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See ad on page 26

Spring 2009 | Nissan / Iyar 5769 | Volume 6, Issue 2 | FREE

To Advertise “ 052-6404414 | 052-3868768 | [email protected] | www.modiinfo.com

] � [

] � [

Spring 2009 | Nissan/Iyar 5769 | Volume 6, Issue 2

Dear Readers,

Modiinfo online! One of the most popular new features of the site is the search

capabilities which allow you to search for residential phone numbers and advertisers.

New people and businesses are constantly being added so if your name is not

yet there be sure to contact us. That will automatically ensure your inclusion in

ModiInFone 2009-10 coming out this summer. Another exciting new addition is the

ModiInfo Blog. We have several contributors who update the blog with breaking

news and other interesting comments. Stay informed by checking in daily. If you have

something meaningful you would like to contribute please contact us.

Wishing you a chag kasher v’sameach,

Caryn and Daniella

ModiInfo is an independently owned, advertiser supported publication distributed monthly to Modiin and the surrounding neighborhoods. ModiInfo welcomes all articles and ads but reserves the right to edit or reject submissions. The views expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of ModiInfo. ModiInfo is not responsible for facts or claims made by ads or authors, nor for any typographical errors. Work produced by ModiInfo is the property of ModiInfo and may not be reproduced without consent.

Daniella Hellerstein & Caryn Meltz

Co-publishers and editors0526-404-414 | 0523-868-768

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054-635-8580

Judy SimonAd Graphics

Ilana EpsteinMarketing Assistant

Fax: 077-201-1310

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www.ModiInfo.comPrinting by Dfus Ayalon


] � [

One of the memorable moments of the Haggadah is the

passage that tells us about the four sons. The Torah uses

different verses to stress the idea that in the future your

sons will ask you about Pesach and you better have good

answers. And if they do not ask then you must initiate the

discussion to bring them in, to make sure that they know

the story.

But in truth knowing the details of the story is only part

of it. The Gemara says that even if one is alone for Seder

night he should ask himself the questions and supply his

own questions with answers. Because on this night the

questions are as important and as integral a part of the

process as the answers.

Psychologists have long ago taught us that a student

will remember sometime after any class very few details

of what he has learned, but for a long time he or she will

remember one thing, this will stick with them even when

they cannot recall anything else. They will remember their

The Question Is... By: Rav Gideon Weitzman

own questions, they will be able to recite the questions

that they asked in class.

The reason for this is clear, it is our questions and what

we have questioned that we identify with most, we are

only prompted to ask about things that interest us. So if

we can entice our children to ask we have been able to

get them interested in what is going on and that is the

essence of the Seder.

We want our children and ourselves to be part of the

story to identify with the event that suddenly ceases to

be merely a part of history and becomes our own story,

every single one of us.

For this reason the rasha, the wicked son, is considered

a rasha. After all he is present and he asks a question, so

what is it that classifies him as evil, more than any of the

other sons? Rav Hirsch points out that in the Torah we

do not answer the wicked son at all. “You shall say it is a

sacrifice to the Lord” (Shemot 12:27) Not “say to him”

] � [


but say to yourselves. Because the rasha is not asking a

legitimate question, he seeks no answer, he derides our

service and calls it simply work, toil. The rasha seeks to

weaken our standing and commitment to serving God.

He receives no answer as it is not an answer that he

wants.

We still use the rasha’s comments, not as a springboard

for discussion but as a challenge to loudly and clearly

reaffirm our connection and enthusiasm with Divine

service. So even the rasha has a purpose, even he must

year in and year out grace our table so that he can

make his snide comments and we can make the same

declaration.

Interestingly, in the Haggadah the rasha does receive

a direct answer, because the Haggadah educates us to

answer even the most problematic of questions, even

those questions that are

asked with a smirk need to be

answered on this night. The Torah

presents an ideal, the Haggadah presents a realistic

educational model.

When we have learned how to

encourage all types of questions

we will have supplied the best

possible education for all of

our children and fulfilled

our obligation to transmit

not the dry details of the story but the

excitement of the event in which we ourselves

take part. ß

Rav Gideon Weitzman is the Rabbi of Beit Knesset Merkaz Modiin.


] � [

The month of Nissan is “famous” for the Exodus from

Egypt, one of the most important events in Jewish history.

