"Theatrical magic."_ he New York Times Winner! Tony 5 2011 Awards Israel is Amazing In Many Ways S eated on the couch, I was watching the X Factor a popular search show for tomorrow's stars. While I don't often watch such shows, I found the tal- ent was remarkable as well as the intensity witnessed on the faces of the family members, the contestants and the judges who are all focused on whether the contestant will advance. This was a different viewing experi- ence. I was watching the show spoken in Hebrew with the benefit of Hebrew subtitles (not English!) from my daughter Amy's home in Giv'atayim, which borders Tel Aviv to the east. Bonnie and Ken Gross with grandson As fate has it, Amy, with the benefit Ori in Israel of Birthright and working for Young Judaea, made aliyah, married Avishay and last month gave birth to our first after the financial crisis, in the U.S. grandchild, Ori Jacob. you can still obtain a FHA mortgage Visits to Israel are now a regular with 5 percent down. Does this tell you part of our lives, and with each visit anything? I learn more of the culture and find Israelis love the U.S. and Americans. that Israel amazes me beyond the You will not know it when you walk monumental and historical down the streets of Tel Aviv significance the land holds because their custom is for the Jewish faith. New York-ish and does not Watching the Israeli X include Midwestern head Factor, I learned that music nods, smiles or shaloms and talent transcend lan- from passersby or "excuse guage. My Hebrew is beyond me's" from those who bump limited, but I was absorbed into you. But if you ask watching the show without Israelis for help, they go out the benefit of understand- of their way to assist. ing any of the dialogue. On Most Israelis speak the business side, I marvel English, and if they don't, at how Israel has created there is an apology in their a thriving entertainment eye. When I talk with a industry that can profitably produce a cab driver or meet a store owner, they ask, "So how are things in the U.S.? show of this caliber amidst a country of only 8 million, when the U.S market Is everything going to be OK?" The is 300 million plus. questions come with sincerity and an underlying acknowledgment that the Israelis focus on what is important. U.S. economy is the world economy. Suits and ties don't exist. Meetings are held on the phone or in one of the In the cafes, the servers are happy thousands of coffee shops. All you to grab the English menu, and if they need to do is sit in a coffee shop in Tel don't have one, they make it an enjoy- Aviv for an hour and witness the vitali- able experience as we try and discuss ty of the people. Israel's "Silicon-Wadi" the food options and ordering issues. is considered second in importance to There is no underlying annoyance with America or Americans — and on Silicon Valley. On a comparative scale, this is amazing. foreign soil in this era that is amazing. Everywhere you turn in Tel Aviv, Nothing compares, however, to the there are major construction cranes. amazing feeling of pride to be a Jew There is talk of a real estate bubble. In that overwhelms me when I walk the Israel, unlike the U.S., you must put streets of this nation and witness what 35-40 percent cash down to buy real our people have accomplished. estate. This conservative approach Ken Gross is an attorney with Thav Gross creates an equity cushion to absorb a downturn. In the U.S, when the bubble and host of The Financial Crisis Talk Center show that airs weekly at 8:30 a.m. burst in 2009, the entire global econ- Saturdays on WDFN 1130 AM "The Fan" omy was jeopardized, and we are still grappling with lingering effects. Even and 11 a.m. Sundays on MyTV20. — ❑ National Theatre WarHorse of Great Britain and Bob Boyett present Fisher Theatre • Dec. 17-Jan. 5 *For select shows. Use the code HERO to benefit metro Detroit military & veteran families. Order at ticketmaster.com , (800) 982-2787 or Fisher box office. • Kids' Night on Broadway Dec. 19. -BROADWAY IN DETROIT sponsored by • Open Caption performance Jan. 3. IMPORTED FROM DETROIT - • Groups (10+): 313-871-1132 ore-mail Groups@BroadwaylnDetroit.com . • Info: BroadwaylnDetroit.com & 313-872-1000. • Offer details & limitations: www.broadwayindetroit.com/specialoffers. ChryslerCurrentOffers.com SAVE $10 & GIVE $10 TO MILITARY & VETERAN FAMILIES * Retirement Planning Bernard WealthManagement Investment Management Financial Counseling Kenneth M.Bernard,CFA, President Your trusted partner for all financial issues. 28411 Northwestern Highway • Suite 200 • Southfield, MI 48034 Office: 248-556-2900 • www.bernard-wealth.com A% .11.5400. f SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY, SHOP WITH OUR ADVERTISERS! Mention that you saw them in the JN1 Visit JNonline.us JN JN November 21 • 2013 49