Community Magazine July 2016

THE PROPEL NETWORK The following is a response to a letter from a reader named Helen that appeared in last month’s issue. Dear Helen, It is heartwarming to know that you - like hundreds of women in our community - feel that “Propel Network is a necessary and worthy program.” I wanted to take the opportunity to respond to your concerns.  It is most certainty true that Jewish women are of elevated stature. The pride that we feel, as Jewish matriarchs to our families, is indescribable. In this way, we are already empowered by Hashem.  The question is, why stop there?  I am the proud mother of six children, B”H , and thewifeof awonderful and loving husband. I am also the proud Executive Director of Propel Network. Like many women in our community, I choose  to work; partially because I have skills to offer that can help other people, and partially because there is nothing wrong with earning an income.  Does that make me feel even more “empowered?”  Yes, since with Hashem’s guidance and my family’s encouragement I am making choices that help my husband, my family, and my community. My choices benefit everyone that I love.  Helen, I admire - and share - your pride for the women in our community, and I am very grateful that you can appreciate the potential our organization holds for our families and our community’s financial well-being. Respectfully, Rebecca Harary Executive Director Propel Network, Inc. SUCKED INTO THE SMARTPHONE Last month’s article about the negative effect smart phones are having on our children conveyed an important message. I, too, believe we should limit smart phone usage. One way to do that is to ban them during school hours. After all, why do children need to have their phones with them while they are in school? If a child is in school, they do not need to be contacted. If there is an emergency, parents can call the school office or drive there themselves. Smart phones distract kids from their schoolwork. Many studies have shown today’s new phones, with all the bells and whistles, lead to shorter attention spans in children. We need to really rethink what we are doing to our kids before it is too late. Max T. THE SCIENCE IS IN Last issue’s article about how Torah laws promote healthy living was really eye-opening! I always knew that the Torah provided spiritual benefits but I did not realize it provided so many physical benefits as well. It is pretty remarkable how so many scientific discoveries mentioned in the Torah were only discovered rather recently. It just goes to show that the Torah is unquestionably divine, as no human could have had such knowledge and written about it as early as thousands of years ago. Chaim B. ONE SMART COOKIE! I love baking and I really enjoy Esther Sassoon’s dessert column, “One Smart Cookie!” Even though I’m an avid baker, sometimes I have trouble coming up with interesting ideas for new desserts. That is why I look forward to Esther’s column every month. Besides the fact that her dessert recipes and decorating tips are so creative (and tasty), they give me great inspiration for creating new sweets that I can bake for my family and guests. Last month’s dessert, the Har Sinai Ice Cream Bombe, was a huge hit in my home. Thanks! Lucy G. ASK JIDO Thank you for bringing back the ‘Ask Jido’ column. I really appreciate his wisdom and sage advice every month. I also find the letters to the editor, the community news articles, and Torah-related topics very interesting. Keep up the good work!  Raquel B.  VolumeXVNumber 9 Iyar -Sivan 5776 June2016 > AHOMEWITHAHEART:GIRLSTOWN JERUSALEM> P.20 KEEPINGTHEFLAMEALIVE WORDSOF RABBIELIJ.MANSOUR ARESMARTPHONES BENEFITTINGCHILDREN ORHINDERINGTHEIR ABILITYTOFUNCTION? DAVEGORDON NEWYORK STATE ASSEMBLYWOMAN HOPEFUL REBECCA HARARY IN PROFILE REFORM.REBUILD.RENEW. RebeccaHararyhas spenther lifegivingback to the communityby founding severalnonprofitorganizations.She sharesher life storywithus andgoes intodetail abouther politicalplatform andhope forour future. KELLY JEMALMASSRY JUNE 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 countlesswomen 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. Th y’re asked to reflect on their past ccomplishments 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