An expensive Rosh Hashana

B"H

Rosh Hashana is right ahead of us and I suppose that most of us are busy with cleaning the house, planning the festive meals and running to the groceries. Besides all Teshuva and Selichot, Rosh Hashana has also become a commercial event. At least in Israel where the Jews don't only think about the deeper meaning of the holiday but rather about buying expensive presents. Just like Pessach, Rosh Hashana has become an extremely expensive holiday. In particular when you are among those inviting guests to your home.  

I haven't started all the cleaning and shopping yet but last Friday shopping in the Jerusalem Machane Yehudah Shuk made me aware of the high prices for vegetables and fruit. I went to one of the stands in order to buy some carrots, zucchini, kiwi and apples and when the sales person told me the price, I almost fainted. 30 Shekels (approx. 7,50 $) for a few vegetables and fruit and the stand itself wasn't even among the expensive ones. 

Shopping in Israel: Beginning with September 1, the Israeli VAT has risen from 16 to 17 %.

Cartoon: Yesha

I am not exaggerating when I say that Rosh Hashana is going to cost me a few hundred Shekels. Without any presents, as I stopped participating in this kind of madness a long time ago.

At the Machane Yehudah Markt / Jerusalem

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Thousands of Israeli families are unable to afford a festive Rosh Hashana meal. There is simply not enough money for buying meat, wine and the traditional honey. Various Jewish religious institutions are handing out special food packages these days in order to enable the needy of celebrating Rosh Hashana. Despite the claim that the local Machane Yehudah Market is the best place to buy groceries, I have had the experience lately that cheap supermarket chains such as Rami Levy offer much more reasonable prices. Too many sales people at the Machane Yehudah have just become too greedy. In particular when it comes to buying meat. 

ISRAEL: Are we forced to launch a start - up ?

Seen in Tel Aviv

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Everyone is talking about the possibility of Israel attacking the Iranian nuclear facilities but Israelis should concentrate on a different problem we are going to face with the beginning of September. Prices are going up due to the raise in VAT (from 16 - 17%). When you are going to buy some groceries these days, look at the price for a kilo tomatoes and you will faint. Israeli economy sites are predicting a drastic price increase for fruit and tomatoes after Rosh Hashana. 

I don't want to sound too pessimistic but there is more bad news coming up: Thousands of Israelis lost their jobs in the months of June and July. The terrible news is: More and more companies are going to lay off staff. Not only the prices for groceries are going up but also the unemployment rate. No matter whether people work in hightech or if they are academics. 

My advice may sound a bit off but in case you are a new immigrant, look into the possibility whether you can launch your own start - up or small business. It doesn't matter in what field but if you have a great idea you could sell, look into it and try taking some action. Especially when you are older than 50 years. Israel is a start - up nation but it doesn't always have to be computer programmes or finance. There are plenty of people setting up a small business selling homemade chocolate or self - created children's books. 

No one should only rely on the company he works for but start doing something on his own. This is the sad reality we live in but, on the other hand, it does give us a chance creating something on our own.

Rescue FELDHEIM Israel !

B"H 

One of the greatest publishers of religious Jewish books, FELDHEIM (Israel), may go bancrupt. The haredi site "Be'Chadre'i HaCharedim" reported about it first and commentators on the article claimed that FELDHEIM (Israel) has debts around 15 Mio Shekels (approx. 4 Mio US $). Others claim even more debts.

However, there are many Rabbi and authors supporting FELDHEIM

Without FELDHEIM, many thousands of books would have never been published.

If I may add a reason: For me, FELDHEIM books were always a little expensive and, as soon as I was became fluent in Hebrew, I was glad buying Hebrew books from Israeli publishers. FELDHEIM is brilliant but does have its price. Sometimes a very high price of hundreds of Shekels and not every Yeshiva student is able to afford such books.

Purim advertising cuts out girl's faces

B"H 

No doubt. Purim is definitely right ahead. How do I know this ? Not only by looking at the Jewish calendar but by paying attention to my environment. Just a few days ago, I noticed the first Hamantaschen at a bakery in Tel Aviv. Moreover, the local Carmel Market is full of Purim merchandise. Purim costumes for children everywhere. 

