if they get paid anyway? First of all because of integrity. Employees should do their utmost to maximize their employers’ success. Secondly, when clients don’t enjoy using your business, they won’t come back. Little by little the business will lose customers, and eventually the business will close down completely and the employees will lose their jobs.

Always remember that customer service is more important than price and than the quality of your products. Customers can find similar products and lower prices somewhere else, but they can only find you in your business. 

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GREAT EXPECTATIONS

IN SHIDDUCHIM

BY SUE LACHMAN

T

here is no doubt that the Shidduch system is an amazing system when it works and for whom it works. I have seen the miracle evolving in front of my own eyes when my eldest child married the most wonderfully amazing, beautiful girl whom I now proudly call my daughter-in-law.

But some struggle within this ‘system’, be it newcomers or those who have been involved in this for some time.

We usually have the pleasure and enjoy the company of many boys at our Shabbat table. There are some who ‘appear’ to sail through the ‘system’, but there are also boys that visit who are reticent, scared of the thought of marriage, even scared of dating and seem to lack self confidence in this area. It literally terrifies them to sit with someone, knowing that this person is there to see if he is a suitable candidate to marry. There is no doubt the boys have feelings of stress and anxiousness, lack of self esteem, lack of confidence and some pretty scary thoughts about the near future.

Then there are the boys who sit and tell us that unless their mother has ‘checked out’ the girl thoroughly and it is just a matter of meeting them, then they don’t want a meeting to be set up.

No pressure of course! When they do meet the girl and it doesn’t turn out the way they expected, they immediately blame everyone around them.

These feelings that the boys experience are a result of their thinking about a situation, which gives them a feeling which to them seem very real.

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• November 2012

It is not the situation itself that is the cause of their stress, but their thoughts about the situation. It is inside-out, not outside-in.

For some, their thoughts lead to sabotaging their date and they come back feeling despondent and unhappy with themselves and with the ‘system’.

If it happens once then they play out in their heads how it will be the same the second or third time and so on…They hold on to the belief that it can never be different, they believe it is serious and an undeniable fact. Some get destabilised by self doubt and insecurity, and their intrusive thoughts trick them into believing it is real, no matter how smart they are.

Feelings of self-doubt and insecurity are so common amongst people, and yet when we understand the true nature of those feelings, they no longer have the power to de-rail or de-stabilise us.

This is truly liberating. Every one of us has the ability to connect with a natural ease and self assurance, which comes from an understanding of the deeper nature of thought. When thought is understood on this level, it becomes obvious

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when you’re genuinely in touch with wisdom and when you’re not. This is the key to living fearlessly, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

We all create our reality through our thoughts. If you don’t have an interest in the thought, it has no power.

But sometimes without even realising it, we give the thought life and then we will live that thought as though it is real. When we realise that we have put ourselves into this state and that all the special effects that we are feeling have just come from a thought, we are thrown into the present, into the now.

Suddenly everything is put into perspective and we feel an inner sense of freedom with no expectations.

There are thousands of books, blogs, and seminars teaching people how to be more self-confident or fearless either in their personal or professional lives.

Most of these are based on an innocent, yet fundamental misunderstanding about how it works. I will reveal this misunderstanding and uncover the true nature of confidence.

Would you like to feel more at ease and more confident in any area of your life, be it in the shidduch scene or in other situations either personal or professional? I offer a heart-centered approach to understanding how all experience is generated from within, and how that understanding leads to psychological freedom.

Call me Sue Lachman 0527390670 or email suelachman@gmail.com.

Initial session is free. Phone/skype or ‘in-person’ sessions available. 

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55

THE SUBTLE FLAVOR OF

HERBS, SPICES, & SEEDS Subtle flavor is the ultimate in elegant - gourmet cooking.

BY MINDY GINSBERG

S

alt and pepper give the taste; herbs, spices, and seeds bring out that distinctive subtle flavor. My mother’s repertoire of herbs and spices was limited to salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. Nevertheless, her dishes were delicious. Now with the supplement of herbs and spices from all over the world, my dishes are delicious, but with a more exciting flavor.

The display in the market is so attractive it’s irresistible. You select a few, take them home, place them on your kitchen counter and then wonder what to do with them. Of course, recipes can be found, and you can buy ready-made flavors labeled ‘pickling spices’, spices for poultry, spices for fish, etc., but it’s creative and fun to develop your own unique dish with the distinctive flavors of herbs, spices, and seeds.

