this is important enough to interrupt the normal flow of posts, so here goes..

A local tzedaka organization is running their Purim collection campaign this year with a theme based off the Starbucks logo and slogans.

All is good, after some initial drama that brought them some nationwide attention, and they have gone forward with the campaign. The campaign includes spreading a number of stickers around the neighborhood with a variety of slogans.

One of them is this:

Now, I get that they are referring to coffee, and not alcohol, but that is a really poor choice of a slogan to use on erev purim. It can really be misconstrued. I think Drink Then Drive is a really bad campaign slogan, when in the entire world they are encouraging people, especially on Purim, to NOT drink and drive.

Even if you are giving this organization your tzedaka money, and matanot laevyonim, please, I encourage you, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!

"Sarah" is an intelligent, capable and caring mother to 6 lovely kids.

As the carnival atmosphere warms up in Ramat Beit Shemesh - you may not have noticed Lema'an Achai's low profile campaign.

and here is the final poster in the series... turns out it is not a new running group training for a marathon, but it is Lemaan Achai's Tzedakathon for Purim!



you can of course donate online, via the website in the poster (www.smartchesed.org), or you can drop off money at any of the various LA drop-off points, of which I will be one as well.

While the entire world is hearing about the "darker" side of Bet Shemesh we would like to tell remind you about a sparkling gem in the midst of our city. Lema'an Achai. Smart Chesed.   For over 11 years Lema'an Achai has been a voice of reason and sanity providing the tools to build better and brighter futures. Lema'an Achai helps ALL those in crisis. Men and Women. Religious and not so religious. Ashkenazi and Sefardi. Young and old. Poverty and hardship don't discriminate. Nor do we. You can be a partner in our amazing work that has changed hundreds of lives for the better. As we conclude this tax year please consider a generous tax deductible donation to help strengthen Lema'an Achai, a bastion of sanity that unites Jews from all stripes for the common goal of helping others in need. Please visit our website atwww.smartchesed.org. Take a look around and donate generously. Share this email with your friends. Everyone should know of the beauty of caring for all of our brothers and sisters. With your help the positive messages of Lema'an Achai will continue to be a beacon of light for all of us. Thank you and Tizku L'Mitzvot!

Nachal Lachish 40/7 Ramat Bet Shemesh,

BaKehilla card is a card that was originally promoted by a local RBS tzedaka organization, Keren lev Yisrael.  For a monthly donation to the charity, one could get the card and qualify for discounts in many local stores and businesses.

Eventually, as the city promoted its Toshav Ha'Ir card, that offered discounts to stores around the city and cultural events, the Haredi community felt a bit left out, as a majority of the stores included in the Toshav ha'Ir program are not targeted to the haredi community. As a result, the city added their sponsorship to the Bakehilla card.

As a result of the city taking it over, the program has expanded to include not just the founder, KLY, but to include many local tzedaka organizations. You can choose whichever organization you want, and if your favorite is not in the list of participating organizations, go ahead and tell them to apply to join. As well, even if you already have the card and your donation has been going to KLY (because it was the only choice at the time), you can now redirect your tzedaka donation to the participating tzedaka organization of your choice.

Here is the Lemaan Achai announcement on their having joined the program.

The Kehilla card is a consumer benefit card that offers specials and significant discounts to local businesses and services.

The card was originally offered through the Keren Lev Yisrael in exchange for a minimum monthly Horaat Keva of 50 NIS.

As of February, 2011, the city of Bet Shemesh is a co-sponsor of the card and has opened membership to local tzedaka organizations so that they and their supporters could benefit from the card as well.

In order to receive the card one must simply commit to a monthly Horaat Keva to Lema'an Achai via bank or credit card.

You will receive a temporary card which you may begin using immediately. Your permanent card will be sent shortly.

Please check the mail for the monthly coupon and specials booklet.

To sign up for the Horaat Keva please reply to avrohom@lemaanachai.org or call 999-1553.

Tizku L'Mitzvot Ulemaasim Tovim!

I learned a new minhag today.

In the middle of Shacharis, actually it was smack in the middle of selichos, after getting permission from the rabbi of the shul and from the gabbai, a representative of one of the local tzedaka organizations gave a klapp on the bimma and announced that he is collection tzedaka, and how so many people need help, and that they are trying to reach x amount of money for Purim, blah blah blah.

And then he said that it is a minhag to give Matanos La'Evyonim on Taanis Esther and on Purim (and then he repeated that it is a minhag to give on Taanis Esther), and minhag yisroel torah hee, customs of Israel are like actual Torah (and should be treated like obligations).

