In a Blow to AG James.. Judge Throws Out Massive Case Against B&H Photo

 

A New York state court dismissed a $7.3 million tax whistleblower suit brought by the state attorney general against Manhattan-based B&H Foto, finding the photography retailer’s “instant savings” program transactions aren’t manufacturer coupons subject to sales tax.

James’ office accused the photo and video equipment retailer in 2019 of failing to pay at least $7.3 million in sales and use taxes on $67 million in so-called instant savings reimbursements from 2006 to July 2017.

In November 2019, James’ office said B&H “intentionally underpaid sales tax on millions of dollars in receipts from its sales of cameras” and other electronics since 2006 using an instant rebate program in which manufacturers reimbursed the retailer for sales — with B&H never paying tax on those reimbursements as it should have.

We've filed a lawsuit against B&H, the photo & electronics store, for allegedly failing to pay sales tax on tens of millions of dollars they received from manufacturers for "instant rebate" discounts to customers.

In New York, no company is above the law.

— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) November 14, 2019

US Jewish students feel unsafe on campus, half hide identity, survey finds

 

A new survey has found an alarming level of antisemitism experienced by Jewish students on college campuses, with students who claim a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection to Israel feeling unsafe and the need to actively hid their identity.

The survey, which polled 1,027 members of the predominately Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) and the leading Jewish sorority Alpha Epsilon Phi (AEPhi), found that nearly 70% of the students surveyed personally experienced or were familiar with an antisemitic attack in the past 120 days, with more than 65% of these students feeling unsafe on campus and one-in-10 fearing physical attack. Furthermore, 50% of students said they have felt the need to hide their Jewish identity.

Palestinians admit capture of Gilboa prisoners shows Israeli intel prowess

 

The recapture of the last two prisoners who escaped from Gilboa Prison on Saturday night shows that Israel has very good intelligence sources in the West Bank, residents of Jenin said Sunday.

The recapture of Ayham Kamamji and Munadel Enfayat is also a blow to the Fatah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) gunmen in the Jenin refugee camp who had over the past few days pledged to defend the fugitives and foil any attempt by the IDF to enter the camp or the city of Jenin, the residents said.

Iron Dome will be funded, but more ‘Squad’ trouble is on the way

 

The Iron Dome may ultimately receive the American funding it needs, after progressive pressure led Democratic Party leadership in the House of Representatives to remove it from a broader bill, and then vowed to propose the aid as its own bill within days. But that doesn’t mean that the drama surrounding it is over.

Tuesday’s events in the House should ring alarm bells in Jerusalem that more trouble with the “Squad” is on the way, even as public statements by Israeli officials tried to minimize the problem.

Full Utah bodycam video of when Police Pulled over Gabby Petito

 

Israeli housing prices show largest increase in the world

 

Israeli housing prices increased 345.7% over the last decade, recent research from the website Money.co.uk has found. The figure represents the largest increase of any country in the world.

Prices per square meter in Israel rose from $2,145 in 2010 to $9,560 in 2020. That's not just keeping up with inflation, which rose by only 0.92% during the same period. And it definitely isn't in keeping with the last decade's 17.5% rise in wages.

Israel's No. 1 position is more than double the closest runners up – Switzerland, which saw a 165% increase; Germany, where housing prices rose 162%; and the United States, which logged a 153% bump. Coming in 10th place was the United Kingdom, with a 75% increase in housing prices since 2010.

Greece experienced the biggest decrease in prices per square meter – a negative 17.9%. This was in keeping with the country's economic crisis, which also depressed wages by 16% annually during the same period.

Norway, the Czech Republic and Belgium also saw decreases in housing prices.

The research, cited by Israel21c, doesn't consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the average price of owner-occupied dwellings in Israel fell by 3.2%, the largest contraction since 2007. When adjusted for inflation, prices fell by 2.2%. The number of apartments bought during the second quarter of 2020 also plummeted by 27%.

However, by 2021, the figures were trending upward again, with housing prices in Israel rising by 5.6%, according to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics.

Real estate accounts for 19% of gross domestic product directly, another 13% indirectly [and] no less than 40% of the public's total wealth," says Elli Kraizberg, a professor of business administration at Bar-Ilan University.