If you don't live in Israel, you probably won't know the local toy and stationary chain "Kfar HaShashu'im". This chain is extremely popular among all kinds of Israelis. Especially because of its low prices. 

"Kfar Shashashu'im" also has a Facebook page and for its frum customers, the chain published special Purim advertising where the girl's faces are cut out. Secular customers keep on protesting about the advertising poster and "Kfar Hashashu'im" obviously didn't expect such resistance.

However, I remember seeing the same advertising with the girl's faces cut out last year. In haredi newspapers and it may have been in a national religious weekly paper as well. Meaning, the poster is nothing new at all but I am surprised that the company published it on its Facebook page.

In case anyone is asking: I am very much against such kind of advertising where even girl's faces are considered a modesty threat. 

Rosh Hashana and Poverty

B"H

Rosh Hashana is starting next week and the holiday will cost us lots of money. Not everyone is being invited and most Jews are going to prepare their own food for the Chag (holiday, yom tov). 

Once a week I am doing my shopping. Most groceries at the Shuk (market) but also many things from "Shufersal", a known Israeli supermarket chain. Not very cheap but cheaper than the AM:PM (7 11) around the corner. However, last Thursday, I started askeing myself how families are able to afford the upcoming Chag. 

A while ago I made advertising and wrote about a Chesed institution in Mea Shearim called "Linat HaChesed". But not only half of Mea Shearim families depend on Chesed, you will find many more signs and posters in Bnei Brak. 

Bnei Brak is the poorest city in Israel and countless haredi families depend on religious organizations providing food for Shabbat. Supermarkets and vendors on the local markets just wait for a holiday to come up and thus raise the prices. The line - ups in front of Chesed organization branches are getting longer and longer. Not only religious Jews but thousands of seculars want to celebrate the holiday but cannot afford it. Who can pay for all that wine, the Simanim for the Seder and the honey. Even the simplest honey is expensive. 

Furthermore, in Israel, Rosh Hashana has become the day of presents. People don't want to show up anymore without bringing a present. I don't care about any presents but think that the holiday is about much much more than buying an expensive gift for no reason. 

Israel's Cottage Cheese Rebellion

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H

It was a Haredi from Bnei Brak starting the Israeli rebellion against the manufacturers of cottage and white cheese. Especially cottage cheese is extremely popular in this country and children just grow up with the famous cheese. 


Until a few years ago, a plastic box with cottage could be purchased for 3 and something Shekels. Less than one US Dollar. Today, most supermarkets ask for almost 8 Shekels (almost 3 Dollar). Please consider that the prices for food and groceries have been going up constantly but, on the other hand, ordinary wages have remained the same. Especially religious families with many children as well as Israelis with a low income are suffering from the price increases and many households have to get along with less food than two or three years ago. 


Some Facebook Groups against the price increase of cottage and white cheese have been launched and Israelis jumped on them. "Let's boycott the cottage cheese !" and believe it or not, for the first time, a Facebook group may cause a change. The cottage producers admitted that they may have made a mistake and will think about a price reduction. As far as I know, the supermarket chain "Rami Levi" is offering the cheapest cottage at the moment.

Israel: Dairy Products and Eggs are getting more Expensive !

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Starting today, Israelis have to pay more money for dairy products and eggs ! The price for milk will rise about 25 Agorot. 

The price increase for dairy products is about 6,5 %. 

The price for eggs is rising at about 4 %.

Israeli Supermarket Shopping

 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H

Big Israeli chains love giving out a membership card (Hebrew: Kartis Moadon). Most of those memberships are a complete waste of time and the cards are totally useless. Retailers, however, justify themselves by claiming that only the customer who is also a member, is going to receive special discounts. 

As almost every Israeli, I have a few of those membership cards. Among others, I am a member of the supermarket chain “Kim’at Chinam – Almost for Free”. This card is, as most of their kind, useless and I only accepted it because I was promised huge discounts. As a matter of fact, every “Kim’at Chinam” customer receives those special offers and not only members. 

