Community Magazine June 2016

VERY “INTEREST”-ING As always, I found Rabbi Eli J. Mansour’s article on the prohibition of interest both fascinating and informative.  A point that was not in the article but I believe is worth mentioning is that the prohibition of interest makes for a more fair society. When capital can only be used for investment purposes, or to pay for labor and cannot be used to find ways to earn additional income, the gap between the wealthy and the poor decreases significantly. This also aligns the interest of the capitalist and his employees, as money is used to pay the laborer. Morris F. FACES OF SUCCESS Last month’s cover story, ‘Faces of Success’, was beautifully written and brought to light many positive attributes about the women of our community. While on one hand, I do believe that the Propel Network is a necessary and worthy program, on the other hand, I feel that it is unfortunate that we are in need of this type of organization in our community. In Judaism, the woman of the home is of elevated stature – as it is the woman who is the spiritual influence of the home. The role of the woman is not only being a wife and mother and keeper of the household. As the matriarch of the family, she is the one who is depended upon for nurturing, guidance, love, support, and wisdom. Judaismhas great respect for the importance of this role and the spiritual influence that the woman has over her family. You would think this would make any woman feel empowered. Yet, many people do not realize or appreciate the importance of the Jewish homemaker. It is discouraging to read that women need to have a career in order to feel empowered or important. Of course, in certain cases such as when a dual income is really necessary, or if the woman is a single parent, an organization such as The Propel Network is definitely needed. So, although it should not be the first choice, it is good to know that, when necessary, a solid and successful option is available to assistthewomenofourcommunity. Thank you Propel Network – and keepup the goodwork! Helen I. REMEMBERING AL ANTEBY, A”H I would like to thank you for the wonderful article youwrote about my late husband, Al Anteby. I was blessed to have been part of our loving and fulfilling marriage. I’d like to clarify one concept that was in the article. Yes, white is white and black is black, but, it is the gray that we are looking for.   At that point, it has become a combination of the two opinions thereby reaching a compromise.    We’re not looking for a winner, it’s not a matter of who has the last word, instead, it becomes a part of each of us. One does not lose a part of himself (or herself) in a compromise, instead it becomes a part of each other - you both become winners! Sincerely, Ruth Anteby SUGGESTIONS I love your magazine. Every single page is written to perfection. I also love the new format because it is very clear and exciting. I have a suggestion to make your magazine even more amazing than it already is. Just like there is an ‘Ask Jido,’ ‘Ask Sito,’ and a ‘Sage Advice’ column, it would be really great if you had an advice column for kids and teens. Many kids I know could really use a listening ear. It could even be a kid-to-kid kind of thing. This new addition would really be like adding a cherry atop a sundae. Thank you! M. Lati It is important that everyone is aware of a dangerous trend which is putting our women and children in grave danger. The Target chain now allows men to use women’s bathrooms. Over the last 16 months or so, dozens of stories have highlighted the scary aftermath of such dangerous policies. Instead of purchasing from Target, the other day, I paid $50 more for an item, and went elsewhere. I did so gladly, so that Target and other like-minded retailers would feel the pinch and realize that they cannot let women and children feel at risk when using a dressing room or a bathroom.  Please pass it on.  Linda Sadacka  President  Moms on a Mitzvah VolumeXVNumber 8 Nissan - Iyar5776 May2016 APRESENT-DAYHEROFROMAPREVIOUSGENERATION P.20 AND YOU COULD BE NEXT! ishelpingwomenofourcommunity discoverand launch theircareerpotentialwhileempowering them tomakepositivechanges in their lives THEMOST “INTEREST”-ING LAW INTHETORAH WORDSOF RABBIELIJ.MANSOUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATESVOICE SUPPORTOF ISRAEL DAVIDZAM FACES OF SUCCESS KELLY JEMALMASSRY MAY 2016 ISSUE Tell us what you really think! Send us a letter! Letters submitted become the property of Community Magazine and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Letters may be edited and revised for length, style and grammar before publication. All submissions are considered for publication unless otherwise requested. EMAIL : letters@CommunityM.com WEB: www. CommunityM.com FAX: 718-504-4246 POST: Community Magazine 1616 Ocean Pkwy Brooklyn, NY 11223 l tters 22 COMMUNITYMAGAZINE “The women in our community are brilliant,” says Rebecca Harary, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Propel Network, a not-for-profit business serving Sephardic Jewishwomen looking tobecome certified inafieldand begin careers. “Ipersonally think they can run theworld!” Rebecca’s long-held belief in the earning potential of our communitywomen dates back to the example set by hermother. “Mymother never let the fact that she never attended college prevent her from becoming a professional,” Rebecca says. Joyce Salame, once a reputable income tax specialist and real estate agent, now holds two masters degrees and is the Director of Curriculum for the Yeshivah of Flatbush Lower Division. During her time as Executive Directorwith theMoise Safra Community Center, Rebecca noted countlesswome struggling in this regard. “I started togetphone calls fromwomen inour communityasking fora job,”Rebecca recalls. “It started tognawatme.Herewereall thesewomen looking forwork,wanting tohelp their families–but theydidn’thaveexperience.Theydidn’thaveamarketable skill.” Perhapsthis isbecauseourcommunitywomenweretraditionally raised to be homemakers. Many of them went into marriage intending to focus on raising their families, never expecting that there would be a need for another income. Alas, times have changed and the Career Candidates at PropelNetwork represent life’sever-vacillatingtide.The clientele ranges from singlemomsand those recentlywidowed toemptynesterswhohaveessentially raised theirchildren,andarenowenteringthenextstageoftheir lives.There arealsowomenwhosehusbandsareeitheroutofworkornotearning enoughmoney tosupport thegrowingneedsof their families. Somewomen know they can domore to help their families, and some have simply come to realize theywant to domore. “Propel is now serving thisneed,” says Life andCareerCoachAliceChera. “We givewomen theopportunity toexpand theirknowledgeanddevelop new skills. This, in turn, allows them to discover a new dimension of themselves.” Prospective clientsmeet in confidencewith either Alice Chera or Ellen Ades. They’re asked to reflect on their past accomplishments in their day-to-day lives. Theyworkwith their Coach to gauge how theirabilitiesmighttranslate intoassets intheprofessionalworld.The coaches point out that communitywomen are accustomed to hard work both inside and out of the home, as evidenced by their great involvement incharitablework. Propel Coaches collaboratewith their clients to construct a plan of action. Theypartnerwithuniversities,women-onlyprograms and vocational schools that offer certification programs with an end careergoal insight. TheCoachhelps theclientkeep theend inmind andprovides supportalong theway. KELLYJEMALMASSRY AND YOU COULD BE NEXT! ishelpingwomenofourcommunity discoverand launch theircareerpotentialwhileempowering them tomakepositivechanges in their lives FACES OF SUCCESS 14 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE