Case # 200: Apricot Pits & Hollywood!

Apricot Pits! Adjuim! or apricot pits. Leave it to Israeli kids! Adjuim means clout, prestige, popularity, and buying power. The kid with the most adjuim in class has climbed the ladder of material success.

"Avi, where are you taking your new bike? Come on sweety! Mommy is serving supper in ten minutes. "Dad, don't you worry. I'll be back in time."

Ten year old Avi stormed in to the kitchen in time for supper and with a broad smile from ear to ear. He threw down on the table a large shopping bag filled with 10,000 adjuim! "I made it! Alon offered me ten thousand adjuim for my new bike!"

An irate Dad reached for the phone to call Alon's Mom and demand a swap reversal!

 

What's the Law?

North Hollywood! A quarter of a century passed swiftly since the eighth grade Torah Academy valedictorians took the stage together in June 1986. Once best of friends, Jonathan and Mark charted their own paths and sadly parted ways. Yet, the childhood memories of trivia baseball, tackle football, stamp collections, and fresh lemonade stands on the corner of North Ardmore and Broad St. left indelible impressions within the recesses of their impressionable minds.

June 2011. Dr. Berger and Rabbi Weinstein reconnected on Linkedin. Dr. Berger, now a neonatologist and community activist fathered three teenage girls on a sprawling estate in North Hollywood. Rabbi Weinstein taught Torah in Israel to American post high school boys; raising his charming family of ten on Humus and Pita in a rented two bedroom Jerusalem apartment. Their porch offered a breathtaking view of the rolling Judean hills.

Rabbi Weinstein sent a message to Dr. Berger that he planned on spending July in California running an outreach program and was looking forward to reconnecting in person. Dr. Berger responded that he was very touched by the idea, but intended on spending July in Israel. "Hey, let's swap homes for the month," sent Dr. Berger . "It's a deal," responded Rabbi Weinstein.

July 2011 While the Dr. sat on the porch enjoying the breathtaking view and benefitting from the proximity to the best of religious sites, Mrs. Berger had a few gripes about the arrangements.

The water pressure was low. She had to turn on the water heater while her husband showered to ensure there was enough hot water for her. She missed her Jacuzzi. The washing machine took two hours per a six liter load. So frustrated, she decided to send her laundry out to be cleaned. The whitewashed walls needed a desperate paint job. There was no island in the middle of the kitchen. Instead, she had to cut her vegetables on the shaky kitchen table. There was no rocking chair or electric massage recliner. She missed her dishwashers. It was a four flight walk-up...and the local grocery only sold milk in a bag.

"Mark! We could have done better. The swap was just unfare. I know that we're in Israel and he was your childhood friend and I'm not going to ask him to pay us. But, he owes us one...!"