White Jews Have A Duty To Stand With Muslims And People Of Color

Our current fears — which are new to some of us — are what many other people have been facing for generations.

Sarah Ruiz-Grossman    Associate Editor, The Huffington Post

There’s been a lot of (justified) outrage about anti-Semitism lately.

Over the past year, anti-Semitic tweeters have increasingly trolled journalists. Last week, Adam Yauch Park in New York City, named for a late Jewish member of the Beastie Boys, was defaced with swastikas. And on Monday, CNN hosted a TV news segment with a debate topic scrawled across the screen reading: “Alt-right founder questions if Jews are people.” Not to mention the countless other swastikas that have shown up across the country since the election.

All of this is appalling. But I take issue with our outrage ― or rather, not the outrage itself, but the selectivity of it…But what we must not do is act as though this hate is a sudden revelation, rather than simply a confirmation ― or an expansion, perhaps ― of the hate people of color, immigrants and Muslims have been at the receiving end of for generations. Read more here.

 

 

 Tips for Dealing with Holiday Stress

The holiday season often brings unwelcome stress and depression. And it’s no surprise. We think we have to do it all, or be everything to everyone, or get those gifts we just can’t afford. Some of us are alone, or estranged from family and friends.  Children are watching a dizzying array of toys and electronics on television and online, and all are expensive. Family dinners with Uncle George, who is your political opposite, and loud about it, too.  Parties can bring out the worst in people, with too much food and alcohol, and little restraint.   Some of us just can’t be outdone, so we have to give a bigger gift, in a flashier wrapping. We max out our credit cards for things that will soon be forgotten.  Holidays often present a dizzying array of demands — and no holidays are more demanding for Christians than Christmas. What can you do to deal with these stresses?

1. Be realistic. None of us can do everything and nothing is perfect.
2. Stick to a budget. Experiences are longer lasting than some gifts.
3. Don’t try to lose weight, but do try to maintain and not gain.
4. Reach out if you are having negative feelings.
5. Watch out for others who might be depressed.
6. Take note of these hotlines:
   1. Suicide hotline 800-273-8255
   2. Trans Lifeline  877-565-8860
   3. Adolescent suicide hotline  800-621-4000
   4. Suicide hotline for Queer & Questioning Youth  866-488-7386

(Thanks, Marianne!)

The 6 Easiest Ways To Spend Less On Holiday Gifts This Year

• Shop flash sale sites, but do a little sleuthing
• Swap old electronics for new ones
• Get a price adjustment

And don’t forget Free Shipping Day, which is December 16 this year. Go to freeshippingday.com for more information.

 

    credit: https://www.neamb.com/shopping-discounts/10-tips-to-maximize-your-holiday-budget.htm

You Don’t Have to Be Broke in January

What is the reason for the season?

Every little saving counts. As you prepare your family for the upcoming holidays, look to where you can cut back in your daily routine to start saving. For example, instead of buying your Starbucks coffee every day on your way to work, consider brewing your own coffee from home and putting the coffee money in a holiday spending jar. Forget about eating out every week and cook meals at home. Read more here.

Be an informed shopper. The only way to know if you’re getting a good price on a good product is to do your research. These days, people shop in several stages. Sometimes we research online, then go to a store to make a purchase. Other times, we browse in stores, then search online for better prices.

Buy gift cards for less than face value. Many warehouse stores sell them for well under their redemption value, says shopping expert Andrea Woroch, who appears on network shows such as Today, Dr. Oz and Good Morning America. “There’s also an entire secondary marketplace online. GiftCardGranny.com, for example, markets cards from [major] holiday retailers, with savings that average 10 percent,” she says.

Restaurant.com certificates are one of the most popular deals at NEA Click & Save. Keep an eye out for when the prices drop to $4 for a $25 certificate! Read more here.

There are some great tools to help you hunt down the best price either way: Comparison-shop on sites such as PriceGrabber.com and Shopzilla.com, or use apps such as ShopAdvisor in-store.

It’s tempting to overspend during the holiday season. While the average consumer plans to pay off holiday bills in three months, the true time frame is more like six months, according to a report by Myvesta, a financial crisis center in Rockville, Md.

Read more: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/one-holiday-tradition-to-break-overspending.aspx#ixzz4RMgd8gpL