Moving to Israel

As the festive holiday of Chanukah settles upon Jews all over the world this week we take time to remember some of the many miracles wrought for our nation. A nice piece I read this morning reminds us that is also a good time for a financial education.

This holiday, when even the youngest child may receive gelt (the Yiddish word for money; Chanukah gelt given out by parents and guests after lighting the candles is the traditional children’s present rather than gifts), provides parents with a timely opportunity to teach their children about money and good financial habits. The article mentions how, particularly in today’s times, impressionable children are constantly confronted with uneducational messages regarding money. For this reason, it is even more important for us to teach our children financial responsibility from an early age and Chanukah provides the perfect opportunity. We can teach them where this money comes from, the responsibilities it brings, how it can help others and more.

While the festive side of Chanukah will be bringing joy to the Jewish people in Israel and throughout the world this week, let’s all remember to take the valuable lessons it teaches us as well to further strengthen and fortify our people.

Chag Sameach.

Ari

I mentioned last week how people have begun thinking about moving to Israel not only in return for the rich spiritual existence it provides but for, recently, for the financial benefits as well. Here’s more to strengthen that argument as Arutz Sheva reports on a recent interview of Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer with Fox News where Fischer says that Israel remains relatively free from severe damage in the worldwide financial crisis and stands to be one of the world’s safest places for investors.

“I feel much, much better that if there’s any [future] crisis, we are in a very strong position, much stronger than a year ago, because of our currency purchases,” Fischer told Fox.

The interview is filled with more optimistic statements about Israel’s financial situation and, while he was probably embellishing for the sake of the public at least a little, it’s clear that Israel has once again, with the help of G-d, shocked the world in remaining strong and vibrant through another world calamity - this time in the face of a world wide recession.

Ari