Perhaps for this reason, Nissan is counted as the first of

the 12 months in Jewish (lunar) calendar. According to

one school of thought, the world was created in the

month of Nissan. How do we know that? The Babylonian

Talmud, tractate Rosh Hashana asks that question and

answers it… “And the earth brought forth grass, herb

yielding seed after its kind, and trees bearing fruit...In

which month does the earth fill up with grasses and fruit-

bearing trees? It is Nissan.”

The name “Nissan” itself has an alliterative connection,

not coincidentally, to its vegetative productivity. A “nitzan”

is a bud or sprout (sometimes translated as “flower” in

English). The Song of Songs, (2:11-13) describes this time

of year : “The winter is past, the rain is over and gone,

the flowers (“nitzanim”) appear on the earth… the fig

tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines in blossom

give their scent.” Indeed, when we leaves our homes

during Nissan, and especially during the intermediate

days of Passover, we are “bombarded” with a plethora

of grass, trees, and all things green, a visual and olfactory

celebration!

Nissan, a Beautiful BeginningBy: Nancy Benjamin

] � [


On the one hand, the month of Nissan and the Pesach

holiday in particular, mark the end of the rainy season (as

it were!) in Israel. The prayer for rain is no longer said,

instead we ask for beneficent dew to water the land.

However, even the scanty rainfall we received this winter

resulted in lush green grass, weeds, and wildflowers

aplenty. By Passover time, most of the pink and lavender

cyclamen (rakafot) and red anemone (kalaniyot) are

gone. The flowers that are prevalent now are the red

buttercups (nitzanim) and poppies (pragim). Soon they

also will dry up and disappear. Because of the approaching

hamsin period, the flower season is almost over!

On the other hand, the fruit trees are just awakening

from winter dormancy, notably the fig trees and the

grape vines with their amazing smadar blossom. The most

glorious of the trees at this time is the pomegranate! It

begins with tiny red leaves, and as the buds form, it is as if

they draw the redness out of the leaves, leaving them dark

green, while the blossoms shine scarlet in the sunshine.

Continues on page 23


] � [

If you’re looking for a new way to experience Israel

you might consider leaving. Not leaving the country

but leaving the ground. Recently Caryn and I spent an

ordinary morning experiencing the extraordinary. At

first, the idea of flying in a plane smaller than my car

made me a bit queasy.

Pilot Avi Silas, a really nice guy with a really little

plane called Moonair, quickly eased my nerves with his

calm and reassuring manner. He took us through the

pre-flight lesson on airplanes and how they work using

models and demonstrations, something he usually saves

for children but we said we wanted the full treatment.

The full treatment included the routine pre-flight check

and I as far as I was concerned the more checking the

better.

Air BorneBy: Daniella Hellerstein

] � [


The plane seats four people, two in

front and two in the back. Caryn sat next

to Avi in the front assuming the role of co-

pilot. I was happy to take a seat in the back

a safe distance away from any controls.

Take off was both quick and smooth and before I knew

it we were hovering above the beautiful coast of the

Mediterranean.

The views were stunning and the feeling was magical

and as Avi said, our tiny country looks deceivingly perfect

and peaceful from the sky. We spent almost an hour

flying as far north as Netanya and as far south as Bat

Yam. We saw Harei Yehuda to the east and the beaches

of the Mediterranean to the west. We flew over cities,

orchards, villas with private pools and high rises. We got

a birds’ eye view of Superland and the Azrielli towers.

When we landed back in Herziliya we were on a high

from being so high and we highly recommend it to all.

Call Avi, 054-596-1069. ß


] 10 [

By: Chana Koren

Pesach is perfect for

spending quality time

with the family while

enjoying the wide variety

of activities and historical

sites throughout Israel.

Ramat HaNadiv, located

just south of Zichron

Yaacov allows visitors

large and small to enjoy

beautiful gardens, visit

archeological sites, make a picnic or take a short hike.

Ramat Hanadiv, named after the Baron Edmond

Rothschild, a nineteenth century philanthropist, assisted

in the purchasing and development of land for settlement

in then Palestine. This spot was purchased as a burial

In the Footsteps of the Baronplace for the Baron and Baroness Adelaide by Rothschild

himself. The Rothschilds are buried in a crypt hidden

away in the Israel’s most exquisite gardens.

Five sections make up the floral gardens of Ramat

Hanadiv, which are maintained by the Rothschild Family

fund. These sections are the fragrant rose garden, palm

trees, statue garden and fragrance garden specially

designed for the visually impaired. The latter garden

includes railings allowing the disabled to walk along the

raised garden, encouraging touching and smelling of

plants.

Just outside the visitors center, at the entrance to the

park are several paths leading to a spring and various

ancient buildings. For today’s hike follow the blue path

which is approximately a 1.5 hour hike, suitable for all

ages (not for carriages).

The path starts with a view of Bikat HaNadiv with

its extensive vineyards and orchards, initially planted by

] 11 [


settlers under the auspices of the Baron Rothschild.

Note, while walking along the paths, various types of

trees and shrubs endemic to Israel as well as plants such

as Iris, Sage, Common Grape Hyacinth and even Orchids.

After about a 20-minute walk you will come upon a real

spring whose waters have been flowing for thousands of

years. Two cool pools of water can be used for wading,

the smaller one dated to Herod’s day (Second Temple

period) and continues to serve its original purpose. The

water flows through a 32-meter open aqueduct which

was built in Roman times, and which starts at the Ein Zur

spring located inside the nearby hill. This spring provided

water for all of the nearby settlement, whether villages,

farm houses or the occasional shepard and still provides

fresh water for visitors pleasure.

Just beyond the pools is a genuine Roman bath house.

During Roman times empirical citizens used the bath

house as a public meeting place where business deals

were made while practicing hygiene. There are signs

explaining the function of each structure such as the

dressing room (apoditerium), cold room (fridgiderium),

warm room (tepiderium) and hot room (caldarium).

You’ll know you’ve reached the hot room when seeing

low columns, upon which a floating floor was located. This

allowed the furnace to blast hot air under the floor and

through pipes along the walls, to heat the room. flow

There are picnic tables in the area of the spring in

the shade of large carob trees. After an enjoyable break

all that is left to do is either return to the car near the

main gate or have another car waiting in the parking lot



] 1� [

] 1� [


By: Alan R. Deutsch

Tax planning and compliance for the 2009 tax-filing

season has commenced. As such, it is imperative that

you familiarize yourselves with certain concepts regarding

both U.S. and Israeli income tax law, especially recent

changes, and how they may affect your personal situation.

Proper tax planning and minimization of your taxes

requires an analysis of many important issues, including

the U.S. and Israeli foreign income tax credit rules, the

foreign earned income exclusion rules, and also how the

applicable provisions of the U.S. - Israel income tax treaty

affects you. Delineated below are some areas of current

U.S. tax law, which may impact upon your U.S. tax return

filings due in 2009.

U.S. Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000 per eligible child

potentially results in FREE money to you courtesy of the

federal government via a U.S. check or direct deposit

to your U.S. bank account, even if no U.S. income tax

is due. If applicable, this credit may also be available to

offset any potential U.S. income tax liability. Taxpayers

must have reportable earned income from wages or self-

employment generated in Israel or in the U.S. in excess

of $8,500 to $11,750, depending on the year you are

filing. The earned incomes of both husband and wife can

be combined even if one spouse is NOT a U.S. citizen.

Children must be U.S. citizens aged 16 and below and

must possess a U.S. Social Security number. Please note

U.S. Income Tax Updatethat maximizing the child credit can be quite complicated

since there are many factors to consider.

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion has been inflation

adjusted and rises to $87,600 per taxpayer. Thus, married

taxpayers filing jointly, who meet certain requirements,

may potentially exclude up to $175,200 of

foreign earned income per tax return.

However, one spouse may not utilize

the unused portion of the exclusion of

the other spouse and by electing the

exclusion you may preclude eligibility

for the U.S. Child Credit. Please

note that this exclusion applies

only to work or self-employed

income and does NOT apply t o

pension, investment income,

rental or any other non-work

income.

For additional tax updates, please

visit our website, www.modiinfo.com and go

to our blog. ß

Alan (Avraham) Deutsch is a CPA, with over 25 year’s experience.

Avraham and his associates specialize in income tax planning and

compliance as well as in investment consulting. Avraham has four office

locations and can be reached at 02-999-2104, 03-527-3254, 09-746-

0623 or 052-274-9999, or you can e-mail him at [email protected].

Please visit his website at www.ardcpa.com for more information.


