Author Archive for aaron
Where is the Shortage Exactly? (It’s not what you’d think…)
There are probably no official statistics, but if someone were to calculate a total of all new chinuch positions that were created this year and subtract the positions that were eliminated, there is most likely a net loss this year. For the first time in decades, there were more chinuch positions lost due to firings [...]
If You Want to Stay in Learning…
There are many who learn in kollel that put aside learning for a few weeks (or months) to do seasonal jobs, such as lifeguarding or head counseloring in the summers. Some yungerleit are involved in selling esrogim, and others become a mashgiach for pesach in a hotel. Why is this kind of activity permitted and [...]
Its Not Only Real Estate Anymore
It was only a few years ago that the dominant business in Lakewood was all real estate related. Prices all over the country, and especially in Lakewood, were appreciating 25%+ a year, and everyone wanted a piece of the pie. Rich people, poor people, wanna-bees, and hopefuls, were all jumping in head first to the [...]
The Economic Crash and the Rebirth
It was only 2 years ago when the economy crashed. Until then everything (seemed) good, people had money, kollelim were well funded (sort of), and married children were being supported without (apparent) difficulty. But then everything came crashing down. First it was just Bear Stearns & Lehman Brothers, then it was the stock market, then [...]
Rosh Chodesh Elul – Make this One Different
Its the Elul time of year, bein hazmanim is over, and life is back to routine – all over again. Another zman, another limud, but the same old routine. But this time, let’s try something different. Instead of allowing another zman to drift through with the same result, do something remarkable. It’s a short zman, [...]
An Abundance of Torah Options
In the olden days of 20-30 years ago, learning in kollel “long term” offered very few options. Historically, a kollel was formed an extension of a yeshiva, which is geared primarily towards the lomdus of noshim & nezikin. After a few years, one would begin to feel a lack of satisfaction in continuing to learn [...]
Reality Check for Maggid Shiur Wannabes
As the summer bein hazmanim winds down into its final few days, and Elul is just around the corner, many are thinking about returning to yet another year of kollel without a shteler. Yes, there were the lucky few who managed to secure a job of some kind, be it a morning mesivta maggid shiur, [...]
How a Plane Crashes
Most people are under the impression that a plane crash is caused by a dramatic & sudden event, such as an engine blowing out, or an overpowering wind pushing the aircraft out of control. But the truth is often very different than it is in the movies. A plane crash is caused by a buildup [...]
“He Could Do 4x as Much Chessed”
There is a well known personality in Flatbush who is always involved in raising tzedaka for those in need. He works tirelessly to raise as much money as he could for those he helps. Everyone who knows him is amazed at his unbelievable devotion to others, especially given the fact that raising money is not [...]
Is It Called Love, or Something Else?
Loving your children is taken by many to mean showering them with care and taking care of all their problems. This is wrong. Actually, the most valuable gift to your children is not solving all their problems. Better to give them the strength and courage to deal with issues that come their way – on [...]