Tel Aviv holds the distinction of having Israel's most expensive residential real estate, followed by the Tel Aviv suburbs of Kfar Saba and Ramat Gan, and then Jerusalem. Beersheva has the cheapest housing in Israel among the country's big cities.

More Verbal Abuse on Frum Community as Netflix renews ‘My Unorthodox Life’ for second season

 

Netflix is bringing back “My Unorthodox Life,” the reality series about a formerly Orthodox fashion mogul and her family, the streaming giant announced Monday.

No details about the content of season two or any approximate release date were disclosed.

The series follows Julia Haart, who left the Orthodox community she grew up in in Monsey, New York, to become CEO of the Elite World Group fashion model agency.

Over the course of nine episodes, she and her four children wrestle with how to adapt their varying levels of Jewish practice in secular New York City society.

The show sparked a wide array of debates in different Jewish communities and drew some criticism for its portrayal of Orthodox communities as harshly restrictive.

"Before you judge the show, maybe you might want to watch the show?” Haart told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency after the series debuted in July. “Because they had the word ‘unorthodox’ in it, people have made a thousand assumptions without actually taking the time to listen to what I actually have to say.”

How a Reform Temple Wouldn't Let Someone in Without a Ticket on Yom Kippur ...

 

by Alla Umanskiy

It was a rainy Yom Kippur day when I pulled up into the parking lot of a reform temple in the Atlanta area. This was a temple where my husband and I got married. Ten years later, we renewed our vows here in front of family and friends. A couple of years after that, my husband’s parents renewed their vows here. All that’s to say, this place was special, and we have a connection to it. We are also not members.

To be more specific, I’m not a member of any synagogue in town. I do occasionally visit my local Chabad house, where I always feel welcomed. However, on this Yom Kippur, I wanted to go to this temple where my family has a connection. It’s the holiest day of the Jewish year, I thought to myself as I entered the half-empty parking area. I’m sure they won’t send me away.

The police officer sized me up and down as I approached the entrance. Security, understandable, no problem. I generally don’t look too menacing and don’t pose much of a threat. I walked up to the nice middle-aged woman who was sitting out front behind a folding table. She looked at me above her mask. “Do you have a ticket?” she asked. I replied that I do not.

“So how does this work?” I asked, probably looking somewhat lost.

“How does what work?” she was perplexed.

“I don’t have a ticket. I’m not a member. I was hoping to come for service today,” I began explaining. “I got married here years ago.”

“You have to have a ticket,” she replied firmly, her brows furrowing above the said N-95.

“Can I purchase a ticket on the spot?” I inquired, quickly losing hope, but still determined.

“Yes,” her voice was now almost apologetic. “It’s $245. That buys you a ticket for access to services during the High Holidays.”

“I see,” I said, because I didn’t know how to respond. “But Rosh Hashanah is over. And Yom Kippur is today. So I’d pay $245 for just coming in today..?”

Maybe she smiled behind her mask. Maybe she didn’t. I’m not sure. I took one last shot.

“So, there’s no open-to-the-public service today?”

“No, there’s not.”

I thanked her and began what can only be described as the walk of shame back to my car.

Yom Kippur is the holiest of days. Jews all around the world gather in temples to pray and to atone. Some of those Jews belong to synagogues, have memberships that allow them to drop in on whatever services they want. Others – many others – do not. Yet, it seems that on this holiest of days, all Jews might be welcomed at all temples. It would seem that the doors of all shuls should be open during the High Holidays to embrace Jews of all types who want to feel a moment of closeness to the Almighty. On this day, of all days.

I know some may argue that everyone else must pay for the privilege of membership – why should I get to come for free? That argument is valid, I agree, every other day of the week, every Shabbat, sure. But on Yom Kippur? On Yom Kippur?

I hate to make this comparison, but would a church turn away a person who wanted to come in on Christmas Eve? I don’t believe it would. I have traveled extensively throughout Europe and have been inside many churches, big and small. Most of them are open to the public. You can sit in a pew. You can use the bathroom. You can marvel at the magnificent architecture, while you drink from your water bottle. That house of G_d is open to all, including Jews. Why aren’t ours? Especially, on High Holidays.

Of course, I realize that there are plenty of free Yom Kippur services around town. Yes, I know. But my soul was pulling me in the direction of this one particular temple. Unfortunately, on that day, it was not to be.

