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Mesivta Menachem of Buffalo continues to think ‘outside the box;’ the talmidim recently concluded an extra-curricular course about Practical Finance. Mr Eliyohu Wallen, MBA, BA, BChE, member of the local Anash, business consultant/accountant, provided a two month series of workshops on practical mathematics, budgeting and finances.

Practical Finance Class in a Mesivta?

Mesivta Menachem of Buffalo continues to think ‘outside the box;’ the talmidim recently concluded an extra-curricular course about Practical Finance. Mr Eliyohu Wallen, MBA, BA, BChE, member of the local Anash, business consultant/accountant, provided a two month series of workshops on practical mathematics, budgeting and finances.

“The goal of the class”, explained Mr. Wallen, “was to give the students a better understanding of personal finances”.

“We know how careful the Tzaddikim were with their money so they would not come to geneiva, so it is important these young men have a firm idea of how to go about it“.The courses began with basic math skills necessary to calculate simple transactions. The subsequent classes dealt with the practical skills needed to manage bank accounts, balance a checkbook, create and follow budgets, the proper use of credit cards, planning for the future with savings and investments, preventing identity theft and of course, how to give Ma’aser (tithing).

To bring practical understanding to a difficult subject, Mr. Wallen brought his famous wit and vast experience (ranging from his experience in the US Army to masters level finance courses he teaches at the University of Phoenix). The bochurim will certainly put these basic skills to good use later in life, when they leave the protective cocoon of yeshiva.

Mrs. Rus Devorah Wallen, LCSW, ACSW (consultant social worker and psychotherapist) also provided the school with a few workshops dealing with positive thinking and social skills. “The Wallens deserves a big yasher koach for lending their time and wisdom to these bochurim”, said Rabbi Yisroel Munitz, who supervised the classes. ”We hope to utilize the Wallens’ talents, knowledge and generosity in the future as well”.

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15 Comments

  • Ariyeh Leib Segall

    A Hearty Yasher Koach to the Wallens – Pioneers !!!!!
    They saw a very practical need that was being neglected by the mosdos and brought their unique talents to fill the gap..
    With Hashem’s help — More businessmen within our communities will follow in their footsteps !!!!
    The Yungerleit as well as Adults should not be without these basic life skills.. !!!
    Coupled with the ability to do a Proper Cheshbon HaNefesh – a Complete Education !!

  • Civey McDonald

    Hopefully he includes “shiurim” on business ethics, and also teaches about the importance of not doing “paper crimes,” etc. The “frumer” velt really has a big problem with this issue, as evidenced by the number of people that really believe that the famous “Rock-Star” criminal who gives out a weekly dvar Torah, is really the victim of government anti-Semitism. People continue to contribute money to pay for lawyers, fund raisers, plastic bag printers, publicity materials, pay-offs to former Attorneys General,current political offices seekers, caterers,etc. Is there no one besides me who sees through this money-making scam?

  • the times they are a-changing

    Looks like some Yeshivos in our system may begin availing themselves of use for their constituency by providing them a future!

  • Shimon

    Mr. Eli and Mrs.Rus Devora we miss u here keep up the good job.
    Shimon & Yoni.

  • Way to Go!

    Way to go! Accounting, Management and Investing Skills are all what you need to succeed (financially) in life. Guess what, going to a college will not teach you these skills.

  • Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    more schools should foolow suit!!! absolutely brilliant!!!

  • to civey

    as they say, some people never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. or in this case the reverse. You just had to hate didn’t you

  • THE REBBE

    I guess when the Rebbe said in a few Sichos to try to keep kids and Bochurim AWAY from worldly studies as much as possible and they should just focus on Torah studies the Rebbe really meant that we SHOULD teach them worldly studies.

  • R. Gould

    Teaching our children “LIFE” skills is essential for their success. Given today’s economy and issues with finance’s in Chabad centers, this is a course late in coming but B“H is hear and needs to be copied at all levels.
    We live in a complicated world and we need to arm our children with as much knowledge about the world we are sending them into as possible. May H”B continue to bless the good work that is going on and may we see the light when it comes to educating our children.

  • to #14

    to 14. You are very wrong this is how Reform came about. The Rebbe new what economy we where heading in too. I’m a hard working person my self with a wife a two kids and I still don’t think that giving Bochurim the worries of even the idea of making money is the right thing to do. The Rebbe didn’t even want people to have the worries of Parnosah until after the first year of marriage.
    The bottom line is that these subjects should not enter in to the Rebbe’s schools.
    I have never learnt any worldly studies and only after I got married I learned a trade and BH. If you believe that g-d is the one that give you the money that you make you would not be taking this way.