tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post6463951723812560941..comments2024-03-24T05:22:27.179-04:00Comments on Orthonomics: Agudah Spokesman on CampOrthonomicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07892074485262548496noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-82218978392437952442012-07-08T18:03:01.944-04:002012-07-08T18:03:01.944-04:00On a related note, here is a recent article in cro...On a related note, here is a recent article in crosscurrents about how the frum middle class is increasingly being asked to subsidize the kollel families, through increased tuition. http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2012/07/06/a-new-ugly-wrinkle-in-the-tuition-crisis/queenbeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00734809600764458147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-80160614417651185372012-07-08T15:08:34.126-04:002012-07-08T15:08:34.126-04:00I am reporting all comments on this blog that enco...I am reporting all comments on this blog that encourage fraudulent applications for SSI, disability, and "diagnoses" to the Attorney General of New York. Your ISP numbers will identify your identities. I suggest you not encourage fraud on this blog. I am taking action tomorrow to have the posters on this blog who are advocating taking advantage of the system, encouraging fraud, identified and their cases reconsidered in light of new evidence. That evidence is the statements they have written publicly on this blog, which indicates they may well have obtained benefits by fraud.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-97342639314927972012-07-08T09:58:52.316-04:002012-07-08T09:58:52.316-04:00Yaakov,
You raise some good points. A question I ...Yaakov, <br />You raise some good points. A question I have is what happens to children on SSI once they turn 18? Do they and their families have to give up their benefit or do they apply for adult benefits? My neighbors' son gets some kind of benefit because he has something called "aspergers" and this allows them to send him to an overnight camp. His parents worry all of the time about what will happen to him when he gets older.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-851642031321253082012-07-08T08:34:10.337-04:002012-07-08T08:34:10.337-04:00At our yeshiva many of the families already receiv...At our yeshiva many of the families already receive SSI payments. You have to be below a set income to qualify and get a doctor to fill out some forms saying that your child has a disabling condition. Many of the boys qualify with ADHD. If you have several children in this situation, I suppose that a family can make a lot of money on this program. A lot more adults are also qualifying for disability payments than in the past. I think this is because unemployment benefits are running out and there are no other options. This is not a situation that one should make fun of. Guidance is what is really needed to make sure that benefits go to those who are in need.<br />YaakovAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-49837356876625225142012-07-06T20:08:45.319-04:002012-07-06T20:08:45.319-04:00So she turned off the light.
And closed the door....So she turned off the light. <br />And closed the door.<br />But that isn't all there is -<br />After Shabbos there'll be more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-21804932690557753832012-07-06T19:59:58.155-04:002012-07-06T19:59:58.155-04:00Disability! The latest kollel technique! This is r...Disability! The latest kollel technique! This is rich! The modern orthodox blog taken over by those too disabled to work but not too disabled to learn gemorah. The children who are given diagnoses so they can qualify for government paid summer camp. <br /><br />I want my appendix out, too!<br /><br />"Thank the Lord you are well." And so good night said Miss Clavell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-1884870202358968902012-07-06T19:42:51.376-04:002012-07-06T19:42:51.376-04:00Kollel families should look into supplemental soci...Kollel families should look into supplemental social security income (SSI) programs if you suspect one or more of your kids might have a disabling condition like ADHD, as the monthly income you get can really make a big difference in what you might be able to provide. We used the money for camp and tuition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-86358970381480011162012-07-06T17:11:09.362-04:002012-07-06T17:11:09.362-04:00I think you can study at a Kollel and get disabili...I think you can study at a Kollel and get disability at the same time as long as the Kollel does not pay a stipend or perhaps only gives you free meals and a tuition waver. That arrangement might actually benefit the Kollel. I am of course assuming that you are really disabled. I also agree with a previous poster that it's not fair to pick on kids for the actions or lifestyle choices of their parents.<br />Shabbat Shalom<br />EyalAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-41949305684561978742012-07-06T16:38:22.363-04:002012-07-06T16:38:22.363-04:00Jake,
If you have a disability, it is to no one;s ...Jake,<br />If you have a disability, it is to no one;s benefit if you do not seek out help. If you have a child with a disability, there is also a program called SSI but I think you have to be under a certain income level to qualify. My nephew has add and his parents contacted a lawyer than helped them qualify for around $750 a month. This boy attends a sleep-a-way camp and the money helped pay his tuition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-78094283499932911412012-07-06T15:44:27.297-04:002012-07-06T15:44:27.297-04:00I think the comment was meant to read "milkin...I think the comment was meant to read "milking the system"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-70138370302732607572012-07-06T15:38:56.519-04:002012-07-06T15:38:56.519-04:00What does "miking the system" mean?
