Op-Ed: Credit Card Fees

Ever walk into a Brooklyn store or eatery (or any store for that matter) to purchase a can of soda or a quick sandwich?

You brought your item to the counter, got rung up and the total is $1.39. Or $4.39. Or even $9.39. You pull out your credit card to make your purchase. But wait, the cashier then informs you, "Oh sorry, we have a $10.00 minimum for credit card purchases." (Or sometimes, you may even find "Oh, there is a $0.50 surcharge for credit card use).

Yes, in the stores I refer to, it happens with all cards, be it an American Express, a Visa card, a Discover card or even MasterCard. You know, we have all experienced this, and most of the time, we actually do drag ourselves around the store collecting a few extra things we don't need. Or we might possibly add a french fries to that order that we don't really want, and probably shouldn't be eating.

Well, after experiencing this in 4 different stores in our very own neighborhood today, I decided to take a look into the issue. You'd be surprised at what I found. Well, actually, the findings aren't so surprising themselves; it's the stores in fact that shock me.

Dearest patrons of local stores and eateries, it’s time you knew your rights as the carrier of one of these cards.

After some quick research, it was certainly not hard to find the information I was looking for. Three of the four major credit cards generally accepted around town (American Express and Discover of course being a little less popular) do not allow a merchant to set a minimum purchase for their card to be used. The only slight exception is that of American Express.

Visa: Visa clearly prohibits the establishment of a minimum purchase for a merchant that accepts their card as a form of payment. Quoting from usa.visa.com, "Visa merchants are not permitted to establish minimum transaction amounts, even on sale items. They also are not permitted to charge a surcharge fee when you use your Visa card.” This is actually stated in the guidelines presented each vendor when they first begin to accept Visa.

MasterCard: Merchants accepting MasterCard are required to follow the acceptance rules. At Mastercard.com it states that the MasterCard acceptance rules “prohibits merchants that accept MasterCard cards from establishing any minimum amount below which the merchant won't accept payment via MasterCard card.” They also specifically prohibit the practice of charging a fee for using the card.

Discover: When pressed by MainStreet.com, as to whether a place accepting Discover can set a purchase minimum, Discover answered briefly and to the point. ““All I can share with you is that this practice is prohibited under our merchant regulations” a Discover representative stated.

American Express: An American Express representative, also in a statement to MainStreet.com, in reference to the same question stated, “We don't prohibit minimums but discourage it because it's not consumer-friendly. However, we require parity with other products.” That means a merchant can't impose a minimum on American Express Cards and not on Visa or MasterCard. That in turn means that there cannot be a minimum on AmEx either, as the other three prohibit it.

It’s time we actually knew that we were in fact being "scammed" by our very own neighbors.

One thing you can always try is to challenge the vendor by stating that you actually know these rules. Sometimes they will cave and accept the "low charge." Other times, you may need to threaten to report them to the credit card company. Of course, choosing to not make the purchase at all always sends a good message.

This isn't about cheapness or the idea of outing fellow Crown Heightsers' little secrets. This is about fairness and the idea of people knowing their rights, and the privileges they deserve. It’s actually quite amazing to think that Lubavitchers would act in such a way towards other Lubavitchers. For them it’s about wanting to make a few extra pennies. For me, it’s about wanting to buy a can of Diet Coke, even when I don’t have cash.

Sorry folks, but according to the rules, my want, wins.

Energy Magnate Aguiar Donates $770,000

(Published at www.Lubavitch.com)

Energy magnate Guma Aguiar has made a gift of $770,000 to Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in honor of Chanukah 2009.

Aguiar, the founder and CEO of Leor Energy, has seen his name become well known in Jewish philanthropy due to his support of Chabad-Lubavitch and other philanthropic projects. He made the gift to help sponsor many of the Chanukah outreach programs that are sharing the joy, the light and the messages of the holiday’s historic miracles to millions of people worldwide.

“I am moved and inspired by the light that Chabad brings to the world,” Aguiar said. “That is why I chose to make this contribution in connection with the holiday of Chanukah.”

Aguiar explained that he was motivated to contribute in the amount of 770 as the numbers correspond to that of the current Jewish calendar year of 5770. 770 is also the address of Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. It is from this well known address widely referred to simply as “770” that the Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory led the movement.

