for February 27 and 28, 2013. Since launching in June 2010, fellow networkers, small and mid-size business owners have expressed interest in having their voices, thoughts, and ideas shared amongst each other as well as with the decision makers in our nation’s capitol.

“We have an exciting and busy agenda, which includes meetings with Department officials, the Illinois Delegation, key White House professionals, a reception on Capitol Hill, and much more,” said Shalom Klein, Chairman of

Jewish B2B Networking.

The delegation website, which can be found at www.JewishB2B.org/WashingtonDC, will include the tentative itinerary, issue briefs, biographies, and other relevant information.

The two day delegation will take place

on February 26 and 27’th 2013. There are a maximum of 100 participants that will be accepted (subject to White House security and other considerations), and space is very limited. Travel arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the participants. A preferred rate for airlines and hotels have been held for this trip, and help will be available for booking travel.

More information on the Jewish B2B Networking and Small Business Advocacy Council delegation at www.JewishB2B.org/WashingtonDC or by contacting Blanca at blanca@sbacil.org or Shalom at shalom@thejewishbusiness.com.

Skokie teen, a freshman at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, who took the country by storm in 2012 on America's Got Talent. He wowed the judges and charmed the crowd with his heartfelt piano renditions of today's hits, reaching the semi-finals-all while proudly wearing his kippah. He opened for Aziz Ansari at YLD's Big Event on the first night of Chanukah in December.

Below are excerpts from an interview with the phenom. The full interview is available as a podcast on www.jufnews.org.

On deciding to audition for America's Got Talent
I had always been a fan. I had seen that they had had really talented kids on the show. People were encouraging me to put my talent out there.

On auditioning and performing
Up to going on the show, I had never had experiences of going in front of a crowd. I had never performed in front of more than 10 to 15 people. It was nerve-wracking but also exciting. My dad and I flew down to Austin for the audition. It looked like a circus! There were acrobats and dancers, and crazy, crazy acts. It was overwhelming, but the response from the judges and crowd was exciting. As the show went on, it became live [for every performance], so then I was more nervous. Once you are in front of that crowd, there is not much you can do. Performing was one of my favorite parts of the entire experience. That was fun for me. Once you start playing, you let everything go.

On his songs
The songs were chosen by me. As the competition goes on, they give you tips. By the live round, it's me choosing the songs and them approving them. In between each stage of the competition I had about two months of preparation, which was more than enough. It's fun to take songs that other people already have a connection to, and to be able to make it your own- one of the most exciting parts of the show. I listen to a pretty big variety of music. I recently got into country, and I listen to pop and alternative. I listen to one song over and over until I get sick of it!

On piano lessons
I started when I was 9. I had been asking my parents for a couple of years at that point. I was playing classical, and I hated

it, for a year and a half. I wanted to quit. One summer, I stopped taking lessons. But my friends were at camp. I had nothing to do. I sat down and started playing something I heard on the radio with one finger, which started to turn into chords, and then I started to teach myself a little bit. I realized I had to start taking lessons again…I had something going for me there! I started with more mainstream chord progressions, more what I wanted. Having that background in classical music really helped!

On being openly Jewish on national TV
We got some comments about what the yarmulke is. People would ask why I couldn't be there on Shabbos. Overall, I was treated like anyone else, which was an amazing part. It was an experiment, to see how people would accept someone wearing a kippah, how they would react. As the show went on, we started to realize more reactions across the country, more people picking up on me. That's when it hit us, the aspect of me kind of representing the Jewish nation. That was one of the really cool parts. As the competition went on, I started to see more Jews were following me, excited about what I was going to do.

On his life and music now
I came back from New York, straight into starting high school! In the past months, I have been doing a couple of performances. I did the GA (The General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America). I am going to start doing some more YouTube stuff. Hopefully, I'll be able to record some original music.

On what he learned
From a performance aspect, I've really matured. Getting a response from a crowd like that, and the judges, was amazing for me. I had my doubts, [thinking] 'This person is better than me. There is no was I'm getting though this stage.' I really progressed with my music and as a performer. One of my main goals in my music career is to be able to share it with everyone. You don't need to make up some alter ego, to change everything about you in order to have people enjoy what you do. You have to stay true to who you are. I've matured, but I've tried to stay the same person I was.

By PAUL WIEDER

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13-300×184.jpg” alt=”Turning Point” width=”300″ height=”184″ /> Holding the pieces of Turning Point's promise to provide solid support as it is reassembled into an expanded vision that includes integrated health services are L to R: State Representative Lou Lang, Turning Point CEO Ann Fisher Raney, State Senator Ira Silverstein, U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Representative Daniel Biss, North Suburban Healthcare Foundation Vice Chair Donald P. Perille and Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen. Photo by Mitchell Canoff.

Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center CEO Ann

Fisher Raney, officers and staff hosted a luncheon on December 7th for local community leaders and elected representatives, to celebrate the awarding of a $1.2 million grant from the North Suburban Healthcare Foundation. Showing their support for the innovative behavioral health care leader were U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Representative Lou Lang, State Senator Ira Silverstein andState Representative Daniel Biss. Feature speakers also included Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, and North Suburban Healthcare Foundation Vice ChairDonald P. Perille.

The event was held in the building adjacent to Turning Point's current space at 8324 Skokie Boulevard. The sizeable grant has allowed Turning Point to purchase the neighboring building and nearly double its office space to 40,000 square feet without incurring any new debt. The additional space makes it possible for Turning Point to expand services through the creation of an integrative health center.

Turning Point has a track record of innovation in the behavioral health care field. The Living Room at Turning Point, which opened in September of 2011, offers support to clients experiencing psychiatric emergencies in a comfortable, non-clinical space, providing a welcome and cost-effective alternative to hospital emergency rooms. In the first year, 228 visits resulted in fewer than 15 emergency room referrals (a deflection rate of 93%), saving an estimated $500,000 in state health care costs.

Turning Point CEO Ann Fisher Raney said she was initially stunned by the generosity of the grant: “Our staff is dedicated to providing compassionate, respectful and cost-effective solutions to our clients and community we serve. We are grateful for this grant which allows us to pursue our big dream of building a learning and service community of like-minded providers.” Raney continued, “We are actively meeting with organizations who can provide complementary services, such as substance abuse counseling, therapeutic play, and health care services, and intend to announce new partner organizations in early 2013.”

What better way can there be to

escape Chicago’s freezing winters and to bask in the Florida sun while helping to raise funds for Special Needs children and adults through the Orthodox Union’s Yachad program, than to be part of Team Yachad competing in the ING Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon, Sunday, January 27, 2013.

This will be the fourth consecutive year that Team Yachad is competing.  Of the 163 runners who have already registered with Team Yachad, amazingly, 16 of them, ages 16-47, are from Chicago, Lincolnwood, and Skokie.  Chicago Yachad has grown by leaps and bounds over the last eight years under the leadership of Efrem Popel, Chapter Director, and Chaim Suss, Chairman, Chicago Yachad Board.

Yachad/NJCD, an agency of the Orthodox Union, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the life

opportunities of individuals with disabilities, ensuring their participation in the full spectrum of Jewish life. Yachad/NJCD promotes Inclusion for these individuals through various integrated activities, such as regularly scheduled weekend getaways in different communities, called Shabbatons, relationship building programs and summer activities. Chicago Yachad has announced an expanded array of programming this year.

Miami race participants can run, walk or jog; it is also possible to sponsor Team Yachad or an individual runner.

Registration is underway on the Team Yachad website,www.TeamYachad.com.

Each participant commits to raising $3,000 for Yachad/NJCD. By committing to the mission, runners raise much-needed funds which allow Yachad to continue the vital work it does to promote Inclusion for those living with disabilities within the broad Jewish community. In return, Yachad provides roundtrip airfare to Miami; hotel accommodations; a personalized training regimen offered by three certified trainers; official Team Yachad race gear; guaranteed race admission; a pre-race pasta party and post-race BBQ; and an unforgettable Yachad Shabbaton at the beautiful Marco Polo Beach Resort.

Yachad Assistant Director Eli Hagler, who will be running with Team Yachad for his second year, said, “Team Yachad has quickly taken on a life of its own with the size of the team growing each year.  We have had delegations from the Chicago area for the first three years, each time larger than the year before, and now we are looking forward to seeing even more Chicagoans participating or in a sponsoring position.  Team Yachad will also be running in the Jerusalem Marathon on March 1, 2013 and already more than 10 Chicagoans have signed up for that race as well.”

Vicki Ross of Chicago, 47, who ran with Team Yachad in January 2012, declared, “I decided to sign up for the Team Yachad ING Half Marathon in Miami because I care about and support an organization that strives to include individuals with disabilities into the greater Jewish Community.  In January 2012, close to 200 people gathered together for a wonderful Shabbat preceding Race Day when 135 Yachad runners from various states participated in the Full and Half Marathon.”  Vicki has already registered to run again with Team Yachad in January 2013.

She continued, “Sunday morning, at the Marathon, the crowd of an estimated 100,000 people watched Team Yachad’s mission come true when a wheelchair-bound Team Yachad member crossed the finish line along with 134 of his Team Yachad teammates! That sight, no doubt, will remain with everyone for a very long time!”

For more information and to register as a Team Yachad participant visit www.TeamYachad.com.

=”300″ />Daniel Elbaum, the Director of AJC’s Chicago Regional Office has been promoted to AJC’s Director of Regional Offices. Elbaum, of Deerfield, is an attorney and an active member of Chicago's Jewish community. He will move the New York-based position to Chicago. Elbaum also received the title of AJC Assistant Executive Director.

“I am truly humbled by this opportunity and look forward to working with AJC’s dedicated lay leaders around the nation to meeting the challenges of 2012”said Elbaum. “It has been an honor to work with the lay leadership and professional staff of AJC’s Chicago office for nearly three years. I am acutely aware that any contribution I have made to this organization pales in comparison to all that I have received.”

Elbaum, a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, resides in Deerfield with his wife and two children. Prior to working at AJC, Elbaum worked as a civil rights attorney at ADL’s Chicago Office and as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

As AJC Chicago Director, Elbaum emphasized building relationships with Chicago’s many ethnic, religious, and international communities, including the Chicago Consular Corps. He created the Midwest Diplomatic Marathon, formed a one-of-a-kind partnership with the National Museum of Mexican Art, began an outreach program with Midwest Mormon Church leaders, and sent a number of influential Chicagoans to Israel via AJC’s Project Interchange.

About AJC

AJC is the global advocate for the well-being of the Jewish people and for the advancement of democratic values for all.

For more than 100 years, AJC has sought to advance the peace and security of the Jewish people around the world. Through high-level diplomacy, strong legislative advocacy, and effective interreligious and interethnic coalitions, AJC has made a significant impact on issues critical to car insurance quotes online the Jewish people. With key relationships at the regional, national, and international levels—from diplomats, to global decision-makers and community leaders —AJC is the preeminent global Jewish advocate.

” height=”79″ />Last December, Northwestern University and Spertus Institute launched a new professional development program, The Certificate in Jewish Leadership. This program combines Jewish scholarship with leading ideas from the contemporary business world to enhance the effectiveness of Jewish leaders.

This October, the first cohort of twelve completes the program, bringing their new leadership expertise to a range of roles and responsibilities in organizations that serve and impact the local Jewish community.

The recipients of the Certificate in Jewish Leadership are: Rhonda Blender, Nursing Development Consultant for the University of Chicago Medical Center; Deanna Drucker, President of the Women’s Board of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and a Trustee of Spertus; Holly Falk-Krzesinski, Vice President of Global Academic Relations and Strategic Alliances at Elsevier and the recent Vice President for Development on the Board of Trustees of Temple Chai in Long Grove;Stacey Flint, Associate Executive Director of Lawndale Christian Development Corporation; Derek Gale, Director of Communications at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School; Sheri Hokin, Owner of Hokin Sternberg Insurance Services and a Trustee of the Jewish Women's Foundation; Shalom Klein, Vice President of Moshe Klein & Associates, Ltd. and Director of Jewish B2B Networking; Susan Levin-Abir, Director of Strategic Development at Keshet; Thomas Samuels, Membership and Program Coordinator at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston; Jody Schneiderman, Staff Attorney for Cook County; Bonnie Silverman, Director of Early Childhood Center at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation; Ilene Uhlmann, Director of Adult Services at JCC Chicago; and Michael Waitz, Director of Centennial Development at Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.

The Certificate in Jewish Leadership was developed for emerging leaders of nonprofit organizations, including those focused on social service, fundraising, education, culture, and public policy. Traditionally, programs for Jewish leadership have focused either on management skills or Jewish literacy. In this program, which draws faculty and expertise from both Spertus and Northwestern, leadership is taught within a distinctively Jewish context. Participants learn to articulate vision and motivate stakeholders, improve collaboration, achieve organizational goals, and plan and execute for the future.

A unique and essential aspect of the program is its focus on the mentoring of students by seasoned Jewish professional and lay leaders. Inaugural mentors were: Audra Berg, Associate Vice President of Leadership and Campaign at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago; Aleen Bayard, Founder of MarketZing and a member of the adjunct faculty at Northwestern; Aaron Cohen, Associate Vice President of Leadership and

Campaign at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago; Daniel Elbaum, Director of the American Jewish Committee’s Chicago Regional Office; Dr. Michael Kotzin, Executive Vice President of Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago; Greg Gross, President & CEO of the Michael Reese Health Trust; Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz, Former Director of Education at Congregation Am Shalom and a member of the Spertus faculty; Dr. Hal M. Lewis, President and CEO of Spertus; Dr. David Rubovits, Senior Vice President of Planning and Allocations at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago; Emily Soloff, Associate Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations at the American Jewish

Committee; Jill Weinberg, Midwest Regional Director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; Mark Weiner, President and CEO of the Council for Jewish Elderly; and Richard Zelin, Vice President of Development at Sinai Health System.

Newly minted leader Michael Waitz said, “I have been able to take what I have learned in each class and use it to enhance the work I am doing professionally.” His co-participant Shalom Klein said, “I benefited from a structure that taught us both the historical and practical elements of leadership. I would strongly recommend the program to lay and professional leaders in the Jewish community.”

Applications are now being accepted for a second cohort of the Certificate in Jewish Leadership. Classes begin in November. More information is available at spertus.edu/MAJPS/certificate-jewish-leadership or by phone at 312.503.0714.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF CONTINUING STUDIES
The mission of Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is to extend the resources of Northwestern University to undergraduate and graduate students whose lives include significant professional and personal commitments that place limitations on their schedules and affect the pace at which they may achieve their educational goals.

ABOUT SPERTUS INSTITUTE
Spertus offers dynamic learning opportunities, rooted in Jewish wisdom and culture and open to all. Graduate programs and workshops train future leaders and engage individuals in exploration of Jewish life. Public programs include films, speakers, seminars, and concerts — at the Institute's Michigan Avenue facility, in the suburbs, and online.

Spertus is a partner in serving the community, supported by the JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

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2012/10/election1-300×199.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”199″ /> Pictured is David Sherman (moderator), Susan Sher (speaker), Samuel Skinner (speaker), and Andy Hochberg (moderator).

After two years of primaries, endorsements, conventions, speeches, and debates, the general election is finally almost here.

With one final examination of the issues at stake in the election, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Government Affairs Committee of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago is sponsoring a special two-part election series.

The first, pre-election part of the series, held Monday at the Lillian and Larry Goodman Conference Center at JUF's headquarters, featured Susan Sher and Samuel Skinner.

Sher is the former chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama and the former White House liaison to the Jewish community, and the current executive vice president for Corporate Strategy and Public Affairs at University of Chicago Medical Center.

Skinner is the former chief of staff to President George H.W. Bush and current partner at Greenberg Traurig, LLC.

The two speakers, respectful of one another, examined the issues in a friendly, non-combative way. They each represented their personal views and not the views of Pres. Obama or Gov. Romney.

David A. Sherman, chairman of the JUF/JF Board, and Andy Hochberg, chairman of the Government Affairs Committee-as well as members of the audiences-asked Sher and Skinner a series of questions, covering a range of topics including how to promote a bipartisan culture in Congress, cutting government spending, campaign finance reform, immigration reform, the gender gap in the election, healthcare, and Israel security.

Outgoing Illinois State Sen. Susan Garrett, who attended the luncheon, shed light on the disillusionment that the American people feel when it comes to politics and distractions. “Is there a disconnect between what is talked about on the cable news shows and what people are really feeling?” Garrett asked. “…At

both the state and federal level, people feel that no one is listening to them…”

“Unfortunately in these days of negative politics, we watch stuff that is totally irrelevant to what the candidate is going to do or not do,” Skinner said. Sher added that “people use these negative ads because they have studies to show that they work.”

At the end of the luncheon, a member of the audience asked for the speakers to comment on Israel security. Sher defended Obama's record on Israel and asserted that both candidates would act as strong friends to the Israeli government. “When one considers these administrations whether it's Romney or Obama, the devotion and importance of Israel shouldn't be the distinction in terms of one's vote,” she said.