Today I went to “Kim’at Chinam” and was surprised when I saw the low price for a big glass of asparagus. Only 7,50 Shekel (approx. 2 Dollar) and I thought that this is really cheap. At the same moment, I read the small print on the special offer sign and it says that the price is only valid when you buy two glasses. When you decide buying only one glass, you have to pay the full price which is much higher. 

Those customers who do not speak Hebrew are going to have a bad surprise at the till !

Israel is getting more Expensive

B”H

January 1st always brings about price changes; mostly to the worst. Israel is getting more expensive with the beginning of the upcoming year 2011. 

Bus fares are going to rise about 3%. A local bus ride in Tel Aviv has been 5,80 Shekels so far and will turn into 6 Shekels (on January 1, 2011). The next raise will be between April and June (in the Gush Dan area only).

Now a local bus fare in Jerusalem is 6,20 Shekels and today’s paper doesn’t provide any new figure. However, I assume that the raise may be up to 6,40 Shekels, at least. 

Furthermore, mobile phone rates are getting more expensive, as well as the private car insurance, the Arnona (not in Tiberias), flights abroad (at least 64 Dollar more), the interests on mortgages and gasoline for cars. 

Tiberias, at least, still has a reasonable bus fare rate: 2,60 Shekels one – way.

Nothing but Donations

B"H

There is hardly anyone today, neither a Rabbi nor an institution, who is not after your money. Everyone needs donations and some Rabbis don't care how the money is floating in. The main issue is getting the donations no matter how and a Rabbi can be as frum as he wants but when it comes to money, some Rabbis are worse than any secular Jew. However, they still justify their actions with keeping up their services and institution. 

When I go somewhere today, first of all I make it clear that I don't have much money. Even if it is not always the case. However, as soon as you signalize that you may have a few hundred Shekels in your pocket, someone asks you for a donation. For instance: A few weeks ago, I went to a Shiur. A pretty boring one, I have to say and I worked really hard not to fall asleep. At the end of the lecture, the Rabbi told us a story about receiving a letter by mistake where someone is asking for donations in order to get a new Torah scroll written. 

I didn't really get it but the Shiur Rabbi somehow took it upon himself to also collect for the new scroll and asked us Shiur participants for a 20 Shekel (approx. 6 Dollar) donation. To be very honest: I didn't believe a word and I am still convinced that the Rabbi wanted the money for himself. Nevertheless, all of us (at least four people) gave him the 20 Shekels and he stressed that now we have the big S'chut (merit) to own an Ot (letter) in a new Torah scroll. 

Halacha says that although we may have given a "wrong" donation (where the person is using the money for himself), we still earned the merit and the Mitzvah is ours. On the other hand, I can't stand such parasites making money in the name of religion. 

Moreover, as soon as many Rabbis hear that I write on the Internet, they immediately ask me to write about their institution or doings. Usually I don't do it unless someone has really something to offer and is contributing to society. Generally speaking, I am very careful today, to whom I donate money and in the case of the Torah scroll, I still regret that I gave money because my feeling tells me that the money went somewhere else. 

BUY BADATZ !

BADATZ (Beit Din Zedek) Hechsherim (Kosher Certificates)

B"H

Maybe it is a mistake reading the secular newspaper "Yediot Acharonot" almost every day. One of my excuses for doing so is that I have a Cafe Aroma membership card and thus drink my first cup of coffee in the morning there. And Aroma offers its customers  "Yediot Acharonot" to read.

Anyway, any time when I have been opening the paper lately, I found articles from all kinds of journalists against the haredi world. Israel's secular journalists don't make a difference between those Haredim from the Agudat Israel who do vote for the Knesset and those who are anti - Zionist. No matter whether Litvak or Chassid, Israel's secular society generalizes. 

The secular public itself is not that interested because those Jews have heard all kinds of anti - haredi propaganda over the past years. For instance, there was the former Minister of Justice (under Ariel Sharon) Tommy Lapid whose Shinui party only had one goal: Getting rid of the Jewish religion and all the religious in Israel. 