“For many years he motivated his followers to touch one more Jew, and I wanted to be a part of that,” said Aguiar.

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Merkos L’Inyonyei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad Lubavitch expressed his gratitude to Aguiar.

“At the time of Chanukah, when activities are at such a high level, a contribution like this makes an enormous difference.” Krinsky added that “the Rebbe noted on numerous occasions that 770 is the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew word “Porazta,” meaning to transcend constraints in our efforts to affect positive change in our lives, in society and the world at large.

“The Chabad Shluchim embody this concept on a daily basis. We are very fortunate to have a person like Mr. Aguiar who is willing and able to lend his support to the effort.”

A Thankful Reunion After 64 Years

(Published at www.Lubavitch.com)

Though the arrivals hall at JFK is no stranger to emotional reunions, a unique meeting on Wednesday brought more than the usual bevy of reporters and onlookers.

Bronislaw Firuta arrived from Poland on one of the busiest travel days of the year. There to greet him was Joseph Bonder. Though the two men, now in their 80s, hadn’t seen each other in 64 years, it was recognition at first sight.

Bonder was only 13 when he and his sister Joan were hidden by Firuta in Ostra Mogila, Poland. It was 1942, the height of Nazi imperialism. The siblings spent the next two years shuffling between the attic above and the shack behind the Firuta home.

“We never stayed in the house,” Bonder recalls. “The attic and the shack were open; they could make the excuse that we came in on our own. It was a big risk they were taking.”

That heroism was recognized by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, a New York-based organization dedicated to supporting and preserving the legacy of gentiles who risked their lives to save Jewish people during the Holocaust. The Foundation sponsored this reunion trip.

Though they have maintained a relationship via written correspondence and telephone conversations, the pair hasn’t seen each other in over six decades. It is “more exciting than anything else,” said Bonder late Wednesday. “He was really righteous and generous. He was always on my mind.”

Together with Bonder were his wife, children, and grandchildren. His rabbi from Monroe Township, New Jersey, was also at the emotional reunion.

“How can I not be a part of such a big celebration in his life?” Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe, told lubavitch.com. The meeting, he said, proves that even in the darkest of times, there were reasons to be thankful.

“This is someone who is not Jewish, who risked his life to save Jewish people. He is one of the truly righteous gentiles. It was very emotional to see.”

Bonder is an active member of his local Jewish community and vice-president of the Monroe Holocaust Survivors Group. Because of Firuta, Bonder “was able to produce a family of children and grandchildren,” said the group’s president, Jack Chevlin in an interview with lubavitch.com. “I wish we had many more people like that who could have done so for other Jewish people.” Chevlin himself was rescued by gentiles during the Holocaust.

Firuta’s U.S. visit comes in the wake of his wife’s recent death and the destruction of his home shortly after. For his part, Bonder plans to assist Firuta in any way he can. “Helping Jews then, what he did for me, was very risky. Financial help has no risk, so I have to. I’m sure I will do something for him.”

The two have a lot of catching up to do. During his whirlwind six-day trip, Firuta will stay at the Bonder home. A two-day New York City tour is planned.

On the agenda is visits with Bonder’s children, who have heard stories of their father’s rescue. He hopes that in the future, they too will keep in touch with his Polish savior. “They know he saved my life. They know well.”

Yeshiva-in-Prison Brings Meaning, Spiritual Growth to Inmates

(Published at www.Lubavitch.com)

Gordon M., 36, is an inmate at a Virginia prison where he recently participated in a yeshiva program. Thethree-day intensive Torah study experience, he says, were “the happiest and most joyful days in my last ten years of incarceration.”

For the last four years, the Aleph Institute, a Florida-based prison and military outreach organization, has been offering a comprehensive three-day learning program to Jewish inmates in prisons across the country. Known as the Adel Bas Avraham Yeshiva-in-Prison program, the learning initiative was founded by Aleph’s Executive Director Rabbi Aaron Lipskarand Mr. David Colburn, and was named for Colburn’s mother.

According to Rabbi Mendy Katz, Director of Outreach Programs at Aleph, “Yeshiva-in-Prison transplants these inmates from prison to a sort of Jewish sleep away camp.” Prisoners pray together, take meals together and study together. The impetus for the program comes from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, says Katz. “The Rebbe always stressed the importance of helping Jewish people who are in limited situations,” encouraging them to make good use of every opportunity where their freedoms are not denied.

