The Jerusalem Post has an interesting overview of Israel's gemachs (free loan funds). Man gemachs loan money without interest. Other loan medical equipment, bridal dresses or baby furniture. One even gives out free chick peas.
Meanwhile, Ynet reports a new conversion bill is approaching its first Knesset reading. And, Ynet notes, the bill has haredi support.
Yeshiva World tells the story of a 10 year old haredi boy who ran away (or was kidnapped) Thursday night from his home in Netanya. The boy was found by police in the Erlau study hall in Bnei Brak as Rosh Hashana was starting Friday night. The boy remained in Bnei Brak with relatives for the duration of the holiday.
UNICEF has a corporate sponsor who will donate a dose of oral rehydration salts (ORS) for every person who signs up for a free UNICEF newsletter. ORS are cheap – about 6 cents per dose – but they save 1 million lives annually, most of them children.
Agudath Israel of America isues a press release on patient autonomy v. medical authority. It comes down heavily on the side of patient autonomy, something that would not be the case if the press release were speaking to the issue of rabbinic authority.
The Simpsons go to Israel! The Simpsons will have an episode set in Israel this year. Sacha Baron Cohen has been signed to voice the Simpson's tour guide.
And then, in its own special version of a cartoon world, Yeshiva World has some relatively sedate pictures from this year's giant male only sleepover in Uman.