by NJJN Staff

July 30, 2009

Forty representatives of 25 different synagogues shared the challenges they face and the successes they’ve achieved in creating tools to support congregants affected by the economic crisis. They took part in a Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest program held July 21 at the Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC, Ross Family Campus, West Orange.

The evening resulted in a proposal to create a community-wide job seekers’ group in the Web-based site LinkedIn. The group will have subgroups representing each synagogue, so people who join can connect through their own synagogue or across the community. It will also offer information about networking and employment events at synagogues across the community. “Utilizing technology and LinkedIn in particular, we hope to create a community-wide networking opportunity to benefit everyone trying to help the unemployed and the unemployed themselves,” said JVS executive director Dr. Leonard Schneider.

The meeting also led to the creation of a working group of synagogue representatives to continue meeting and developing new community-wide initiatives.

Marian Lowenfish, JVS career placement counselor, offered tips on establishing mentoring programs in congregations, while Meryl Kanner, JVS manager of career counseling and placement, offered information about services available through JVS.

Many of those participating in the event are leaders of independent efforts at their synagogues to develop networking tools for congregants. The networking group is the newest addition to a set of programs — such as the online job bank, MWJobs — created over the last few decades by JVS in coordination with area synagogues to aid the unemployed across denominational and synagogue lines.

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