Fierce disputes, a clash between traditional financing methods and the capital market, real estate investments and new community news: The 'Economic Wisdom' conference will bring together key figures in the field for the first time for a heated session that will try to settle the million-shekel question - how do we properly prepare for children's marriages, without enslaving the family's financial future?
One of the most charged and complex economic issues that concerns families in the Haredi community will be the focus of a heated and unique panel that will be held on Thursday, Elul 7, as part of the 'Economic Wisdom Conference' at the Nation Buildings in Jerusalem.
The unique session - 'Marriage Gates', is expected to become a lively arena of professional confrontations that will get down to the smallest details and pit the different approaches to dealing with one of the largest expenses in the life of an ultra-Orthodox family against each other, how to save, invest and prepare in advance for the marriage of the offspring at an auspicious and successful time.
For the first time, a series of professionals and representatives of prominent organizations in the field will gather on one stage: from the world leaders of the Gamachim, through capital market and real estate experts, to new community models. All of them will try to answer the million-shekel question - how do you marry children off with dignity, without enslaving the parents' financial future?
The professional drama that will unfold in the nation's buildings does not stem solely from the encounter itself, but from a clash between different worldviews.
The panel moderators, Tavona VP Israel Adelman and investment expert Yossi Oster, do not intend to make life easy for the participants.
They will be faced with the difficult dilemmas that concern thousands of parents: Is the child support model, which was one of the main solutions for generations, still able to provide a solution in the face of the cost of living and increasing costs? Is a loan, even when it is interest-free, the ideal solution – or a liability that could burden the family for years?
On the other hand, the alternative of investing in the capital market, which has been gaining momentum in recent years, will be presented. It will also be subjected to critical examination, what is the level of risk, when should one start investing, and whether an average family can rely on the capital market as a central part of preparing for their children to enter the marriage ceremony with peace of mind and joy.
Alongside these two approaches, the alternative of investing in real estate will also be discussed. Abraham Ehrenfreund, a real estate investment expert, will present the possibilities and advantages of long-term preparation through real estate assets and investments – alongside the capital required, the risks and limitations of the model.
The continuous and intensive discussion will be attended by Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Alter, CEO of the Central Gammach, Rabbi Yosef Mintzberg, initiator of the 'Meshi'im' program, Rabbi Yehuda Beifus from the 'Benkel' organization; Rabbi Zvi Silver from the 'Send Your Bread' organization; Avraham Ernfreund, real estate investment expert; Avraham Lefkowitz, representative of the Communities program; and Shalom Peksher, financial coach at 'Tavuna'.
Each of them will present their teachings and the tools they offer to families who wish to prepare in advance for the expenses of their children's marriage.
One of the intriguing angles that will be presented at the session is the community model. Avraham Lefkowitz, a representative of the Communities Program, will present the concept that seeks to transform dealing with wedding expenses from a private challenge for each family into a planned and organized community process.
The conference will present case studies of communities that have already begun implementing models of early preparation, family support, and joint solutions, with the aim of reducing costs and providing parents with greater certainty years before the wedding.
The perspective of the family's own finances will be presented by Shalom Paksher, a financial coach at 'Tavuna.' He will address the question that sometimes gets lost in the great debate between models: how much a family is really able to set aside each month, how to integrate wedding preparations into the current budget, and how to avoid a situation in which saving for the future harms current economic stability.
Thus, the panel is expected to place on one stage the variety of options currently facing the Haredi family – savings and loans, investments in the capital market, real estate investments, community solutions and proper management of the family's finances – and examine each of them in light of the changing economic reality.
The goal of the conference organizers is for the audience to leave the hall not only with information, but with a practical roadmap and a deeper understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of each of the methods.
The CEO of 'Tavuna', Shlomi Porush, explains that it is not about searching for one 'winning model', but rather about revealing the full toolbox - with its advantages, disadvantages, and risks - so that every family and every community leader can make the most informed decision for their future.
The meeting is expected to be much more than a professional panel: a rare opportunity to compare the different methods, ask the difficult questions, and try to understand how one can reach one of the most significant and precious chapters in family life – the marriage of the children – with one's head held high and with solid financial stability.
The 'Economic Intelligence' conference will be held on Thursday, 7th Elul 5876, August 20, 2026, at the Ha'ama Buildings in Jerusalem. Gates open at 3:00 PM and the program begins at 4:00 PM.