I ended up attending a lovely service at my local Chabad house on Yom Kippur. The rabbi was wonderful and inspiring. The humongous crowd was beautiful, excited, dressed up. The parking lot was overflowing. The police presence was strong. I sat on a folding chair, breathing in and out, thankful for being welcomed, grateful for being surrounded by people, who, like me, wanted a place to come to on this day. A place where we won’t be turned away. The rain was tapping on windows, as I remembered a line from the “Munich” movie – “You’re a Jew. I’m a Jew. I’m sure it says somewhere that we’re supposed to break bread together.” That line was in my head all day. We’re all Jews. I’m sure it says somewhere that we don’t turn each other away, especially on holidays, especially during a pandemic, especially in the rain.

Reb Yechiel Benzion (“Benny”) Fishoff Longtime Askan And Philanthropist

 

Reb Yechiel Benzion (“Benny”) Fishoff Z”L, noted philanthropist & askan of klal yisroel, passed awat at 97. Reb Benzion was the Chairman Emeritus of Agudath Israel’s Board of Trustees, and a longtime Askan and Baal Chesed who devoted his entire life to helping others.

The Niftar was born in Lodz, Poland, to a family of Gerrer Chassidum. As a young child, he was Zoche to see the Imrei Emes.

He miraculously escaped WWII by escaping to Shanghai, China, along with Talmidim of Yeshiva Chachmai Lublin. He later wrote his memories of that period in a book he co-authored “From Lublin to Shanghai: The Miraculous Exile of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin”.

He resided in Forest Hills, Queens.

Throughout his life, Reb Benzion kept a close Kesher with leading Gedolei Hador and Admorim around the globe with an especially warm kesher with the Bais Yisroel and the worldwide Gur Chasidus. Mr. Fishoff was universally respected as an eloquent statesman and was well known as one the closest confidant’s of Rabbi Moshe Sherer Z’TL, the legendary Agudath Israel President. “Benny” as he was lovingly known was often tasked with the the role of Ambassador for Rabbi Sherer on behalf of Agudath Israel and American Jewry. His accomplishments on behalf of Torah and Klal shtadlonus in America span many decades and much more about the life and accomplishments of this great Torah Askan will surely be forthcoming.

Agudath Israel’s Chairman of the Board, Reb Shloime Werdiger credits Reb Benzion with creating the model by which the next generation of Klal Askonim followed. “R’ Benny was a pioneer, a Shearis Haplaita Yid who taught us all how a Yid rebuilds and lives a Torah life. He was my mentor, my guide, my Rebbe in klal askanus and my dearest friend. His influence is everywhere and his loss to Klal Yisroel is incalculable.”

Laura Loomer Needs A Refuah Shleima .. Has ‘Brutal’ Case of COVID

 

Right-wing activist Laura Loomer confirmed this week she has COVID-19 and the symptoms have been “brutal.” In the past, she expressed an interest in contracting the virus so she could prove it’s no worse than food poisoning.

“Just pray for me please,” she wrote on Gettr, a social media platform launched by Jason Miller, a former spokesperson for Donald Trump. “Can’t even begin to explain how brutal the body aches and nausea that come with covid are. I am in so much pain. This is honestly the worst part about it.”

Last year, Loomer said she wanted to “get COVID” just to prove she’d had “bouts of food poisoning that are more serious and life threatening than a hyped up virus.”

“Have you ever eaten bad fajitas? That will kill you faster than COVID,” she wrote on Parler, another social media app favored by conservatives. Loomer, known for her anti-Muslim views and a failed Congressional run in Florida, has been banned from Twitter for three years.

Though she’s not on the popular microblogging platform herself, Twitter users shared screenshots of her past Gettr posts about the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines.

“I believe when a few years pass, we will see that the vaccines will have killed more people than COVID,” said one of Loomer’s old posts. “How is a vaccine ‘saving lives’ for a virus with a 99.7% recovery rate? A bad case of food poisoning is literally more lethal than COVID.”

Another post said, “People get COVID and don’t even know they have COVID. I know people who have cancer and are on chemo who got COVID and nothing happened to them.”

She called the virus “the biggest hoax” since the 2020 election.

Loomer told her Gettr subscribers she received a Regeneron treatment, but is in a lot of pain and “will be sleeping” for the time being. She said she still does not plan on getting the vaccine.