] 1� [

Rising to the Top By: Daniella Hellerstein

Meet four men who appear to

be thrown together from the

four corners of the earth but

are completely in sync when it

comes to their music. They call

themselves the Elevators and

their goal is to lift you up with

their music which ranges from

Grateful Dead to simcha music

to original songs written by lead singer Aryeh Naftaly of

Moshav Mevo Modiin. The other members of the band are

Michael Roth of Modiin, Rob Steiner of Modiin and Tom

Curren of Raanana. Naftaly has been active in the Israeli

music industry since his arrival on the mosahv in 1987.

While Shlomo Carlebach was not the impetus for his move

to Mevo Modiin, Naftaly did meet the legendary singer on

the moshav and had the opportunity to play with him an

experience he describes as fun and relaxed.

In 1991, Naftaly started a band called Ain Safek which

was the first of its kind in that the music was a successful

blend of religious and non-religious themes which

introduced melodies to religious lyrics previously associated

with secular music. After the band broke up in 1998, Naftaly

continued to write and play his own music. He teamed up

with Eliezer Blumen from the well known band Yud and

was a regular in the Jerusalem music scene.

Flash back 30 years to when Naftaly, a kid in Young Judea

(the Reform movements signature youth group) meets

another Jewish kid named Rob Steiner. They both enjoy

music and the two become good friends. They travel to

Israel together and start a band, but return disillusioned. A

number of years later the two meet up again in San Francisco

and become roommates. Still secular and searching, Naftaly

describes the evening he stumbled on a Tanach and

began to read it. Something hit him at that moment and

a feeling of “this is it” struck him so hard he just had to

] 1� [


share his discovery with

Steiner. The two slowly

became observant

but ultimately go their

separate ways…until now. Destined to meet again Naftaly

and Steiner now live a few minutes from each other in

Israel and have rediscovered what brought them together

in the first place – music.

Wanting to start a full-fledged band and still missing a

drummer and base player, Blumen recommended Roth

and Curren to Naftaly. The Elevators came together in

December 2007 and have been performing throughout

the country in places such as Tel Aviv, Pardes Chana and

Jerusalem. They practice once a week in the sealed room of

Moshav Mevo Modiin. The walls are covered with Shlomo

posters and his aura somehow permeates the room. Their

music is fun and unpredictable and their talent is visible. The

Elevators are clearly on their way up.

The Elevators will soon be releasing their debut

album “Olim”, for more information, www.myspace.com/

aryehnaftaly. ß


] 1� [

Stories from the South

During Operation Cast

Lead this past winter,

many people in Modiin

wanted to do their

share to help out our

soldiers and brethren in

the south. As a result, Beit Knesset Ashkenaz carried out

several different chesed projects. Every Friday during the

war, several members of the community traveled down

south to visit soldiers at Sheba and Barzalai hospitals and

brought donated food packages to the EMT crews. The

soldiers were also given letters and pictures from the

community children expressing appreciation and support.

In an effort to help small businesses suffering from

financial loses incurred while their towns were under

fire, shul members put in orders every Friday at one of

Chesed Around TownCaring for Kallot

Back in December Modiin hosted a very special event to

raise money for brides who lack the funds needed for a

wedding or to set up a home. Many are orphaned, have

converted or are baalei teshuva and have no support

(financial or emotional) from parents. Others come from

a family where financial resources have been drained

due to a sick parent or child. The organization Likrat Kalla

provides assistance to these kallot through donations. The

evening featured renowned speaker and educator Shani

Taragin who spoke brilliantly on the topic “Eishet Chayil

– A woman of Strength, Sophistication and Serenity” and

was hosted by Debbie Goldfischer. More than 80 women

turned out to perform the mitzvah of Hachnassat Kalla that

night which raised over 2,500 NIS and collected over 70 gift

items for the brides-to-be. To host a bridal shower or make

a donation contact Sadeena at Likrat Kalla 02-999-4463.

] 1� [


the local bakeries in

Ashkelon. This is just

one example of the

many acts of kindness

that were performed

by Modiin area residents during a most trying time in

Israel.

Singing for Tzedakah

The lights were dimmed and it all began with “Once

Upon a Time…” Once Upon a Time there were two

women with talent and a vision. Tamar Weiss and Cheryl

Fishman started a drama chug for the women of Modiin

and Chashmonaim under the guidance of Pnina Fredman-

Schechter. What started out as weekly meetings turned

into daily rehearsals, production on-stage and a name for

the theater group, Modiin’s Women in Theatre.



