Community Magazine April 2019

92 Community Magazine co mm unity HIGHL IGHTS On Sunday March 3 rd , Flatbush Cojo held its 40th annual community legislative breakfast. The event was hosted by Larry Spiewak, Cojo Chairman of the Board, David Heskiel, NYPD Clergy Liaison and Cojo board member, Ari Baum, Cojo Treasurer, and Rubin Margolis. This year’s honorees included congressman Pete King, NY State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstien, NYPD Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill, Leon Goldenberg, and First VP of Cojo, Scott Lorin MD, President of Mount Sinai Brooklyn. Many community leaders and organization heads joined as well, including Sam Sutton and Ronnie Tawil from Sephardic Bikur Holim, U.S. Congressman, Max Rose, Councilman Chaim Deutsch, who is a very strong and steadfast supporter of our community, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and NYPD Deputy Commissioner Bob Ganley, of NYPD 61st Pct. Head Inspector King and numerous elected officials gathered to discuss various important community issues and ways that we can all work together for a safer andmore productive working relationship with our elected leadership, NYPD, and our community members. Flatbush Cojo is an important organization in our community. This organization helps thousands of families in need, facilitating numerous social services and a host of programs that are very beneficial, including programs dedicated to helping with housing, healthcare, and financial security. Flatbush Cojo also distributes holiday food packages, and runs a camp scholarship fund. Last month Sephardic Bikur Holim (SBH) and Mesila, the worldwide organization promoting financial stability, joined together to sponsor a fascinating and well-received event to enhance the financial skill sets of SBH’s “captain volunteers.” It’s not surprising that the two organizations teamed up, as both are recognized as sharing the goal of helping families in our community achieve wellness and peace of mind. The thirty captain volunteers who attended were riveted by the fascinating presentation and joined enthusiastically in the following discussions. Rabbi Elie Levy, director of Mesila Brooklyn, opened the evening with a brief introduction to Mesila and the two divisions currently operating in Brooklyn: the Education Division, which brings Mesila curriculum into the schools, and the Financial Coaching Division, which helps families to gain control of their finances. Next, Teddy Serure, one of Mesila’s star coaches, took the podium and explained in greater depth how the coaching process with the families works. He gave a concise overviewof the three stages involved: Awareness – getting a clear picture of the family’s financial situation, Change – enhancing income and streamlining expenses so as to achieve a healthy budget, and Maintenance – building a multi-year budget, including saving and planning for the future, and debt repayment where applicable. He gave a sampling of the techniques and language that are employed during the process, and offered real-life examples of some cases that he’s dealt with, and described the transformations these families underwent. After Mr. Serure’s delivery, there was a lively question-and-answer session, followed by an opportunity for the captains to speak directly with the Mesila director and coach, and to share ideas and strategies of how to help families in the best way possible. Feedback from attendees was very enthusiastic. The SBH volunteers were quite impressed by the powerful tools Mesila has to offer, and they have already begun referring some clients to Mesila. The event was indeed the start of a fruitful relationship, for the benefit of Klal Yisrael ! Organizations and communities interested in bringing the Mesila message to their constituents are welcome to contact Mesila Brooklyn at 212-784-6780 or elielevy@mesilausa.org. Flatbush Cojo Holds Its 40th Annual Breakfast Mesila Teams with SBH to Get Families on Track Mesila Coach, Teddy Serure NYPD Chief Scholl, Congressman Max Rose, Cojo Chairman of the board, Larry Spiewak, and NYPD Lt. Jablonsky. NYPD Chief Scholl, NYPD Dep Commissioner Ganley, Councilman Chaim Deutsch, and David Heskiel, NYPD Clergy liasion and Cojo board member.