Then, Skinner, who traveled with his family to Israel last summer with the help of JUF, discussed the complexity of the issues facing Israel and the challenges that whoever the next president is will face in acting as a partner in the peace process. “…Every president, Republican or Democrat, would like to be the one to solve [the conflict]… the question is what do you as an American president on behalf of the United States do and how do you play a role in minimizing all that's going on in [the Middle East]…the president has to make sure he has the right people around him who are experts in the field who will really take a thoughtful, long term approach to how we get there.”

“It was refreshing to hear two people engage in civil disagreement while thoughtfully arguing complex and often emotionally charged issues,” said David Prystowsky, executive director of JCRC and Government Affairs.

The post-election Debrief, co-sponsored by JUF's Young Leadership Division and Trades, Industries and Professions (TIP) Divisions, will be held the day after the election, Wed, Nov. 7. For more information or to register, visit www.juf.org/jcrc/hoffman.aspx, call (312) 357-4770, or e-mail JCRC1@juf.org.

-171×300.jpg” alt=”" width=”171″ height=”300″ />Jane Eisner, a pioneer in journalism and the first woman to serve as editor-in-chief of the Forward, will spearhead a discussion about gender inequities in Jewish organizations when she serves as guest speaker for Spertus Institute’s Celebration of Jewish Professional Life & Leadership. The program, which takes place on Wednesday,
November 14 at 5:30 pm, is free and open to professionals and volunteers who work in, with, and for Jewish organizations. Reservations are requested on or before November 7 by email toNetworkRSVP@spertus.edu.

“This is an issue for professionals, volunteers, and donors, regardless of gender,” said Dr. Hal M. Lewis, President and CEO of Spertus and an expert on Jewish leadership. “At Spertus, where we believe that strong leaders build and sustain strong Jewish communities, we feel a special responsibility to

bring this issue to the forefront. And Jane Eisner is the perfect person to foster the conversation.”

According to a recent article in Washington Jewish Week, although women dominate volunteer positions in Jewish organizations and often work their way up to important positions, they “rarely end up in the ultimate seat of power.” In fact, of 153 North American Jewish Federations, only 50 (33%) are headed by women. Of the 20 largest of these Federations, only two (just 10%) have a women in the top job.

One of these women, Ruth Messinger, President and CEO of the American Jewish World Service, reported that women are leaving the Jewish workplace because “they do not believe they will ever get to the top.” Instead of wooing female employees, she said, “The Jewish community in the 21st century is frittering away its talent.”

Jane Eisner has been addressing this issue for many years. In a recent editorial in the Forward, she said “I’m…grateful for the incremental changes in workplace policies and individual attitudes that I’ve witnessed in the past dozen years. I’d like to believe the Forward’s editorials championing women’s leadership and the need for family-friendly policies in Jewish organizations have contributed to some modest successes and will encourage more. But we’re nibbling around the edges.”

Since joining the Forward in 2008, Ms. Eisner has led the publication to win numerous regional and national awards for its original journalism. Over the course of her career, Ms. Eisner held executive editorial and news positions at the Philadelphia Inquirer and has written for theWashington Post, Newsday, Brookings Review, Columbia Journalism Review, Ma’ayan, and the Reconstructionist. She hosts The Salon, the first women’s program produced by The Jewish Channel. She also has deep roots in academe, serving as the first Koeppel Fellow in Journalism at

Wesleyan University, where she teaches. In 2006, she was one of three women chosen to be the fellows of the new Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center at Bryn Mawr College.

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le=”cable_aic_lavin_8057small(1)” src=”http://thejewishbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/cable_aic_lavin_8057small1.jpg” alt=”" width=”164″ height=”230″ />Thank you Mark [Gaines]. Thank you. Congratulations to Michael [Traison, co-winner]. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, the Israeli Consul General, my Congressman Bob Dold, my family, especially my lovely and very supportive wife Dawn, my fraternity brothers, my Nachshon brothers, OSI, my families company, SNR Denton, AON, Bank Leumi, Bunzl, and all of you. My only regret is that my mother, Sylvia Lavin and my friend Richard Schoenstadt, are not alive to join us here this evening.

WHY ISRAEL?

Many people ask, WHY ISRAEL? Why time spent on promoting Israel? Why time spent on promoting the American-Israel strategic relationship? Why time spent on promoting the American Israel economic relationship? Why time spent on safeguarding Israel and her people?

The US and Israel are bound together based on common goals and values. But to better understand why, it is necessary to understand the Jewish people. To do so in the time permitted, I want to share with you a statement made by someone else.

“The Jews are a peculiar people: things permitted to other nations are forbidden to the Jews. Other nations drive out thousands, even millions of people and there is no refugee problem. (the Arab States did it to its Jews) Russia did it, Poland and Czechoslovakia did it. Turkey threw out a million Greeks and Algeria a million Frenchmen. Indonesia threw out heaven knows how many Chinese and no one says a word about refugees. But in the case of Israel, the displaced Arabs have become eternal refugees. Everyone insists

that Israel must take back every single one….

Other nations when victorious on the battlefield dictate peace terms. But when Israel is victorious, it must sue for peace. Other nations, when they are defeated, survive and recover, but should Israel be defeated it would be destroyed. Had Nasser triumphed in June of 1967, he would have wiped Israel off the map, and no one would have lifted a finger to save the Jews. No commitment to the Jews by any government, including our own, is worth the paper it is written on….When Hitler slaughtered Jews no one demonstrated against him. The Jews are alone in the world. If Israel survives, it will be solely because of Jewish efforts. And Jewish resources. Yet at this moment, Israel is our only reliable and unconditional ally. We can rely more on Israel than Israel can rely on us. And one has only to imagine what would have happened (in 1967 or 1973) had the Arabs and their Russian backers won the war, to realize how vital the survival of Israel is to America and the West in general. I have a premonition that will not leave me; as it goes with Israel so will it go with all of us. Should Israel perish, the Holocaust will be upon us all.”

The author is, Eric Hoffer, a non-Jewish, longshoreman turned author and philosopher, and a winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Our safety, security and prosperity are very much co-dependent upon one another as is Israel’s. Israel is, and will remain, the front line of defense of American security. A special relationship between two countries, more than just allies. No country votes on major issues in the United Nations more with the United States than Israel. No country cooperates and shares more on intelligence, training and technological breakthroughs than between the United States and Israel. For many years, US-Israel military ties were non-existent. This began to change with the Kennedy administration and more significantly with the Johnson administration after the 1967 war, when the US agreed to do something that it still does to this day—provide Israel with a qualitative military edge over its neighbors.

The strategic value of the special relationship to the United States dramatically expanded when in 1970, President Nixon, called on none other than Israel, to rush to the aid and support for King Hussein of Jordan, so that political stability could be maintained in that country. Ronald Reagan forged a new path and expanded reliance upon Israel to help the US, in America’s national interest, to end the Cold War. When the first Bush administration was frustrated with the inoperability of the the US defense project to build the Arrow Missile Defense system they turned to Rafael Industries in Israel, a company wholly owned by the State of Israel, to develop new software and modifications to the hardware, resulting in a successful missile defense system. All subsequent administrations continued on the same path.

It is important that all facets of the American-Israel relationship not only continue, but continue to grow and prosper for the sake of America, as well as for Israel—not just for strategic reasons, but for economic reasons as well.

Just as she did for strategic reasons, America, slowly and then rapidly, intervened in the Israeli economic system. This included aid totaling some $3.2B for the first 25 years of the State of Israel. The next 40 years saw the aid provided by the US to Israel exceeding an additional $100B. Aid provided, not solely based on need, but rather to what has become important for both

countries. Over $75B of that aid was spent in the United States, buying US military and other products and creating over 20,000 new direct American jobs, plus thousands of additional jobs created at suppliers and businesses in related fields.

The first free trade agreement ever signed by the United States was the one signed in 1985 with Israel, which served as a model for subsequent free trade agreements, including those between the United States and Jordan, Canada and Mexico. Jointly funded programs such as the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund, which has provided over a quarter of a billion dollars for some 1,000 projects in 45 States, and generated over $1B in revenue, focusing on increasing agricultural productivity, plant and animal health and food quality and safety, is important to all of us as well as to Illinois businesses like my families’ business, OSI Group. Or one that provides funding to companies to expand R &D and trade like that my law firm has worked with on behalf of our clients, the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation, have been very successful, having provided funding to more than four hundred R&D projects, helping to create new products and new jobs throughout the US. In 1972, the Binational Science Foundation was formed to promote relations and cooperation between scientists of the two countries and promoting scientific excellence at the highest levels. Since then, the BSF has awarded over half a billion dollars through more than 4,000 grants in 45 States and the District of Columbia. The work funded by these research grants to joint ventures led to producing discoveries made by the University of Illinois Chicago, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Argonne National Lab and my alma mater, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, to over 75 discoveries resulting in 37 Nobel Prizes.

In 2010 alone, Illinois companies’ military financing contracts with Israel exceeded $123M and Illinois exports to Israel were over $183M. Over the past 16 years, Illinois companies have exported over $4B of goods to Israel.

The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce Chicago, is here to serve your businesses and all businesses to develop relationships with Israeli companies and foster trade. Manufacturers, distributors, wholesales, retailers, professional and business service providers, venture capitalists, investment bankers (like my son Michael at Mesirow Financial) and R&D scientists (like my rocket scientist, Technion research alum, son Alex) all can benefit from doing business with Israeli companies, as hundreds of companies have already done.

Israel is isolated in the world. The key to maintaining the strength of the special relationship between the United States and Israel is through involvement. Political involvement is essential through the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and I urge all of you to join. Educational involvement is essential through the American Israel Education fund, a charity that educates our current and future leaders, critical particularly as approximately one third of new Congressmen and woman do not even have passports when they enter office, let alone experiences to help them vote on foreign policy; and the American Israel Chamber of Commerce to strengthen and grow our economic ties.

Israel MUST, like the US, stay strong and vibrant—be safe and secure—and a great place for Americans to do business. That can ONLY be achieved— by the United States standing strong with Israel, politically, financially and militarily.

As elections approach I urge all of you to vote with the importance of this special relationship in mind, as it is central to the safety, security and we’ll being of Israel and America.

Thank you.

h=”224″ height=”224″ /> The OU Job Board hit a home run withFox Sports Media Group and Fox Sports Net, which along with other high profile organizations, have posted job openings on www.oujobs.org.

Employment opportunities have additionally been listed from Dow Jones Newswires; Standard & Poor’s; Fitch Ratings; USA Today; and the Federal Reserve Bank. In addition, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries – a major pharmaceutical company based in Israel – has also posted employment opportunities.

Michael Rosner, Director of the OU Job Board, declared, “As the OU Job Board continues to grow and to gain national recognition for our real time available jobs and the exemplary resumés we post, it’s no wonder that major brand companies look to us for employees. They know that our constituencies are highly trained and motivated, and that our vetted jobs are

in the upper middle class income category to offer the right mix of jobs and people. We are proud that these fine establishments and well known companies have come to the OU Job Board for staffing help and with jobs to offer.”

Each month, the OU Job Board averages of 2,500 posted jobs; 500 uploaded resumés; more than 800 registered hiring companies; and more than 100 employers reviewing resumés at one time. Jobs are posted and

monitored on a daily basis. In addition to hosting jobs and resumés, the OU Job Board is a leader in educational “re-tooling” classes; seminars/webinars; Job Fairs; resumé rewrites; and other vital employment and social services.
Further information and posting are found at www.oujobs.org or email jobsco@ou.org. Michael Rosner, OU Job Board Director, may be reached at rosnerm@ou.org, or (212)-563-4000.

With the continued growth of Bar-Ilan University (BIU) in Ramat Gan,

Israel, its American Friends has announced the expansion of its outreach to the Chicago Jewish community. Taking over the helm of this initiative will be long-time Chicago resident Ari E. Steinberg, who has been appointed the Director of the Greater Chicago Regional Office of the American Friends of Bar-Ilan University (AFBIU).
In making the announcement, AFBIU Chief Executive Officer Matthew J. Maryles, said, “We are fortunate to have a highly successful fundraising professional like Ari Steinberg reaching out to all segments of the Chicago community in order to raise greater awareness of and support for one of Israel’s preeminent universities, where a diverse population of over 33,000 students comes together in an academic environment which embraces Judaism and Zionism.”

Maryles added, “Ari’s superb record of achievement, especially in the field of fundraising for educational institutions in Chicago and Israel, will help garner new gifts for Bar-Ilan’s groundbreaking research and academic programs in the sciences, law, nanotechnology, engineering, business, the humanities and its new Medical School in the Galilee.”

During the past seven years, Steinberg has served as Director of Development and Operations for the Arie Crown Hebrew Day School in Skokie. In this capacity, he broke the school’s 50 year fundraising record, increasing the total

new incoming revenue by more than 80% over five years.

Prior to this position, he was the Assistant Director of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science’s Chicago Region. In addition, he was the Executive Director – Midwest of United Lifeline/Kav Lachayim, Director of Planned Giving and Endowments for the Central Region of Jewish Federations of North America, and Director of the Country Club Campaign for Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. Steinberg is a graduate of Yeshiva University, where he was inducted in the Alpha Psi Omega Honor Society.

Steinberg said, “I am looking forward to directing this new endeavor to excite people about Bar-Ilan’s award-winning academic programs and research that are strengthening Israel and Jewish life around the world.”

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p-content/uploads/2012/09/Irv-Shapiro-240×300.jpg” alt=”Irv Shapiro” width=”240″ height=”300″ /> Chicago-based Ifbyphone CEO Irv Shapiro has twice started companes that landed on the Inc. 500 list.

If you think the growth of the Internet and text messaging have wiped out the need for phone calls, think again.

One of the fastest-growing small businesses in the nation routes more than 15 million minutes of phone calls in a typical month, and it’s not in the traditional phone business.

Chicago-based Ifbyphone is CEO Irv Shapiro’s second company to be named to the Inc. 500 list of fast-growing businesses, with his first startup, system integration consulting firm Metamor Technologies, achieving a rank of 389 in 1995. That company grew from $100,000 in annual sales in 1985 to about $32 million when it was sold to Houston-based Corestaff in 1997.

Shapiro has taken a similar approach to filling a gap in the marketplace with Ifbyphone, which provides a voice-based phone management and marketing automation platform for small and midsize companies. And Ifbyphone is on a similar trajectory, achieving annual revenue of $7.7 million in 2011, up from about $500,000 in 2008. Twenty-one Chicago-area companies were named to the 2012 Inc. 500 list, and dozens more made the Inc. 5000 list.

By assigning different phone numbers to specific marketing offers for about $2 each, Ifbyphone can help companies identify where they’re generating the most interest so they can zero in on the most effective marketing opportunities. It also tracks which keywords customers entered to find the client company, and by detecting where customers are calling from, it can route callers to a business’s appropriate location.

Suite of services

“That’s the tip of the iceberg,” Shapiro said, noting that the company helps its customers manage, measure and automate phone calls. It has rolled up a suite of offerings so its customers don’t have to look elsewhere for one component or another. “We’ll automatically call customers to remind them of deliveries, or tell them to renew their subscription or survey them on quality,” he said.

By offering a suite of services, Ifbyphone is blowing by its single-minded competitors, of which there are more than 100, Shapiro said. Many competing providers offer one service, such as call tracking, call forwarding or delivery notification. Less than a handful offer multiple services. “Part of the reason we’ve grown so fast is we’ve taken the Microsoft Office suite approach” to offering every managed phone service a business needs.

The company, ranked as the 249th fastest-growing company, achieved 1,442 percent sales growth during the past three years and a sales increase of 770 percent in 2011, according to Inc.com. More than 3,500 companies use the company’s services, paying from $50 to more than $10,000 per month, he said. But Shapiro sees even faster growth ahead.

Profits still to come

The 70-employee company, which has raised $17 million in two rounds of venture capital, isn’t yet profitable because it has been re-investing by hiring more sales representatives, Shapiro said. ”Right now our investors want us to focus on the top line because we have such a high gross margin,” he said.

Shapiro stumbled upon the unmet need in the marketplace that led to Ifbyphone in 2005 when he was shopping online for a high-end digital camera and couldn’t believe the camera retailer’s website didn’t show a phone number. “I couldn’t figure out why someone selling products for thousands of dollars wouldn’t make it easy to call,” he said.

So Shapiro, who studied computer science at Washington University in the 1970s, began evaluating available technology for small and midsize companies to handle phone calls efficiently. While high-end technology was available, it was too costly for many businesses.

A market opportunity

“There was a market opportunity to build technology to allow midsize companies to handle customer interactions over the telephone as well as the best companies do it,” Shapiro says. “What we’re basically doing is applying Internet technology to telephone technology.”

It took about two and a half years to develop the technology and begin selling it. The service works on any phone as well as Skype, Shapiro said. While most customers learned of Ifbyphone from Internet searches, increasingly the company is gaining referral business. Shapiro’s target is to double the company’s size in the next year, assuming it can hire enough qualified people. The company recruits what Shapiro calls “SWANs,” who are smart, hard-working, ambitious

and nice.

Landing a spot on the Inc. 500 should make it easier to find people,

he said. “If we can hire the best people, we will build a great company.”

Read More at SmallBizChicago….

id Brown” width=”164″ height=”230″ />David T. Brown, of Chicago, was elected Chairman of the Board of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago during the Federation’s 112^th annual meeting today.