Today there is the present Tel Aviv mayor and known leftist Ron Chulda'i as well as opposition leader Zipi Livni or even Benjamin Netanyahu. All of them have one thing in common: They would like to get rid of the Haredim. However, Netanyahu is limited in expressing his anti - haredi views, as the haredi parties SHASS and Agudat Israel are part of his government. 

It has become popular lately, making politics on the back of the Haredim. Thanks to Zipi Livni who speaks out against Haredim but, at the same time, embraces the homosexuals. Ron Chulda'i, on the other hand, wants to introduce his own left - wing party and thus is in need of attention. Why not making some remarks against Haredim and get into the headlines ? Chulda'i's plan worked and now haredi society has to justify its education system, as the Tel Aviv mayor sees them as a whole generation of "Burim" (stupid and a welfare burden to society). 

Almost daily, "Yediot Acharonot" confronts its readers with negative reports about the haredi world. Child abusers in Yeshivot, Haredim don't join the army but only study, not even that, as most of them just hang around unemployed and receive welfare.

Last Friday afternoon after arriving in Jerusalem (from Tel Aviv) I witnessed a very typical scene at the Machane Yehudah Market. 

 The market was packed (as usual on Friday afternoons before Shabbat) and some young Israeli Chabadnikim were standing right in the middle of one of the main alleyways asking Jewish men to put on Tefillin. For Chabad, this is a great Mitzvah, as their last Rebbe claimed that every Jew doing one Mitzvah has a place in Olam HaBah (the World to Come). 

The Chabadnikim were asking every man passing until one of the Chassidim asked this young Israeli rather Hippie looking. The secular "Hippie" was schlepping his shopping bags and obviously wasn't too happy about the young Chabadnik asking him to put on Tefillin. The Chabadnik said "Tefillin ?" and the secular answered in a rather rude way "If you are going for me to the reserve duty !"

Meaning "You don't go to the army but I do. Why should I put on Tefillin if you do nothing ?"

Such statements are very common in today's Israeli society. 

I am neither justifying nor glorifying haredi society, as every society has its pros and cons. However, if anyone was repeatedly publishing negative statements about one particular society, lets say the national religious, people belonging to this particular group would protest. Haredi society, on the other hand, has no real lobby within Israeli society and the haredi press is too weak. Of course, the Knesset member Yaakov Litzmann (Chassidut Gur) may protest but who cares. Not even too many Haredim care about what Litzmann has to say. The secular hate him anyway because he is seen as a fanatic and ruining the health system (Litzmann is the deputy minister of health). Let alone the whole fuss about the pagan cemetery in Ashkelon. 

A few days ago, Israel's secular press had a new idea:

The Haredim boycott our army, Egged buses, the state - owned airline ELAL, our justice system, don't pay taxes, you name it. So, lets get some revenge and start a boycott against them. From now on, we won't buy products with a Hechsher (kosher certificate) from the "Edah HaCharedit". The Edah is responsible for all the crazy demonstrations and now let them suffer. Let them see how it is to be boycotted. 

Secular politicians as well as their press forgot to differentiate between the Edah Hechsher and the other Badatz (Beit Din Zedek kosher certificate) from the Belzer Chassidim. Badatz is Badatz, no matter what and who. 

One secular Jew following the boycott walked into a grocery store and asked for Badatz free products. Unfortunately, there wasn't too much to buy (food) for him, as most products were certified by Badatz. Apparently boycotting is not that easy !

The Donation Business

Cartoon: Airforce Obama

B"H

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

עיני הרנטגן - Rabbi Yaakov Ifergan

B"H

In Israel, the so - called "Roentgen Rabbi (X - Ray Rabbi)" YAAKOV IFERGAN is extremely famous. The Rabbi lives in Netivot, he is Morroccan and used to be, as far as I know, a student of the famous "Baba Sali" until he discovered that he can get famous as well when becoming a "freelancer". When you visit the southern Israeli town of Netivot today, you may find more Jews running to Rabbi Yaakov Ifergan than going to the grave of the Baba Sali. There has been a long dispute between Ifergan and the Baba Sali Abuchatzeira family due to competition.