The program’s eight-hour daily schedule includes selections from Chasidic philosophy, the Talmud, the Mishnah and other areas of Jewish thought. Developed specifically for Yeshiva-in-Prison by program director, Rabbi Yossi Stern, Yeshiva-in-Prison pairs volunteer rabbis with inmates as study partners and mentors. For some inmates, this is the first exposure to serious Jewish study.

“This can be a life changing experience for Jewish inmates,” said Rabbi Stern. “We try to do this 10-12 times a year and each time I’m reminded of its importance.” Stern said he’ll sometimes get as many as 18 inmates at the program which, according to Rabbi Katz, represents more than 90% of the prison’s Jewish population.

The most recent Yeshiva-in-Prison program took place November 23-25 at Federal Correctional Institution Petersburg, Virginia, and was staffed by eight rabbinic volunteers, ages 22-24, from the Lubavitch Yeshiva system. Volunteer Rabbi Shmuel Margolin said that he was “reminded of the importance to see each individual as a person. We try to make them feel like people again.”

Rabbi Margolin, who has been involved in prison outreach as a volunteer for the past three years, led the closing session at FCI Petersburg. "Every single person has a certain mission in life, that no one before him in history, and no one after him in the future can ever accomplish,” Rabbi Margolin said then, reinforcing the idea that each of them yet has his purpose to fulfill, despite the restricted circumstances of their lives.

“They love this,” Rabbi Katz said of the volunteers, “it’s a new and interesting experience. They value developing relationships with individuals in such a situation.” Rabbi Margolin, who has volunteered with prison outreach for the last three years, said the program gave him “a chance to really connect with individual inmates.”

Rabbi Joseph Kolakowski, the Richmond, VA based contract Jewish Chaplain at FCI Petersburg, said he appreciated the program’s work on behalf of the inmates whom he serves. The program “was very well received. Everyone enjoyed it immensely.”

Chaplain Bertrum McPhee of South Bay Correctional Facility said that “the program had a great effect on the participation of residents of the faith,” pointing to the fact that “attendance has gone up from six men to 23 men.” He echoed Rabbi Katz’s appreciation of the volunteers, who, through their work, “stirred a desire for the men to have a greater understanding of their practices.”

The program’s next session will take place December 8-10 at Miami Federal Correctional Institution. Upcoming programs are scheduled as well for prisons in Pensacola, FL and Allenwood, PA.

Chanukah Lights to Shine at Games

(Published at www.Lubavitch.com)

The Chanukah holiday, as wildly popular as it has become, was barely known several decades ago. But Chabad’s holiday awareness programs with olive presses and dreidel houses, menorahs carved of ice, chocolate and every conceivable material, have put the message of the holiday at the forefront of the winter season.

Today, public Menorah lightings have become a fixture in hundreds of locations across the globe. Celebrities and public officials vie for the honor of kindling of the lights. In town squares and shopping malls and along well-traveled highways, the Menorah lights are a familiar sight. And this Chanukah, they'll illuminate sporting arenas coast to coast.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

“We invite fans to share the joy and festivity of their Chanukah celebrations at the Rose Garden,” says Sarah Mensah, chief marketing officer of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. The Trailblazers and Chabad of Oregon are expecting the largest crowd in the history of the event, with more than 530 tickets already sold.

Former team owner, Mr. Harry Glickman, will kindle the Menorah lights at halftime. Twenty children from the Portland Jewish community will get a chance to high-five the players before the game, says Rabbi Chaim Wilhelm.

MIAMI HEAT

Rabbi Pinny Andrusier, of Chabad of Southwest Broward said he was approached by the Miami Heat to partner in a Jewish Heritage Night celebrating Chanukah. “An employee of the Heat had previously worked with the Portland Trailblazers and saw the success of the Chanukah program,” Andrusier said. “Knowing the demographics of South Florida, he thought it would be the perfect event for our community.”

More than 1500 tickets have already sold for the game at the American Airlines Arena on Tuesday, December 15th. Popular Jewish rock band, 8th Day will perform a pre-game on court concert and a halftime show from the concourse.

“They are very popular of late, and with their name, 8th Day, it is apropos that they be the group to perform,” Andrusier said.