The Jewish Federation helps fund and provide human welfare services to 300,000 Chicago-area residents of all faiths, and helps 2 million Jews in need in Israel and worldwide. It also supports Jewish education and community-building programs locally and overseas.

“Our Chicago community is second to none, it is strong and vibrant. Our Jewish

Federation is second to none, and our commitment to Israel is second to none. But we cannot rest on our laurels,” Brown said, addressing 1,400 members of the Federation and invited guests at a noon-time meeting at the Chicago Hilton.

“We must all work together to reach new heights, to build our community, our campaign,and the next generation of leaders. Together we can make a lasting difference,” he said.

Brown, 52, accepted the gavel from outgoing Chairman, Skip Schrayer, who called his successor “a decisive leader with an incredibly wide-ranging knowledge base, and an extraordinarily quick study. He challenges people to think past what they thought was possible and find creative solutions to today’s most pressing issues.”

In his professional life, Brown is Chairman of the law firm, Much Shelist, P.C. He previously served as Chair of the firm’s Management Committee for 13 years. He is a regular speaker and writer on numerous topics, including business planning and succession, and the business aspects of the legal profession. He is a member of the American, Illinois and Chicago bar associations, and of the WPO Chicago Chapter.

His volunteer service to the Jewish community is long-standing and distinguished. Most recently Brown chairs the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation’s Overall Planning and Allocations Committee. He has served as End of Year Chairman for the organization’s 2004 and 2008 fundraising campaigns; Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, where he presented the JUF’s position on important policy issues to government officials in Washington, D.C. and Springfield, Illinois; President of the Young Leadership Division; and was a recipient of the JUF’s Young Leadership Award.

Brown is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and chairs JFNA’s Human Services and Public Policy Council where he works closely with professional leadership in JFNA’s Washington, D.C. office and lay leadership throughout the United States on health and long-term

care issues, care of the aged, disability and tax policies. Brown is active in AIPAC and is a regular visitor to Israel.

Brown has run in the Chicago Marathon nine times on behalf of the American Liver Foundation and most recently the American Cancer Society, and has served as founding chair of the American Liver Foundation’s marathon steering committee.

Brown and his wife, Suzanne Muchin, live in Chicago with their five children. They are members of Anshe Emet Synagogue.

“I am honored today to have the opportunity to serve our community as Chairman of the Board, and to continue in the tradition of the leaders who have come before me,” Brown said.Rich Text AreaToolbarBold (Ctrl + B)Italic (Ctrl + I)Strikethrough (Alt + Shift + D)Unordered list (Alt + Shift + U)Ordered list (Alt + Shift + O)Blockquote (Alt + Shift + Q)Align Left (Alt + Shift + L)Align Center (Alt + Shift + C)Align Right (Alt + Shift + R)Insert/edit link (Alt + Shift + A)Unlink (Alt + Shift + S)Insert More Tag (Alt + Shift + T)Toggle spellchecker (Alt + Shift + N)▼
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David T. Brown, of Chicago, was elected Chairman of the Board of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago during the Federation’s 112th annual meeting today.
The Jewish Federation helps fund and provide human welfare services to 300,000 Chicago-area residents of all faiths, and helps 2 million Jews in need in Israel and worldwide. It also supports Jewish education and community-building programs locally and overseas.
“Our Chicago community is second to none, it is strong and vibrant. Our Jewish Federation is second to none, and our commitment to Israel is second to none. But we cannot rest on our laurels,” Brown said, addressing 1,400 members of the Federation and invited guests at a noon-time meeting at the Chicago Hilton.
“We must all work together to reach new heights, to build our community, our campaign,and the next generation of leaders. Together we can make a lasting difference,” he said.
Brown, 52, accepted the gavel from outgoing Chairman, Skip Schrayer, who called his successor “a decisive leader with an incredibly wide-ranging knowledge base, and an extraordinarily quick study. He challenges people to think past what they thought was possible and find creative solutions to today’s most pressing issues.”
In his professional life, Brown is Chairman of the law firm, Much Shelist, P.C. He previously served as Chair of the firm’s Management Committee for 13 years. He is a regular speaker and writer on numerous topics, including business planning and succession, and the business aspects of the legal profession. He is a member of the American, Illinois and Chicago bar associations, and of the WPO Chicago Chapter.
His volunteer service to the Jewish community is long-standing and distinguished. Most recently Brown chairs the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation’s Overall Planning and Allocations Committee. He has served as End of Year Chairman for the organization’s 2004 and 2008 fundraising campaigns; Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, where he presented the JUF’s position on important policy issues to government officials in Washington, D.C. and Springfield, Illinois; President of the Young Leadership Division; and was a recipient of the JUF’s Young Leadership Award.
Brown is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and chairs JFNA’s Human Services and Public Policy Council where he works closely with professional leadership in JFNA’s Washington, D.C. office and lay leadership throughout the United States on health and long-term care issues, care of the aged, disability and tax policies. Brown is active in AIPAC and is a regular visitor to Israel.
Brown has run in the Chicago Marathon nine times on behalf of the American Liver Foundation and most recently the American Cancer Society, and has served as founding chair of the American Liver Foundation’s marathon steering committee.
Brown and his wife, Suzanne Muchin, live in Chicago with their five children. They are members of Anshe Emet Synagogue.
“I am honored today to have the opportunity to serve our community as Chairman of the Board, and to continue in the tradition of the leaders who have come before me,” Brown said.
Path:

height=”100″ />Establishing an important new presence in the center of the country, American Friends of Tel Aviv University has named Rick Kruger as its Director, Midwest Region, effective August 6, 2012.

“Rick’s skills and experience will enhance our professional development team, and allow us to introduce our remarkable university to new friends and supporters,” said Gail Reiss, AFTAU’s President & CEO.

Rick joins AFTAU from Jewish National Fund where he served as Director of the Chicago Region. While at JNF, he worked closely with leadership to raise the profile of the organization, strengthen the board, and set new records for the annual campaign. Previously, he spent 14 years as a marketing consultant, primarily in the

food, automotive aftermarket,

and travel industries. He began his marketing career at Procter & Gamble, and rose through the ranks at companies including Sterling Drug, Beatrice Esmark, and Hinckley and Schmitt.

Rick is deeply involved in the Chicago Jewish community. He currently serves on the Chicago Board of the Anti-Defamation League. Rick served for many years on the board of North Shore Congregation Israel and was President of the synagogue’s Men of Reform Judaism. He has also served as Regional President of the Men of Reform Judaism and on the regional board of the Union of Reform Judaism. He was a member of the board of the Museum and Education Committee of the Holocaust Museum of Illinois, which was responsible for building the landmark museum. Rick also served many years as a Trustee of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, his alma mater in Wilbraham, MA.

He holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Syracuse University.

American Friends of Tel Aviv University (www.aftau.org) supports Israel’s leading, most comprehensive and most sought-after center of higher learning. Independently ranked 94th among the world’s top universities for the impact of its research, TAU’s innovations and discoveries are cited more often by the global scientific community than all but 10 other universities. Internationally recognized for the scope and groundbreaking nature of its research and scholarship, Tel Aviv University consistently produces work with profound implications for the future.

h=”230″ height=”164″ />Michael Dorf, CEO and Founder of City Winery in New York, is bringing his popular concert venue and winery to Chicago’s West Loop.

“Chicago’s [a great] if not better, a city for what we want to do,” Dorf said. “There’s an incredibly passionate food and cultural scene here. I’m constantly amazed at how veracious people eat and drink.”

The new, 33,000 square foot Chicago facility, which opens mid-August, is located at 1200 W. Randolph Street. A former refrigerated food distribution warehouse is being transformed into a contemporary winery producing more than 20 in-house wines, a restaurant and bar serving small and large plates meant for sharing and wine pairing, private event spaces, an outdoor event space and a performance venue that will seat 300 with beverage and dining service.

“This is our 2.0,” Dorf said. “We learned a lot in NY…Everything [in Chicago] is improved.”

For example, City Winery Chicago will feature a tap wine system, where some of their wines will skip the bottle and go directly from the barrel to the glass, a green and efficient way to serve wine. In addition to their in-house wines, City Winery Chicago will also have a wine list of over 400 different wines from all over the world.

“We will bar none have the largest selection of Israeli wines in Chicago,” Dorf said, noting that the wine industry in Israel is “exploding.” “We’re very proud of Israel’s wine industry.”

According to Dorf, 15 percent of the wine produced at City Winery Chicago will have OU Kosher certification. They also have a special Shabbos tank with a timing system set to work on fermenting without being touched. Though they won’t have kosher food as an option on their regular menu, they will have the ability to bring in wrapped kosher food upon request.

In addition to an eclectic mix of some respected names in pop, rock, jazz, blues, and world music, the concert lineup for City Winery Chicago also includes many Jewish and Israeli musicians and artists like Asaf Avidan, an Israeli-folk musician and David Broza, an Israeli singer-songwriter and guitarist. Jewish Comedian Lewis Black will officially inaugurate the venue with a five-night engagement Aug. 15-19. Music, spoken word and comedy will be presented 20-25 nights per month.

There will also be a weekly Sunday Klezmer Brunch, a popular event at City Winery in N.Y., which joins musical performances by local klezmer bands like the Chicago Klezmer Ensemble, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Jutta & the Hi Dukes and more, with a menu of schmears, scrambles, and Nova Scotia salmon. The first Klezmer brunch will take place Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

City Winery Chicago’s Jewish inspired lineup stems from Dorf’s love

of Jewish music.

“I can’t help that part of my DNA,” Dorf said. “I’ve been a music promoter for 25 years and somehow early on I got really into Jewish music. I love Jewish music. I’ve always felt a connection to the lineage through the cultural parts of what we do.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.citywinery.com.

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“” width=”164″ height=”230″ />Ambassador Dennis Ross, a Middle East adviser to five presidents, will keynote this year’s Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Annual Meeting, set for Monday, Sept. 24, in the Continental Ballroom of the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.

For more than 12 years, Ross played a leading role in shaping U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process. Currently, he serves as counselor at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

The Federation’s 112th Annual Meeting also will feature the State of the Federation address by President Dr. Steven B. Nasatir, and the presentation of several major leadership awards.

Among them will be the organization’s highest honor, the Julius Rosenwald Memorial Award, which this year goes to David A. Sherman of Glencoe. The award,

named for the iconic Chicago business leader and philanthropist of the early 1900s, is presented each year to an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime of outstanding dedication and service to the Jewish community.

From 2008 to 2010, Sherman—one of the youngest Board Chairmen in the history of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago—successfully steered the institution through the worst economic downturn in a generation. Since then, he has served as founding chairman of North America’s Israel Action Network, and chairs Chicago’s Jewish Community Relations Council.

Sarna Lee Goldenberg and Joshua B. Herz will receive the 48th annual Davis, Gidwitz & Glasser Young Leadership Award, presented to volunteers who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and have made significant contributions to Chicago’s Jewish community.

Goldenberg is vice president, Marketing, at Performics, a Publicis Groupe company. She currently chairs JUF’s Young Women’s City Council, has served on its executive committee since 2009, and co-chaired the group’s Spring Campaign event in 2011. She also is a trustee of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.

Herz is senior vice president at Associated Agencies, Inc., Rolling Meadows, and is a management committee member for both Associated Agencies, Inc., and Auto and Home Insurance Agency. He currently serves on the JUF Contributor Account Relations Committee. Herz, who lives in Highland Park, was on the Young Leadership Division Board from 2005 to 2009, and

served as YLD Campaign Vice President for 2006-2007. He also served on a number of additional boards and committees.

As part of the Davis, Gidwitz & Glasser award, the honorees are given the opportunity to attend the annual General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America, which this year takes place in Denver in November.

Two exceptional young professionals who have shown outstanding performance in their work at a Jewish agency in the Chicago area will receive the Samuel A. Goldsmith Award, now in its 25th year. This year’s award will be presented to Emily Briskman and Robyn L. Gottlieb.

Briskman is Director of JUF’s Israel Education Center, part of the Student Affairs and Student Engagement Division, which connects the next generation to Israel. She joined JUF in 2004 as the Hillel Program Director for DePaul University. Prior to coming to JUF, she was a Machon Kaplan Fellow with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

Gottlieb joined JUF in 2006 as a Division Director in Trades, Industries and Professions, staffing the Real Estate & Building Trades Division and the Chicago Jewish Entrepreneurs Forum. In 2009, she was named Assistant Director of TIP, overseeing all administrative tasks related to TIP and the annual Trade Dinners, and staffed the Financial Services Division and Vanguard Dinner.

The Federation’s Annual Meeting is held in two sessions, beginning with a business meeting at 10 a.m., followed by a noon luncheon. The business meeting, open to all Federation members, will feature the election of Directors, and presentations to outgoing Board members and the recipients of the young leadership awards. The lunch session will feature Ambassador Ross’s speech, the annual State of the Federation report by President Dr. Steven B. Nasatir, and presentation of the Rosenwald Award to Sherman.

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago 2012 Annual Meeting 

Monday, Sept. 24 – 8 Tishrei 5773

Hilton Chicago – 720 S. Michigan Ave.

10 a.m. Business meeting

Noon Luncheon Meeting (Kosher dietary laws observed)

For information, call Gina Ercoli

(312) 357-4815 or email annualmeeting@juf.org

Register online: www.juf.org/annualmeeting

Lunch $40 per person/$20 for senior citizens, rabbis, Jewish communal professionals and students

There will be no solicitation of funds.

Bima,” or call it simply, “Reflections on Teshuva,” but this year, for the first time, the program has been extended beyond the New York Metropolitan

Area to include Chicago and Skokie.

On September 23, the Sunday before Yom Kippur, local distinguished pulpit rabbis will exchange places to provide their “Reflections on Teshuva,” an Orthodox Union signature High Holy Day program.

The participating rabbis in Chicago/Skokie include:

• · Rabbi Aaron Liebtag (speaking during Shacharit): Rav, Kehilath Jacob Beth Samuel will be at Congregation Or Torah 3800 West Dempster Street, Skokie
• · Rabbi Zvi Engel (speaking during Shacharit): Rav, Congregation Or Torah will be at Kehilath Jacob Beth Samuel 3701 W. Devon Avenue, Chicago
• · Rabbi Samuel Biber: Rav, Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue will be at Kehilat Chovevei Tzion 4000 Church Street, Skokie
• · Rabbi Shaanan Gelman: Rav, Kehilat Chovevei Tzion will be at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue 8825 East Prairie Road, Skokie

The sessions will take place between Mincha and Maariv (with the exception of Rabbi Liebtag and Rabbi Engel, who will speak during Shacharit). Teshuva means “repentance” and is the central theme of the Yamim Nara’im – the Days of Awe — encompassing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Reflections on Teshuva

is a program of the Orthodox Union’s Department of Community Services. According to Frank Buchweitz, OU National Director of Community Services and Special Projects, “This unique arrangement will allow these experienced and always stimulating rabbis to share profound thoughts on a profound subject –teshuva — with new audiences. The period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time of personal introspection and this OU program will present a unique opportunity for communities to hear from visiting rabbis to supplement what they have learned from their own shul’s Rav.”

“Hannah Farkas, Program Associate in the Department of Community Services, ably coordinated the intricate scheduling of the program,” he said.

Hannah explained why the program has been expanded beyond the New York area. “The Reflections on Teshuvaprogram has been expanded to benefit Jewish Communities on a national level as a result of an overwhelmingly positive response from congregants and rabbis alike. The success of the program and interest and feedback from previous years has enabled this initiative to evolve and now includes more than 45 rabbis in 14 communities across North America.” She noted further that “OU and non-OU shuls are participating in this worthwhile initiative.”

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“Our rebranding is the final step in a two-year transformation of our Career Services program, from a vocational counseling department into a more relevant and contemporary Career Development Center for professionals and skilled workers in transition,” said Linda Wolfe, JVS Chicago’s Director of Career Development and Placement.

“This critical transformation is in response to the significant shift in

the job search paradigm,” revealed Wolfe.  “Job search skills that people used in prior searches are no longer effective.  People are landing jobs today

through resources like Linkedin® and networking, and by developing personal brands, unique selling propositions and ‘elevator speeches’ for targeted companies,” she added.

Career Moves professional counselors and coaches offer highly personalized service, developing individualized career goals and action plans for clients.  Each Career Moves client is empowered with their own toolbox of resources and

strategies to effectively launch their job search.  Clients receive assistance in writing resumes and cover letters, refining interviewing and networking skills, as well as access to on-going job skills/strategy workshops and panel discussions with industry experts.

In addition, Career Moves refers qualified job candidates at no cost to employers throughout metropolitan Chicago. Individual and group outplacement services at a fraction of the cost of traditional companies are available to meet Chicago employer hiring needs.

“Our program has impacted the lives of 3,219 Chicago job seekers within the past year,” said Wolfe. JVS Chicago’s Career Moves offices are located in downtown Chicago, Skokie, Northbrook, Arlington Heights and Lombard.

ABOUT JVS

For more than 125 years, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) has provided entrepreneurial support services, job development and placement, career counseling and networking, and customized skills training and rehabilitation to help all people realize their full potential.  The agency is an affiliate of and receives support from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and other public and private funding. 

