PHOTO LINK AT END OF ARTICLE: Brooklyn, NY – It’s a recession, all right. And we are all affected by it. For those of us who are lucky enough to still have jobs, our days are clouded with fear of losing our income, our savings, and our homes. Exacerbating the problem in the Frum community is our higher than average cost of living, which includes Yeshiva tuition, the cost of kosher food for ka”h large families, and the additional expenses associated with Shabbos and Yom Tov. In addition, many of us have become accustomed to extremely high standards of living, as a result of the booming economy which preceded the current crisis. Unfortunately, too many faces are beginning to reflect hopelessness, anxiety, and depression as an uncertain economic future looms in the horizon.

The Jewish Community Council of Marine Park (JCCMP) addressed the issues surrounding the recession head-on in an unprecedented symposium on Sunday evening, March 1st .  The symposium was coordinated by JCCMP President Shea Rubenstein and JCCMP Co-founder Jeff Leb.Despite the impending snowstorm, an overflow crowd of over 500 people gathered in Agudas Israel Bais Binyamin, in Flatbush, for words of Chizuk and practical advice by three outstanding speakers. Among the audience were prominent members of the community, including several rabbonim. Councilman Lew Fidler and Comptroller William Thompson addressed the audience as well. The evening was arranged with the help of JCCMP Board Members Shua Gelbstein, Yossi Sharf and Avi Spitzer.

Mr. David G. Greenfield, Esq. emcee of the event, garnered advice from experienced members of the business world, and shared it with his audience throughout the evening. He offered guidance how to hold onto jobs in the current crisis, and what to do in the event that one suddenly finds himself without employment. His “top ten” tips included maintaining a positive attitude, not gossiping about colleagues, avoiding all personal correspondence at work, updating necessary skills, and contributing as much as possible to the workplace. He stressed the importance of networking and urged people to enlist the services of the Agudah, and the multitude of resources available. He also stressed that people should be realistic about their salary expectations and should consider commuting to other areas of the city in order to expand their employment options.

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zweibel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, who helped arrange the evening’s symposium, spoke about the need for personal reflection as a result of the Nisayon we are in. Sometimes, he shared, when we pass a Nisayon, we are grateful; however, we may feel we would have been better off without this particular test. On the contrary, Rabbi Zweibel said, we have to be greatful for the nisayon itself, as an opportunity for growth. He explained that the word “Az” was used when Moshe complained to Hashem, and later, when he sang “Az Yashir.” The fact that he used the same word in both situations teaches us that there would not have been the sweetness of his song without the preceding test. Hopefully, the test we currently find ourselves in will lead to unity among our people. He cited the JCC of Marine Park as an example of the unity we strive to see among our younger generation.   

As a certified financial planner, who is sought after by various government agencies, Mr. Yehuda Fishkind, of Baltimore, educated his audience about the various resources available to those in financial distress. He explained that half of our tax dollars go towards government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, and that many of us are eligible for numerous benefits. He added that although there can be stigma associated with these benefits, it is actually a Chesed to oneself and one’s family to accept this type of help when necessary. A resource guide was handed out at the symposium outlining many of the resources currently available, and who is eligible for them. Listeners were surprised to learn that in some cases, Section 7 of Medicaid pays for “therapeutic recreational activity,” otherwise known as summer camp! He also explained that currently, free or almost-free health insurance is available for children in New York, even if their parents are in a high tax bracket. Mr. Fishkind urged people to visit www.govbenefits.gov and answer a ten minute questionnaire; once filed out, participants can find out about up to 100 programs they are eligible for. Mr. Fishkind outlined several new programs that are available to people who have lost their jobs. Currently, he explained, if someone is fired, he can continue receiving COBRA, 65% of which is paid by his employer and later reimbursed through the government. He also reminded people that our 2008 stimulus checks were an advance for this year’s taxes. That means, for example, that if someone had a baby within the last year, they are in a new tax bracket and are eligible for further rebates. Mr. Fishkind also outlined several new credits available in the new Stimulus Package for homebuyers, car owners, and college students. Several members of the audience cringed when the word “budget” was mentioned. Mr. Fishkind referred to a chart which was also given out at the symposium, with spaces to fill in monthly spending. He strongly suggested that after taking a real look at actual monthly expenses, each family should ask themselves what their spending priorities are, and consider where they can cut back.