] 1� [

‡Continued from page 17

The musical, “Into the Woods” was an all women

volunteer cast and production team. There were two

shows in Modiin and one in Kfar Shmaryahu. All three

completely sold out with the proceeds going to the

organization, Table to Table, which collects leftover food

from restaurants and other sources and distributes it to

the needy (for more information on the go to www.

tabletotable.org.il). In addition to ticket sales, the group

was able to fundraise for Table to Table in support of their

show bringing in several thousand dollars.

Especially impressive was

the talent of the local

women who until now had

not had an opportunity to

showcase their abilities.

The acting was very

convincing and although there were no men in the cast,

the women did a great job in playing male roles. Several

] 1� [



women had solos which wowed the audience. For many

of the women it was their first performance but it was

like they׳ve been acting together for years. The audience

left the theater looking

forward to the next

Modiin׳s Women in

Theatre show. ß


] �0 [

] �1 [



of the Ort school on route 652 between Benyamina and

Zichron Yaacov.

How to get there: Coastal road to Zichron Yaakov exit.

Travel straight, turning right toward Zichron, continue on

road 652 till Ramat Nadiv (following the signs). For those

who would like to start the trip at Ein Zur, continue on

road 652 till the Ort school, turn into the parking lot.

To the left of the building is a path to the spring and

antiquities.

Entrance to Ramat HaNadiv between 9-16 every

day. Ein Zur from dawn to dusk. There is no charge for

either.

Places close by worth a visit: Zichron Yaacov,

Nachsholim, HaBonim Beach, Mear’at Adam Hakadmon

and Caesarea. ß

Written by Chana Koren, B.A. Israeli Studies and Geography, tour

guide/travel consultant and travel agent at Ophir Tours, Modiin and

can be reached at [email protected]

Onlinewww.modiinfo.com

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] �� [

] �� [



Then the small fruits appear: first green, then pale red,

then bright red. As the pomegranates grow larger and

heavier they tilt forward on the thin branches, with their

crowns facing the ground, looking much like the clappers

of bells.

The Talmudic sages (Rosh Hashana 11:a) appreciated

the majesty of this blossoming season and composed

the “birkat ha’ilanot”, which is said only in the month of

Nissan. “If one goes out into the fields and gardens during

Nissan and sees trees in blossom he says the blessing:’

Blessed are You… in whose world nothing is lacking, and

Who has created in it good creatures, and good and

beautiful trees, from which mankind may benefit.’”

As the days get longer, and there are more hours of

sunshine and hotter temperatures, towards the end of

Nissan and beginning of Iyar, new beautiful and aromatic

plants reach their zenith. To name but a few: henna

flowers, (Song of Songs 1:14), pink rock rose, considered

by some scholars to be ladanum (Genesis 43:11), the

various marvah or “moriah” plants (in the sage, or “salvia”

family)- possibly the myrrh from Song of Songs 4:4, 4:14,

and other cites, and the kida se’irah”, perhaps the “kida”

that is mentioned in Exodus 30:24, one of the 4 fragrant

plants compounded with olive oil to make the “oil of

anointment”.

Almost certainly your own private gardens or nearby

public parks are replete with at least of few of these trees,

plants, and flowers. To be able to see and smell them

all in an organized fashion, plus take advantage of lovely

walking trails, craft activities for children, dyers’, weavers’,

and potters’ workshops, and much more, you are cordially

invited to Neot Kedumim, the biblical Landscape Reserve,

10 minutes away, during hol HaMoed Pesach. For details

phone 977-0777.

Sources: Feliks, Yehuda, Song of Songs: Nature, Epic, and

Allegory. Hareuveni, Nogah, Nature in Oure Biblical Heritage.

Kitov, Eliyahu, The Book of Our Heritage Rosenson, Yisrael,

Hodesh V’Teva. ß


] �� [

By: Claudia Brodsky

To have freedom of time, you need to be organized. It’s

one of the many paradoxes of life. People often think that

the processes of getting and being organized take away

from their available time, and it’s true - as far as it goes.

There is a commitment of time involved in bringing order

out of chaos and then maintaining order.

Unless you’re already perfectly satisfied with the

organizational state of your office or home, it will take

some effort to bring things to the point where being

organized is clearly saving you time, energy, and money.