How much and how many to use in one dish is a matter of individual taste and experience. Fresh or dried herbs can be used, using half the amount when using the latter. Variety may be the spice of life, but using too many different herbs and spices in one dish can be a bit overwhelming. The idea is to feel and taste it, not eat it.

Here is a list of how to use them.

When you become more familiar with the tastes, be creative and make your own list. For example, I use ginger in most of my recipes (tehina, soups, meat). Good luck!

HERBS Herbs are derived from the leaves of annual and perennial shrubs.

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• November 2012

[*foods enhanced by herbs] Basil: flavor is enhanced when cooked. Pots of fresh basil-leaves may keep flies away. *Eggplant, fish, soup, tomato dishes, vinaigrette dressing, zucchini Bay leaves: derived from the laurel tree.

A symbol of glory for poets and heroes, creating the term “Poet Laureate” *artichokes (placed in cooking water), bouquet garni (see below), pickling stews, tomato sauce, tomato soup, vegetable soup [discard when done].

Bouquet garni: a mixture of dried marjoram, parsley, bay leaves & rosemary *stews, soups [wrap in cheese cloth and discard when done] Chervil: parsley family [improves flavor of other herbs when used together] *fish, poultry, salads, soups, vegetables Chives: mild onion *poultry, salads, sauces, soups, stews, potatoes, stuffing Dandelion: roots are used as a coffee substitute *fresh salad, spinach Dill: (Anethum graveolens) apiaceous plant *pickling, cheese dips, pasta, salads, potatoes, soups Garlic: (Allium sativum) liliaceous plant *practically all non-sweet dishes Marjoram (sweet): mint family (usually used together with thyme) *bouquet garni, meat, omelet, potatoes, salads, sauces, soups, stews, stuffing, Oregano: wild marjoram

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*barbecue marinades, bouquet garni, eggplant, fish, poultry, spinach, soups, stews, stuffing, tomato dishes, pizza Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) *fish, meat, salads, soups Rosemary: (Rosmarinus officinalis) menthaceous shrub (use sparingly) Traditional symbol of remembrance *barbeque marinades, bouquet garni, fish, poultry, spinach, stuffing Sage: (Salvia officinalis) menthaceous shrub [use sparingly] does she purposely not say what it’s good with?

Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus) also known as estragon *eggs, fish, mushrooms, poultry, salads, sauces, spinach Thyme: (any menthaceous plant) usually used together with marjoram *cheese dishes, fish, meats, onions, potatoes, sauces, soups, stews, stuffing Turmeric: (Curcuma longa) aromatic rhizome of an East Indian zingiberaceous plant, lily family [causes yellow coloring] *curries, rice, pickling, vegetables

SPICES Spices are derived from the bark, fruit, and berries of perennial plants Allspice: (Pimenta officinalis) myrtaceous tree, berry of the pimiento tree The scent resembles a combination of cloves, cinnamon & nutmeg *pickling, sweet & sour fish Cayenne pepper: ground sharp red pepper [use sparingly] *cheeses, sauces, barbecue sauces, meat, soups, stews

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Cinnamon: inner bark of any of several lauraceous trees of the genus cinnamonum *coffee and yeast cakes, desserts, meat, sweet rolls Cloves: dried buds [use sparingly] *broths, meat, pickling, sweet & four fish, sweet rolls Cumin: (Cuminum cyminum), small apiaceous plant, carrot family *barbeque sauces, soups, lentil dishes, cheeses, chili, chopped meat, eggs, pickling Curry: mixture of herbs & spices usually including turmeric and coriander *oriental dishes, rice Ginger: rhizome of any of the reed-like plants of genus zingiber. Native to East Indies *certain cakes, cookies, fish, oriental dishes, puddings, soups, vegetables Mace: outer nutmeg covering *certain cakes, cookies, fish, meat, stews Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) seed of the fruit of an East Indian tree *garnish to sweet milk drinks, desserts, puddings, quiche toppings, soups Paprika: Hungarian pepper *dressings, garlic bread, onions, poultry, sauces, soups, stews Pepper: white, green, and black variations [darker the variation the stronger the flavor] *most dishes that call for salt can use a little pepper [except cakes] Saffron: stigma of a crocus plant (also called vegetable gold) [use sparingly]

SEEDS Caraway *breads, cabbage, cheese, chopped meat, sauces Cardamom: ginger family Pungent taste. Varying in color from black, green, and white. The lighter the color, the better the taste.