Shalom Bayis situations can be shaky when money is tight and to help combat shakiness on the home front, Mr. Fishkind turned to the upcoming Yom Tov of Purim. Why, he asked, do we use the name “Purim,” which refers to the “lot” that Haman drew to suggest a day for massacre of the Jews? He answered that our joy on Purim comes from the fact that we got to keep our lives, nothing else. The true definition of Simcha, happiness, is when we have no expectations, and believe that we deserve nothing. When we learn to count our blessings, happiness will reign in the home, together with a feeling of satisfaction.

Rabbi Paysach Krohn offered Chizuk as only he can, with a powerful speech that offered tremendous encouragement to his listeners. He opened with a story told to R’ Chaskel Levenstein by a cab driver, who had served in the army. While in South Africa, this driver had gone on a safari with several other soldiers, and a boa constrictor wrapped itself suddenly around one of them. The young man, who was not Frum, yelled out “Shma Yisrael!” and the snake disengaged itself from around his neck. As a result, the man became a Shomer Torah Umitzvos. R’ Chaskel asked the cab driver, “Are you Frum now, as well, having witnessed the event?” “No, answered the driver. The snake was not wrapped around me!” We are foolhardy, concluded Rabbi Krohn, to believe that financial problems can not reach us. We cannot remain impassive to the current situation, even if it does not affect us directly yet.  Rabbi Krohn explained that in Shemona Esrei, when we daven numerous times for Bracha, we are referring to Parnassa, which is an ongoing battle that sometimes does not end happily.

 In dealing with today’s recession, Rabbi Krohn had a formula for meeting the crisis in ways which would strengthen us and bring us closer to Hashem. Firstly, he stressed the need to Daven each day for Parnassa, and to include in our Tefillos other people that need a Yeshua as well. Hashem wants to hear from us, and perhaps we were to complacent in the “years of plenty,” said Rabbi Krohn. He also urged people to Bentch from a Siddur, as the Sefer Hachinuch says that whoever does so will never have to worry about sustenance. During Davening, we are supposed to give Tzeddakah during the Tefillah of “Vayivarech David.” Reb Yaakov Kaminetzky once explained that the reason we stand during this Tefillah is in honor of the Tzedakah that is given during its recitation. Our money is temporary, Rabbi Krohn continued, and the only way to hold onto it is by giving to others. The Hebrew word “V’Nosnu” is a palindrome, which means that it spells the same word backwards and forwards. This teaches us that if we give, we’ll get it back. Rabbi Krohn told the remarkable story of a man who lost fortunes by investing in Beer Sterns, and upon hearing of his losses, wrote a check for Tzeddakah that was twice as much as his usual donation. “I need all the Zechusim I can get,” explained this special man. Rabbi Krohn also reminded people to help out their family members in need, and to move beyond any grudges or arguments from their past. Maintaining a low profile is crucial, he continued. Conspicuous consumption leads to anti-semitism, jealousy, and Ayin Hara, all of which can exacerbate the current crisis. After 120, the first question we will be asked is whether we were honest in business. Rabbi Krohn stressed the need to be unwaveringly honest in all our ventures. The channels of Parnassah are destroyed when there is no Ahavas Yisrael. In order for Mashiach to come, we need to band together as a result of these hard times, Rabbi Krohn emphasized. He concluded with a Mashal of a boy who was admiring a painting he had worked on. In order to get a better look at it, he backed up, unknowingly, to the edge of a steep cliff. His father, knowing that a shout of warning would lead to disaster, threw mud at the painting. The boy rushed back to the painting in dismay, and his father explained that he had just saved his life. Perhaps, concluded Rabbi Krohn, this is Hashem’s way of throwing “mud” at our “painting” to save our lives.