To learn more about JVS Chicago, visit jvschicago.org.

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AM 002″ src=”http://thejewishbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/jeremiah-lunch-and-learn-and-MAM-002-282×300.jpg” alt=”" width=”282″ height=”300″ /> A lunch and learn takes place, organized by Temple Jeremiah

You would expect to hear Rabbi Ken Spiro, senior lecturer at Jerusalem’s Aish HaTorah (an Orthodox organization and yeshiva), discuss the impact of Judaism on democracy and Jewish U.S. voting trends, in a lecture hall. Instead, you are lunching with attorneys, corporate realtors and a sprinkling of college students in a business conference room on LaSalle Street.

Before and after the discussion, participants network and have questions for Rabbi Spiro and Rabbi Zev Kahn, founder of Jewish Education Team (JET), the event’s sponsor. Some participants are parents who heard about the event from their students at the University of Illinois who also participate in JET programming. Others heard about it from previous participants in JetNet, the organization’s young adult branch that combines networking with Jewish education.

Or maybe, you’re listening to Rabbi Paul F. Cohen, Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, talk about a discourse on ethics. At a previous session, he focused on the ethics of speech and the impact of words. This time, he expands to include thoughts such as the 10^th Commandment’s direction to not covet.  You might expect the topic to be a sermon. However, similar to JetNet, participants are lunching in a downtown business conference room, this time on West Monroe Street.

Both events are among the many Jewish Lunch and Learn programs that literally turn a law firm or an accountant’s office into a Beit Midrash (house of study) at lunch. They feature a Rabbi-led, mini-class at a business office convenient to downtown professionals. But, classes also attract retirees interested in intelligent, educational discussions.

Out in the suburbs, if you attended a recent Torah Learning Center of Northbrook session the Monday before Shavuot, you would have gotten a fuller meaning of the “Gift-of-the-Torah” holiday from Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh. The noon session was held at a Buffalo Grove bank.

If you went to Chicago Torah Network’s lunch session at the Northbrook Jewish Community Center (JCC), you would have picked up tips from Rabbi Moshe Katz on “Living Life to Its Fullest.” You’d have also done another mitzvah as lunch is provided by Keshet’s KJ Café.

Similar to the downtown programs, suburban Lunch and Learn sessions are convenient to business people, retirees and non-working parents interested in scholarly Jewish thought and their applications.

“I love going to the class. It’s a chance to continue my Jewish education as an adult,” said Sam Cole, an attorney who works downtown, but lives in a Northern suburb. He attends a Lunch and Learn session led by B’nai Joshua Beth Elohim (BJBE) Assistant Rabbi Brian Stoller at a congregant’s Loop office. “It’s something I look forward to every month,” Sam said.

The rabbis choose their topics and often distribute handouts with pertinent quotes or passages. Topics are often listed ahead of time based on a theme, holiday or current events that impact the Jewish world. Some lunches are provided by the host and at others, participants bring their own.

“The Lunch and Learn is a vehicle for engaging people. It offers a connection to Judaism,” said Rabbi Stoller. “It works because it’s offered at a time and place convenient for them. It’s a way people can take a break during week. I want anybody who has an interest in Jewish learning to be able to learn,” he said. “It’s a part of our (BJBE) approach, “Where you want it, when you want it” program.

Rabbi Vernon Kurtz, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park has been teaching a monthly “Study in the Loop” for congregants for more than 32 years for. His class has also been expanded to Northbrook, held in conjunction with the Board of Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago. “Classes focus on everything from ethical

issues to pre-holiday to current events using rabbinic and contemporary sources,” said Rabbi Kurtz. “Being in the city allows me to see congregants and study with them in their own setting,” he added.  “It helps me build a more personal relationship with them and creates a Jewish experience during the business day.”

Pamela Rose participates in a “JetNet” luncheon sponsored by Rabbi Zev Kahn of the Jewish Educational Team

At a recent JetNet Lunch and Learn, two political authorities addressed issues of Jewish concern connected to the upcoming presidential election.  “It’s an interesting subject. And this is good for networking,” attorney Sally Pissetzky said, explaining why she came.

The opportunity to hear interesting, Jewish-related  subjects, learn more about JET and meet other business people are high on Pamela Rose’s list, a well-known corporate realtor who started the JetNet branch. “I wanted to add balance to people’s business life. My reason was twofold: Jewish learning downtown and to support JET’s efforts,” said Rose who co-hosted the event.

The common denominator among rabbis teaching the sessions and participants is an eagerness to discuss all things Jewish.  Rabbi Ezra Belsky of the Komimiyus-North Shore Torah Center conducts a Lunch and Learn every other week at the Much Shelist law firm on North Wacker Drive. He also holds day and evening classes in the suburbs. His topics range from Jewish philosophy and the Bible to history and ethics – the full gamut.  Characterizing his work as “outreach,” Rabbi Belsky said, “I do it for Jews who admit they didn’t learn everything in Sunday School. Wherever there are Jews interested in studying, I’ll show up.”

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width=”300″ height=”199″ />Here are just a few of the many Jewish learning opportunities during the lunch hour. Some do not list dates and places on their websites and others are taking a summer break, resuming in the fall. Check dates by phone or email.
Organizations:
Chicago Torah Network holds Lunch and

Learn

sessions at the
Northbrook JCC, directed by Rabbi Moshe Katz.
www.torahnetwork.org/contact_ctn.htm
Jewish Education Team, founded by Rabbi Zev Kahn, offers JetNet
for young adults that includes downtown Lunch and Learn sessions
with guest speakers and networking. Contact zevkahn@jeteam.com
www.jetcampus.com/aboutus.php

Jewish United Fund occasionally holds a Lunch and Learn program,
co-sponsored by YLD and AIPAC young leaders. Although none are
currently scheduled, check for programs by visiting www.juf.org.

L’Chaim Center’s Rabbi David Begoun holds Executive Lunch and
Learn sessions at business offices upon request.
lchaimcenter.org/offer.html

Torah Learning Center of Northbrook’s Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh leads
a topical discussion at noon at 1st Equity Bank, Buffalo Grove on
Mondays (no lunch) and sometimes conducts a lunch session at Mizrahi
Grill in Highland Park on Fridays. www.torahlearningcenter.com

Hebrew Theological College offers a Gourmet Torah at Shallots
Bistro, 7016 Carpenter Rd. in Skokie. Call Rabbi Joshua Zisook, 847-
982-2500, ext. 113. www.htc.edu/services/community-lectures.html

Komimiyus-North Shore Torah Center holds a Lunch and Learn
every other week at Much Shelist. Classes can be arranged in homes
and offices upon request. For more information, call 773-465-8183.
Congregations

B’nai Joshua Beth Elohim (BJBE), Deerfield, holds a lunch program in
the Loop on last Wednesdays and in Northbrook on first Wednesdays.
Both sessions are led by Associate Rabbi Brian Stoller.
www.bjbe.org/pages/ongoing-programs

Chicago Loop Synagogue has a Kosher lunch, D’Var Torah learning
experience with a guest rabbi and Mincha service on Wednesdays.
www.chicagoloopsynagogue.org

Temple Jeremiah, Northfield, holds lunch sessions led by Rabbi Paul
F. Cohen at a downtown Chicago law office on last Wednesdays.
www.templejeremiah.org/learning/adults/temple_programs

Rabbis from Anshe Emet Synagogue lead a discussion of Torah,
Jewish practice, and Jewish values every Friday at noon, hosted by
Levenfeld Pearlstein, 2 N. Lasalle, 13th Floor. Classes are open to all
and include a dairy lunch ($10/members, $12/nonmembers).
www.ansheemet.org

” height=”260″ />A. Forwarding an email without the permission of the sender can involve a number of ethical problems related to revealing information transmitted in confidence.

One specific Jewish stricture “forwards” run afoul of is the famous “ban” of Rabbenu Gershom, who was a leading Rabbinic leader in 10th century Germany. Among the many decrees he instituted is one on reading the private letters of other people. To this day many people passing notes or letters remind others of their desire for privacy by writing the Hebrew acronym “CDRG”: Cherem deRabbeinu Gershom (Rabbi Gershom’s ban).

Another source is the following passage from the Talmud:

Rabba stated: From where do we learn that if someone says something to his fellow, it is forbidden to reveal it until he tells him “say”? As it is written (Leviticus 1:1): “And the Lord spoke to him in the Tent of Meeting, to say.”
While grammarians generally interpret the Hebrew expression “to say” as the equivalent of quotation marks, introducing an exact citation, the rabbinical tradition is that this expression means that the speaker (usually God) is telling the listener (usually Moses) to say something: either to pass along His words or to bring Him the reply of the listeners. We can infer that without explicit authorization, one should generally refrain from passing on private communications.

As some commentators point out, this explanation is a bit cryptic in reference to this particular verse, for the very next verse states explicitly: “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them . . .” So even without the addition “to say” Moses would certainly know that he has to repeat God’s command!

Perhaps we can resolve this paradox. There are two different levels of transmission. One is to summarize and reword the message the listener received. This is a less intrusive kind of revelation, for two reasons: one reason is that less information is revealed, and the other is that the exact words aren’t mentioned so that the original speaker is not so pinned down; he maintains a degree of “plausible deniability.” For example, he can claim that he was misunderstood, taken out of context and so on.

When God tells Moses to speak to the children of Israel and transmit the commandments relating to the sacrifices, Moses can fulfill this by summarizing or paraphrasing the original prophecy. (Our tradition states that the prophecy of Moses, unlike that of the other prophets, took the form of

exact words, not merely of visions then expressed in the particular speaking style of the prophet.) The additional words “to say” create a mandate to transmit God’s exact words. (This explanation harmonizes the traditional understanding of the expression “to say” and the grammatical one.)
From this we can learn that even if someone might not mind having his message transmitted to someone else “in the loop,” he or she might still object to having the exact words of the original email sent ahead.

The moral of the story is that we should be very careful not to forward emails unless we are sure the sender approves. Even when it is clearly appropriate to transmit the message to others, consider if it may not be sufficient to provide a brief summary of the sender’s words, rather than just forwarding the exact words. Likewise, even when forwarding someone’s exact words, don’t forward the whole letter if the really relevant section is brief.

—
The Jewish Ethicist is a joint project of Aish.com and the Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem and is reprinted with permission. To find out more about business ethics and Jewish values for the workplace, visit the Business Ethics Center

of Jerusalem at www.besr.org

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/08/PossibilityforNetworking_web-300×241.jpeg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”241″ />Jan Schakowsky addressed the U.S. Congress on June 6, 2012 with the following accolades, which became part of the Congressional
Record. “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Jewish B2B Networking and its founder, Shalom Klein, for their outstanding
work in promoting and nurturing small business in the Chicago area. Small business men and women are essential to our economic
well-being. In Illinois, they represent 98% of all employers.

It is never easy to start a small business, but it is especially challenging today as we work to recover from the Great Recession.
Jewish B2B was formed in 2010, through the vision of Shalom Klein, to help provide the support and tools needed to help small
businesses thrive.
Jewish B2B is creating a vibrant network — not just among Chicagoland small businesses, but between small businesses
and policymakers

at the local, state and national levels. Jewish B2B has touched over 6,000 active business networking partners
and has over 17,000 subscribed networkers receiving weekly communications and utilizing its interactive website.
Open to all, the non-profit organization serves a role that was missing in the community. What I so admire about Shalom Klein,
beyond his enthusiasm and skill, is his refusal to rest on his laurels, despite the many successes he has already achieved. His spirit is
infectious, his ability to inspire people to action enormous and I know he and Jewish B2B will continue to excel in their efforts.”

For the complete

transcript, go to www.jewishb2bnetworking.com.

“Let’s slow the traffic down”, “This block needs more parking”, “Increased signage will attract new business”, and “Changing a zoning code is the solution”, are all pieces of feedback that those of us trying to attract business to th

e Chicago-land area hear on a regular basis.

My opinion – every area has a very different “personality” and attracts a different type of business that may be looking to call Chicago or its surrounding suburbs “home” as it

relocates. Having grown up in Skokie, and then thrown myself into developing a small business, and working closely with elected officials, I’ve discovered how diverse our community really is. While the culture of our residents is fascinating and so inspiring, I am going to focus this post on the business climate.

For a developing business which is interested in a change in scenery, the most intriguing area may be the far northern suburbs of Northbrook, Highland Park, and the higher end residential and shopping districts. For others (and I am personally biased in this direction), they may want to join the re-emerging business districts in Skokie, Lincolnwood, and Evanston. Certainly, a lot of recent NATO attention may attract a relocating entrepreneur to the busy business and shopping districts of the Loop / Chicago led by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, with it’s new infrastructure investments, and a strong support network in the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. At the far end, we has a diverse south side, home to President Obama, and its many malls, shopping centers, and lower costs of living.

I don’t think that there is any single solution or model we should follow in our focus on economic development. Let’s collect and solicit feedback from the stakeholders, the ones that shop, live, and work in our communities.

I believe that we can come up with the right recipe to attract business and businesses to every area in our community, encompassing all of our business districts. So, if you are thinking of moving your business or considering starting a new enterprise, please consider researching your options. We will find the right spot for you.

To Success,

Shalom Klein

The second annual “The Business Event” held on June 14, 2012 proved to be a powerful networking tool and business development opportunity for almost 5,000 people. Held at LincolnwoodTownCenterin Lincolnwood, The Business Event combined job se

ekers, employers and vendors in

an atmosphere of exchanging ideas, connections and resources.   Spearheaded by Shalom Klein, founder of the Jewish B2B Networking and publisher of Jewish Business News, in conjunction with the Small Business Advocacy Council, the event showcased the importance of face-to-face meetings.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) speaks to Shalom Klein, Chairman of Jewish B2B Networking, and other business networkers

“It was a great event with an exciting sharing of ideas,” said Lisa Sheridan of The Giving Tree. “People were open to meeting and wanted to connect our organization with other non-profits.”

More than 20 different breakout sessions led by industry experts were presented throughout the day. Seminars

on  job searching, networking techniques, Linked In, resume reviews and more assisted job seekers in their quest. Sessions entitled, “Keeping Up with Today’s Resume Development While Holding on to Your Sanity” and “Building Your Business Using Social Media” were jam packed.

Shabsai Schuchatowitz from New York Life was “looking to both expand and hire,” while Russ Vollmer of Cash Coupon was searching for potential advertisers as well as sales people.

Local politicians greeted the crowd

State and national politicians U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S.Congressman Robert Dold, Deputy Chicago City Treasurer Tom Johnson, Lincolnwood Mayor Jerry Turry, and Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen were among the political leaders who attended and came away with the message of “we need jobs.”

Thousands of networkers arrived at Lincolnwood Town Center on June 14′th for the second annual free business and employment expo

At the Village of Lincolnwood’s April meeting,  Mayor Turry recognized the efforts of  Shalom Klein in helping to stimulate small business and economic development by issuing a resolution proclaiming June 14, 2012 as “The Business Event Day.”

A Real Networking Event

Many of the participants were there to just make connections. DePaul MBA students Steve Kaplan and Ian Menger were scouting out jobs. Kaplan is studying leadership and change management and searching for an opportunity in a people-based consultancy, while Menger is seeking a position in marketing brand management.

Larry Bloom, president of ATI Graphics, Highland Park, thought it was a great group of networkers and it was time well spent. “I even bought a new watch band!”

Vendor Rodger Kadet of Private Jewelers said he met a lot of new people to do further business with in the future. “I also plan to join theSBAC,” he added.

Steve Jaffe of eDot felt the event gave his company an opportunity to demonstrate their newest technology in network security. They were also there to recruit specialized systems engineers.

Stan Gertz, president of American Enterprise Bank,Highland Park, saw a good flow of people throughout the day. “There’s a lot of great potential for us to follow up on. The event created new leads we might not have had otherwise.”

Plans are already underway for the next Business Event scheduled for June 2013.

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casting-300×225.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”225″ />According to a Staples, Inc. survey, many small business owners are feeling more confident with the coming election. More than half (55 percent) expect business to continue growing over the rest of the year. Approximately 70 percent report they are positioning themselves for growth, and nearly 40 percent are increasing marketing communications.
In another positive indicator, a majority of owners feel comfortable leaving the office for vacation. Almost 89 percent are getting away this year instead of “staycation” at home. More than half are planning to use laptops or other electronic devices to stay connected.
According to the Kiplinger newsletter, growth will improve slightly in the second half of this year, as job creation picks up.