Coriander: (Coriandrum sativum) herbaceous plant, Spanish cilantro: Chinese parsley *cheddar cheese, cream cheese, pickling, pot roast, pasta,

Fennel: (Foeniculum vulgare) umbelliferous plant relative to dill, mild licorice taste *cabbage dishes, fish, lentils, pickling, poultry, salads, stir fried vegetables Mustard, seeds *pickling Mustard, prepared *dressings, fish, meat, poultry, mayonnaise Poppy *breads, certain cakes, cookies, pastries Sesame (Sesamum indicum) herbaceous plant *breads, breading mixture (e.g. breaded chicken, fish), garnish for vegetable dishes

OTHER SEASONINGS Capers: green hyssop buds *fish, salads, sauces for fish, tartar sauce dressing Cream of tartar: derived from grape juice after fermentation *reacts with baking soda to produce carbon dioxide to assist in the rising process of dough and in beating egg whites Salt *cakes (a ‘pinch’ of salt enhances taste, reduces acidity, and increases the sweetness of sugar), cooked fruit (a ‘pinch’ of salt added to the cooking water brings out the maximum sweetness of the fruit), most dishes (salt gives the taste)

What usually happens after experimenting with this vast variety is you’ll find the herbs and spices that suit your individual taste.

In the meantime, here’s one of my favorite recipes.

RICE - LENTIL PILAF & NUTS 1 cup green lentils 1½ cups brown rice 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 large onion, diced 1 large carrot, grated ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons oil 2 tablespoons raisins 2½ teaspoons salt • In covered bowl soak lentils in enough boiled water to allow for swelling, about one hour. Drain.

• Sauté garlic, onion, and carrot in ¼ cup heated oil. Place in 3 quart (3 liter) deep casserole dish.

• In small bowl combine seasoning ingredients • Add lentils, rice, raisins, seasoning, brandy, and 3 cups boiled water over onions.

½ teaspoon pepper 5 teaspoons cumin powder 2 teaspoons curry ½ teaspoon ginger 2 tablespoons brandy ¼ cup blanched, sliced almonds 2 tablespoons pine nuts

• Cover and bake in preheated oven at 350ºF (180ºC) 1 hour and 10 minutes.

• Allow to settle 10 minutes.

• Sauté almonds and pine nuts in 2 tablespoons heated oil over low flame a few minutes, until golden.

The nuts will darken when left in the oil.

• Sprinkle almonds and pine nuts over casserole and mix well.

About the Author Mindy Ginsberg is the author of the EASY & ELEGANT cookbook (Gefen Publications, Jerusalem). Mindy is an imaginative cooking expert who has lovingly assembled and shared over 50 years of proven recipes. She made Aliyah in 1969 from New York and is now based in Tel Aviv. She has had two previous cookbooks published.

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57

Life Coaching

Regaining Lost Confidence

- Going Back

to Work

BY HELEN ABELESZ

S

ome people know from a very young age what they want to be. Others fall into a profession. Many of us are in jobs we don’t love, while others are struggling to get back into the workforce. Some of us feel unfulfilled, but are unsure how to find the right job or profession and begin to doubt whether the right job even exists.

This is especially true for mothers who want to return to the workforce after spending many years at home with their children. Finding a local job that fits into their children’s schedules can discourage many women from even trying. Additionally, some women lose confidence in their abilities after having been “just” a Mum for so long. They have not used their skills for so many years that they feel they have been left behind.

Many also want to change careers. It can be quite confusing and frustrating, but you can get help.

Chana* had been a full time mother for many years. Her youngest child was now in gan she wanted to do something for herself. She wanted to feel more fulfilled and to contribute to the family finances. Unfortunately, she didn’t know where to start. When she was first married, she’d worked as a gannenet. She’d loved it, but after having her own children she wanted to do something different: to work with adults in an adult environment. Yet she had lost her confidence 58

• November 2012

in herself. She didn’t feel that she had any skills other than looking after children. She applied for jobs, but couldn’t even get interviews because she didn’t have the right computer skills or the experience. She was left feeling stupid, hopeless, and as if she’d never find a job.