The question is whether the effort is worth it to you.

Another way to frame the question is to ask what is the

price you’re paying for being disorganized. Does it cause

conflicts in your relationships - business or personal? Do

you have a pattern of being unable to quickly locate things

you need, resulting in daily doses of irritation and stress?

Addition by Subtraction - Being OrganizedDisorganization certainly wastes time and energy. It

also costs money. Sometimes the cost is indirect: missed

opportunity from not having your act together. But there

is also the direct cost of having to replace things that have

permanently gone missing in the midst of chaos. On the

other hand, being organized allows you to find what you

want when you want it.

The payoff of being organized goes beyond merely

saving time, energy, and money. Organization also results

in better relationships. An orderly environment helps

reduce conflicts among household members. At work,

the image you present by being organized advances the

respect that colleagues and clients hold for you.

Organization also increases the likelihood of success in

achieving your goals. If you’ve decided to get organized,

make a commitment, a specific plan with a deadline and

some accountability. Start small, but start somewhere

because organization is a process, not a destination.

] �� [


Step by step, you can bring your home or office to the

point where it supports your life, as your environment

should do.

1. Identify something to organize. A suggestion of where

to begin is to eliminate clutter in a specific area: a

drawer, a closet, a room.

2. Give yourself a deadline by which you will have it

done. Make the deadline feasible - the point here is

to achieve success, no matter how large or small the

initial project is.

3. Build in some accountability or consequences: what

are the positive consequences of getting it done on

time (reward yourself in celebration); or the negative

consequences of missing your deadline.

Once you’ve accomplished your first objective, then

build on success. Choose your next small but specific

area, and so on until you’re satisfied.

Organization is a practice, not a natural tendency,

as so many people believe. It’s true that there are

those who enjoy the process of putting things in order

more than others do, but anyone who chooses to be

organized can be.

The payoff of being organized goes beyond saving time,

energy, and money. Organization increases the likelihood

of success in achieving your goals. Happy Organizing! ß

Claudia Brodsky is a Professional Organizer with SOS - Simple

Organizing Solutions, helping individuals and business take control of

their surrounding, their time, their paper and their systems for life. She

can be reached at 054-521-3689 or [email protected].


] �� [

By: Saul Kramer & Julian Vardi

Interest rates are now at a historic low in Israel and are

likely to remain low in the short term. Many people are

checking the possibility of benefiting from these low rates

to refinance their mortgage. Refinancing your mortgage

periodically is much more common and simpler to do

abroad. The process in Israel is more complicated and

less familiar. Nevertheless, Blue Crown Capital suggests

that you should occasionally evaluate having this done

and not just because interest rates are low.

In addition to refinancing to lower your payments or

reducing the years remaining, your mortgage can be used

to free up capital for investments, vacations, weddings,

bar/bat mitzvah or for home improvements.

There are numerous factors when considering

refinancing or optimizing your mortgage: How much time

is left until maturity? Do you want to increase payments

to bring forward maturity or to decrease payments which

will push back maturity? Do you want more constant

repayments while the outstanding capital increases or

variable monthly repayments while ensuring that the

outstanding capital always decreases? Are there penalties

to exit existing loans? What is the main currency that you

draw your repayments from?

There are many different types of loans available in

Israel so it is important to understand the differences

and advantages and disadvantages between them. Blue

Crown Capital will make sure that when you refinance,

your loan suits your personal requirements.

The four most common types of mortgages are: 1)

Fixed interest shekel mortgages linked to CPI/MADAD

When Is It Right to Refinance Your Mortgage?

] �� [


(inflation). 2) Variable shekel mortgages linked to CPI/

MADAD (inflation). 3) Variable shekel mortgages linked

to interest rates, normally the Bank of Israel prime lending

rate. 4) Foreign currency mortgages.

With the fixed CPI linked shekel mortgage, the

monthly repayments are relatively constant and go up

or down due to the outstanding capital being adjusted

because of inflation. In essence the REAL repayments are

constant. The major disadvantage is that in years of high

inflation, namely 2007 and 2008, the upward adjustments

“wreaked havoc” to the borrower’s outstanding capital.

There could also be significant exit penalties if the bank’s

average interest rate for fixed mortgages is lower than

the fixed rate originally obtained.