Personally I am very much against money business any Rabbi does. Donations for Mosdot, okay, why not but money and political let alone economical influence and power ?
Influence and money, this is what Rabbi Ifergan stands for. Israel's famous and rich love him and donate. He would inspire them religiously or whatever.

Here is a report about Rabbi Yaakov Ifergan broadcasted on Israeli TV a few days ago. The report is in Hebrew and those of you who understand the language can watch it here:

http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=15859&cat_id=2

Sisalek

B"H

Last week, the Swedish clothing discounter H & M opened its first branch in Tel Aviv (Azrieli Tower). Thousands of customers were awaiting the opening and storming into the gigantic store in order to buy cheap clothes. Some critics said that we as Jews and Israelis shouldn't support the anti - Semites in Sweden and boycott H & M. A great idea and we should do so but who can resist when H & M sells its products for such a low price.

The haredi population of Jerusalem's neighbourhoods Ge'ula and Mea Shearim had its line up as well. Not for anything unkosher Swedish but due to the opening of a glatt kosher ice - cream store called "Sisalek".

Those customers showing up with the coupon (see above) got their first ice cream for free. Hundreds of haredi youth were lining up. Kosher - as male and female lined up in front of two separate entrances.

Photos: Chadrei HaCharedim

Against YESH

The owners of the haredi supermarket chain Rabbi Shulem Fisher and Nochi Dankner and their "Chilul Shabbat".

The owners of "Yesh" are also ruling over other supermarket chains / factories which are open on Shabbat. They are asked to close their properties down on Shabbat' otherwise the haredi population would avoid buying at "Yesh".

The Haredim against "Yesh"

Source: Ladaat.Net

B"H

The latest Mea Shearim flyer (front and backpage) is warning the supermarket chain "Yesh" to continue having it's products delivered from companies working on Shabbat. I found one of those flyers in Malchei Israel Street (Ge'ulah / Jerusalem) last Friday night.

However, it wasn't clear to me if the so - called "Mishmeret HaShabbat HaArzit" who published the flyer is warning "Yesh" because the supermarket itself is producing items on Shabbat or rather its suppliers.

"Yesh" belongs to the Israeli supermarket chain "Supersal" and was founded for the haredi public in order to cause competition to the existing haredi chain "Shefa Shuk".
"Shefa Shuk" was boycotted by Chassidut Gur and some other haredi groups because their branch "AM:PM" is open on Shabbat. As a result, "Supersal" saw its chance and founded "Yesh. Nevertheless, "Yesh" has never become as productive as "Shefa Shuk". Now, even "Yesh" is finding itself under haredi attack.

Rabbi Nissim Karelitz versus NEW PHARM

B"H

Haredi society has different opinions on makeup, lipstick, parfume, you name it. Very strict Rabbis are against anything but some among them do tolerate it. Lets just look at the women of the chassidic Toldot Aharon. Their fingers are full of rings. At least as soon as they get married. They walk in at a Tish and show each others rings. Proudly and some women like to show off.

Furthermore, they do use makeup but no perfume. There are times when I actually say: Unfortunately no perfume; especially when the sweat smell is circling around.
Rather some nice perfume than stink.

We have just discussed the wig (Sheitel) issue and if wearing it turns a woman into a kind of "prostitute". If she is sinning by covering her hair with a Sheitel or if she is even causing mischief upon the Jewish people. Despite all modesty importance regarding women, more and more women in chassidic society (even extreme groups) have discovered makeup and further cosmetic products. Why not ? Should a woman not follow her desires and try to look attractive ?
Attractive still in a halachic sense ? Or should the men's world rule where some extremists would prefer seeing the women dressed in sacks ?

This issue is coming up again. Not in Jerusalem but in Bnei Brak (near Tel Aviv) where the local Chief Rabbi Nissim Karelitz just put a ban on the new branch of NEW PHARM (an Israeli drugstore chain). The reason is that the Rabbis sees a spiritual danger in the new store which just opened its doors to the Bnei Brak public. Maybe men and women walk in and buy ... well, "immodest" perfume or other products. Generally speaking, the Yetzer may be aroused.