She felt down on herself and gave me a call. I began working with Chana and tried to discover what she enjoyed doing. Chana found it hard just thinking about her needs. For so many years her sole focus was her children, home, and husband. She had little time and energy to focus on herself.

Chana had to make a switch: to refocus and start thinking about herself.

She struggled with this. So we began to explore her younger life, trying to figure out who she once was, what her aspirations were, and what she used to dream about.

Focusing on what Chana enjoyed doing was one thing, proving to her she could be successful working at any of them was another. Her self confidence had taken a real hit at her

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failures to find work. We began to focus on all the skills she had and on everything that made her successful.

Chana found this challenging. She didn’t believe she had any special skills, but we began to work through what she does on a regular day. She began to see that being a stay-at-home mother and home maker is a hugely complex and a highly skilled full time job, which required multi-tasking, delegating, budgeting, managing, and being in control of so many details.

Skills that Chana took for granted and didn’t think were anything special, yet these are exactly the type of skills that employers are looking for.

Eventually she had her list of skills, and Chana was able to create a most impressive resume.

We worked for quite some time on confidence-building and on appreciating her abilities and strengths. Chana began to blossom. This once insecure and confused full time mother became a woman who knew what her talents were and was ready to go out there and share them with others.

Many full time mothers don’t recognize their skills and talents and have lost their self-confidence, but with a little help from a life coach, they can reclaim their self-esteem.

Call me, life coach Helen Abelesz, to see how you too can regain your confidence! 0544 829 815 (* not her real name and all identifying features have been changed)

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•

59

Legal Rights in Israel

- Do they exist?

BY YAIR BRUCK

T

he Israeli legal system is very different from its counterparts in the United States and elsewhere. Although they both stem primarily from English common law, the distinctions between them grew immensely over the years. For example, the Israeli legal system also adopted legal principles from the continental judicial system in Europe. These principles are not utilized in the U.S. and other British colonies around the world (e.g. Hong Kong, India, South America, Australia etc.) One of the biggest differences between the two systems is that, whereas in the U.S. citizens have a constitutional right to trial by jury, in Israel verdicts are made exclusively by judges. The vast differences between the two systems can sometimes even make Olim Chadashim question the integrity and reliability of the Israeli system.

Many Olim Chadashim who made Aliya primarily for idealistic reasons find it hard to blame the State of Israel for anything - even when the state or its agents clearly wronged them.

In the United States, most people are very much aware of their legal rights, and some even have a family lawyer on speed dial. People there act swiftly when they believe that someone has interfered with their rights, and sometimes even assume they have “rights” when they do not.

Conversely, people in Israel (including Olim Chadashim) are often reluctant to even inquire as to their rights - even when they have been severely wronged.

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• November 2012

Take the following example: Shlomo and Esty Rosenberg (not their real names) made Aliya from America over ten years ago with assistance from Nefesh B’Nefesh.

They settled in Ramat Bet Shemesh and quickly integrated into the new environment and its way of life. Shlomo found employment at a local builder’s office, and Esty was a full time stay-at-home mother. Shlomo, a hard-working man, started his own business and eventually became extremely successful.

On an ordinary Monday night some two years ago, Esty complained of a headache and other flu-like symptoms. When Shlomo realized the situation was going from bad to worse, he decided to call an ambulance and rush his wife to the hospital. After they arrived at the medical facility, the triage nurse decided that Esty’s medical condition was not a true emergency and did not warrant immediate medical attention. They were told to patiently wait in the emergency room until a doctor was available.

A short while later, Shlomo realized that his wife’s speech became slurred, and she complained of severe numbness on the left side of her body. Out of concern, Shlomo quickly informed the triage nurse and everyone else on the medical staff who would bother to listen of his wife’s condition. His concerns were hastily dismissed and the nurse assured him that his wife probably had the flu. He was even berated for interfering with patients who truly

Bizness Magazine

needed immediate medical help. As the hours passed, Mrs. Rosenberg completely lost her sense of feeling on the left side of her body. In spite of the worried look plastered on Shlomo’s face, throughout their prolonged wait the nurse continuously reassured them that a doctor would be arriving shortly. When a doctor finally appeared hours later, he quickly determined Mrs. Rosenberg was having a severe stroke.

Sadly, Mrs. Rosenberg passed away that night.

Although it was very obvious to Shlomo and other family members and friends that the hospital staff were grossly negligent in their handling of Mrs. Rosenberg’s illness, it never occurred to anyone to demand any type of monetary compensation from the hospital for their negligence.