In ...What does "miking the system" mean?<br /><br />In the absence of all the poor modern orthodox, struggling under their tuition and camp burdens, lying under wafting palm trees on their summer holidays, the blog has been taken over by the kollel frummies, who have suggested it focus on kollel economics. Namely, how do you finagle the system to get as much government money as you can? How do you get on disability so you can learn in kollel? That post was a classic! And to think non-Jews are reading it, and thinking we are all this way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-89503146124176666072012-07-06T14:42:33.743-04:002012-07-06T14:42:33.743-04:00Blog owner is experiencing small emergency and doe...Blog owner is experiencing small emergency and does not approve of miking the system. If you want a blog for that. . . start your own! The Hirshian view of independence is one I share. Not familiar, explore these ideas.Orthonomicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07892074485262548496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-4135008637021086872012-07-06T11:09:38.914-04:002012-07-06T11:09:38.914-04:00For those who are looking for a Kollel style "...For those who are looking for a Kollel style "how to make it" economic blog, I would suggest "penniless parenting", which is from a frum lady in EY (I believe).<br /><br />To all those dissing the Kollel families: Remember those 5K tuitions from Lakewood etc. that teach nothing? No secular studies after 6th grade (if that)? How can you expect someone to get off benefits if they only have a seccnd or third grade level of education?<br /><br />Blame the parents, but Nebuch on the children. It is no different than other cultures that dismiss "the educated man's ways" in favor of their own, to their loss. It is very difficult to catch up when you are so far behind.Nephew of Frum Actuarynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-92227802930788731452012-07-06T10:47:04.902-04:002012-07-06T10:47:04.902-04:00The SSA doesn't care if your work is meaningfu...The SSA doesn't care if your work is meaningful or not. Just did you collect wages, receive a W-2, and pay FICA, or did you collect earned income and remit self employment wages.<br /><br />Whether you dig a ditch, serve as a General in the army, or learn in Kolel, the SSA doesn't really care/judge.<br /><br />If someone is willing to pay you for your efforts and you pay taxes, SSA records benefits.Miami Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02977503720972852329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-28464361764031672012012-07-06T10:18:11.160-04:002012-07-06T10:18:11.160-04:00Jake,
You can always call your local social securi...Jake,<br />You can always call your local social security office and ask your question. You can make an anonymous call if you don't want them to know who you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-17864307381682282432012-07-06T09:45:47.469-04:002012-07-06T09:45:47.469-04:00I'm surprised the blog owner has not weighed i...I'm surprised the blog owner has not weighed in. I'm guessing that she's busy with summer activities, not that she tacitly approves of the mentality that it's ok to take from others in order to "learn". Hopefully we'll hear something from her at some point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-58274737424186610482012-07-06T09:43:56.980-04:002012-07-06T09:43:56.980-04:00So, you have decided to intentionally build your &...So, you have decided to intentionally build your "lifestyle" to be a parasite on people who work.<br /><br />Look, if you are going to pick a treif lifestyle, go ahead and pick a treif lifestyle. Certainly the food is better.<br /><br />But pretending to be holy while ignoring Chazal completely and sponging off of people who actually work for a living, that's just wrong. <br /><br />Remember: Safety net, not hammock.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391023891253673160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-32092471238160237222012-07-06T08:33:18.184-04:002012-07-06T08:33:18.184-04:00My 62 year old father recently attended a retireme...My 62 year old father recently attended a retirement workshop at his shul and one of the speakers was from the local social security office. He told the crowd that they often provide speaker for workshops but that very few orthodox synagogues make the request. I understand that its fairly easy to get on disability now and if I were at the vent I would have asked if you can study at a kollel full or part time and still qualify for this benefit? If anyone out there knows the answer, please let me know.<br />JakeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-58759283904106230372012-07-06T06:27:14.419-04:002012-07-06T06:27:14.419-04:00I agree with the suggestions that a blog posting r...I agree with the suggestions that a blog posting related to those who live a Kollel lifestyle is long overdue. In my area it seems to be a growing phenomenon and I wonder if on some level its growth might be related to the poor economy and increased government support I know a lot of young families who use food stamp programs not as a stop gap measure, but as a part of their family financial plan. Unfortunately, many of these couples, while well versed in Torah, seem to be economic illiterates and they would definitely benefit from more information especially as they start to have children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-58458651918140652122012-07-05T07:48:44.777-04:002012-07-05T07:48:44.777-04:00Yohan,
