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Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon on the Definition of Kosher

In Business on August 5, 2013 at 3:27 am

Rabbi-Binyomin-Lisbon-Kosher-Food5According to Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon of KSA Kosher, several misconceptions exist about the term “kosher.” Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon explains that kosher most often describes food permitted for consumption by people who observe Jewish dietary law.

Q: Why are certain food products considered non-kosher?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: Foods may be rendered non-kosher for a variety of reasons, including the species of animal and improper slaughtering or processing procedures.

Q: What else?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: The mixing of meat and dairy ingredients is forbidden. Plus, the usage of ingredients drawn from non-kosher sources is not allowed under Kashrus law.

Q: Define Kashrus.

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: Kashrus, the term used to explain the concept of dietary laws, relates to the kinds of food permissible for preparation and consumption.

Q: What animals are considered kosher?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: Cattle or bovine are deemed kosher because they have cloven hooves and chew cud. If an animal does not possess both of these distinctions, it is strictly forbidden.

Q: What other characteristics should kosher consumers examine?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: The animal being slaughtered must have no flaw or disease. Further, the origin of the animal is a major concern to kosher production.

Q: What are some examples of kosher animals?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: Examples of kosher animals are sheep, goats, lambs, cows, bulls, springbok and veal.

Q: What about the animal’s milk?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: The milk from non-kosher animals is strictly prohibited.

Q: Are there any other restrictions?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: Dairy products may not contain any non-kosher additives, and they may not include meat derivatives or products.

Q: What’s an example of these products?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: Many kinds of cheese have been manufactured using rennet. Therefore, they would need kosher certification.

Q: Can kosher consumers ever trust preprocessed foods?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: Only the kosher certification symbol verifies a product’s viability. Many preprocessed foods contain small portions of milk products. One example of a popular milk product is whey.

Q: Have these been deemed non-kosher?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: According to food regulations, such small additives in these products do not have to be labeled on packaging. Nonetheless, these products would still be rendered dairy.

Q: How are kosher animals slaughtered?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: To be eaten by the kosher consumer, a species must be slaughtered in a ritual known as “Schochet.”

Q: What does Schochet mean?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: Jewish law prohibits causing any pain to animals during the slaughter, so death must occur almost instantaneously for the animal to be deemed kosher. The Schochet is the rabbi performing the ritual.

Q: How is the animal prepared for cooking after the slaughter?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: After the animal is slaughtered, the kosher supervisor treats the carcass by removing certain forbidden veins and fats.

Q: How are the animals cleaned?

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon: All blood from the animal should be drained or cooked out of meat before the consumer eats it.

Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon is the chief administrator of KSA Kosher, the largest kosher certification agency in the Western United States.

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Haunted House: A Real Phenomenon Says Wesley Upchurch

In Business on May 25, 2013 at 12:32 am
Wesley Upchurch

Wesley Upchurch

Residual energy, ghost, spirits, specters, poltergeist – Wesley Upchurch says hauntings are as varied as the people who report them. Here, paranormal phenomenon enthusiast Wesley Upchurch remarks on a few of the nation’s most compelling cases of ghostly activity.

The Myrtles Plantation

According to Wesley Upchurch, St. Francisville, Louisiana is home to one of America’s most haunted houses. Built in 1796, the Myrtles Plantation is thought to be inhabited by the ghost of a young slave girl who was hung on the grounds. Chloe, reports Wesley Upchurch, can still be seen wandering the courtyards searching for the children she accidentally poisoned. According to Wesley Upchurch, Chloe was a mistress of the home’s master. Fearing that as her beauty faded so did her worth as a domestic slave, Wesley Upchurch notes that Chloe poisoned a birthday cake, resulting in the death of the owners’ only two children. Her intent was to cause stomach ache and nurse the family back to health thereby cementing her position as an irreplaceable asset to the family.

Wesley Upchurch notes that many visitors to the plantation have seen a shy African-American woman aimlessly strolling the property. Overnight guest report covers being pulled off and hearing the echoing laughter of children gone for nearly two centuries. According to Wesley Upchurch, the mirror in the main foyer is still marred by the handprints of two little girls.

