who do they think they are?

May I be somewhat controversial for a moment...and perhaps rain the wrath of the more wealthier Jews than I, upon me.
Last summer - July 2009 (not this past summer when I gave birth to the most smunchable little twinnie babies you've ever met) I went on a "Mission" trip to Israel. Being of the Jewish persuasion, that moniker did not sit well with me but I was so excited to be part of a cheap trip to Israel. Needless to say it was not what I expected and there were a lot of things that did not sit well with me.
One of those things was the constant bombardment of us for money for various hand-picked charities.
We went to an army base - let's support this one soldier support organization and not even the one that provides the lone soldiers a connection...
we went to see the new Aish Building in Jerusalem overlooking the Western Wall = a modern day construction that could be construed as a temple of its own since there will be lots of learning Torah going on there and the location is prime real estate overlooking one of the holiest spots on earth. Let's see how fast we can open our checkbooks to give to this enormous monumental obelisk at the corner of the western wall plaza. This one really has me hot!
Who do they think they are? No matter how much good outreach the Aish people are responsible for, this building is like an ivory tower, a testament to the fact that they have the funds to build such a temple. Sure there will be plenty of learning and probably a good deal of brainwashing moldable minds as well, but will the learning promote only one way of thinking and maybe not true outreach. I for one was not comfortable in such a lavish (or what was supposed to become lavish when it is completed) ostentatious showy place. Somehow, visiting the amazing artists galleries in tzfat (where they were way outside my price range) followed by the wonders of the kotel plaza just didn't speak to me except to say, please give me your money. Bad taste in my mind and in my mouth. Much prefered the little time I had with (both old and new)friends in chic coffee houses or quaint restauarnts overlooking the countryside.