Without a major financial crisis or new conflict in the Middle East, the U.S. economy should continue growing slowly this year and a bit
faster in 2013. Small business owners expect expanding sales and increased hiring later in the year.
• The Department of Commerce expects about 2 million new jobs this year, an average of 165,000 a month through 2012. Unemployment, now

8.2%, will likely end the year near 8%. The GDP needs to cialis online pharmacy grow at least 2.5% a year to work down the ranks of the
unemployed.
• The Department of Labor states that the low interest rates will continue until the end of the year, then rise about half a percentage point in 2013. Mortgage rates will rise due to a modest recovery in the housing market, as demand for new home loans increases later this year.
• Consumer prices will increase 2% this year. With oil prices likely to rebound this fall, a slightly higher pace of inflation in the second half of the year is expected.
• The 0.3% fall in the Consumer Price Index in May – the first monthly drop in two years — was due entirelyto lower energy prices. Gasoline prices sank 6.8% during that month, and all energy was down 4.3%.
Excluding energy prices, consumers paid more for rent, autos, health care and clothing.
• Apparel prices are expected to increase by 4%, and food prices by about 3%. Price hikes will be modest for most groceries in 2012, except for peanut butter — up 30% after a poor peanut harvest in 2011.
• The housing industry will add to economic growth this year for the first time since the housing bubble
burst in 2006. Demand is concentrated among first time buyers and investors. Homeowners looking to trade up or downsize are
staying out of the market, waiting for higher prices before selling a current home, especially if it’s worth less than the mortgage. That’s limiting housing supply in some areas and nudging up prices in others. In a Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, 69% of Chicago small business owners cite Chicago’s local economy as important to the success of their business. And 37 percent are confident the local economy will improve over the next 12 months.

Ask Northbrook resident Natalie Penner about the volunteer work that she does, and she can’t stop raving about Keshet.  While she has embraced the organization wholeheartedly, Keshet is also grateful to her. Penner designed and painted Keshet

’s colorful “Rainbow of Friendship” tribute cards that feature a picture of children painting a rainbow. Thanks to these meaningful cards, Penner has helped raise almost a million dollars since 1995.

The Keshet image, as featured on the greeting card’s by Natalie Penner

“Keshet is just a wonderful program,” says Penner, 84, the mother of three grown children and grandmother of four.  “Keshet wraps its arms around the children and helps them in every possible way. Keshet gives purpose to these kids and their families.”

The Northbrook-based non-profit organization was founded in 1982 and provides educational, recreational and vocational programs for children and young adults with developmental disabilities.

Penner started volunteering for Keshet 17 years ago when her grandson, Adam, now 23, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. “When Adam was diagnosed, I felt our lives were going to change for the worst, but I was wrong,” says Penner, who was married to her late husband, Richard, for 60 years. “Adam received speech and physical therapy and because of Keshet, I’ve met the best people I’ve ever known.”

For a minimum contribution of $18, individuals can order cards for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, “speedy recoveries,”  birth of babies, as well as for the death of a family member. Penner’s artwork graces the front of each card, and her distinctive calligraphy – Penner has had her own calligraphy business for more than 50 years- announces the contribution, inside of each card.

“I enjoy doing the cards because it allows me to use my creativity to raise money that will further Keshet’s mission,” Penner says. “It’s also given me a

passion in my life to think that my calligraphy may help to send a child with special needs to school or to camp or in any way make a difference in their life,” she adds.

“Natalie Penner, our resident Grandmother to all, is one of the most loving people I know,” said Abbie Weisberg, Keshet, CEO/Executive Director.  “Natalie’s artwork warms the walls of Keshet and we are forever grateful for her dedication to all cheap viagra online the children of Keshet”

Keshet recently exhibited the KJ Cafe at “The Business Event” in Lincolnwood Town Center

Eight years ago, Penner also started a “Grandparents Plus” group, a group of 25-30 grandparents who meet four times a year on Sunday afternoons. “We have a speaker who talks about issues pertaining to special needs children,” says Penner, who’s the current president of the group. “We also giftwrap packages at neighborhood bookstores to raise money for Keshet.”

For more information about Keshet, go to www.keshet.org.

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t=”152″ />Warning: This piece may be controversial. If you have trouble with an opinion that challenges conventional thinking about students’ learning full time well into their late 20’s and beyond, while being supported by the government through various welfare programs – stop reading.

My Bubby (grandmother) raised me from the day I was born until I made it through college and got married. She worked as a seamstress and at her peak, pulled in $110 per work (including overtime pay). With that income (our only source of income in the household), she paid off a mortgage, fed our family and put me through college. My Bubby never took a penny from the government or a dime of charity her entire life. Her work ethic was an example for me and all those who were fortunate to know her. I’m proud to say that I graduated from college with $50.50 to my name. I raised two children and now grandchildren and work very hard, without ever taking money from the government. My children also work hard to pay tuition, feed their children, etc. It feels good to know that my Bubby’s strong work ethic was not in vain.

My Bubby’s generation was just that way. It was considered a “shanda” disgrace to accept charity or not work to support your family. Men would go to Synagogue in the morning and then work 8-10 hours to earn a living. At night, they were home with their family. On the Sabbath, back to synagogue to hear the Rabbi speak. When possible, they would attend sudy sessions and special lectures by the Rabbi during the week.

Somehow today, things have really changed. Boys start out learning in Yeshiva (Religious School) and then go on to Kollel (advanced study) for married men. They learn for years, and at the same time, raise a family. At best, the mother may have a part time teaching job to bring in some money or the husband might give lessons to earn a few dollars. Most of the family “income” comes from the government in the form of public aid, food stamps, housing supplements, etc.  In the secular world, some “college students” are on the 5-8 year program taking government PELL money to pay for their education, welfare and food stamps, etc. – all while living at home and pursuing a prized degree in some “hot” area of study that employers are clamoring for. “Students” in their 30’s have yet to earn enough to feed themselves and still believe their status as a “student” is acceptable.

How can we come to terms with the fact that we have generations of people who have never held down full time employment and who rely on government and

charities to sustain themselves and their children?

Our greatest Rabbis throughout the ages have made it clear that while nothing comes close to education and dedicated study – there is a time to combine that study with the pursuit of livelihood.

Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) (O.H.#156): After a session

of study, go to work.

Rambam (Maimonides) (Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:10) Whoever decides that he will study and not have a job and therefore will be financed from charity causes a disgrace.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 45.4% of Americans had jobs in 2010, the lowest rate since 1983. Last year, just 66.8% of men had jobs, the lowest on record. The rate of welfare dependence is growing at an alarming rate. Do the math and you can see that an economic model of less people working to support more people receiving government benefits cannot be sustained. What will become of these “educated,” but unemployable adults when the government can’t pay out welfare any longer? It’s frightening.

In my opinion, it’s time to get a job – any job.

As parents, we must teach our children the importance of working for a living and to provide for our needs from the fruits of our own labor. As educators, we need to teach our students that while an education is important, it’s a means to an end. The purpose of education is to learn to be a productive member of society and to make the world a better place, according to the will of our Creator. For the vast majority of us – a basic education in our chosen field combined with hard work and a lifelong commitment to a healthy mix of work/learning is the proper path.

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.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”241″ />For many years, I’ve led a weekly “Lunch and Learn” program on Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m. It moved from place to place as law firms moved and consolidated, as members

moved from firm to firm, and, finally, as MetroKlub opened its doors downtown.

The program ranged from 10 people or more to even just a few regulars, loyal every-weekers.  You would never know who was coming, which new people would come, which people would move on to another shiur or another schedule.  However, the people who participated have been some of the most important leaders in our community.  It is really because of this shiur that people connected with Anshe Sholom, and eventually joined and helped build our eruv, day school and mikvah.  Others moved on to make aliya or to become leaders of other synagogues throughout the country.  More than any other shiur I give throughout the week, the “Lunch and Learn” inspires me to appreciate the commitment of my members and non-members to Torah and community.

This “Lunch and Learn” embodies Torah with Derech Eretz – the “way of the land” – the way we contribute to creating a world which works and functions.  It symbolizes that Torah and work are not mutually exclusive.  With enough effort, we can find ways of bring the two together – bringing Torah to where we work, and bringing the energy we bring to our jobs to the Torah that we learn.  And if we can combine Torah Im Derech Eretz with good, kosher food, in a kosher establishment – then Torah and hard work come together with mitzvot as well.

Moreover, some of the people who regularly attend a monthly “Lunch and Learn” that I give in Skokie on Thursdays (currently at Ken’s Diner) are also retirees. The message that they send is that while they may have retired from working at jobs that pay them money, their “derech eretz” and Torah continue in their volunteer activities and Torah learning.

The “Lunch and Learn” programs all over Chicago and the world are a tribute to our

Jewish brothers and sisters who understand that contributing to the world while keeping Torah the central focus and foundation of our lives is an age old tradition.

Each time a corporation obtains a special tax break, that lost revenue must either be replaced, Illinois falls further into debt or public

services are cut. All too often, lost revenue is captured through increased taxes on small businesses. We often hear politicians talk
about small business being the engine that drives the economy.

Accordingly, it is counter-productive for the state to provide tax breaks to large companies at the expense of small businesses. We
all rely on one another to make the economy work. That’s why the SBAC is advocating for a level playing field where no company,
large or small, would receive a tax break when one state is trying to lure a corporation from another.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently issued a study reviewing the Metropolitan Chicago
tri-state region, consisting of 21 counties in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. While the study notes the region’s economic strengths,
it finds that considerable challenges exist for the region to compete with other premier economic centers. Specifically, the report notes that offering tax incentives to lure a corporation from one state to another is self-defeating because it invites retaliation from other states.

Furthermore, the report urges state and local authorities as well as private-sector stakeholders in the region to cooperate
in promoting innovation-driven economic development and job creation.
As we have seen, tax incentives do not ensure companies remain inthe area after the incentive terminates and certainly do not ensure
they create or even retain jobs. As a result, the SBAC drafted the Tri-State Metro Area Economic Development Interstate Compact
Act. The legislation, sponsored by Illinois State Representative Connie Howard, establishes a framework for a

three-state compact
between Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. The compact prohibits the states from enticing large companies to relocate to neighboring
states by offering special tax breaks.
We hope to gain political support for this effort, but first we must bring together small and mid-market business owners to form a
strong coalition in support of this measure. There is no justification for providing special tax incentives to large companies to keep them in Illinois or lure them from neighboring states. Small businesses are just as likely to create jobs as large corporations.

Health Care Cooperative Application Submitted

The Affordable Care Act creates a new type of non-profit health insurer, called a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP).
These insurers are run by their customers. CO-OPs are meant to offer consumer-friendly, affordable health insurance options to individuals and small businesses. The federal government is offering loans to non-profit organizations to help establish CO-OPs. Creating a selfinsured cooperative in Illinois looks increasingly promising.
SBAC partner SimpleHx, a collaborative of business and medical professionals, is working with Horton Insurance Group and Allied
Benefits Systems Inc. to create the cooperative. It would stabilize health insurance costs, bring transparency to the process and create
business opportunities throughout the region.

SimpleHx submitted our federal grant application for funding to launch the cooperative. The application will include over 20 letters
of support from business organizations, as well as a letter of support from Governor Pat Quinn. We’ll keep you posted on the progress.

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wishbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Avi-Lev_Headshot_125x125.jpg” alt=”" width=”125″ height=”125″ />Assurance – a Top 50 U.S. Insurance Brokerage located just outside of Chicago and St. Louis – is pleased to welcome the addition of Avi Lev to its growing property & casualty insurance team. Lev, who will serve as a Vice President at Assurance, brings over five years of experience in the insurance industry with a

special focus in real estate. He advises, strategizes and consults real estate owner operators of multi-family, developers, retail, industrial or general commercial properties on their insurance and risk management needs.

Lev earned a Bachelor’s degree in Judaic Law from Hebrew Theological College and has since earned his Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) designation. Prior to joining Assurance, Lev owned and was managing partner of a boutique insurance brokerage specializing in property & casualty coverage for health care and real estate companies, as well as personal lines coverage. Lev also led the marketing, hiring and strategic oversight of the company.

With respect to the hiring of Lev, Assurance President Dan Klaras asserts that, “The expertise and ambition that Avi brings to the table makes him a positive addition to Assurance. His extensive background in real estate and property & casualty coverage will have a great impact on controlling risk and improving our clients’ bottom line.”

About Assurance

Assurance is among the largest and most awarded independent insurance brokerages in the United States. A “Top 50 Broker” and repeated “Best Place to Work” winner, Assurance places coverage for all lines of business and personal insurance, employee benefits and retirement services. Through centralized office locations just outside of Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO, more than 245 passionate insurance professionals provide measurable results and personalized services to over 5,600 clients across the country. Visit

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Th

e exhibit is titled “Righteous Among the Nations – Help of Polish people for the Jewish population in Malopolska Province in the years 1939-1945.” The exhibit is sponsored by Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance and is being co-presented at the Thompson Center thanks

to cooperation between the Polish Consul General Zygmunt Matynia and Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford.

At the unveiling of the Polish Art Exhibit "Righteous Among the Nations - Help of the Polish people for the Jewish population in Malopolska Province in the years 1939-1945" with Deputy Polish Consul General Robert Rusiecki.

“This exhibit is successful in its mission to teach about the virtues of selflessness and courage. It demonstrates how one’s life choices can change the course of history for entire generations of people,” said Rutherford.

This exhibit commemorates the Polish Righteous Among the Nations, people living in southern Poland during World War II, who demonstrated extraordinary courage and risked their own lives – and the lives of their families – to rescue Jewish men, women and children from extermination by the Nazis. The exhibit is a tribute to the rescuers who by saving a single life saved entire generations.

Polish citizens were the only people in the entire Nazi-occupied territory who were punished by death for helping Jewish people. Over 19,000 people worldwide have been honored by the State of Israel as the Righteous Among the Nations for saving Jewish lives from the Holocaust, and more than 6,300 were Polish citizens, the highest number from any country.

Some may find various images of the exhibit disturbing, but the message the exhibit carries is overwhelmingly positive. It will be displayed for the week of July 16-20, and is located in the ground level atrium of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph Street, Chicago.

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=”75″ />After 15 years of research and months of development, Job Search Board, Inc. will

officially launch as a revolutionary job search management system designed to help job seekers organize and manage their job search. Free to all job seekers, the company provides colleges, employment agencies and outplacement services with the only end to end visibility and tracking of job seekers through the entire job search process.

The employment crisis is compounded by students graduating with inflated loans, continued corporate downsizing and job seekers who have never been trained to job search. Job Search Board is a unique web based service that allows job seekers to turn any job opportunity they find into a powerful Job Card™. The Job Card™ provides the user with strategies, tips and tactics to help them gain more interviews and job offers by integrating social connections and revealing best practices through each phase of the search.

Job Search Board is the first to incorporate game dynamics for the purpose of rewarding the type of job search behavior that yields results and keeps seekers motivated and focused. Finally, job seekers have a centralized tool where they can manage their entire job search process and get immediate feedback on how the effort they put into the system increases their chances to land interviews and job offers.

Job coaches and counselors have provided input into the development of the product as an enterprise tool that professionals use to monitor, guide, direct and document their client’s job search. Never before have professionals been able to “see” into their client’s daily effort to such depth and clarity. This will allow budget constrained service organizations to greatly increase their ability to serve the unemployed.

Founder, Dr. JP Hatala states, “the real excitement happens once a critical user base is developed and data can be extracted across a wide depth of job seeker, industry and employer variables.” This will represent information never before captured on this scale and it will be invaluable to researchers, employers, counselors and the job seekers themselves.

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Two years ago, Tziporah Gelman weighed almost 300 pounds and knew she needed to make a change, so she stepped into her first Zumba class at her local gym.

Today, Gelman is a Zumba instructor, in great shape and changing the lives of Jewish

women in the community for the better. It was love at first dance move, when Gelman took her first Zumba class.

“To me it didn’t feel like a workout, it really felt like a party,” she said. The Zumba program, which was created in 2001, is like a fitness dance party that uses Latin-themes and international music to create a fun, dance party vibe that gets people moving and burns calories.

Over the next year-and-a-half, Gelman lost more than 130 pounds. When her class at the gym no longer worked with her schedule, Gelman, a schoolteacher and rebbetzin (rabbi’s wife), hired her instructor to host private classes for Jewish women, many of whom didn’t feel comfortable exercising in front of men. When the response became overwhelming, her instructor encouraged Gelman to become the teacher.

“She kept telling me, ‘You have it, Tziporah, you’ve got the gift. You have it, your community needs it.” And when her instructor moved out of town, Gelman

thought seriously about becoming a Zumba instructor herself. “Maybe I really could do this for the Jewish community and get my community moving,” she said. “I know for myself I was so heavy and couldn’t get out of the rut, and maybe I could inspire other people to get in shape and to do it in a fashion that was actually really fun.”

So she became a licensed Zumba Instructor and AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) Certified Group Fitness Instructor and found a small space to open Frumba Chicago, LLC. Fifteen Jewish women came to her first class, 20 came to the next, and, within a month, she had 50 students. So she rented a bigger space at the Bernard Horwich JCC, and currently rents from the Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation on Touhy and Crawford. Eventually her classes got so large that she hired three of her students to get trained and become instructors as well. She now attracts some 300 students.

For people who didn’t have an active social life in the Jewish community, Frumba Chicago is their connection. “They can now be in Jewel or Hungarian [Kosher Foods] and see

somebody and they smile because they’re part of this secret club,” Gelman said.

And while many of her students are from the Orthodox community, there are other Jewish women with no affiliation and even women who are not Jewish.

“It’s just so beautiful because I could have 90 women in the room and there are just so many parts of the community that are represented,” Gelman said. “If we were sitting and talking Judaism, it would probably be a very heated debate, and yet here we come and we exercise and we just have an amazing and great time and it’s just pretty magical.”