The variable, CPI linked mortgage is similar to the fixed

CPI linked mortgage except there are exit points for the

borrower where the rates also change. These exit points

are agreed upon when taking out the mortgage.

The advantage of the variable, interest linked shekel

mortgage is that the outstanding capital always decreases.

The disadvantage is that the monthly repayments are

variable. Over the past year people with this type of

mortgage have benefited greatly from decreasing monthly

repayments due to the central bank dropping interest

rates rapidly in an attempt to stave off recession. There

are no exit fines for this type of mortgage.

Finally, foreign currency mortgages can be used

when income is derived in foreign currency. This type of

mortgage could also be used if shekel earners believe the

shekel will strengthen against a specific currency and they

will thereby end up paying fewer shekels in the future.

Now is the right time to consider refinancing your

mortgage. ß

Blue Crown Capital is an independent mortgage consulting firm in

Israel specializing in sourcing new residential loans and refinancing

existing loans for clients living in Israel and abroad. Blue Crown

Capital has advised and assisted many clients through the process of

refinancing their mortgages which has resulted in significant savings

and improved rates and terms.

Contact for more information: 08-9700479,

[email protected], www.bluecrowncapital.com.


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Exquisite Pesach Meringues By: Nessie Fisher

Recipe Corner

Ingredients:

5 egg whites

2 cups sugar

½ tsp. lemon juice (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 120 C or 250 F

2. Using an electric mixer, whip egg whites on maximum

speed until stiff. Slowly add lemon juice and sugar (one

spoonful at a time) and continue to whip until very

stiff.

3. Place egg white mixture into a piping bag or into a

large Ziploc type bag and cut out the corner in order

to pipe.

4. Squeeze out meringues about 1 cm

large.

5. Bake for 2-3 hours until the meringues

are dry and firm.

6. Enjoy them plain or make a sandwich

with chocolate spread. Stack a tower

of “sandwiches” and strawberries for a

breathtaking dessert. ß

Nessie Fisher is the owner of Nessia Desserts

050-880-5096.

For more Pesach recipes log on to ModiInFood www.modiinfo.com


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Hairstyles for weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and more. Lowest prices in the area.

References available!Call Fraydel: 052-438-3555

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Tel. Ayala on 054 678 5913 Address: Buchman Area

email. [email protected]

New to Modiin: Judaica by artist Dorit Klein.

Original gifts at all prices, special and amazing pieces for Pesach. Call Techia Ben Meir 052-823-6910

Dalia’s DesignsProfessional dressmaker,

alterations on men’s and women’s clothing. By appointment, not on Shabbat, 08-970-7194.

The American PainterExperienced house and office painter

Quality work at reasonable pricesCall Michael: 054-6720-234

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Store for sale in Solomon CenterGround floor, 33 meters

Rented out for 5,000 NIS for a year and a halfFor sale 600,000 NIS immediate

Eti: 0523523071

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March 27 2amSpring forward one hour

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April 10/16 NissanShabbat Chol HamoedCandle lighting: 18:45Shabbat ends: 19:43

April 14/21 NissanSeventh Day PesachCandle lighting: 18:47Chag ends: 19:46

April 17/23 NissanParshat ShiminiShabbat MevarchinCandle lighting: 18:50Shabbat ends: 19:48

April 25/1 IyarParshat Tazreia-MetzuraShabbat Rosh ChodeshCandle lighting: 18:55Shabbat ends: 19:54

May 1/7 IyarParshat Acharei Mot/KedoshimCandle lighting: 19:00Shabbat ends: 20:00

May 8/14 IyarParshat EmorCandle lighting: 19:05Shabbat ends: 20:05

May 15/21 IyarParshat Behar/BechuchotaiCandle lighting: 19:09Shabbat ends: 20:11

May 22/28 IyarParshat BamidbarShabbat MevarchinCandle lighting: 19:14Shabbat ends: 20:17

May 28/5 SivanErev Shavuot(make an eruv tavshilin)Candle lighting: 19:17

May 29/6 SivanParshat NassoCandle lighting: 19:18Shabbat ends: 20:22

June 5/13 SivanParshat BehalotechaCandle lighting: 19:22Shabbat ends: 20:26

June 12/20 SivanParshat Shlach LechaCandle lighting: 19:25Shabbat ends: 20:29

June 19/27 SivanParshat KorachShabbat MevarchinCandle lighting: 19:27Shabbat ends: 20:32

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