I was not aware of any such minhag of giving matanos la'evyonim on Taanis Esther. I am aware that gabbaim like to get people to give money early for matanos la'evyonim, so as to avoid as much of the Purim rush as possible, but that is a convenience, not a minhag. There, of course, is also the general mitzva of tzedaka on Taanis Esther just like on any other day, but a minhag of matanos la'evyonim?

So I am proud to say that today I learned a new minhag. Has anybody heard of this one before?

I take this opportunity to say Thank You - Yeshar Kochachem!

You have responded *amazingly* to the Lema'an Achai Rosh Hashana/Yom
Kippur campaign!

Over ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE donated to this year's campaign, including
from all over RBS, Bet Shemesh, and from around Israel.

Note: Lema'an Achai are still 150,000 NIS short of our current needs.
Please do continue giving generously, such as for Simchat Hachag
(there is *no* simchat hachag, unless the poor have been fed too) or
for Yizkor (there is a tradition to give tzedaka in memory/zchus of
our departed parents and loved ones). Please also give regularly to
Lema'an Achai; for a horaat kevah form, please hit "reply". Tizku
Lemitzvot!

---------

I would like to particularly thank Lema'an Achai's Founder and Possek,
Rav Chayim Soloveichik. For ten years now, Rav Soloveichik has served
as Lema'an Achai's always-available-24/7-possek and our guiding light.

Special thanks also to Rav Yaakov Haber who has kindly volunteered his
time and tremendous expertise as Rabbinical Advisor; Rabbi Haber's new
book, The First Ten Days, jointly published for Lema'an Achai, was a
major factor in this year's great campaign.

On behalf of the community, I express our appreciation for the
tremendous work done in preparing this campaign, and the difficult
challenge of leading Lema'an Achai throughout the year, to Rav Avrohom
Leventhal and his team.

Of course, Lema'an Achai's in-house team of social workers and
counselors burn-the-midnight oil at this time of year - and throughout
the year, to give families in need the best & most effective help
possible, carefully balancing the limited resources, to obtain the
optimal results.

And a huge *Yeshar Koach* to Lema'an Achai's veritable army of
volunteers, helping with the campaign, and day-to-day, tirelessly
running all of Lema'an Achai's thirty different community programs.

I'll end by sharing an email one our team of expert counselors just
received (I've lightly edited it to conceal the sender's identity);
it's a tip-of-the-iceberg example of the many chasodim done each day
by this great organization:-

"Dear (name of Lema'an Achai's counselor withheld),
I saw you the other day at XXXX's office and realized I had forgot to
say THANK YOU and express how truly thankful I am for your assistance
in getting the job! I am so busy trying to "prove" myself and get my
skills up to scratch that I truly have thought of nothing else. You
and Lemaan Achai were so critical in re-training me, and in getting me
this job (because no employer likes to hire more staff unless its
absolutely necessary). Please keep doing this valuable chesed;! For
people like me who are so anxious to work but need that extra help,
Lemaan Achai makes a world of difference."

Yeshar koach to our whole wonderful community!!

Chag sameach!
--
Best Regards,
David

If you are able to volunteer to help out for a couple of hours with the Keren Lev Yisrael sale tonight, or any other distribution week, should call Danny on 050-415-4444.

They are in need of volunteers to help out. Especially tonight, but also in general.

DON'T READ THIS POST!

If you would rather NOT help over 1,000 people come through then out of their crisis.

That is, if you don't wish to give your tzedaka wisely.

We still want to be charitable although for many there is less to give. Can we in fact make a big impact if we have less to give? Lema'an Achai. Smart Chesed. Maximize your tzedaka by solving problems of Poverty. Rather than merely perpetuating it.

To date Lema'an Achai has assisted scores of families who came to us impoverished and left with the tools to become self sufficient with honor and dignity.

Lema'an Achai is your organziation. Your tzedaka helping Your neighbors in Your community.

Please donate by calling 9999933 24/6 or visit our website: www.smartchesed.org.

Thank you for your support. Warmest wishes for a Sweet New year.

Guest Post by Hakshiva

Our Rosh Hashanah campaign is in full swing. We have had tremendous support from many members of the community - thank you all!

When we help a child, there is often a positive and dramatic impact on the entire family. This year we are starting to work within schools, enabling us to help children who would otherwise fall through the net. We believe that the impact of our interventions with these children will have a positive effect on the entire class. This means that in the coming year, apart from the hundreds of children we will help directly, thousands will benefit indirectly. We continue working every day towards our goal of ensuring that each child in Ramat Beit Shemesh gets the services they need to succeed.