The halftime show will broadcast throughout the arena and will also feature a Chanukah message from the rabbi. Before play resumes, a presentation will be made to the team. One of the club's former star players will accept an award on behalf of the team. A post-game Chanukah party on the court is planned especially for Patrons of Jewish Heritage Night.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

At the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning will be hosting groups from 10 Chabad Centers from the Tampa Bay area to celebrate Jewish Heritage Night on Wednesday December 9th. Tickets purchased through www.jewishhockey.net at $20.00 will gain fans access to a pre-game Chanukah party which includes the kindling of the Menorah by team owner Craig Sher. Tickets also net fans a seat, kosher hot dog and special souvenir.

Rabbi Mendy Dubrowski, director of Chabad of South Tampa said scheduling did not allow the event to actually be on Chanukah, but has allowed them to partner with Tampa's Jewish Family Services for a toy drive.

"The main purpose is to give back. Instead of just celebrating ourselves, we must see that others receive the opportunity to celebrate as well." Fans are encouraged to bring along a wrapped gift to donate to the drive. In addition to local synagogues and youth groups that will be at the arena, the Jewish War Veterans group will present the color guard prior to the game.

NORFOLK ADMIRALS

In Norfolk, VA, the Lightning’s minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals has paired with Chabad of Tidewater for the second time to bring the joy of Chanukah to Scope Arena. The team approached Chabad in early October to express interest. “By having a Chanukah celebration in Scope Arena, we are allowing many people to experience the lighting of the Menorah and learn something from the message of Chanukah,” says Mrs. Rashi Brashevitzky, director of youth programming.

At Scope Arena on December 16th, there'll be latkes and donuts; Chabad’s dreidel mascot will be greeting fans and handing out Chanukah gifts to the kids to the backdrop of Chanukah musica. An ice sculptured Menorah will be kindled between periods.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

On December 12th, At Nassau Coliseum in Hempstead, Long Island, Rabbi Yossi Liebermanwill be kindling the second Chanukah light accompanied by two local children. The Menorah will be placed on the Red Carpet on the Ice between periods of the evening's New York Islander's game, and Rabbi Lieberman will share the message of Chanukah with the thousands of fans. Kosher food will be available and Chanukah materials will be freely distributed.

Mitchell Nathanson a member of Chabad of West Hempstead said Rabbi Lieberman’s enthusiasm and commitment inspired him to get involved. “If we reach one person that didn’t know it was Chanukah, that will ignite the light,” Nathanson said. “He’ll get a menorah for his family and that will spread the light in their home. It’s all about touching people.”

Rabbi Lieberman said the Islanders had dedicated the evening’s “Charity of the Night” 50/50 raffle to the Friendship Circle of West Hempstead. Last year the raffle garnered FC nearly $1,500.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

Chabad Outreach of Houston had partnered with the Houston Rockets once before. The relationship began when Rabbi Dovid Goldstein met Evan Gelber, the team’s official videographer. The two presented the idea to the team and this year, Hoops & Hanukkah returns to the Houston Toyota Center on Tuesday, December 15th. Chabad’s efforts are joined this Chanukah by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and the Houston JCC.

In an interview with Lubavitch.com Rabbi Mendy Traxler said there would be a pregame Menorah Lighting outside the arena and a special post game Chanukah party for the first 100 Hoops & Hanukkah tickets sold.

“During halftime, we will have the opportunity to bring Chanukah to the nearly 18,000 fans at the game,” Traxler said.

The message of Chanukah, says Rabbi Goldstein, is relevant to everyone, Jewish or not. “We’ll be on the court for just a few minutes and in that time we will deliver a universal message.”

The message? Kindle your light, and add your gift of goodness and kindness to the world we share.

Chanukah at Staples Center

(Published at www.Lubavitch.com)

Rabbi Moshe Greenwald, director of Chabad of Historic Core, was joined by three other Chabad Emissaries from the Los Angeles area at Staples Center on Monday, December 14th. The event, dubbed "Jewish Heritage Night," was the first of its kind at Staples Center, home to the NBA's LA Lakers, Clippers and the NHL's Kings.