Helpful giving away the money of people who...Yohan,<br />Helpful giving away the money of people who actually work for a living? It amazes me how many kvetches post on this blog. SL often offers good advice like an orthodox version of Suzie Orman, but I often wonder about the readers and how representative they are of the larger community. Personally, I am not orthodox and thinks its rather sad to read about some of the attitudes out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-20811159688486936042012-07-04T22:33:22.146-04:002012-07-04T22:33:22.146-04:00Yonah, your comment stands without criticism becau...Yonah, your comment stands without criticism because all the modern orthodox posters who have been complaining about their poverty for years on this blog are curiously absent this "holiday" weekend. Could it be they are on vacation? Now there's a conundrum (mystery): So poor, but on vacation? Hmmmm....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-35951408015586281972012-07-04T08:53:01.742-04:002012-07-04T08:53:01.742-04:00Ben Zion-You and your wife sound life a resourcefu...Ben Zion-You and your wife sound life a resourceful young couple to me. I have posted on this blog before and was beaten up for being a little too honest when it comes to expressing my opinion. One has to do what one has to do and I like your idea about a blog dedicated to the economics of a "kollel lifestyle." Resources are slim in most Jewish communities so I would advise you to play it straight with scholarship committees and the like. When interfacing with state case workers, if you have one, it has been my experience that they are expected to give assistance to those representing diverse groups and you might be surprised how helpful they can be. I would also advise you to be honest when discussing your situation with them because they are there to help you and many respect those who are religious and follow what they call the "old testament." Above all don't let those with negative attitudes get you down.<br /><br />Yonah S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-15984660668448984342012-07-03T22:51:15.122-04:002012-07-03T22:51:15.122-04:00Also: Your comment that others earn six figure inc...Also: Your comment that others earn six figure incomes - what a hoot! You actually believe that non-kollel families are earning six figures! That the alternative to kollel is wealth. <br /><br />The frum people I know who are working are earning far less than six figures, and are struggling to live lives of dignity. But you see, they have integrity. You have a skewed view of reality, in that you feel others owe you because you are superior people. The five figure earners with six children who are self supporting on meager means, working long hours, are the ones I admire. They don't have their hand out like you do. When did the world change so that people are openly proclaiming their entitlement to "outside help". My father would hang his head in shame before announcing publicly that he deserves outside help. His self sufficiency was his badge of pride. You have no pride. I do not find you admirable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-52384681735097850242012-07-03T22:44:39.054-04:002012-07-03T22:44:39.054-04:00"It is not our fault that our lifestyle choic..."It is not our fault that our lifestyle choice" - that phrase intrigues me. You are saying you have chosen a lifestyle that means you need lifelong outside help, meaning help from whatever community of earners and workers you land among. You are saying it's not your fault. You are saying you have made a choice. These two statements are self contradictory. Meaning that if you made a choice, as an adult you take responsibility for that choice instead of (whining, I know that's a powerful word but it's the one I mean) "it's not my fault". I know kollel families live very modestly. That is their choice. It is not their "fault" in that they should not be blamed for living modestly, they should be praised. They should be blamed for considering themselves entitled to community and government subsidy for their lifestyle choice to live lives that do not include any plan to be self supporting.<br /><br />I remember a case in which a professional man who was getting divorced turned to subsistence farming and told the judge who was deciding child support - Your Honor, I'm a poor subsistence farmer. I can't pay child support." The judge said, "You have the capacity to earn much more. You don't have the right to choose a poverty lifestyle and expect your wife or the government to support your children." The "subsistence farmer" by choice lost the case. He was required to support his family. He went back to his professional job.<br /><br />Dai lachkima b'remizah.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21976303.post-59001973896664215312012-07-03T16:55:56.291-04:002012-07-03T16:55:56.291-04:00She does small scale catering like making veggie a...She does small scale catering like making veggie and dairy trays for bris milot. What I was trying to point out was that most kollel live very modest lives and are not just free loaders. It is not our fault that our lifestyle choice doesn't afford us a 6 figure income and that we need outside help to sustain ourselves<br />Ben-ZionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com