Months passed before Shlomo shared the details of his tragedy with his local real estate lawyer in Ramat Bet-Shemesh. He referred Shlomo to a successful litigator specializing in medical malpractice and that she would be able to assess the merits of a potential lawsuit.

Initially, Shlomo felt that although it was obvious that had his wife been correctly diagnosed when they first arrived at the hospital she would have survived the stroke, suing the hospital would not bring her back. Furthermore, family and friends insisted that since the legal system in Israel was so different, he probably wouldn’t receive any type of compensation and the hassle was just not worth the time.

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Therefore, he decided not to pursue any legal course of action against the hospital at that time.

A short while later, Shlomo changed his mind. He realized that raising five children without his wife would be quite challenging. Furthermore, all the household responsibilities suddenly fell on his shoulders, which caused his business to suffer.

He found it nearly impossible to be both a father and mother to his children. In his distress, Shlomo reached out to the litigator and asked her if there was anything she could do to help.

The litigator believed he had a strong case which was worth pursuing. She filed a lawsuit against the hospital, and shortly thereafter the hospital offered a settlement. The litigator explained to Shlomo that the quick settlement offer clearly showed the strength of their case against the medical facility. After some vigorous negotiations, both parties agreed on a seven figure settlement.

Shlomo realized that although the money did not bring his wife back, it certainly made his juggling his responsibilities more manageable.

While the hospital wronged him, he originally thought his chances of receiving compensation were slim. The settlement truly surprised him. He now has tremendous gratitude to the litigator for facilitating the legal process with professionalism and compassion.

This incident demonstrates that just because the Israeli legal system is very different than the ones we may be familiar with, that does not mean it cannot be utilized to provide a remedy where one is needed. One who feels he or she has been wronged should always consult with a reliable legal professional to assess the merits of a potential lawsuit. Importantly, the difference between a good advocate and less capable one can mean the difference between losing and wining a case. ď&#x20AC;ź

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61

Dvar Torah

Smoking

Angels

BY YONATAN PACHAS

A

fter a decade of being barren, Sarah suggested to Avraham that he marry Hagar, her maidservant, “perhaps I will be built up from her [and merit conceiving, in the merit that I will bring my rival into my house]”. Avraham, recognizing Sarah’s ruach ha-kodesh, acquiesced and married Hagar. While pregnant, Hagar’s attitude towards her mistress Sarah underwent a radical change.

The hideously heinous arrogance that Hagar displayed towards Sarah after she found out that she – not Sarah – would be giving birth to Avraham’s first child is shocking. Consider the fact that “Avraham would convert the men and Sarah would convert the women”; one would’ve expected a more refined response from Hagar.

Her insolence towards Sarah is certainly not a trait one would expect to find amongst a ‘convert’ of Sarah.

“Her mistress became unimportant in her eyes. ([Hagar] said, ‘My mistress [Sarah]: her conduct in secret is not like her conduct in public. She appears to be a righteous woman but she is not a righteous woman, for if she was a righteous woman how could she not have merited conceiving for all these years? [Whereas] I have conceived from [one union] on the [very] first night.)

Sarai afflicted [Hagar], and she fled from before her. And an angel of HASHEM found her by a water fountain in the desert, by the fountain on the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where are you 62

• November 2012

coming from, and where are you going to?” And she said, “From before Sarai my mistress, I am fleeing.” And the angel of HASHEM said to her, “Return to your mistress, and allow yourself to be afflicted under her hands.” And the angel of HASHEM said to her, “I will greatly multiply your seed, and it will not be counted for abundance.” And the angel of HASHEM said to her, “Behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and you shall name him Ishmael, for HASHEM has heard your affliction. And he will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be upon all, and everyone’s hand upon him, and before all his brothers he will dwell.”

Hagar returned to Sarah and gave birth to Yishmael.

How many angels met up with [Hagar]? Rabbi Yosi bar Chanina said: Five, for every time [the Torah] says ‘said’ [it connotes a separate] angel. The Sages said: Four, for every time [the Torah] said ‘angel’ [it connotes a separate] angel.

Rabbi Chiya said: Come and see how great [a difference there is] between the earlier generations and the later generations.