Special Matching Opportunity

Any donation you can make is appreciated. This year, until Yom Kippur, a few generous donors have offered to match anyone who will commit to $900 over the next year or $75 a month, so your donation will be worth $1800 - enough to cover one year of mentoring for one child. If you are interested in this opportunity please send an email to office@hakshiva.org

As our wonderful community grows, so does the need and demand for our services. Your partnership with Hakshiva has never been more crucial.

If you haven't yet contributed to this campaign, please make your pledge by sending an email to office@hakshiva.org . Please include a phone number on which we can contact you.
Alternatively, you can donate online by clicking here .

This is a post I had meant to write a while back. For whatever reasons, I kept pushing it off, and then forgetting and only remembering at inconvenient times. But I wanted to get this post in before Rosh Hashana.

Keren Lev Yisrael is a local tzedaka organization. They are a sub-division of the Kupa shel RBSA. I don't know exactly what they do and what is in their realm rather than being done under the name of the Kupa, but it doesn't really make a difference..

Keren Lev Yisrael has arranged, over the past few months, large sales of vegetables at much lower prices than anything being sold in the local stores. The goal is to provide savings to the local residents, by buying in bulk and cutting out the middlemen and overhead of the supermarkets. The result is tremendous savings passed on to the residents.

While at first it started out pretty ad hoc and a balagan, they have improved the system tremendously, and they have gone from just fruits and vegetables to also basic goods (disposable plates, baking pans, etc.) and even meats and chickens for the holidays. Now instead of showing up with pushing and shoving as it worked originally with a first come first served attitude, now you order in advance, you show up and pay and walk around and get handed your stuff as you pass the different stations.

The savings are tremendous and are a big help to everybody. The more people that buy, the better the pricing they can get. That helps different people - there is not a single person int he neighborhood who would not benefit form the cheaper prices, even if it is not crucial. If I am now spending 70NIS less per week at the supermarket, that can go towards other things. For the holidays, with the increased purchases, my savings are probably in the range of a couple hundred shekels per week. In addition, with my buying from them, those who are needy are also getting better pricing and the savings for them are even more important.

I know some people are against such sales, as it harms local businesses. I understand the point, but I disagree with it. I see no need for such loyalty to the stores. They are mostly not run by local people, and if local people can benefit from cheaper pricing, I prefer the local benefit rather than the loyalty to chain supermarkets that do everything they can to raise prices and take as much of our money as they can. The supermarkets never showed us loyalty, as they use every possible opportunity to raise their prices (nothing wrong with that, it is business), so I see no reason I have to show them such loyalty.

Also, I see nothing wrong with some competition. Since these sales started, the supermarkets have introduced "Shuk Day" where they lower the prices a couple says a week.

It might harm the local makolets a bit, but I see nothing wrong with some competition. And anyway, the local makolets are not basing their business on fruit and vegetable sales, which is the main part of these sales.

So before Rosh Hashana I want to say thank you to keren Lev Yisrael for the tremendous service they are providing to RBS residents in helping us out with significant savings on our grocery bills.

Rosh Chodesh Sivan is Sunday. Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan is the day for the famous segula of saying the prayer composed by the Sh'lah for the spiritual well being and success of one's children. Because Erev Rosh Chodesh is Shabbos, this should be performed on Thursday.

That also means the tzedaka wars heat up looking for your money.

Here are two ads from today's Yated Ne'eman. The first is the ad from Kupat Ha'Ir, and second from Vaad HaRabbonim.



It looks to me like the Vaad HaRabbonim took this competition hands down. While the Kupat Ha'Ir ad was much bigger - a full page, The Vaad HaRabbonim are offering much more segula for your money.

1. The Vaad HaRabbonim are saying their people will fast on the day, in addition to the prayer. Kupat Ha'Ir makes no mention of fasting.
2. Kupat Ha'Ir just says they are going to pray. Vaad HaRabbonim say they are sending their minyan to pray at the grave site of the Sh'lah.

Looks to me like Vaad HaRabbonim wins this battle of the charities hands down!

Of course, we woke up today to find another player as well. At the door was a flier from one of the local tzedaka organizations that they will arrange a minyan of local talmidei chachomim to say the tefilla of the Sh'lah for their donors.... They don't match up to the big boys, but they are local...

I have the exclusive scoop on this item of neighborhood news.