Mr. Ben Brafman, renowned criminal attorney, began on a humorous note, noting that if one would fail to heed the advice of the financial planner and the Talmid Chacham that preceded him, the outcome could be, C”V, a visit to his office! On a more serious note, he expounded on the fact that we live in a wonderful country, with the freedom to live our lives as Jews. In previous generations, he reminded us, it was at times necessary to break the law to eat, to live, or to flee; however, nowadays, our lives are blessed in these areas. It is our duty to remain scrupulously honest and avoid fraudulent interaction with our generous government. He stressed that these are the worst economic times we have faced in this generation, with rampant anti-semitism as the upshot. We are judged as Jews, he stated, and need to educate our children in the areas of proper conduct and integrity in all areas of life. Unfortunately, in his career, he is faced with too many people who underestimate the need to fill out mortgage or tax form truthfully. These people not only suffer the legal consequences of their actions, which are felonies, but they reflect poorly on all Orthodox Jews, as well. As Frum Jews, all our communities are intertwined, which unfortunately leads to rampant Lashon Hora.  Mr. Brafman warned his audience to stay away from this type of behavior as well, as they do not result in any good for Klall Yisrael. There is an even greater responsibility nowadays, he stressed, to make a Kiddush Hashem by looking presentable and acting in a refined and polite manner. He gave examples of unacceptable behavior that he has witnessed in families flying with young children, and in disheveled appearances he has seen in yeshivos, as a result of apathy by Talmidim towards the way they look. It is more important to be a Mentch than a Talmid Chacham, he stated firmly, although they are definitely not meant to be mutually exclusive. We must realize that each and every moment of our lives can be either a Kiddush Hashem, or G-d forbid, a Chillul Hashem. It is our duty to teach this to our children. He also elaborated on the need to educate our children in terms of the current situation in Israel. We need to understand who we are, and what to answer back to those who hate us.

 Mr. Brafman quoted a Gemara in Pesachim that states clearly that one should not disengage himself from paying taxes, lest everything be taken away from him. “They should post this on a big sign in every Yeshiva!” he thundered. Hire an accountant, he instructed his listeners. Make sure a lawyer handles your sale or purchase of a home, and fill out every mortgage form honestly, through an ethical broker. The current crisis is the result of bad mortgage brokers using bad banks; as long as real estate values were increasing, everything seemed fine, but now that circumstances have changed, the entire country is in trouble. Mr. Brafman said that in Yeshiva our students are taught to reason with logic; we should use this to advance our stature, to create a generation that serves as a Kiddush Hashem to the entire world.

The JCC of Marine Park launched their new endeavor, Project Mazon during the symposium. Project Mazon is a food initiative in which families of Marine Park who cannot afford groceries receive a weekly credit at local stores towards their orders.  The program is executed in a manner which protects the recipient’s anonymity and dignity to the furthest possible extent. Rabbi Paysach Krohn was so inspired by Project Mazon, that he pledged during his speech to contribute on a weekly basis. B”H at the end of the symposium, many attendees contributed as well.

The recession is far from over. In fact, it seems as though it will only get worse. The symposium on March 1st left its attendees with a wealth of resources, advice and Chizuk on how to endure these trying times. The JCC of Marine Park, which represents over fourteen shuls and 900 frum families, provided a great service to the community with this inspiring evening. The entire evening was captured on video, thanks to Mr. Dovid Teitelbaum. To watch the event, help sponsor Project Mazon, or become a member of the JCCMP, please visit www.jccmp.org or call 347-838-5078. You can also visit [email protected] for a copy of the resource guide that was distributed at the symposium. Special thanks to Agudath Israel, and especially to Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zweibel, for their help in organizing the evening.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos.

(By: Rayle Rubenstein / YWN Desk – NYC)