Chinuch Atzmai Part Two

I don't know how many of my readers actually read this post when I put it up a while back: The Chinuch Atzmai Situation, but according to the news recently, the classes will no longer be separate after Pesach. It seems that the situation went to a Bais Din, chosen by R' Nosson Tzvi Finkel, head of the Mir, and they made the decision to join the classes. It also seems that the 'Americans' who were upset by this removed funding from the school as well.

Over Pesach though, I had the opportunity to discuss with someone who has been in that neighborhood for 15 years. She mentioned to me several points. The actions and behaviors of some of the 'Americans' living in the community were a major problem. These 'Americans' were only sojourning in Israel, as a sort of fad, and as such, they felt they could bring America into Israel. So, these 'Americans' became rather cliquish, and as such, the Israelis felt that they had no wish to integrate into society, and thus the situation developed.

Problem was, they didn't ask them whether they would like a separate class, and they lumped all 'Americans' into one category- if you had a US passport, you were in the second class, whether you or your children were a bad influence or not. And, punishing the children for the parents' problem is not a solution.

But the other side was approached as well. Sometimes by an American living here for a while, they change via osmosis. One who might be extremely materialistic now may not be in 5 years. So giving these people the opportunity to change might be useful. 15 years ago, there were only a handful of 'Americans'- and now there are much more. Yet, they still might need the room to change.

I don't know how many of my readers will understand what I'm talking about in this. There is such a concept of growing in spirituality while living in Yerushalayim, in Israel. Those who have lived here long enough, raised children here- are more sensitive to that, and more protective of any influences that may change the delicate balance here.

How does one deal with those who are only sojourning in the land- not really interested in this sort of life, and are planning on moving back to the US soon? And, the repercussions and stereotypes reflect badly on those Americans, like myself, who want to integrate and remain in society. In the end- these people are here to stay, and the decision reflects as such.

I admire those who can maintain a high level of spirituality while living in Israel, but I, as all people who didn't grow up with it, need to merge slowly, and hope to be given the chance to change and grow. I hope one day to look back on the other side and say that I successfully integrated here, but there will be many hurdles, like this one, to overcome before that.

Mini America

I've mentioned before how easy and accessible American products are in Israel.

Crisco, from your local Shoprite or the name brand, is available at most stores.
So is Heinz Ketchup, Huggies diapers, La Choy brand soy products, Rice Dream, Nature Valley granola bars, Mishpacha graham cracker crusts, Gefen canned fruit, and the list continues on and on. Sour Sticks are my neighbor's kids choice of snack, when they go on sale for 4 for 10 shekel.

It's a bit funny- after all- how did Israel manage before the invention of Karo syrup in the local supermarket? There must have been something, or Israelis did without.

It doesn't just apply to food. Maclaren and Graco buggies do not come from Israel, that's for sure. Neither does American Sealy mattresses, Gap and Old-Navy clothing lines, or Children's Place sales. Berkshire and Brookline do not get manufactured here, and neither does Anne Klein, Nine West, Aldo, and the many shoe stores out there. Zara's, I can understand- they have a global market. And, there is even a Mac in Israel.

What is the world coming to?

And it has brought the American idea of consumerism to Israel. That 'American'- made is always better, that anything that says American must taste better, be of higher quality, and look nicer than the average Israeli product.

I went to buy shelled peanuts, and I found two types. Regular 'Botnim' (peanuts) and 'Botnim Americai'- American peanuts. When I asked the difference, I was told that American peanuts have a special shehakol coating on them. Go figure.

All one has to do to sell a product in Israel is stick an American flag on it, or say, imported from America- the land of dreams.

What did people do before the influx of people selling Baby Gap in their apartments?
I imagine they must have had substitutes, that were just as nice, or lived without- something to think about.

People have told me that it's changing- that American is not the end-all and be-all of products here anymore. I could hear that- as other countries have joined the international market here in Israel as well- Italian leather, Belgian carpets, English tea....

It's a global world out there- and Israel is smart to take advantage of it. But what did Israel do before the shipping industry took off? Did we make our own products? Did Israel have it's own special niche in many markets besides Intel and the computer industry?

If anyone knows, please let me know. I'd love to hear the history of how Fruit Roll Ups ended up in my neighborhood market.

To Buy, or Not To Buy

To preface this post, I would like to say that thank G-d, I have a good income, and I live in a neighborhood that is far from being 'poor', with most families able to support themselves.

Luxuries, wants, and needs are very different here than anywhere I've lived before. ProfK speaks all the time about what our wants and needs should be, and how to explain fiscal economics to even young children (phenomenal post- thanks!), and she's right. There are major differences between these two things, and how to achieve the balance, without running into debt, is what the American public as a whole is struggling with.

But in Israel- it seems there is a different standard. With so much coming from the country itself- health care, transportation, child support, schooling- there are less major expenses to pay here. So people live on a different standard- they get paid less as well, because there isn't such a high standard of living. And people are OK with that.

I'm not saying that there aren't people living in the red. I'm also not saying that there are people who are making excellent livings here as well (try dealing with real estate agents!) .

So the idea of luxuries, wants, and needs falls slightly lower than America.
A car- that's a want, or a luxury, not a need- since in most places there is adequate bus transportation. After school activities- usually a want, sometimes a need, since the children get out of school between 1-3.
Designer clothing- luxury. American clothing- luxury. And basics- toys for the kids, a 10 speed bike, even Kellogg's cornflakes instead of the Israeli brand- all could become wants, instead of needs. Cleaning lady- definitely a luxury.

I almost get ashamed when I walk into the grocery store and pick up a 14 shekel bottle of Shoko. How many families in my neighborhood would stare at it, and just walk past- because it's a want not a need? Plenty.

Saving money by folding down a stroller on the bus- 5 shekel. That 5 shekel could be used to buy 5 lebens for your 5 kids. So- paying it to the bus company- luxury.

And you know- the kids are happy here, despite having less. Their parents budget adequately, shower the kids with love and affection instead of toys or games, and all seems to run happily.

Materialism and Spirituality

Wow- with the fact I was sick right before Shabbos- I had some time to catch up on my reading. YWN's Out of the Mailbox section and B4S's comment have generated a bunch of ideas/critiques about the society some Jews live in, and why a new line of materialism has been drawn.
After spending a Shabbos thinking about it, I realized that Israel might not be an exception.

I mean- a generation ago, a child might be teased if he didn't have patches on his pants.
Nowadays- a child might be teased if the pants didn't come from a brand-name company, or his glasses don't match the newest fad.

Where do we draw the line? How much is too materialistic, and how much is just how society functions nowadays? It's a funny concept.

I grew up out-of-town (for all those interested, that's outside NY and Lakewood, NJ) and so we didn't have this pressure to show up at school with $110 dollar Ugg boots, or shirts with a little horse on them.

But, in different areas, the social line of how much one should involve themselves in the latest trends may, and are different.

For example, in Israel- 'American' is better- no matter if it is or isn't. I can tell good quality clothes- and some Israeli brands carry just as good, if not better merchandise.

Teenage girls here shop at Zara's, because of the American style clothing and the reasonable prices when it goes on sale, and all of them order their shoes online from the US and send them with relatives.

Small boys must have the Saret (ribbon) around the edge of their kippa, with 6 sections and no button, if they want to get into Ponevezh Yeshiva. (No joke. If they wear anything else- it's considered bummy).

So are we to say to these children- don't focus on materialism, it doesn't really matter what kippa you wear, or what label your shirt says.....but it does, in a way. It will affect them- how others view them, how they see themselves- and only children with very strong self images and very supportive parents and friends will be able to survive the onslaught.

Should parents give in? Should they buy the designer handbags for their children, give them knockoffs, or have them earn it themselves? Or should they take a strong stand and say no- also a hard choice, as their children need to be very strong in order to withstand the teasing. (And don't say move out of Place X- because it exists everywhere- with different standards of course- as shown by my examples of Israel.)

It's not a simple answer or a simple question. One can have either one or the other- Olam HaZeh or Olam HaBaah- this world or the next. So how much is too much? How much is materialism, and how much is just existence in the world we live in?