Manoach said to his wife, “We will surely die for we have seen [an angel of] God”; [however,] Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai saw five angels – one after another – and she wasn’t afraid of them… Better the [superfluous

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and external] fingernails of the forefathers than the [essential] stomachs of the children.

Rabbi Yitzchak said: [The verse “the woman of valor] Tzofiah, supervises, the ways of her household” [can be homiletically interpreted as a reference to] the members of our forefather Avraham’s household [who] were tzofim, prophets, and accustomed to seeing [angels].

Hagar, who hailed from the (spiritually impure) royalty of Egypt, who had so grievously insulted Sarah with her superior attitude, was nonetheless so impacted by her stay in Avraham’s household that when she later came face to face with numerous ‘angels of Hashem ‘, she, unlike Manoach, wasn’t frightened. Her exposure to such a level of kedushah, of sanctity (including frequent visits from angels), in Avraham’s home elevated her to a new level of spirituality. Being exposed to kedushah without any additional efforts towards growth does not create righteousness but it does make a difference. Hagar was certainly not a paradigm of virtue; however, since she frequently saw angels in Avraham’s house she became accustomed to seeing angels. Though far from righteous, Hagar was impacted simply by being exposed to the kedushah of Avraham’s home.

What do we spend our time doing? What are we becoming accustomed to doing? One of my teachers, Rabbi Michel Shurkin, has a

02 999 3939

tremendous love of Torah. He was once asked by one of his students (who didn’t have such a passion for Torah learning) what he could do to engender such a love for learning.

Rabbi Shurkin responded, “Learn”.

Thinking that he hadn’t understood what he was asking, the student repeated, “I don’t have such a love for learning. What can I do that will help me love it more?” Rabbi Shurkin responded, “Sit and learn. You think people smoke their first cigarette and fall in love with smoking? Of course not! The first time you smoke, it’s not an enjoyable experience – but if you keep at it, you get addicted. Sit and learn Torah and you’ll develop a love for it, too!” If we spend time involved in learning Torah and doing mitzvos, we become people that are accustomed to learning Torah and doing mitzvos. It may not be easy at first but once we develop a taste for it, we’ll become addicts.

Hagar was surrounded by people of spiritual greatness; with whom do we spend our time? Do we spend it with neighbors who don’t share our values in life? With co-workers whose goals are diametrically opposed to our own? The Rambam himself wrote: It is natural for a man’s character and actions to be influenced by his friends and associates and for him to follow the local norms of behavior.

Therefore, he should associate with the righteous and be constantly in the company of the wise, so as to learn from their deeds. Conversely, he should keep away from the wicked who walk in darkness, so as not to learn from their deeds. A person who lives in a place where the norms of behavior are evil and the inhabitants do not follow the straight path should move to a place where the people are righteous and follow the ways of the good.

Surround yourself with people

whom you wish to emulate; If the Rambam says that you’ll learn from the deeds of the wicked, you will.

Ask yourself, “If I became more like So-and-so, would that be a good thing?” If your answer is, “Well, it wouldn’t be so bad,” stay away. Surround yourself with role models and you’ll find that you become the role model for others.

All reference sources can be requested at sources@biznessmag. com 

About the Author Yonatan Pachas is the executive director of L’ilui Nishmas. L’ilui Nishmas is a group of high caliber bnei Torah in Israel who, in addition to their regular seder limud, are dedicated to learning on behalf of others to help elevate the neshamah, the soul, of a loved one. He can be contacted at 058 637 4262. For free subscriptions to weekly divrei Torah from Yonatan Pachas send email to bleiv.yam@gmail.com.

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BIZNESS MAGAZINE

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Life Coach

Personal Financial Planning

Real Estate Law

Lawyer

HELEN ABELESZ Background: Helen is a life coach who specializes in working with women who are feeling overwhelmed, lack self-confidence, dealing with stress or not achieving their potential. Helen will help you pinpoint your insecurities, set goals for you to achieve and empower you to take control of your life.

She works in both Hebrew and English. Call her today.

02 992 0263, 054 482 9815.

DEBBIE SASSEN Background: Debbie Sassen is

NICOLE LEVIN Background: Nicole Levin is an American born, Israeli trained real estate attorney with 28 years of experience in the field. She is a Mediator and Notary as well. She has offices in Beit Shemesh and in Modiin. Nicole Levin can be contacted at 029915687 and her offices are on the 2nd floor of the BIG Shopping Center office because building. Website www. levinlawoffices.co.il

DAVID DRUTMAN Background: David Drutman has been a lawyer for 36 years, including the last 13 years in Israel. He has sound experience in a broad spectrum of work in both professional and commercial environments. He is widely respected for creative, goal orientated legal work.

