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random bits
My congregation recently started selling gift cards for the local grocery chain. You know the deal: you pay face value for the card and they get a cut -- everyone wins. (Well, except the taxpayers who cover the amount the store gets to deduct as a charitable contribution.) I figured the congregation must get 1%, maybe 2% out of this deal. I learned today that they get 5%. I didn't think grocery stores even had 5% margins... Sure, their prices are probably inflated to cover this, the discounts for the affinity card, and the "fuel perks" (10 cents a gallon off one fill-up for each $50 spent; I assume they share that cost with the gas chain), but their prices still don't seem that high compared to other local options. I guess they're gambling on people not getting the affinity cards, not using up the gift cards, and not cashing in the fuel perks.
Locals who rent: where are the good landlords, properties, or listings for Squirrel Hill and Shadyside? I know what shows up in Google, but if you've got recommendations or anti-recommendations, please send 'em along. I'm trying to help out a friend of a friend who'll be moving here soon (for one year), but I've been out of the renting scene for quite a while now.
As long as I'm doing the "dear lazyweb" thing... this one's for me: can you tell me anything interesting about synagogues in Newton Center, MA, within walking distance of Hebrew College? Names, addresses, and affiliations I've got, and some of them have web sites, but reports from people who've actually visited any of them are more interesting.
Cheese update, for those who asked: I took the remaining paneer, sliced it, and fried it in butter. This was quite yummy, and the cheese held up just fine (did not get gooey and melty). The thinnest slice I tried was about a quarter inch; somewhere between that and half an inch seemed to give the best performance.
Locals who rent: where are the good landlords, properties, or listings for Squirrel Hill and Shadyside? I know what shows up in Google, but if you've got recommendations or anti-recommendations, please send 'em along. I'm trying to help out a friend of a friend who'll be moving here soon (for one year), but I've been out of the renting scene for quite a while now.
As long as I'm doing the "dear lazyweb" thing... this one's for me: can you tell me anything interesting about synagogues in Newton Center, MA, within walking distance of Hebrew College? Names, addresses, and affiliations I've got, and some of them have web sites, but reports from people who've actually visited any of them are more interesting.
Cheese update, for those who asked: I took the remaining paneer, sliced it, and fried it in butter. This was quite yummy, and the cheese held up just fine (did not get gooey and melty). The thinnest slice I tried was about a quarter inch; somewhere between that and half an inch seemed to give the best performance.
no subject
Temple Emanuel (Ward St.) -- large high-church Conservative congregation.
Beth El (Ward St. & Comm Ave) -- mainstream Orthodox.
Shaarei Tefillah (Morseland Ave) -- Modern Orthodox. Very nice people, if I may say so myself. :-)
Zhviller Beis Medrash -- neo chassidic
There's also a Chabad down by Rte. 9
Are you free for any Shabbat meals?
no subject
Very nice people, if I may say so myself. :-)
Ah, I see! I didn't realize you were that close.
I'm kind of intrigued by Zhviller Beis Medrash, just because we don't have anything that I would label "neo-chassidic" here. Any idea how they feel about women? (I once went to a service at the local Lubavich place and it was about the most unwelcome I've ever felt in any synagogue. People wouldn't even return my greetings! Obviously that is but a tiny slice of Chassidism, but it's the only such service I've been to.)
Are you free for any Shabbat meals?
Shabbat meals are all being provided. In theory there will be some free evenings during the week, though I don't yet know which ones. Could you email me your phone number?