In what seems to be an unprecedented event in RBS, the Kupa Shel RBS A has agreed to work with Lemaan Achai as a joint venture and cooperation.
The first signs of the joint venture can be seen with the Kupa pasting their signs for Purim collection on Lemaan Achai property.
We are all waiting to see how Lemaan Achai will take advantage of the joint venture and how they will benefit from the Kupa's RBS presence.

Regardless, the mere fact of such an explicit sign of recognition on behalf of the Kupa in favor of Lemaan Achai is welcomed and blessed by residents all around RBS.

May we be zoche to see more such cooperations between the local charities in the future!

Watch out whom you give tzedakah to. The following story, really a funny incident when looking at it in hindsight, is exactly what the gemara refers to when it says that the frauds save us. By tricking us into giving tzedaka to people who are not worthy, and thereby causing us to lose faith in the recipients and therefore withhold tzedaka donations, they are giving us the excuse that saves us from judgement as to why we do not give enough.

This incident happened on erev Yom Kippur. David Morris, the founder of Lemaan Achai tzedakkah organization, went to the area of the Dil V'Zol makolet on Dolev to set up a stand for collecting donations, as he does before all the holidays.

As he arrives, he sees somebody else, somebody he does not recognize, with a stand collecting donations. the kicker is that this guy has a handwritten sign saying Lemaan Achai. He is told that the fellow is telling people he is collecting for a hard up family who needs to make a bar mitzvah.

He approaches the fellow and tells him that he is welcome to collect, but not using the Lemaan Achai name. He is not allowed to ask for donations using their name, and he is tricking the people into giving money they would not otherwise give, and he is taking that money away from the real organization.

The fellow got upset and started arguing. His main argument is "What's the difference? We are all "Achai" anyway"?

David repeated that you can collect money as much as you want for whatever you need, but you cannot use the Lemaan Achai name and trick people into giving you.

the fellow got upset and attacked David. He tried to hit him but some people came out of the store and blocked his path and protected David.

In the meantime, the police were called. They came, gave a donation to Lemaan Achai - the real one (only in Israel would the police come to the scene and first make a donation before dealing with the situation), and took teh guy aside. When they understood what was happening, they told him he cannot use the name, and if David wishes to he could press charges for assault. David chose not to.

The guy agreed to get rid of his homemade Lemaan Achai sign. A few moments later he pulled out of his car a new sign that said Hachnassat Kallah, and continued collecting money.

There you have it. We have to thank this fellow for giving us the excuse we need to be meritous in judgement as to why we do not give enough tzedakka.

A Guest Post by Lemaan Achai

We are all aware that the Kinneret, following years of drought in Israel, has
now hit "the red line".

However, you are probably not aware that, due to the economic downturn
and the weak dollar, Lema'an Achai's donations are *very* low.
And that, due to rising prices of basics (eg food, fuel, rent..) in
Israel, many more families have turned to Lema'an Achai in need of
help.

So much so that Lema'an Achai has also hit "the red line".

Crying Wolf: Lema'an Achai does not 'stage' emergency appeals. We are
'crying wolf' because there is a 'wolf'. Since establishing Lema'an
Achai, over eight years ago, I have not seen such a dire situation.
The need is increasing daily, while donations to help are slumping.

In our case this means cutting families' food coupons (=No Food),
utilities bills assistance (=No Electricity & Water) and other primary
aid (=Debt Collectors & Evictions) - while also cutting back on
Lema'an Achai's unique 'SmartChesed' services (to professionally solve
severe financial & other crises, and ultimately get these families
*out* of poverty).

We are cutting back on anything non-critical. So there'll be no
beautiful Lema'an Achai calendars this year.
And, sadly, we're closing down the Gush Katif Relief Fund and are
winding-down our experimental 'Old Bet Shemesh' Office.

My friends, I now have a check in front of me.

It's for 70,000 NIS ($20,000). It's to pay for food stamps. For
September. To tide over some Two Hundred needy families till Rosh Hashana.

I am not going to sign this check, if there's not the money to cover the bill.

Lema'an Achai are no longer able to help all of these local families
with relief today, nor a better future tomorrow.

How You Can Help: Of course you plan to donate generously to Lema'an
Achai for Rosh Hashana, Be"H....

But we now *also* need you to give generously this summer - in fact, right now.

And we also need your ongoing support - beyond the three times a year
that over two thousand people donate so generously to Lema'an Achai.
Please consider a standing-order, or regular credit card payment, so
that we can ride out this economic downturn, and be better resourced
for any future challenges.
Whether they be Economic Recession, Wars, Refugees, or the Hundreds
of family level crises which we address and resolve every day...