He specializes in transactions (property, estates, contracts, commercial matters etc), family law and notarial work. He can be contacted at 02-995-1877 or drutlaw@gmail.com

an independent Financial Planner and Licensed Investment Advisor.

With over 25 years of experience in the international financial markets, Debbie specializes in advisory services for multi-national citizens living in Israel. She can be reached at Debbie@debbiesassen.com or 054 842 7638.

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INSURING YOUR: Home | Health | Life | Auto | Business | Travel

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Egert & Cohen. Always by your side. t XXX FHFSUDPIFO DP JM t FHFSU!FHFSUDPIFO DP JM

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Orthodontics

Real Estate

Mortgage

Insurance

DR. ELI GHERMAN Background: An American trained and certified orthodontist. He attended New York University College of Dentistry on a full scholarship.

He was then selected to study for three years in one of the top orthodontic residency programs, Montefiore Medical Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He receives children and adults in his clinic in Rehavia. He can be contacted at 02 561 9770 or 02 561 9780.

BEN LEVINE

MOSHE WILSHINSKY Background: A 27-year veteran in the mortgage industry, Moshe is the CEO of Moville Mortgage and Finance LTD. To contact Moshe, call their main line at 073 796 2226 and press their special 711 Bizness extension. For US callers dial 201 377 3418 and UK 208 596 4501.

Email him at questions@ movillefinance.com or visit their website at www. movillefinance.com

EGERT-COHEN INSURANCE Background: Egert-Cohen is a Jerusalem-based brokerage that specializes in helping English-speaking Olim with personal family insurance solutions. They are also experts in travel insurance and incoming tourism. Contact Shimon Cohen at 050-5482192 or Yona Egert at 050-5363897 or visit their website at www.egertcohen.co.il

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Background: Ben Levine is the Regional Manager of Remax Moriya, 11 Shlomzion HaMalka Street, a few steps from the Mamilla Mall. He focuses on Jerusalemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central neighborhoods and the Old City. Ben grew up in the US and speaks Hebrew, English and Yiddish. Contact Ben at 054-587-9350 or at benlevine10@gmail.com

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Home Inspection

Car Mechanics

MEIR LUZON Background: Meir Luzon is a professional in the field of property inspection for over 25 years, specializing in water leakage and moisture detection. He was the first to import advanced U.S. standard detection technology, to precisely locate insulation weak points. Contact Meir Luzon at 02-590 1227 or info@luzon.co.il

ARIEL LEVY Background: Ariel Levy is a car mechanic with over 13 years of experience. Ariel own Ariel Car Services, a full service car garage in the Industrial area in Bet Shemesh. They service all makes and models and specialize in French and Japanese cars. The garage is located on Rechov Hamasger.

Ariel can be reached for any consultations at 054 205 0389.

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Song: Aleh Katan Sheli Am Em Ani hu etz me’od zaken usvah yamim Am Em Ra’iti kvar ruchot azot ure’amim G Em Am Ata aleh katan mitnoe’ah G Em Am Batuach biatzmoh hakol yodeah Dm Am Kach etcha tzeida laderech et nisyoni F G Am Al tizalzel ulay zeh kol ma sheyesh li Dm Am Ki yesh yamim yafim hakol poreach F E Viyesh shaot kashot hakol boreach chorus: Am Dm Tachzik chazak aleh katan sheli Am Dm Ki lo tamid hakol bachutz bahir F C G Viruach sa’ar vesufa karah

- Avraham Fried

F G F G Tizkor vititchazek ani itcha Am G Dm Tachzik chazak aleh katan sheli Am Dm Am Em verse 2 Am Em V’lo tamid hakol nachon hakol muvan Am Em Chaim zeh lo shiur cheshbon zeh gam mivchan G Em Am Achshav aleh katan hakol ragua G Em Am Ach merachok ulay anan megiah Dm Am Kach eetcha tzeida laderech et bircati F G Am Chatzi hakos he mileah tizkor tamid Dm Am Ukshehashemesh el hayam shoka’at F E Al tid’ag machar he shuve zorachat chorus

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