viewpoints » S end letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com for starters Say It Like It Isn’t I t’s kind of funny when people just last week you said I was looking ask in faintly accusing tones, thinner.” “Have you lost weight?” But she said, “Actually, Rochel, I “Lost?” I’ve lost my keys, my didn’t really mean it. I saw you were shoes, my pens, but I just can’t gaining weight and I felt bad for you use the same term for the 10 so I figured I’d give you a compli- pounds I worked my tush off to ment!” get rid of. It’s not something I’m Facebook is a huge say-it-like Rochel Burstyn hoping to find again and put in a -it-isn’t. That’s why I’m not the big- safer place next time, thank you gest Facebook fan … except on my very much. birthday. For some weird reason, I find it We so often say things we don’t entirely quite thrilling to have a whole bunch of mean. “How are you?” these days really just people I hardly speak to suddenly wishing means “Hi!” because if you’ve walked off me well. A few months ago, one of my good before the other person even had a chance friends told me she planned to call me on to answer, you didn’t really mean the ques- my birthday, but I told her not to worry tion, did you? if she couldn’t manage it, “as long as you I also get annoyed at my husband when make sure to post a nice Facebook greeting we’re getting ready to go out, even if he’s so everyone will know I have lots of friends saying nice things, because as I tell him, “If …” you haven’t even looked in my direction yet , One line that irks me is: “Don’t take this then I know you don’t mean it and you’re the wrong way …” just trying to hurry me up …” What you really mean to say is: “I’m Years ago, I told my grandmother and about to say something that I probably my great-aunt Sarah that I was expecting. shouldn’t, so would you kindly be a doll and My grandmother said, “I suspected that all when your feelings get hurt, just pretend it’s along.” I turned to Aunt Sarah and told her, your own fault in the first place … because, “Well, I know you didn’t think so because you know, there are so many ways to inter- pret an insult …” (It’s no coincidence the root word of “meaning” is “mean.”) Most of us aren’t too honest with tele- marketers. How often have you said, “She’s not home,” when they asked for you? I actually appreciate when telemarketers mis- pronounce my name because then I can say quite honestly, “You must have the wrong number; there’s noone here by that name.” I suspect that for telemarketers who deal all day with answering machines and hang- ups, an occasional human answer makes their day — even if you don’t buy, subscribe or claim you aren’t authorized to make decisions about your gas bill. Once an Indian telemarketer asked me, “Are you looking for your higher educa- tion?” I said, “Well, I was, but I figured it disap- peared to the same place all my socks go in the wash … and like them, will come back to life as Tupperware lids. Why?” We all know that honesty is the best pol- icy; but really, the world would be a much less pleasant place if we all said exactly whatever we really thought. Whether you say it like it is or whether you say it like it isn’t, if you’re making the people around you happy, you must be doing something right. * commentary Can Startup Nation Stop Hunger? W insecure population to improve hile everyone knows their quality of life? How do we the power of Israel use this data to support deci- when it comes to sion makers in government and technological innovation, the sad stakeholders in the food industry fact is that nearly a quarter of the to make smart decisions when it country’s population is living in comes to surplus food? poverty and suffering from hunger. The report shows that the food In the way we harness national Gidi Kroch insecurity gap is about $750 mil- resources to lead the world in tech- lion, but what can be rescued is nology, we need to do the same in valued at nearly $2 billion worth of food. All food waste to stem this debilitating tide. of this food can be distributed to the food A new report from Leket Israel — the insecure, lacking daily access to nutritional National Food Bank shows that 35 per- food. cent of all food produced in Israel goes to The report proves that it is possible and waste, including 2.5 million tons of fruit necessary to increase substantially the vol- and vegetables. The report highlights the ume of food rescue in Israel. Leket Israel economic, social and environmental ben- is working day in and day out with 184 efits of rescuing unused food for Israel’s not-for-profit organizations throughout the food-impoverished. country, supplying excess produce, dairy The report shows that nearly $4.5 billion products, prepared meals, etc. to 140,000+ in food was wasted in Israel in 2015 alone, people in need across Israel. In fact, we are a figure that represents 1.6 percent of the aiming to increase the volume of food res- national GDP. While this tends to be an cue by at least 300 percent by 2020. issue faced by other modern Western coun- The report confirmed in numbers what tries, like the United States, what sets Israel we have been thinking for a long time; Leket apart is that unlike the United States, the Israeli government does not support not-for- Israel’s current food rescue operation is just the tip of the iceberg. In 2015, Leket Israel profits feeding those in need. collected and distributed more than 35 mil- How do we take this newfound informa- tion and establish real changes, changes that lion pounds of nutritious food. If we collect will reduce the amount of quality food going 600,000 tons of excess food, which is 25 to waste each year for the benefit of the food percent of all the food wasted in Israel annu- ally, this will bridge the food consumption gap and will bring food-insecure Israelis to normative consumption levels. What are the steps that can be taken, with no cost to the government, which can assist us in attaining this goal? It comes down to three recommended policy changes: • Adopt a national goal to reduce food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030, in accordance with the guidelines established by the United Nations and accepted by the U.S. government in September 2015. • Complete legislation similar to the United States’ Good Samaritan Food Donation Act that encourages food dona- tions, protecting the food donor who donates in good faith. • Require state-funded entities (including defense agencies, the IDF, companies, etc.) to collaborate with registered food rescue not-for-profits. All this can be achieved. However, with- out government support and by continuing with the status quo, we will not get there. People lacking in a daily intake of nutritious food will suffer because we did not reach the excess food before it became waste. Leket Israel has the experience, know- how and a complex logistics system in place. What it needs now is the backing of the Israeli government. Ask Attorney Ken Gross about… Your Your Financial Legal Issues Issues PLANNING TIME! What do you suggest for 2016? As we cross the calendar year, it’s the time to assess what needs to be done for the upcoming year. First on your agenda should be to make sure you have your estate plan in order. A Will, Revocable Trust (to avoid Probate), Durable Power of Attorney (so your spouse or child can act for you if you are unable) and a Healthcare Power of Attorney (to address critical care health issues) are essential. Young couples with children need to make sure they have appointed a guardian for their children in case a disaster occurs. 1H[W²DUH\RXUÀQDQFHVDUHLQRUGHU Stated simply, are you on course to have enough savings for retirement that you will be able to sustain your remaining years? On this point, you need to make sure you are not wasting your retirement by paying high interest on credit cards month and month, year after year. Call us – we can address these issues. THAV GROSS has been solving its clients’ business, tax and fi nancial problems since 1982. Be sure to watch Law and Reality Sunday’s at 11 AM on TV20 and listen in on Saturday’s at 9 AM on WDFN 1130 AM. * Gidi Kroch is the CEO of Leket Israel — The National Food Bank. thavgross.com ‡ lawandreality.com 30150 Telegraph, Suite 444 Bingham Farms, MI 48025 February 11 • 2016 5