Prior to the game, Greenwald kindled the Menorah as thousands of fans looked on. Several thousand Jewish fans, in the stands specifically for Jewish Heritage Night, applauded Rabbi Greenwald. The Rebbe's call to hold public Menorah lightings and share the light and joy of the festival, said Greenwald, was his inspiration to get involved with Jewish Heritage Night.

"What better way to spread the word, then at a stadium with thousands of captivated fans" he said.

Rabbi Simcha Backman, director of Chabad of Glendale and the Foothill Communites called it an evening of "Inspiration at Staples". Backman said Blake Griffin, the first pick in the NBA's 2009 draft for the Clippers, who is rehabbing from injury, attended the event and put on a free throw display just before the lighting of the Menorah.

"Fans came out to support their team and were privileged to witness the first Menorah lighting at Staples Center," said Rabbi Backman.

"And they got to see the Clippers beat the Wizards. What a great night!".

FIU Celebrates Rabbi's Birthday

(Published at www.Lubavitch.com)

“Spending Shabbat with my Chabad friends is always a blessing,” said Dr.Jeffrey Knapp, director of the Academy for the Art of Teaching at Florida International University. “It’s the best way to celebrate the close of a week.” Knapp is one of more than 4,000 Jewish faculty and students at FIU that benefit from a colorful range of programs and services offered by Chabad at Florida International University.

But two weeks ago, Shabbat with Chabad was not at its usual venue. Instead, students and faculty were hosted at the home of FIU’s president, Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg. The occasion: Chabad campus representative Rabbi Levi Friedman’s 30th birthday.

“The Rabbi and his wife are recognized community leaders, as well as good friends,” said Rosenberg, who presented the Chabad representative with a gift on behalf of the university’s faculty and students. “I value their presence at FIU and community events.”

The Chabad Jewish Student Center at FIU, known as the Tabicinic Chabad House, was founded by Rabbi Levi and his wife, Sashie, in August of 2004. By the time the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at FIU, became its president--the Friedmans were well acquainted with him.

“With the relationship we have and the President’s strong desire to personally engage the students--we knew that hosting Shabbat dinner at his home was just the sort of setting the president and his wife would love," Friedman said. "That approachable attitude is one of the things students love most about him.”

So on Friday evening January 22, as Shabbat descended upon South Florida, students and faculty arrived at the Ronald Reagan Presidential House, the president’s residence on FIU’s campus. Some 45 guests were greeted by their hosts, Dr. Mark and Rosalie Rosenberg, and led to long tables decked out with a traditional, formal Shabbat kosher dinner.

The evening began with the recitation of the Kiddush by Friedman’s father, Rabbi Yosef B. Friedman, who had arrived from New York with his wife, Sheine, for the event. Dr. Knapp followed by leading the hamotzie. Past student presidents of Chabad FIU, Aaron Margolis, and Sholom Neistein who now serves as president of the Student Government Association at the Biscayne Bay Campus, joined the dinner. Maxime Komornik, representing the student body, delivered a talk on the weekly Torah portion.

During the dinner, Dr. Rosenberg asked all the guests to introduce themselves. Students shared their own sentiments of appreciation for Chabad at FIU as their home away from home, and spoke of the Friedmans’ support and friendship they have come to cherish.

Virginie Illouz, a Jewish student from Haiti, spoke of her gratitude to the Chabad House, calling it a “lively hub” where she met so many of the people she counts as friends today. Guests were moved to tears as she described how the earthquake in her hometown affected her and her family, and the comfort she found with Chabad.

In a talk delivered with his signature humor, Rabbi Friedman thanked the president and his wife for hosting this special dinner, and praised the president’s profound commitment to the student population of FIU.

Most meaningful to them, say both Levi and Sashi, was the birthday gift from the students: a box containing small notes of the mitzvot each student committed to in honor of the Rabbi’s birthday.

Rita Ritvin, an Israeli born FIU student was excited to be included in the Shabbat dinner. “The party felt very intimate even with about 50 people there! I felt very honored to have been invited to this event,” she said, pointing out that her affiliation with Chabad at FIU goes back three years. “The Rabbi, his wife and their beautiful children have become really good friends of mine,” she boasted.

Her favorite thing about the Friedmans, she said, is their Jewish spirit. “I’ve learned not only about the mitzvot, but also that I can come as I am and be a part of something great, both on a spiritual and physical level.”