Gelman has been described by women in the community as a crusader to improve the health and lifestyle choices of Jewish women. “I think a lot of women in the orthodox community very often have a lot of kids and they sort of get put on the back burner. Their health and their well-being very often [aren't prioritized] because life happens and it happens very quickly,” she said. “My mission and my dream have always been to get the Jewish community moving.”

While she says Zumba is not for everyone, she encourages women of all ages and backgrounds in the community to check out a class at least once. “You’ll never know unless you come and try.”

For more information and class schedules, email frumbachicago@gmail.com, or visit the Frumba Chicago page on Facebook.

x168.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”168″ />As part of a new effort to reach all U.S. veterans in Illinois, the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs is asking Jewish veterans to head to its website to ‘Stand Up and Be Counted.’

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) recently announced the launch of online access to its Veteran Service Officers. This new web function, located atwww.veterans.illinois.gov, encourages all Illinois

Veterans to “Stand Up and Be Counted”by submitting basic contact information to IDVA.

Veterans who do so will be contacted within 48 hours by a Veterans Service Officer, ready to assist them in navigating the many federal, state, and local benefits and resources available to them.

Veterans who Stand Up to Be Counted will also be assisting their fellow veterans

by helping IDVA and the entire veteran advocacy community to gain a better understanding of who and where Illinois’ veterans are. This will help plan for future services, lobby for further federal VA funding and facilities, and generally serve Illinois’ veterans better.

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Scott Kluth, CEO of CouponCabin, expressed relief that a Circuit Court judge struck down the Illinois use tax law.

The Illinois use tax law that spurred CouponCabin and FatWallet to leave the state last year was ruled unconstitutional Wednesday by a Cook County Circuit Court judge who said it violates the Interstate Commerce Clause and Internet Tax Freedom Act, according to the Performance Marketing Association, which had filed a lawsuit challenging the use tax’s constitutionality.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Robert Lopez Cepero agreed with the association’s position that receiving referral business from Illinois-based affiliate marketers does not constitute nexus — or a physical presence in the state — for online retailers. “We are thrilled with the outcome

of today’s preceding and believe it paves the way for Internet marketing affiliates to get back in business in Illinois,” Rebecca Madigan, executive director of the Performance Marketing Association, said in a blogpost. “We commend Judge Cepero for his timely and thoughtful decision.”

The Amazon impact

Under the act that Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law in March 2011, out-of-state online merchants were required to collect and remit Illinois sales tax of 6.25 percent when they did business with Illinois affiliate marketers. The so-called Main Street Fairness Act was designed to level the playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers, but critics said it would chase business and jobs out of state. Due to the law, Amazon, Overstock and other online retailers said they would stop doing business with Illinois affiliates, spurring CouponCabin to move to Whiting, Ind., and FatWallet to relocate to Beloit, Wis.

In a statement Wednesday, Scott Kluth, founder and chief executive officer at CouponCabin, said: “CouponCabin is thrilled to hear the news about the affiliate tax being declared invalid in Illinois. We are relieved that the 9,000 affiliates that were based in Illinois may now have the opportunity to operate in Illinois without jeopardizing their business relationships with online retailers. This ruling places the responsibility for a solution back where it belongs: in Congress. CouponCabin continues to strongly support a federal solution to the taxation of all online transactions.”

At the heart of the controversy is what constitutes having a sufficient presence in a state for online merchants to be required to collect and remit state sales tax.

Quill vs. North Dakota case

“The interstate application of sales tax has always been a federal issue,” Brad Wilson, editor in chief of Brad’s Deals, told SmallBizChicago.com when viagra lowest price the law passed last year. He noted the 1992 U.S. Supreme Court Case of Illinois-based office supply cataloger Quill Corp. vs. North Dakota.

In that case, the high court decided that out-of-state merchants could be required to collect and remit sales tax for other states if they had brick-and-mortar locations in the state, such as offices, warehouses or employees, but not customers alone. But the ruling said states could not supersede the Interstate Commerce Clause by requiring out-of-state marketers with no physical presence to collect and remit sales tax.

To read more, visit SmallBizChicago…

“After the consultations we’ve been invited to over the past few years, we understood that there is a real need outside Chicago to establish organizations like ours,” says Abbie Weisberg, CEO/Executive Director of Keshet. This year, Weisberg will represent Keshet as one of the featured speakers at the 2012 International Autism Conference in Jerusalem, alongside leading international autism researchers representing over 20 countries.

The areas of expertise of Keshet’s professional staff include structured teaching, effective inclusion, volunteer training, teacher mentorship, classroom support, ability awareness, peer/buddy training programs, home/school connection, structured recreation and leisure activities, etc.

To receive more information about the Keshet Leventhal Professional

Development Center, contact Abbie Weisberg at abbie@keshet.org or visit www.keshet.org.

###

About Keshet

Keshet:  A Rainbow of Hope for Children and Adults with Special Needs is a

nationally recognized, state-of-the-art 501(C-3) non-profit organization, providing community based educational, recreational, and vocational programs for children, teens and young adults with varying and multiple developmental disabilities.  Keshet’s goal is to enable children with disabilities to participate as fully as possible in the mainstream of community life.

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Groundbreaking boys: Mr. Avroham Brandes, Boruch Brandes, Naftali Soloveichik, Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Joshua Schur, Mr. Baruch Schur

The Jewish community turned out in force on April 22^nd to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Libenu Home of west Rogers Park, and to show support for independence and inclusion for Jewish adults with special needs. Despite the crisp weather, over 200 people were in attendance as leaders of the community welcomed the Libenu residents and praised the efforts of the organization. The Groundbreaking Ceremony represented a true spirit of “achdus” or unity for the Jewish community, as supporters from all walks of Jewish life were in attendance.

The program included Divrei Torah and Bracha (Words of Torah and Blessing) from prominent Rabbis in the community. Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik of Congregation Beth Shalom Ahavas Achim, addressed the gathering, noting that “We are not simply breaking ground for a house, but for a true ‘home’ in which we welcome the Libenu residents as equals and important members of our community.” Rabbi Efraim Twerski of Khal Chasidim, described the event not as “Groundbreaking, but as Earth-Shattering.” Rabbi Gedaliah Dov Schwartz, Av Bet Den of the Chicago Rabbinical Council was not able to attend in person, but sent a letter in which he stated, “May Hashem bless all of those who have spared no effort to make this project feasible for our community, and may it be an outstanding recognition to create such a facility which gives credit to the Torah values by which it will be operated.” Rabbi Leonard Matanky of Congregation K.I.N.S. also wrote, “The Libenu Foundation is responding to a critical need by providing opportunities for Jewish adults to live independently, in kosher homes that adhere to Torah values, as fully included and valued members of the Jewish community.”

Groundbreaking 1: L to R: Rabbi Efraim Twerski (Khal Chasidim), Mr. Shael Bellows, Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik (Beth Shalom Ahavas Achim), Dr. Yigal Yahav, Rabbi Sidney Glenner, Rabbi Yosef Davis, Mr. Baruch Schur

The Libenu Foundation was honored to have many of its supporters don “Libenu” hard-hats, grab shovels, and participate in groundbreaking. Undoubtedly the most touching moment of the ceremony was when the Libenu residents and their friends came up to participate. Baruch Schur, Vice President of the Libenu Foundation and parent of resident Josh, commented, “The involvement of the Libenu residents, current and future, in the groundbreaking for their own home, is a symbol of hope for the future for all parents of children with special needs.”

Alderman Debra Silverstein, co-founder of the Libenu foundation, spoke about the organization’s remarkable achievements over the past two and one half years. Silverstein spoke about Libenu’s plans for the future, which include a home for women that will be a first in the Chicago Jewish community. Dr. Shana Erenberg, co-founder and President of Libenu, discussed the

ongoing needs and Libenu’s growing waiting list. Erenberg stated, “Thank G-d, Libenu has been able to accomplish a great deal in a relatively short period of time, but there is still much to be done. Together, as a community, we can enable Jewish adults with special needs to live independently, with dignity and respect.”

—

Senator Ira Silverstein and Rabbi Zev Cohen

For more information about the Libenu Foundation and to find out how you can help, contact info@libenufoundation.org or 847.982.0340 ext. 227.

uploads/2012/05/Kotel-Kosher-Pre-opening-Booth-low-res.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”248″ />The Chicago French Market (131 North Clinton Street) welcomes a new and unique vendor, Kotel Kosher. Kotel Kosher is a “grab and go” that will offer shoppers a wide variety of strictly CRC accredited Kosher deli and

grocery products for either dining at the Chicago French Market or taking home.

A grand opening celebration is planned for May 15. Honored guest Yona Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel, will officiate.*

For those who want a Kosher meal on the go, there will be plenty from which to choose, including all popular Kosher brands. Kotel Kosher will be run by the same people who own Chicago Organics, a mainstay at the Chicago French Market.

Kotel Kosher will be one of the only places in the West Loop area of Chicago where people can go to purchase strictly Kosher grocery items. Metra commuters, people who work in nearby office buildings and residents of the West Loop

will be pleased with the convenience of shopping at Kotel Kosher.

Kosher foods are those that conform to the regulations of Jewish law (Laws of Kashruth) that were first written in the book of Leviticus.

Kotel Kosher will be open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday 10am-4pm during the summer. In keeping with Jewish law, will it close at sundown on Friday in the winter depending of the Shabbat Hours and stay closed all day on Saturdays.

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height=”164″ />Steven Page, former lead singer of Canadian alternative rockers Barenaked Ladies, will headline an eclectic music mix Sunday, June 10, at the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival in Morton Grove.

While Page has performed all over the world, winning fame and critical acclaim as the lead singer/songwriter of Toronto-based Barenaked Ladies, many fans don’t know that — since leaving the group in 2009 to pursue a solo career — Page has drawn from his Jewish heritage to write several songs that speak from this very important side of his personal life.

He will perform those songs along with selections from the Barenaked Ladies days and other music from his solo career, headlining a jam-packed and varied lineup showcasing various aspects of Judaism on four stages at the Cook County Forest Preserve on Oakton Street west of Lehigh Street in Morton Grove.

The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival, produced biannually since 1980, features Page and a panoply of Jewish performers, arts, crafts, dance, kosher food and kids activities. The festival will kick off at 11 a.m.  June 10, running through 6 p.m.
“We offer what no other music festival can offer, “ said Michael Lorge, founder and chair of the Festival’s production group. “It’s an opportunity for mainstream performers to offer up their mainstream music. The ultimate crossover.”

Besides nonstop music, the festival will have a storytelling stage, a children’s activities area, dance performance, and a strictly kosher food fair featuring vendors offering kosher pizza, hot dogs, falafel and unusual food treats.

Laura buy viagra online Frankel, the executive chef for Wolfgang Puck Kosher Catering at Chicago’s Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies, will demonstrate how to make

the best, tastiest Jewish dishes.

The musical lineup at the Festival includes:

• Blue Fringe, a New York-based, hard-pounding band with a longstanding commitment to traditional Judaism
• Soul Aviv, a California band that has created its own Jewish “gospel” sound
• Rabbi Joe Black, a Colorado performer whose style ranges from liturgical music of the heart to humorous children’s music
• Moishe Skier, hard rockers from Milwaukee
• Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Chicago’s premier Jewish concert band
• Well-known Chicago acts Stuart Rosenberg, Tracy Friend & Andy Dennon,  Shakshuka, Ruby Harris, Listen Up!, Kol Sasson
• And many others

In between performances, attendees can walk the Festival grounds through a juried art show, where 100 artists from around the world will show and sell all manner of art, including paintings, soft sculpture, jewelry and other wearable art. Artists include Ketuba (marriage contract) calligraphers, weavers and ceramists.

The children’s activity area will include a family stage along with a variety of hands-on activities for kids.

“We create a kind of town square of Jewish Chicago, where people meet, sing and eat, and get to appreciate Jewish culture,” Lorge said. “It is just a kick to throw a party for 20,000 folks and know that for that day, everyone gets along and enjoys the music, dance and art.”

The Festival is produced by the Jewish POCET (Production Organization of Cultural Events and Theater),  an all-volunteer, not-for-profit production group.

“We started the Festival in 1980, partially to explore evolving expressions in Jewish identity in America and partially to demonstrate that as a community we can gather not just when there is a need to respond to community crises,” Lorge explained.

The festival has become the largest event in Chicago’s Jewish community and is also the longest-running Jewish festival in America.

Plenty of free parking will be available. A free shuttle bus will bring festival-goers to the main gate. Entrance to the Festival is free, but a $5 donation can help the organizers defray costs.

For more information or to see the entire lineup, call the Festival at (847)-933-3000 or visit www.jewishfestival.org.

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Close to 100 Russian-speaking young professionals joined Russian Jewish Networking Night last Thursday at eSkape bowling in Buffalo Grove. The event was organized by the Russian Jewish Leadership Forum (RJLF) of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF/JF).

Surprisingly for the organizers, the number of attended guests was double the expected turnout. The room was full and many new connections and friendships were established. Albert Fekson, Program Manager, came to the event to expand his social circle.”I do not know a lot of people in the Jewish community and I realized that most of the people I know are either coworkers or people I studied with,” he said. “I think that these events are very important.”

Networking is important not only for our personal lives, but for our work and careers as well. It is also critical for building a community. “Events such as this one ensure that our community continues to be a cohesive unit, as well as build personal and business contacts,” said Leonard Mogul, Kontinent Media Group representative. “I believe in supporting community-centered events”.

More than 35,000 Russian-speaking Jews have been resettled in Chicago in the past 20 years. Our young professionals are children of Soviet immigrants, searching for some roots – and maybe romance – with others who have had a similar journey. Their parents all lived under Communist rule, with the threat of prison, loss of livelihood, even banishment to Siberia for practicing their faith. Unlike their American counterparts, these young adults didn’t grow up going to synagogue, attending bar and bat mitzvahs or celebrating holidays.

Today, Russian-speaking Jewish young adults in their late 20s through mid-30s are getting more and more involved in the community. They celebrate their Judaism through their Russian heritage and defining themselves while strengthening their identity. As Margaret Lozovatsky, Senior Clinical Consultant, noted: “I think events like this are important because they are a great way for Russian-Jewish young adults to meet each other to keep our community connected.”

—-

For more information about the Russian Jewish Leadership Forum, contact Evgenia Kovelman at (312) 673 –

2351, or email EvgeniaKovelman@juf.org.

ereignty and recognize the freedoms that were gained. Because of this, the Israeli people have been given the opportunity to pursue their dreams and truly enjoy the beautiful gift that is their country.

Photo Credit: JUF News (www.juf.org/news)

I recently returned from a trip to Israel hosted by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to advance the economic and cultural ties between Illinois and Israel. It was wonderful to share ideas with Israeli government leaders, job creators and business executives and I left with an even more optimistic outlook on the future between the state

of Illinois and Israel.

It is important for me to let the people of Illinois know that this trip was not paid for by taxpayer dollars. I thank the Jewish United Fund and the Shafton Israel Institute, an endowment of the Jewish Federation’s Centennial Campaign for funding the excursion. The delegation included Illinois State Rep. Sidney Mathias and his wife Rita, JUF Executive Vice President Jay Tcath, and JUF past and present board members including Midge Perlman Shafton and Harry and Susan Seigle.

During my unforgettable trip the itinerary was filled with meetings with government ministers, diplomats, academics, venture capitalists, non-profit executives, Israeli CEOs of Illinois-based companies, college students and journalists. I saw firsthand amazing progress in technology and agriculture. I was also able to visit a litany of memorable places including religious sites in the Old City, Yad Vashem, the Rabin Center, IDF bases, the Golan Heights and Sderot. As an avid scuba diver, I even found time to dive in the beautiful Red Sea.

This visit to Israel was a marvelous experience, not only because of the rich culture and history, but because of the warmth of its people. The Israeli people truly appreciate the precious gifts that freedom brings. May you enjoy your celebrations on this very special Independence Day!

His Global Positioning System diverts him around traffic jams en route to repa

ir leather upholstery on-site for customers, while an app tells him which station has the lowest prices. Vankemenade will stop before his gas meter falls to empty when a customer call puts him in the vicinity of cheap gas. “I use technology to my advantage,” he said.

This week, Vankemenade found gas for a relative bargain in Villa Park at $4.39 a gallon. That meant a tank cost about $75, up from less than $60 a year ago.

Ivar Vankemenade, owner of Fibrenew Chicago NW franchise, uses an app to get the best price on gas.

But ultimately, he plans to pass on some of the higher energy costs to customers. That’s just business, he said. “It would be impossible for any business to stay afloat if expenses rise in any business area if they’re not passed on to the customer,” he said.

Record prices

Prices at the pump hit a record $4.67 a gallon in Chicago this week, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, leaving few businesses exempt from the sting of higher costs in a weak economy. To weather it, some are moving to more energy-efficient vehicles, while others are tapping employees to be more energy-conscious or using technology to help in the cause.

Randy Moon, franchise owner of AdvantaClean of DuPage County in Naperville, has set a goal of chopping $100 to $200 a week off the company’s budget by reducing energy use by 10 percent to 15 percent. He plans to do it by working smarter and has encouraged employees to come up with ideas. “It’s amazing…when you get a bunch of people thinking about it,” he said. For example, the company took an employee’s suggestion to stock up on supplies online instead of running to the supply house frequently.