The question is whether the Haredim from Bnei Brak will follow the issur (prohibition) to buy at New Pharm. It is them from Bnei Brak who are famous for their modern haredi clothes style and many Rabbis have spoken out against too much modernity in haredi society. If you walk along Rashi Street (direction Rabbi Akiva Street), you can even see a graffiti on a wall saying: "Stop Haredi Prostitution (Here standing for: Immodest Behaviour) !".

Personally I don't see anything wrong with New Pharm and I am sure that the company has adjusted its Bnei Brak branch to haredi demands. So, why protest ? Because of some makeup or a man going in and buying some parfume ?


Link:

Article from Chadrei HaCharedim (Hebrew)

FOX Fashion and Haredi Modesty

The poster made "kosher" (photoshopped) by the haredi site HAREDIM

Photos: Haredim

B"H

"Netive'i Ayalon" is probably THE busiest highway in Israel. Leading in and out of Tel Aviv, thousands of people use it everyday. 

Tel Aviv loves huge advertising posters and you can find them almost everywhere: At Kikar Rabin, the Arlozorov railway interchange and at Netive'i Ayalon. Besides a gigantic poster of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson z"l hanging there (proclaiming that he is the "Meshiach"), Israel's fashion company FOX put up some fashion advertising showing the famous Israeli model Bar Rafaeli (Leonardi Di Caprio's Ex).

The Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv

So far, there is nothing special about hanging up all this annoying advertising posters. However, parts of the haredi society including the haredi online magazin HAREDIM started a complete fuss about the fashion posters from FOX. The posters would be totally immodest and have to be taken down immediately !
The haredi claim was that Israel's secular society also has to think about haredi society and cannot just dump it's "garbage" (immodesty) all over the place. Thousands of Haredim using the Netive'i Ayalon highway cannot look at immodest posters let alone haredi children passing on school busses.

The secular Israeli press a kind of ignored the haredi demand and only started reporting when FOX gave in yesterday. The fashion company has already removed the posters !
"A mistake, as a certain elderly Chassid told me. FOX should have not given in and if it is bothering all these modesty patrol freaks, so look somewhere else and not at the commercials."
The Chassid continued: "What is next ? Women have to ask for permission in order to leave the house ?"

The posters at Netive'i Ayalon put into modesty by the "Haredim Website"

Link:

YNET News

There is no doubt that most of Israel's commercial or any other advertising are garbage. Totally unnecessary and some are even almost pornographic. However, the posters in question were not. You can call them stupid but not immodest.

When haredi society wants to be taken into consideration it should also take other parts of society into consideration and not only itself. What we need is tolerance on both sides and not one society threatening its counterpart.

Be Aware of Non - Kosher Meat !

B"H

A few days ago, a truck coming from Ramallah and transporting 1600 kg meat to Jerusalem was caught by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. The Palestinian driver was known to the police and already has a criminal record. The meat on the truck neither had any valid date of expiry nor a Hechsher (kosher certificate). It was supposed to be sold in Jerusalem where the customers would think that it is fresh kosher meat.

Especially now before the high holidays (Rosh HaShana this years starts on the evening of the 18th September), food prices just jump. The prices on the Machane Yehudah Market in Jerusalem are ridiculously high and, at the moment, the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv is still affordable. Some colleagues from the bakery that the best and cheapest place for buying food in Jerusalem is the "Ramy Levy" chain in the Talpiot neighbourhood. "Ramy Levy" would be so cheap and not a cheat like Machane Yehudah.

Prices for fish, pomegranates, honey, meat, fruit and vegetables are expected to rise even more a week before Rosh HaShana, and I would recommend that you should start your shopping for the Chag (holiday) soon.

Authorities, however, gave out the warning that the inhabitants of Jerusalem should only buy your meat at places you know. Otherwise they may end up with old rotten non - kosher meat from Palestinians.

Product Placement at the Tosher Rebbe ?

B"H

Are some haredi business men too much into business instead of keeping their business kosher ?

The owner of "Sander's Huten (hats)" is handing over a new hat to the Tosher Rebbe. As a present but right into the cameras. I am calling this "modern haredi product placement" !
The poor Rebbe who is just used for public relation matters.