By Rabbi Levi Kaplan
Executive Director – Brooklyn Geshem Center
As people who are deeply rooted in this community, we strongly believe in being an advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. Our concern about the social and economic conditions in Crown Heights deepens as we see struggle and challenge entrench itself deeper in the lives of fellow Jews. As a community we must be vigilant in working to strengthen the social fabric of our society. This is the number one reason we are committed to doing everything in our power to address these issues.
A failing economy weakens our social foundations and leads to an overall sense of hopelessness including; increased rates of divorce, abuse, drop-outs and alcoholism. The cost of these social ills is significant to the well-being of families.
Affordable education, training and motivation have proven to raise the overall poverty rate. The best way to address most of these problems is to focus on providing real hands on training, professional development, and learning that will help feed families and get people jobs!
As a community, we need to focus on helping each other. Improving our neighbor’s circumstances will improve our own. We are all invested in our community. There is an old saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Our community is in an economic and social crisis and it’s time for leadership that understands this new reality. Our community must be one that not only values life but also the quality of life! Together with Hashem’s help and guidance, we’ve put together a plan that will help put families on the road to economic recovery and improve the quality of life in Crown Heights. We are confident that the NEW Geshem Center will greatly enhance our ability to improve many of the social issues that we all care about in our community.
We are asking each of you to get involved in this mission. Encourage your friends and family members to register for a course they may be interested in taking. Encourage and support those who may be nervous about learning something new, and those of you who are able to do so- support us. Whether this is sponsoring someone you to know for a class or making a contribution, every dollar goes directly to the community!
The Geshem Center is a small, non-profit and B”H we are able to offer quality services at a low cost. However, in order for us to build upon this vision we need you to contribute in any way you can. Contact us at the Geshem Center and let us know how you would like to help.
For more information please visit our website: www.geshemcenter.com
You have to look at the performance of precious metals against the Dollar from the date of when the tie of the Dollar to gold was cut. In 1970, Gold was $35.94 (per troy oz.) and silver was $1.635 ($1.64). Presently (41 years later), Gold is at $1490 and silver is at $42.60. That means Gold appreciated in value in the past 41 years 4,145% and silver 2,605%! In this same time period, the Dow has only appreciated 1,771%. Silver has outperformed the Dow by 47% and gold has outperformed the Dow by 134%! Therefore, your premise that the stock… Read more »
Hey the return on gold is about break even taking into effect inflation for the past 30 years. Stocks return more than commodities over the long run.
When I wrote “Likewise, in 2000 silver cost $300” I meant Likewise, in 2000 GOLD cost $300.
The proportions aren’t equal:
5:40 ≠ 300:1500
5:40 = 1:8
300:1500 = 1:5
… and you speak of the same year.
Thank you very much for your investment advice. My 401K is actually doing rather fine. It’s all about diversity.
What Rabbi Kaplan has initiated is amazing. Another important aspect of poverty pervention though, is to know where to invest the little bit you put aside in savings/ investments. In my humble opinion you shouldn’t invest in the US Dollar, real estate or US denominated assets (i.e. stocks). The way to go is invest in precious metals because it can’t be printed, whereas the dollar can and is being inflated more and more every day. As an analogy; it would be like investing in flour instead of ready baked cakes which become more stale every day. When you want to… Read more »