Moon also swears by the franchise’s centralized call center, which books jobs using the most direct travel route, so the company’s cleaning technicians aren’t driving back and forth from one job to the next.

Tracking drivers

Increasingly, companies are taking advantage of GPS capabilities to monitor employees behavior on the road. It can make bottom-line sense, though it sometimes feels uncomfortably Big Brother-like.

“It’s all about savings,” said Michael Sanfratello, owner of Alsip-based Advanced Wiring Solutions, which installs and maintains structured cabling for telecommunications and alarm systems. The company, which had revenue of $4.2 million in 2010, employs 32 workers, including 26 field technicians.

One upside: Tracking drivers via GPS screens at headquarters and via smart phones has largely eliminated personal use of company vehicles during non-work hours and the gas consumption that goes with it, Sanfratello said. Vehicle tracking also has reduced speeding, which cuts fuel efficiency, while improving the company’s routing and dispatching of drivers.

Fleet-tracking systems certainly aren’t new but, with gas prices stuck near record levels, their value is becoming more apparent to small-business owners in a variety of fields.

On the

map

Embarque Chicago, a unit of Washington, D.C.-based Carey International Inc., has equipped its fleet of chauffeur-driven Toyota Camry hybrids with GPS tracking, said Lou Tessier, vice president in charge of fleets at Carey International. The company turned to the tracking devices to improve routing and cut down on extra trips to pick up passengers, but a bonus is the ability to monitor drivers’ speeds and whereabouts, Tessier said. “All of those things add up to helping us control gas costs and better serve our customers,” he said.

High gas prices are pumping up demand for GPS tracking systems. New York-based ABI Research forecasts subscription revenue for fleet management systems in the United States will hit $2.47 billion by 2016, up from $1.38 billion in 2010. Subscription fees range from $29 to $55 a month. In addition, some systems require upfront purchase of the tracking devices, while others include the cost of a monthly lease in the subscription fee. U.S. Fleet’s best-selling model sells for $349. In addition, count on $20 to $100 in installation cost.

Commercial Tire Services in Melrose Park has used a GPS tracking system designed by Glenview-based Navman Wireless Holdings to monitor 20 trucks that make service calls to replace and repair customers’ truck tires on the road. By compressing routes, keeping tabs on how fast drivers are traveling, and monitoring whether they’re wasting gas with excessive idling, the company estimates it trimmed its gas bills by about $3,000 a month, or 12 percent to 15 percent during the last gas price spike a year ago. “You have to squeeze what you can,” said service manager John Pavia, who noted that rising oil prices also impact the cost of the tires the company sells.

Tracking services provide tools to monitor vehicle speed, idle time and maintenance needs, said Tzau Jin “T. J.” Chung, president and CEO of Navman. The company, which employs 280 workers worldwide, has devices in some 135,000 vehicles.

No wrong turns

Chung pointed to other benefits of GPS systems: They help drivers avoid wrong turns — another drain on time and fuel – and a Navman accessory also allows for two-way messaging between fleet vehicles and the home office, allowing for better time management. Customers often need to reschedule and jobs can take longer than planned. “All that can mess up the schedule for the day,” Chung noted.

Even so, he acknowledged that some workers chafe at being monitored. “It is almost an invasion of privacy,” he said.

Pavia has run into that problem at Commercial Tire. “It’s, ‘Oh, you don’t think I’m doing a good job,’” he said of staffers’ misgivings. But he said workers get over their initial reluctance when they see data that shows fleet-tracking is improving the company’s profitability, which ultimately puts money in their wallets. “At a time when companies are laying people off, we’re trying to keep people employed,” Pavia said. “We’re trying to maximize our savings, and one of our largest expenses is fuel.”

Editor’s note: Parts of this story previously ran in Crain’s Chicago Business. L3C Chicago, L3C retains the copyright.

” width=”300″ height=”168″ />The Chicago community kicks off the celebration of Israel’s Independence Day with the Chicago Premiere

screening of Israel Inside: How a Small Nation Makes a Big Difference and an exhibit of Israel’s 64 years of innovation on Thursday, April 26 at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard Skokie, IL. The exhibit opens at 5:30 PM and the screening, with remarks by the film’s Associate Producer and Chicago native, David Coleman, begins at 7 PM. Guests will be welcomed by the Chicago Bear’s Gabe Carimi, who will be available for photos and autographs, as well as Dan Proft,WLS Radio and Fred Cohen, Maccabi USA.

Israel Inside: How a Small Nation Makes a Big Difference, is a 55-minute documentary produced by JerusalemOnlineU.com portraying Israel ‘beyond the conflict,’ an often unreported side of this small country. It is narrated by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a New York Times Bestselling Author and former Harvard professor known for teaching the university’s most popular course, Positive Psychology.

Dr. Ben-Shahar examines the core character strengths that have enabled Israelis to overcome challenges and turn a desert into a flourishing society. “This film doesn’t exist in a universe of its own – it is within the context of the conflict in the region,” said Ben-Shahar, “By shifting the focus onto the strength and resilience of the Jewish people in the face of adversity, we hope it may help ultimately in helping to counter the conflict.”

Ben-Shahar is joined on-screen by Professor Alan Dershowitz and leading Israeli entrepreneurs, businessmen and political figures, including Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat; Better Place’s Shai Agassi; Teva’s Eli Hurvitz , and venture capitalists Jonathan Medved and Erel Margalit.

The event is sponsored by CAMERA, Chicago Torah Network, Israel Bonds, JerusalemOnlineU.com,JET-Jewish Education Team, StandWithUs, The Israel Project and Volunteers for Israel.

Tickets ($15 adults, $10 children under 13) for the film and the exhibit are available at the box office in person, by phone (847) 673-6300 or online at www.IsraelInsideTheMovie.com/Chicago.

As part of JerusalemOnlineU.com’s ‘64 FOR 64’ campaign to celebrate Israel’s 64^th birthday, 64 leading communities in more than 20 countries will be joining together on or around Independence Day to screen Israel Inside.

For film trailer, go to http://www.israelinsidethemovie.com/Chicago/

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branceE-300×218.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”218″ />For the 67^th consecutive year, Chicago-area Holocaust survivors and the community at large will come together to honor the memory of the 6 million Jews who perished, and to recall the acts that made the genocide possible.

The annual Holocaust Memorial Service begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue, 8825 East Prairie Road in Skokie. Hundreds of the last remaining survivors, along with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will participate in the largest gathering of Holocaust survivors in the Midwest and one of the largest in the United States.

The event, which marks the 67^th anniversary of the liberation from the concentration camps, is organized each year by Sheérit HaPleitah of Metropolitan Chicago, the umbrella organization for Chicago-area Holocaust survivor groups, and is co-sponsored by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

“This annual memorial is a must to honor the memory of our 6 million martyrs, including the 1½ million innocent children who perished only because they were Jews,” said Charles Lipshitz, President of Sheérit HaPleitah. “We cannot let the world forget that a modern society, Nazi Germany, was capable of committing such atrocities. Many reactionary forces are hard at work to change history and deny that the Holocaust ever happened. We must be vigilant not to allow this to occur.”

“We will not remain silent in the face of Iranian, Arab, or any other entity’s wish to make Israel disappear,” said I. M. Hubscher, Chairman of the community commemoration. “This circle of violence must stop, and we, as children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of survivors, will continue to lead the effort to eradicate hate, death and destruction.”

“The number of Holocaust survivors is dwindling to a precious few as we approach the 67^th anniversary of the end of World War II,” said Larry Schwartz, President of the Association of Descendants of the Shoah-Illinois, Inc. “We, as children of survivors, are taking an active role in reminding the world that the crimes of Nazi Germany can happen again if we do not maintain vigilance. The legacy of the Holocaust survivors will be sustained and enhanced through our education and outreach efforts, for we shall never forget the sacrifices of the 6 million Jews who did not live to see the Nazi war machine defeated.”

Speakers at the 2012 service will include the Honorable Orli Gil, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest; Mayor George Van Dusen of Skokie; David Prystowsky, Executive Director of the Jewish United Fund’s Jewish Community Relations Council; Rabbi Sam Biber, spiritual leader of the synagogue; Lipshitz; and event co-chair Henry Jelen. Officials of the Jewish War Veterans-Skokie Post 328, also will participate.

As part of the ceremony, a grandchild of survivors will pay tribute to the enormous contribution Holocaust survivors have made to the Chicago community by passing their legacy of courage on to future generations.

A high point each year is the candle-lighting ceremony honoring the 6 million Jewish victims. The ceremony will be conducted by Sherry Rubinstein Warso of Dor L’Dor, the Young Leadership Division of Sheérit HaPleitah, and Jelen, with participation by children and grandchildren of

local Holocaust survivors. Proclamations by Gov. Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, as well as Mayor Van Dusen of Skokie, will be read.

Skokie has long been supportive of Sheérit HaPleitah’s efforts to sustain the memory of the Holocaust. When, in 1978, the American Nazi Party chose Skokie for its infamous demonstration, Sheérit HaPleitah helped lead the opposition, with the assistance of then-Mayor Albert J. Smith and the village trustees. That struggle was portrayed in a made-for-television movie starring Danny Kaye.

Sheérit HaPleitah later led the movement to construct a monument in memory of the Holocaust victims on the Skokie Village Green, on land donated by the village, with funds collected from individual donors, synagogues and the Jewish United Fund.

The sculpture, by Edward Chesney, depicts three generations, torn prayer books, a menorah and other items symbolizing the destruction of European Jewry. It was unveiled May 31, 1987. That night, the memorial received worldwide attention after it was desecrated with spray paint, including the epithet “Jew liars” and other messages of hate.

“This insidious act made the message on the dedication plaque even more meaningful,” Lipshitz said. “It reads, `This monument will remain in perpetuity as a reminder of what hate can do to mankind if decent people are not vigilant to forestall such a calamity in the future.’ ”

Sheérit HaPleitah includes the following groups: Association of Descendents of the Shoah-Illinois, Inc.; Hofesh Chapter-Na’amat USA; the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center; Jewish Lithuanian Club of Chicago; Laor Organization; Midwest Chestochover Society; New Citizens Club; Workman’s Circle; The United Chicago Jews of Hungarian Descent, Inc.; Association of Child Survivors; Dr. Janusz Korczak B’nai Brith Lodge; and Dor L’Dor, a group of children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors who will play an important role of carrying on our legacy.

Many people ask if is acceptable to embellish your skills on a resume when you’re looking for a job. It is never okay to embellish your skill

s, either on a resume or in an interview. If you get hired under false pretenses, you’ll soon be revealed as a fraud by your inability to do the job you promised. Be honest; what you’re being hired for is your perceived ability to address the company’s critical business issues and you won’t be able to produce. In addition, you’ll be putting yourself under constant stress worrying about being found out. And if you are found out, you could get fired.

When asked about certain skills, say you do not have those skills, but are willing to learn. The adaptability necessary to broaden your capabilities will get you further in the long-term than the ability to convincingly lie about what you can do. Short-term gain gotten with a lie cannot replace the personal and professional growth you’ll experience by working with honesty, integrity, and learning new things.

Under-Selling Your Abiliities

On the other hand, are you guilty of “’under-selling” yourself? This usually happens when you don’t appreciate the qualities you have and tend to play down achievements because of modesty. It is important to identify these accomplishments and portray them well on your resume.

Writing a recommendation for an

underachiever

I would never write a recommendation for someone for whom I have no respect. What can you say without lying about her or her abilities? The most appropriate thing to say is “”I’m not in a position to make recommendations” or “I’m not the best person to assess your skills.” Remember, should the person get hired and fails to perform, your reputation is on the line.

Being party to age discrimination

A question came up recently about a company that was hiring a new sales manager. An employee involved in the hiring process believed that a more qualified candidate was passed over because of his age. What could he have done? While there is nothing you can do to change what’s been done, there are a number of things you can do in the future. For starters, keep him in mind for new openings that come for which he’d be qualified and bring him in for an interview (if he’s still available). Use this as learning experience and in the future, look at the value a client brings to the job and not their age. You did a disservice to your organization as well as to the candidate.

Show your true colors

If you’re out of work or studying for a new career or picking up new skills, you should present these in a positive light. That indicates to an employer you’re using your time wisely, especially in an adverse situation. Whatever your job or skill situation, always be truthful. Integrity counts.

a

resolution praising his efforts and proclaiming June 14, 2012 as “The Business Event Day”. Klein later addressed the meeting and answered questions from the trustees about the free event, taking place in Lincolnwood, and the ways that people can get involved in the organization. Registration for the event is at www.TheBusinessEvent.com

The full text of the resolution follows:

WHEREAS, small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms in the United States, employ just over half of all private sector employees and pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll; and

WHEREAS, unemployment currently averages 8.3 percent representing over 12.8 million Americans that are out of work and seeking work; and

WHEREAS, Jewish B2B Networking, under the direction of Mr. Shalom Klein, was founded in June 2010 to connect and empower small business, service the needs of individuals in transition, and develop programming that has successfully brought together thousands of individuals, put over 127 people to work in this tough economic climate; and

WHEREAS, the Village of Lincolnwood remains committed to economic development, bringing new businesses to our community, and creating an environment friendly to small businesses which make up 98 percent of Illinois employers; and

WHEREAS, the Jewish B2B Networking Organization deserves our support and we invite our community to join their upcoming free business and employment expo, The Business Event, which will be held in the Lincolnwood Town Center, June 14, 2012 – an event that is expected to draw over five thousand business networkers, 100 exhibitors, and 30 employers, with workshops dedicated to assisting small business owners and job seekers.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I Gerald C. Turry, President of the Village of Lincolnwood do hereby proclaim June 14, 2012 as the

BUSINESS EVENT DAY

And congratulate the Jewish B2B Networking organization for their continued service to the small business community, the Village of Lincolnwood, and all of its citizens. Their efforts and commitment exemplify the spirit of our community and we wish them success in all their future efforts.

DATED this 3^rd day of April, 2012

Beryl Herman, Village Clerk

Gerald C. Turry, Village President

for most Americans. Proper compliance is required by law, and yet, every year, the federal government is left to grapple with a tax gap – a discrepancy between what is owed and what is actually collected. This tax gap is caused by people who accidentally or purposefully underreport their tax liability, underpay their tax, or fail to file a tax return at all.

According to a recent IRS report, the agency estimates the overall compliance rate tax returns to be approximately 84 percent. However, a significant amount of revenue remains unreported or unpaid every year.

Recently the IRS estimated this gross tax gap to be around $345 billion. After the IRS obtained some of that missing revenue through enforcement or late payments, the net tax gap was still a staggering $290 billion for that year.

How can we understand what motivates people to intentionally “cheat” on their taxes?

If you feel others are cheating on their taxes, especially people who make more money than you, you’re more likely to rationalize cheating on taxes yourself. Many people in this anxious class who have suffered the effects of the recession may think “if people at the top don’t pay their taxes, why should I?”

While the country’s federal tax code is considered progressive, some feel it grants the wealthy many loopholes. This further fosters resentment among those who believe the tax burden falls unjustly on those who can least afford it.

According to an annual poll conducted by the IRS Oversight Board, over 80 percent of people surveyed thought it was not acceptable to cheat on taxes. This leaves almost 20 percent of people surveyed who believe some form of deception is acceptable. It’s important to note, however, that these figures do not represent the actual percentages of people who do (or do not) cheat the IRS.

It’s interesting to note that according to the 2011 IRS survey, paying taxes is viewed as a civic duty; accountability for cheaters is strongly favored. The vast majority of the public – 72 percent – “completely agree” that “it’s every American’s civic duty to pay their fair share of taxes.”

Additionally, integrity remains by far the top reason to pay, while fear of an audit is down. Taxpayers continue to take a strongly ethical stance on paying taxes. Seventy-nine percent say that their “personal integrity” has a “great deal of influence” on whether they pay their taxes honestly. Fear of an audit remains the third most important influence to pay.

In my opinion, most people are inherently honest. Most of us want to pay our fair share. Life,  however, gets in the way and at times it can appear as though our society is coming to terms with the idea that cheating on your taxes may just be a way of life for a growing number of Americans.

Would you cheat on your taxes? No need to respond to me with an answer,  but it’s worth thinking about it. Do you fall in the 80% or 20% group? Perhaps this thought will give you the added strength of character to do the right thing in the waning hours of this year’s tax season: According to ancient Jewish tradition, a man is not punished for thinking bad thoughts, he’s only punished when he acts on those thoughts. Good luck with your taxes!

tion, while still subdued, was also up. Credit conditions improved. Price increases slowed, while wage increases remained steady. Prices for corn, soybeans, wheat, hogs, and cattle moved higher. And, the good news is almost a quarter of a million jobs were added in February.

Consumer spending. Growth in consumer spending slowed a bit. However, there was some isolated improvement in the luxury segment, with jewelers and high-end boutiques reporting higher sales. Additionally, the mild winter depressed sales of apparel and other weather-related items, and many retailers were running heavy promotions on unsold winter merchandise to make room for spring inventory.

