frontlines
The Phone Service Provider Challenge
W
e all face challenges. Health. Financial.
modem arrives with "self-install" kit. I install modem. Seven
Challenges that test us. It's part of the human
of my eight phones are rendered useless. After six hours on
equation. No one gets by unscathed. But you
phone with techs from three different countries, a service call
know the saying: "That which does not kill us makes us
is scheduled.
In the interim, I receive voicemail confirming that, I swear
stronger?' Yeah, well try convincing someone of that after
they've attempted to "seamlessly" switch their phone
this is true: "Your new phone service will commence on
service provider. I know because I just lived through the
"Dec. 31, 2044:' I call cable company and ask if we can shoot
(insert echo) horror, horror, horror.
for 2041. Service man arrives. Informs me there is no way I
Yes, I finally turned my landline phone service
could've ever self-installed this system. He gets
over to my cable and Internet provider to take
phones working. He leaves.
advantage of their bungled, er, "bundled" package
Oops, forgot to see if new phones communi-
deal. While in the end it all worked out, you do pay
cate with my alarm company. Want to venture
a price to pay a lower price.
a guess? Need special tech to fix alarm. Set-up
I will forgo mentioning my cable company's
appointment. Tech arrives two days later. Can't fix
name. My goal is not to besmirch them nor harm
it. Call alarm company; they fix it. Done. Phones
their bottom line, because for every communica-
work. Cable works. Internet works. Alarm works.
tions firm in existence, there are plenty of dis-
Prescribed anxiety meds work. Mission accom-
plished. (Exhale)
gruntled customers on the verge of a mental break-
down. I'm just one of the lucky ones who lived to
I close now with a modified version of the 23rd
Alan
Psalm.
talk about it ... though it took a few days to talk
Muskovitz
about it because my phones didn't work for a while.
Yea, though I walked through the valley of the
Jewish News
Here now is a condensed chronological compila-
shadow of a cable company,
Columnist
tion of my recent chaotic communications conver-
I feared no evil: for Thou art provided me with
sion. A deep breath aaaand here we go ...
three technicians and two service men;
Switching to digital phone service required a new modem
Thy cable, Internet and phones, they comfort me.
to accommodate my two landlines. Provider said I could
Thou preparest a bundled price package before me in the
buy modem to avoid leasing one. Told to visit on-site cable
presence of mine competitive offers,
representative for assistance at one of five local Best Buys. To
Thou annointest my bill with discounts; my cup runneth
be safe, contacted all five by phone first; no representative
over with savings.
existed. Visited a Best Buy to make sure. No rep and no such
Surely, this great deal will follow me all the days of my
modem. Called manufacturer of modem. Says Best Buy has
life ... NOT! I've already been told that I'll be getting a rate
the modem, just wrong SKU. Given SKU; go back to store.
increase in years two and three!
Amen? Yeah, right.
Best Buy enters SKU in computer. No such product exists. I
cave and order/lease modem from cable provider.
Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voiceover/acting talent, speaker and
While new modem is in transit, cable company shuts off
emcee. Visit his website at www.laughwithbigal.com and "Like" Al
my existing modem. I have no computer service. Nice cable
on Facebook.
guy in Pakistan apologizes; turns modem back on. New
❑
JN CONTENTS
meJEWISHNEWS.cor
July 4-July 10, 2013 I 26 Tammuz-3 Av 5773 I Vol. CXLIII, No. 22
21111tril iW" Ali
1-
,
Michael Berke spent his career
working with Jewish agencies. A
longtime professional at Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit,
Michael knew of Hebrew Free Loan,
and later helped raise money for the
agency as a fundraising consultant.
"My father worked with Israel Bonds,
and he was a good role model for
supporting Jewish causes. I suppose
I could have chosen some other
profession, but I only ever wanted
to serve the Jewish community,"
Michael said. "I was part of the world
of non-profit service as a professional,
and now I'm retired, and I choose to
do this as a volunteer."
Recently elected as HFL President,
Michael hopes to extend the agency's
118-year tradition of helping area
Jews financially in personal and small
business matters.
"Hebrew Free Loan is a jewel in the
crown of our community, and we have a
lot to offer people at a variety of levels,"
Michael said. "Nothing gives me more
pleasure than when we can send a kid
to camp, or help someone establish
their first home, or make people
whole. We are blessed to have a
diverse and committed Board, and a
strong agenda for good. I hope we
can reach new levels of benefit to others."
Click. Call. Give No
Shabbat Lights And Fast Day
Ann Arbor
9, 21
Around Town
16
Arts/Entertainment ...23
17
Calendar
26
Food
14
Here's To
Israel
11, 19
Letters
5
Life Cycles
29
32
Marketplace
8
Metro
18
Next Generation
Obituaries
38
Out & About
25
Points Of View
19
22
Sports
Staff Box/Phone List ...6
Synagogue List
20
Torah Portion
21
Columnist
Danny Raskin
28
Shabbat: Friday, July 5, 8:54 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, July 6, 10:05 p.m.
Shabbat: Friday, July 12, 8:51 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, July 6, 10:01 p.m.
Tisha b'Av Begins: Monday, July 15, 9:08 p.m.
Tisha b'Av Ends: Tuesday, July 16, 9:58 p.m.
Times are according to the Yeshiva Beth
Yehudah calendar.
On The Cover:
Our JN Mission
The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to
reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu-
ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity
and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi-
tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our
rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth.
Page design: Michelle Sheridan
The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes
to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, MI 48034.
www.hfldetroit.org
248.723.8184
Health. A fresh start.
A good education.
The next great business idea.
Hebrew Free Loan gives interest-
free loans to members of our
community for a variety of
personal and small business
needs. HFL loans are funded
entirely through community
donations which continually
recycle to others, generating
many times the original value
to help maintain the lives of
local Jews.
HEBREW
FREE*LOAN
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We Provide Loans. We Promise Dignity.
6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 300 • Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Li Hebrew Free Loan Detroit
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Jewish Federation
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July 4 • 2013
3