Author Archives: jik

Chase does it again (or not)

I am not a big fan of Chase. I have blogged previously about why (see Late credit card payments: Citigroup good, Chase bad, “Bank error in your favor, collect $13,117.50.”, I just made some phone droid’s day). I continue to carry a Chase credit card only because I get cash back, it has no annual… Read More »

Just Say No to shopping at Sears

I recently attempted to buy a couple pairs of jeans from Sears through their Web site, an attempt which failed spectacularly, as did my attempts to get Sears to fix it. Also, it turns out that not only does Sears spam people who order through their Web site, but they keep doing it after they’ve… Read More »

Help aguna Susan Rosenfeld

Passing on an email message that was forwarded to me: From: Gary Buchwald <Gary7@alum.mit.edu> Please take the time to read this brief email and help in any way you can. The email below is currently being circulated by the family of an Agunah, Susie Rosenfeld, who currently lives in Oceanside. It has started a barrage… Read More »

Rabbinic irony

I just saw an announcement for a talk being given tonight in a Boston Jewish venue by a visiting rabbi who shall rename nameless. The title of the talk is, “Self-Righteousness — Going on an Ego Trip”. The announcement of the talk included the following biography of the speaker (emphases mine): Rabbi [deleted] was born… Read More »

On public apologies

A few days ago, I flew off the handle and attacked someone on the jewish-boston mailing list for a comment which was meant in jest and which I incorrectly took seriously. I was helped to see the error of my ways by some very polite people, and this morning I sent this apology to the… Read More »

Voting the “straight Israel ticket”

It’s campaign season in the US, and like clockwork, out come the Jews who ask only one question when deciding for whom to vote: “Which candidate is the strongest supporter of Israel?” It is not unheard of to hear such people express the opinion that Jews who consider issues other than support for Israel when… Read More »

On “School Choice”

It’s campaign season in the US, and one of the issues that comes up during every campaign is “school choice.” “School choice” is a code word for school voucher programs, through which money would be taken away from public schools and given to private schools instead. In other words, under a school voucher program, if… Read More »