The Winchester Mystery House

Sarah Winchester, reveals Wesley Upchurch, was an eccentric woman with boatloads of cash. Coupled by the unbearable loss of her husband and only child in the late 1800s, Ms. Winchester (who married into the Winchester gun fortune) did the only thing that made any sense to her: she built a house. According to Wesley Upchurch, the Winchester House is no ordinary house, however. This sprawling mansion is complete with doors to nowhere, the unusual Switchback Staircase, and the maze of passageways that only Sarah herself could navigate without a map.

Wesley Upchurch notes that the home was built after a medium told Sarah Winchester that the never ending construction of a shrine to Winchester gun victims was the only thing that would appease the ghost of the dead and damned. And, Wesley Upchurch notes that poor Sarah took those words to her grave by investing every penny she had up until her death on its resurrection.

Savannah, Georgia

No notation of America’s most haunted locations would be complete without least mention of the Hostess City of South. Wesley Upchurch says that Savannah, with its beautifully manicured public parks and historic cemeteries, is regarded as a haven for “haints”.  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, a movie based on a book about voodoo and murder, was filmed throughout the city and founded in part on supernatural stories emanating from the city’s history. Buildings such as the historic Whitaker-Huntington Inn and the Marshall House are favorite attractions for those seeking more than Southern hospitality.

Wesley Upchurch isn’t a typical businessman. He has dedicated his entire life to helping others have fun. As the founder of some of Columbia, Missouri’s most famous family-friendly attractions, Wesley Upchurch knows a thing or two about how to have a good time. He is a thrill-seeker at heart who genuinely believes that life isn’t worth living if you can’t keep having fun when it’s over.

Senior Entrepreneurship Numbers Continue to Increase

In Business, Finance on May 22, 2013 at 3:36 pm

As economic advisers continue to forecast an uncertain future, more seniors are considering entrepreneurship as an opportunity to pursue their passions while taking financial matters into their own hands.

Although entrepreneurship has consistently proven to be a daunting task for professionals both young and old, the benefits of staying with a large company are now fewer and farther between. The potential decrease in Social Security benefits causes deep insecurity with many seniors. Other factors such as dwindling 401(k) accounts, unfair labor practices and job layoffs also account for this anxiety. The personal freedoms associated with entrepreneurship seem attractive. However, senior entrepreneurs who seek to own a business must fully examine their situations before making a big leap.

Entrepreneurship is not quite as simple as just selling a product or service to the public. Responsibilities such as leasing a building, presiding over human resource duties, and preparing payroll are all part of entrepreneurship. Overall, an entrepreneur must meet a need in the community by using a set of resources and talents that no one else offers.

The best strategy for senior entrepreneurs is to start the process gradually. Although no two entrepreneurs are alike, a measured approach ensures that the odds of success are much greater.

Seeking guidance from fellow entrepreneurs and other business professionals will instill a sense of confidence. Potential business builders should identify individuals in their chosen field who have already experienced success and then interview them to glean useful tips and techniques. Family members and friends might provide a wealth of love and support, but only a business colleague with ample experience has the additional knowledge necessary to inspire confident decisions. This trusted collaborator might not always be available for face-to-face meetings, however. Job Shadow, a popular entrepreneurial website, provides a forum where individuals can conduct interviews with industry professionals. Even when beginning a solo venture, the entrepreneur doesn’t have to go it alone.

Motivation and energy are crucial tools in this time-consuming pursuit. However, selecting the proper field is also important to prepare for the journey. Entrepreneurial groups like the Small Business Development Centers and the Service Corps of Retired Executives, as well as other nonprofit groups, give easy access to business consultants and educational courses with little or no fees. Individuals can peruse the Internet for online tools and white papers that possess financial and technological information relevant to their particular field.

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Get Styled for Wedding Season at JustFab.com

In Business, Lifestyle on May 17, 2013 at 3:31 pm
JustFab.com

JustFab.com

With summer comes choruses of wedding bells and a mailbox full of invites to accompany them.  Whether you’re headed to a black tie affair at a fancy hotel, a tropical destination wedding, a garden party nuptials – or all three – JustFab.com has everything you need to get ready for the big day. Pick the perfect pair of JustFab.com heels, a pretty handbag and show-stopping statement jewelry to round out your look, and while you may or may not catch the bouquet, you’ll most certainly be the most stylish…just don’t tell the bride!

