UncleMo

All “sems” are the same. They are a waste of time and a HUGE waste of money. What is it that can only be acquired in the 10 months of “sem experience” in Israel that cannot be acquired in the prior 12 years of schooling? I have spoken with a Gadol as well as a Menahel of a very large Bais Yaakov. Both told me it is unnecessary for the majority of girls. I had a child in seminary already. I’m sorry but I really don’t see the huge growth there. Did she “grow” somewhat? Yes, no question. Was it growth that justifies a cost upwards of $30,000? No, certainly not. Don’t get me wrong – even one drop of growth may be worth any amount of money. But when people are so strapped for cash as it is? I’m not so sure. But my main point is – I don’t see what it is they can only learn and acquire in Israel that cannot be acquired in the prior 12 years of schooling. Be honest with yourself; most girls are just going because “everyone” does it, it’s fun and why not? If the girls had to work for 5 years to pay for it, I think a tiny fraction would be going. Do you realize how much this costs your parents?! Minimum of 25,000 and average closer to $35,000 (after all costs are added to the bucket i.e flights, food etc) and some seminaries can be closer to $40,000 after all costs are added.

I have used Gentech for many years and am very satisfied.
You did not mention if you need use of the browser or it’s just a work app you need. If it’s just a work app, then TAG is probably your best bet. They can lock it with a password.
If you need the browser, then you need a filter. Gentech is definitely a great choice. Keep in mind – basically any filter takes some time getting used to. It may be too restrictive intialy or the opposite. You need to customize it with the. Meshimer is also a good option from what I’ve heard.

I don’t know but I haven’t yet figured out what good it does for Antoine but the families in EY who rely on it to make a living. What exactly does a girl walk away with that they didn’t already get in high school and/or that they cannot get in a US seminary????

Having moved out of town a few years ago, for reasons other Ryman financial, and having a hard time with the adjustment- I would caution anyone considering a move OOT to seriously look into it from all angles. I would especially urge those looking to move, primarily or entirely due to financial reasons, they they don’t just jump to a quick decision. It’s not as rosy oor of town as you may think. Lots of pros, that’s true but the cons are there too, and I’m not so certain that people have it that much easier financially out of town. True; housing is alot cheaper. FYI……. incomes are too. And you can get hit hats on tuition as well out of town.
If possible; try to go there for more than just a Shabbos. Maybe get a short term rental and go there for shabbos for a few months etc. Hang around during the week, if possible, as well.

Yoyo,

Please see comment above from “Haimy”.

He/she is 1000% right. I will tell you one thing- before making any decisions; think about it good and hard. Then stop and think about it again. Then visit the place you’re considering. And visit again and again. I say this from experience because I moved myself and my family to an “out of town” community and 100% regret it. I wish I could move back. It was NOT the “pressures” of Lakewood that made me move, although I do think I felt a big sense of relief when I did move. However; once settled in OOT, I will tell you I would love to move right back to Lakewood. It is not easy though once you uproot your family. Lakewood is a beautiful place, a place that has so much to offer, for everyone, definitely for someone with the background you describe. From your description; I am somewhat like you, possibly a little more to the right, but definitely on similar wavelengths. Don’t run from Lakewood; you may regret it very much at a later time. Again- I am talking from personal experience. Believe it or not; you may actually miss alot of the frum aspects of lakewood when you leave it behind. And I am NOT referring to the eateries etc, I am specifically referring to the fact that it is a “frum haven” with all the garbage and stupidity that comes along with it. It is FAR from perfect, there may indeed be better places for you, I do not know you outside of this feed. I urge you to study this well before making any quick moves. This may sound retarded but I would tell you; if you do decide to move- first rent a small apt in the community. Stay there yourself during the week, maybe even take your family for shabbosim. That is the best way to ensure you really get a good feel for the place. Then if you really want to move, go ahead! Hatzlocha!

The things you wouldn’t want your child seeing – I hope you also wouldn’t want YOURSELF to see.

There is almost no such thing as a Yeshivish car anymore. There USED to be. In my days a yeshivish car meant a Chevy Lumina or Buick LeSabre that was roughly 10+ years old. Those days….. are looong gone. Today that’s what the shver has to drive because he needs to support his son in law who drives a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, manufactured just a short few months ago. That is today’s definition of yeshivish.

“bechira2”

I think you said very well. Living in Lakewood for over 15 years I can say two things A. this place has changed drastically- for the worse, in my opinion. B. There are tremendous pressures of “society” in Lakewood, likely worse than in NY, where I grew up like most of today’s Lakewood residents. There is absolutely no middle ground, some commenters have written that it has changed. Yes, it changed that there are all types of people. However, if someone so much as puts on a colored shirt, it’s practically worse than the gimmel aveiros! The narrow-mindedness is insane. Many kids can’t handle the pressures and buckle. Although I personally feel there is a higher rate of OTD teens here I don’t know that I’m necessarily right. As others have said, no one has posted real figures. I do think that teens “go off” worse here though and quicker. A boy in BP may retain some sort of chassidishe dress and still go to the worst places whereas in Lakewood, from what I’ve seen, they drop the frum look almost immediately- in 8th-9th grade and it is truly hard to tell them apart from a Goy unfortunately. One thing is almost universally accepted- out of town communities raise children who are PROUD to be frum- even if they may not learn for 20 years after their chasuna. When living OOT, kids learn that frumkeit is not a “given”, that there are others who do not keep the Torah, as a result, they don’t just daven 3 times a day because that’s what I was “taught to do” but because they WANT to daven! Same goes for everything else in yiddishkeit. Some NY’ers etc may not like what I’m writing but go look in any MAINSTREAM (I don’t mean the little hick town somewhere out in Montana….) OOT community, kids come out stronger because of exposure to diversity, instead of weaker. That is one reason I am getting out of Lakewood and moving to one of those “crazy” oot places.

Atlanta for example seems like a beautiful spiritually growing community. I personally cannot move to a place where they have Purim parades etc and the Rabbi AND Rebbetzin are dressed up like Batman or something like that etc. I’m just giving one example but for me, although it really seems like a beautiful community, it’s not for me.

Jewishness: huh???

Paris is “out of country” not “out of town”.

Anyone know anything about Houston, Texas? Sounds like a beautiful place to live only a bit more on the Young Israel side of things. Not sure if I’m up for that. They may be more ehrlich than ME but I’m unsure I wanna bring up my family in what’s “considered” a more “modern” community. Notice all the quotation marks?!