How to Donate: see www.lemaanachai.org/donate.asp

You can also help us by sending this email to your family and close
friends (ONLY!) - adding your personal testimony and recommendation
of Lema'an Achai's remarkable work and rock-solid integrity.
--
Tizku Lemitzvot,
David & Avrohom

Just the other day, there were a number of articles about how hard of a hit various institutions have taken because of the decrease in value of the dollar.

For a charitable organization, the hit can be three times as hard. The value of the donations decrease (if donations are given in dollars), and donors are giving less as the economy gets worse, and prices are going up as inflation rises.

Lema'an Achai has been hard hit by the shrunk dollar & the economic downturn in the US, combined with the rise in basic food and living costs in Israel, hitting us from both sides.

Donations are down 50%, while the need for our help is going up daily....

This has severely impacted Lema'an Achai's ability to help the two hundred local impoverished families we assist - and we are faced with having to say No to new families in crisis.
Lema'an Achai is the only organization servicing the population of RBS with professional in-house teams of social workers, financial counselors, employment counselors, legal/rights advocates, and over 25 volunteer manned programs of aid and rehabilitation services.

For families IN crisis, Lema'an Achai is their route OUT.

Lema'an Achai has no major funders - all our support comes from private donors from the general public.

This dire situation can only be fixed by donors taking up the challenge, and increasing their financial support for Lema'an Achai's critical activities.
Donations details: http://www.lemaanachai.org/donate.asp

Here is a letter, unprecedented in the wide spectrum of local Rabbis lending their name and support to Lemaan Achai, calling upon the public to donate..


Tizku L'Mitzvos

* 'CHAMETZ': Today, Thursday (10am till 8pm only) please also drop
off your Non-Perishable, Closed, Pre-Expiration Date 'chametz'.

This year we have a Consolidated Drop-Off List - people drop off
their chametz AND give cash at the same places (just no chametz to
Arthur, please!)! (see list of drop off points below)

(my note: the above is for a unique program Lemaan Achai runs called "Chametz for Chessed" in which they encourage people who are not selling their chametz items to donate it to the needy instead of throwing it out. Lemaan Achai will hold it through Pesach, having sold it to a non-Jew in the Mechiras Chametz, and then after Pesach will transfer it to the needy.)

and

* MONEY: Please bring your generous Kimche Depischa/Maos Chitim
donation, so that NO family will go hungry on Pessach - ONE HUNDRED &
EIGHTY-THREE IMPOVERISHED FAMILIES are getting what they need for
Chag WITH YOUR HELP!

TO the following Lema'an Achai Drop-Off Points, for your convenience:-

** Ramat Bet Shemesh **

Lema'an Achai Office - 40/7 Lachish, 999-1553
Arthur's RBS Pharmacy - Dolev, 999-9777 - cash/cheque donations only
- NO CHAMETZ please!
Palmer - 6/8 Lachish, 999-5015
Shenker - 18/9 Lachish, 999-4645
Rosenfelder - 16/6 Shimshon, 077-931-0139
Braun - 12/3 Shimshon, 999-7956
Greenspan - 21/9 Ayalon, 995-1485
Fass - 20/20 Tzeilim, Ramat Shilo, 9995333
Freudman - 19/5 Maor, 991-1619
Rubin - 4/5 Hayarkon, 999-9910
Soloveichik - 38/3 Hayarkon, 999-4628
Markovitz - 14/9 Katlav,999-4245
Green - 3/2 Gichon, 999-9717
Leventhal - 53/5 Dolev, 991-5317
Sonnenberg - 8/4 Luz, 991-7334
Morris - 15/5 Refaim, 999-7107
Bar Shai - 2a/1 Nachshon, 999-4791
Gold - 1/13 Uriya, 992-0998

Donate by phone 24/6: 99999.33
Secure on-line: https://www.lemaanachai.org/donate/index.asp - NOTE:
We have had server problems over the past few days, so this online
service may not be available.
USA, UK and Canadian Tax Deductible: http://www.lemaanachai.org/donate.asp

For your convenience, Lema'an Achai is planning to have a stand
outside the Dil VeZol Makolet from around 4pm this afternoon, and
also most of tomorrow morning (Friday). Bring your Cash, Credit Cards, Checks!

Tizku Lemitzvot & Chag Kasher Vesameach!
David

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

David Morris, Chairman
Lema'an Achai - It's All About Caring

www.lemaanachai.org
david@lemaanachai.org

Direct Tel: 02 9997107
Office: 02 9991553
Fax: 02 9992398

40/7 Nahal Lachish
Ramat Beit Shemesh,
99093 Israel.