For a black-tie wedding, JustFab.com’s Selena is the perfect shoe. This mile-high peep toe pump will flatter your legs and pair seamlessly with a floor length gown. The feminine double bow adds a special touch, and metal studs down the middle give this JustFab.com shoe a bold extra detail. Bourbon, a boxy clutch from JustFab.com, is just the right size to stow your lipstick and phone. It features a metallic striped pattern, snap closure and hidden chain strap and is great for punching up a classic black dress.  Finish off the look with Fine Champagne. These black large rhinestone dome studs exude elegance and charm and are only $9.95 at JustFab.com.

If you’re headed to an outdoor or garden party wedding, JustFab.com’s Barb is the perfect fit. In glossy nude, these leg lengthening platform peep toes are a beautiful match for a sundress, cocktail frock or pantsuit, and you can find them for $39.95 at JustFab.com. Add the Highball from JustFab.com over your shoulder. This shimmery shoulder bag available in frothy pastel colors – natural, green and rose – features gold chain accenting, a metallic sheen and can be transformed into an oversized clutch by removing the strap. Add just a touch of edge with Gilt to Last. This polished bangle with pyramid studs and rhinestone embellishment from the geniuses of JustFab.com will add depth to a romantic look.

As the guest at a sunset beach wedding, JustFab.com’s Mykonos will allow you to comfortably walk on the sand while looking effortlessly fabulous. This JustFab.com studded faux leather flat multi-strap sandal is available in white, black and nude. Fresca is a super luxe woven clutch, from JustFab.com that transforms to an oversized wristlet. Available in pewter and bronze, it’s a versatile JustFab.com neutral. Finally, for an understated touch of sparkle, put on JustFab.com’s Go Solo, a sparkling solitaire cubic zirconia set on a delicate cable chain.

JustFab.com is the web’s top fashion- subscription service, offering members the hottest styles of shoes, bags, jewelry and denim at the affordable price of $39.95 or less.

 

Temp to Hire – Why Small Business Can Benefit From Temporary Labor

In Business on May 6, 2013 at 4:27 pm

 

Small businesses often believe that direct hire situations are ideal. However, that might not always be the case.

Temporary employees have many names… temps, contingent labor, consultants, and contractors. These employees have already proven proficiency in their respective fields and can usually assume a role with little to no training. Aside from this, there are many other reasons a small business should consider relying on the expertise of a reputable staffing firm.

Temporary Replacement

One reason that businesses elect to hire temporary employees is to assume positions of permanent employees who are out for extended periods. This may be vacation, maternity leave, personal issues, temporary disability, or illness. A skilled, pre-screened employee can help to ensure productivity is not lost during the original employee’s absent.

Fluctuating Needs

Temporary workers are often utilized in positions that require staffing flexibility. This may be the case for special projects, seasonally fluctuating businesses, unforeseen economic cycles, or a temporary increase in workload. The major advantage in this situation is that temp workers can be deployed quickly to assist in a number of unforeseen situations.

Evaluation

Many companies, especially those that rely heavily on information technology personnel, use specialized staffing agencies. This offers them the opportunity to choose from a number of potential full-time employees that have already proven that they possess the skills needed to fit the position. These temp-to-hire positions allow the firm the opportunity to evaluate the potential employee’s fit with the company.

Cost savings

A good staffing firm will have a pool of qualified candidates. This helps to eliminate the business’ long search for employees with the right skills. And, since the agency handles all aspects of payroll and taxes, the small business enjoys both time and financial savings. Additionally, the staffing agency will provide and administer benefits and offer training in areas the candidate may need assistance.

Access to experience

A quality staffing firm will have connections to individuals who may otherwise not be in the market for a new position. And, many will offer a finder’s fee to encourage recommendations by peers. An industry-specific staffing firm will also have a complete database of pre-screened resumes and can match employers to candidates quickly.

Overall, the decision to hire directly or utilize the services of a staffing firm is up to each small business owner. Some claim that the high initial expense negates any possible cost savings but in the long run, most businesses do see the advantage of outsourcing their hiring practices. In many cases, this eliminates the need for human resources department and can also mean the business can avoid negative confrontation in the event of termination.