Business spending. Business spending increased in the first quarter of the year. Most

retailers indicated their inventories were at comfortable levels. However, a number of auto dealers continued to report lower than desired sales for some models. Several manufacturers also noted that they were tightly managing their input inventory levels to avoid being caught off-guard should commodity prices decline further or activity slow substantially. Staffing firms reported an increase in billable hours, largely driven by gains in industrial and office positions.

Construction/real estate. Construction activity was up slightly. Multi-family construction continued to be an area of strength. In contrast, single-family construction remained weak, and homebuilders indicated that it will likely continue on that path until home prices stabilize from their recent declines.

Manufacturing. After a strong close to 2011, manufacturing production increased further in January and February. The auto industry continued to be a source of strength. Moderate improvement is expected throughout the remainder of the year as reported by the Federal Reserve.

Banking/finance. Credit conditions were slightly improved from the previous reporting

period. Financial market volatility declined and risk moved lower across a number of asset

classes. Improvements in the availability of credit were noted for both subprime auto lending and

commercial real estate, particularly for large apartment buildings.

Prices/costs. Cost pressures were largely unchanged in January and early February,

but the

volatility of commodity prices remained a concern. Natural gas prices remained at historic lows, while prices increased for fuel and metals such as copper and brass. Most of the cost increases were being passed on to consumers, but retailers reported that, overall, pricing increases remained limited. Wage pressures continued to be moderate, with indications that wage increases were expected to keep pace with inflation. There continues to be a shortage of skilled manufacturing workers.

Bottom line, the U.S. economy continues to face formidable challenges in 2012. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of big opportunities. In fact, “special situations” impacting the U.S. markets (inflation, slowing growth, and European contagion) have actually opened up pockets of exploding growth. In the Midwest/ Chicago area, we are quite fortunate. Our economic conditions remain strong relative to other hard-hit parts of country (Michigan, Nevada, Florida, etc.). A conservative approach to expense management and a wide eye open to opportunity should be a recipe for success in your small business.

ulprits by talking heads on TV, newspaper and online. Ethics – the lack of, has been raised less often.

JBN asked five experts for their view of ethics as it relates to business.

Longtime legal scholar Alan Dershowitz, holder of Harvard’s Felix Frankfurter professorship, teaches a course on legal ethics that covers several professions.

“One has to make a distinction between personal morality and ethics. Ethics are determined by the rules of a profession,” said Dershowitz. “Every profession has it,” he said pointing to journalism and business. “You come across something, but you can’t disclose your source. In business, a fiduciary obligation to stock holders may be inconsistent with personal morality.”

According to Dershowitz, choices are not easy. “I teach a class about conflict. The choices are not between good, better and best. Often, they’re between bad, worse and worst,” he said.

However, he thinks business ethics are improving. “They’re getting better because there’s more public scrutiny. Journalists are reporting more on business….. the more sunlight, the better,” he said, “Business can no longer operate in utter secrecy.”

When asked how evolving Internet technology may impact ethics, Dershowitz pointed to issues of intellectual property theft and of public right to know, but said, “It’s cutting edge.” (Dershowitz is on the case of Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, which leaked diplomatic cables.) Referencing both issues he added the caveats: “Old answers do not apply” and “There is no simple solution.”

In his “Successful Entrepreneurship” class, Kellogg’s Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship founder Lloyd Shefsky, has students discuss such questions as ethical obligations during a session he calls, “The Right Thing—Ethics for Entrepreneurs.”

The session discusses an entrepreneur’s responsibility to board of directors, shareholders, customers, bankers, employees, the community and professionals like accountants and lawyers.

Shefsky would like to see more school-business partnerships for developing programs to cover today’s issues. “I believe that B-Schools must attract big employers of MBAs to get involved with the schools and include faculty and students to create a meaningful program,” he said.

Asked about ethic trends, he said, “The only trend I see is a recurring pattern of increased talk when someone big is caught, followed by an ebbing until the next time.”

As to ethical issues facing small business owners today, Shefsky said, “Tight capital leads to pressures that often result in ethical problems, including attempts to reduce costs, ignoring contractual obligations, misstatements of facts, etc.”

He listed the most frequent excuses for wrong-doing as:

* What I’m doing is something the Board would approve anyway * This is just temporary; I’ll fix it later * I’ve given the company so much; I deserve this.”

Shefsky tells his students that ethics is something they should have already learned from parents and clergy. JBN asked Shefsky, past president and over 30-year member and director of the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce, what he thinks Judaism teaches about business ethics?

He said: “1.The concept that one should avoid even the appearance of wrong-doing is a great warning system. 2. The concept that each individual is responsible not only for his/her own reputation, but also for that of the Jewish people. 3. Charitable thinking is good. However, the concept regarding charity can create conflicts with fiduciary duties to shareholders.”

Hedy Ratner, co-founder/co-president of the Chicago-based Women’s Business Development Center was asked about ethic policies that small businesses should follow in lieu of those applied to public companies and the professions.

“There are no ethics rules for small businesses, but there are moral principles of life you must consider as a business owner,” said Ratner. She emphasizes building trust between business and customers and between owner and employees, whether business is good or bad.

Ratner warned there are many ways to betray one’s principles by exploiting customers or employees. She urged small business owners to set an example of ethical behavior for employees. “You don’t want an employee saying, ‘this isn’t the company I thought it was.’”

Having an ethics policy is good business, according to Ratner. “Let employees know you have it and that you’re living it,” she said. “Build trust with customers so they know they can trust you to give the best price and best service.”

She also emphasized the ethics of meeting obligations even during economic downturns. “Instead of arbitrarily cutting salaries, talk to your employees. Explain business is not good, so let’s work together for a solution. When you negotiate, you get more concessions. When you impose, you lose,” she said.

“Being respectful and treating others with respect is part of behaving ethically.”

David I Jacobson, founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals and board member of several Jewish organizations, said that for some people, a funeral home sends up red flags. But he believes any business whose owner is ethical will have a good reputation.

“Ethics are pretty cut and dried. The Torah says you must behave in the right way. You must do the right thing all the time,” said Jacobson.

“I make sure my employees are taken care of. They’re the face of my business. If you devote your life to a company, you have to take care of your employees,” he said.

He also felt strongly about obligations, trust and respect. “If you promise something, you better deliver what you promise and even more. We never take a short cut.”

As a guide, he suggested: treat a client like you would your family. People pay a fair price expecting that everything is right,” said Jacobson. “There are cheaper ways of doing things. That’s not our way. It’s not good business.”

As an example, Jacobson said he parted ways with a huge insurance company because they cut staff he thought were necessary for personal contact and service.

“They fired their ground people, so I fired them. They offered incentives to stay with them. I didn’t accept because I didn’t want to work with the corporate office. You have to do the right thing,” he said.

Rabbi Karen Kedar, senior rabbi of B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim, Deerfield, edited the finance and ethics issue of the CCAR Journal (The Reform Jewish Quarterly of the Central Conference of Reform Rabbis) published spring 2010.

In her Journal introduction, “Jewish Perspectives on Finances and the Marketplace,” Rabbi Kedar referred to the impact the economic crisis has on families and business. “It seems that the rules have changed; banks aren’t behaving like banks; performance, ambition, and intelligence are irrelevant to job security. What was affordable in previous years is now out of sight,” she said.

She encouraged a review of attitudes toward wealth. “Nobody stands at your grave and reads the details of your portfolio. Life is judged by giving, loving, faith, and the ability to rebalance when we’ve lost our focus.”

Rabbi Kedar explained the impetus for the journal’s issue as “back to basics during a historic moment when ethical issues regarding money, finances, and business dealings are in question in our country, and indeed in the global marketplace.”

However, she cited an important reference from Shabbat 31a. “It’s a powerful piece from the Talmud,” she said. “May you live 120 years, but when you die, G-d asks you six questions. The first is — were you honest in business?”

Rabbi Kedar explained why honesty in business was first. “The ethical order of money is the basis for everything,” she said. “According to the Talmud, if you don’t have a society based on ethical behavior, than you have no foundation for any relationship.”

Did you hear the public debate that was raging in recent weeks about the presidential elections? Before folding to pressure from the media and the other candidates at the debates, Mitt Romney was arguing that he should not have to rel

ease his tax returns so early in the Republican primary. Governor Romney ended up releasing the returns, and aside for the revelation about his business ventures, a lot of information about his charitable giving (average of 14% of his annual income) was disclosed. Other public officials’ returns indicated a much lower (sometimes even NO) level of charitable contributions.

The Christian Science Monitor ran an interesting article that indicates the typical American gives between 2 and 3 % of their earnings to charity. I don’t believe that that it would be right to generalize and say a certain amount or percentage is the ethical or moral obligation to give, as this is something very sensitive to a family’s earnings and other obligations. The Torah legislated that Jews give 10 percent of their earnings to the poor every third year (Deuteronomy 26:12), and an additional percentage of their income annually (Leviticus 19:9­10). Hundreds of order cialis years later, after the Temple was destroyed and the annual tithe levied upon each Jew for the support of the priests and Levites was suspended, the Talmud ordered that Jews were to give at least 10 percent of their annual net earnings to tzedaka (Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, “Laws Concerning Gifts for the Poor,” 7:5).

In recent tough economic times, hardest hit are charitable causes and the needy who desperately rely on the services they offer. Of course, this comes at a time when these charitable organizations have to identify ways to expand their services to accommodate a sadly growing clientele. A recent study found that American Jews are coming up short on charitable giving,

Everyone has a cause or way they can support local organizations. I will let others debate the future of philanthropy, but I do think everyone can give 10% of their earnings or help in some other form of charity. As I wrote in a recent blog entry, the highest form of charity is helping one’s fellow earn their own livelihood.

As always, we want to hear about your story, feedback, inspiration, and other comments. If you’d like to be featured in an upcoming issue of Jewish Business News, contact Editor Mira Temkin at mt@thejewishbusiness.com.

To success,

Shalom Klein

usinesses can have a very loud voice.

Health insurance continues to be a driving force in our advocacy efforts. At the present time, only 31% of business owners with 10 or fewer employees can afford to provide insurance to their employees. The cost of health insurance is impacting economic growth. As business owners, it can be the X-factor which sways a company away from hiring.

The SBAC has formed a coalition in support of the Health Insurance Co-op bill. Our coalition now includes 19 business organizations and over 11,000 businesses, including Jewish B2B. This legislation would enable small businesses

to create their own non-profit health insurance co-ops. These co-operatives would be operated, and governed by, advocates and representatives of the business owners and employees, enrolled in the co-operatives. Small business owners would finally have the opportunity to stabilize, and eventually bring down, the cost of health insurance. The SBAC and its unified coalition of chambers, associations and small business advocates are determined to push for and get HB 3976 and SB 2885 passed this legislative session.

We ask you to contact your legislators and ask them to support the bill. At the following site, www.coalitionforcooperatives.org, you can enter your address, identify legislators, and easily email your State Representative and Senator online – in less than 5 minutes. Thank you for standing with small business!

“All of our charitable programs have evolved from the idea of making a diff

erence,” said Kim Holstein, president of the homemade soft pretzel company, whose products are sold at retail and online. “It’s always been important to us.”

Critical to their mission is “Pretzels with a Purpose,” several programs they run to serve the community. “Pretzel Dough” lets schools raise funds for their organization, while “Pretzel Power” brings high-school students into their bakery to job shadow at different positions within the company. Partnering with the Chicago Entrepreneurial Center, they provide paid internships to high school students who want to become entrepreneurs. Kim and Scott are also active members of Future Founders, which connects teens with various business professionals. “We’re passionate about teaching others they can start with nothing and build something from it,” continued Kim.

Kim & Scott’s contributes to a variety of events like the Breast Cancer Walk, Special Olympics, MS Walk as well donates pretzels to food banks

for the homeless. In addition, they’re committed to planting a tree for every online sale during April for Earth Day.

Employees are also encouraged to volunteer. “Our employees have teamed up to run in “Relay for Life’ together and get involved in other charitable events. Giving back is just part of our culture.”

Posh Nails — Beauty’s More than Skin Deep

Supporting their customers and their community has always been an integral part of the plan for Jane Grach and Janet Rakhman, co-owners of Posh Nails and More in downtown Highland Park. The two women are extremely committed to the Jewish United Fund, who provided great assistance when they immigrated to the US from Russia. They opened Posh Nails in 2000, and since that time have opened their doors and hearts to many non-profit organizations “Because of the JUF, we are here,” said

Janet.

“We believe in supporting our regular customers who’ve been coming to us for many years,” said Jane. Posh Nails gives out gift certificates to organizations that are sponsoring silent auctions. They also helped raise funds recently for Food Allergy Initiative by hosting a party and offering their services the salon in exchange for donations.

“If it’s important to our customers, it’s important to us. We’re convinced the more you give, the more you get.”

Fun(d)raising Events at Stashs

Bobby Dubin, owner of Stashs in Highland Park since 2002, has always been community minded. From the very beginning, he began partnering with schools and other non-profit organizations by supporting their fund-raising efforts with gift cards or in-store events. “We’ve stepped up to the plate for local schools, synagogues, Y-Me Breast Cancer and many other causes,” he said.

Best Futures, a charity that creates employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, looked to Stashs for assistance. Dubin arranged an event in the restaurant and helped Best Futures successfully launch the concession stand at Centennial Ice Arena in Highland Park, which now employs 20 special needs teens and young adults.

Dubin recently opened two new Italian bistros inside of Stashs as well as the 2nd Street Market. The market, which sells local, organic produce online with pick-up in store, donates proceeds to schools and organizations. “We’re part of the community and there’s no better feeling than being able to help.”

Jewish Business News is always looking for companies that make charitable projects a part of their company. To submit your business for consideration, please email mt@thejewishbusiness.com.

Mira Temkin is a Highland-Park based copywriter with both advertising and editorial expertise. She can be reached at mt@thejewishbusiness.com.

Here are some books and online resources that will provide additional insights. Books are available on amazon.com.

Flavia Del Monte’s Full Body Licious & Curvalicious Workout Systems

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Doing the Right Things Right as a Habit of Conduct

A Review of How: Why HOW We Do Anything Means Everything

(New York: John Wiley, 2007. $27.95)

Reviewed by Larry Greenberg

In his book, Dov Seidman distinguishes the “whats” from the “hows” of doing business. Since organizations have mastered competing on the basis of efficiency, the hows elevate a company from its peers. Seidman advises us to internalize good conduct, to create the bonds of mutuality and trust among people and organizations. He describes the attributes of a culture that instill acting truthfully, transparently, collaboratively, respectfully and humbly throughout a company. Organizations that internalize these principles exceed

the expectations of their customers and assure sustainable profits, while providing a satisfying environment for its employees. Seidman contends that inspirational leadership is necessary at all levels to transform culture so that it becomes contagious and self-regulating.

Business Ethics in Jewish Law

By Edward Zipperstein

Throughout the centuries, Jewish law has changed and expanded with the times. Demonstrating his extensive knowledge of the Talmud, history and economics, Zipperstein presents a fascinating look at the relationship between Judaism and ethics in the business world. Although this book was published in 1983, it remains just as relevant in commerce laws today.

This book features a series of essays about core ethics valued by managers, employees and stockholders who believe that traditional Jewish sources provide solutions to many contemporary business issues.

My Jewish Learning.com

This website deals with a variety of ethical issues such as “Advertising and the 10th Commandment,” which discusses the limitations of Jewish law to acceptable means of advertising one’s wares. Other ethical issues debated include: Internet Privacy in Judaism, Theft in Business, Taxes & Judaism.

Judaism in the Workplace: Professional Ethics and Halakha

This site offers a wealth of books and articles about the Jewish response to bankruptcy, fraud, debt and other issues. www.darchenoam.org/ethics/business/bus_home.htm

The Business Ethics Center in Jerusalem

Every week, the Center promotes Jewish business ethics in its syndicated Jewish Ethicist Internet column. As a resource, the Center provides books, articles and AV presentations. to businesses as well as implements educational programs for teachers. Jewish Business News reprints one of the columns in each issue. http://besr.org/

enable more small businesses to retain their status, provide federal agencies a larger selection of small businesses for procurement opportunities, and boost the number of companies eligible for SBA loan programs. The SBA estimates as many as 8,350 additional firms became eligible for SBA programs and services as a result of these revisions.

These regulations changed on an industry-by-industry basis. It raised 37 maximum revenue-based size standards in 34 industries and three sub-industries in the “Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services” sector and one size standard in the “Other Services”

sector. Organizations that fall within those 37 categories such as accounting firms, engineering services, and certain advertising companies, may become eligible for government contracts and finance assistance.

Some organizations have voiced concern over these changes as they believe these new categories could hurt those small businesses that need the most assistance. They argue that for the majority of businesses, which have about nine to 11 employees, it’s hard to compete against larger businesses that will now be classified as a small business.

For more information about the SBA’s revisions, click on “What’s New with Size Standards” on SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/size.

Spertus, Chicago’s center for Jewish learning and culture, announces that Ann Luban will be adding a new assignment to the already considerable ways she works to strengthen Chicago’s Jewish community.<

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Ms. Luban, 42, joins Spertus, effective immediately, as Director of Recruitment for Spertus’ Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS) program. In this capacity, she will be working to introduce Chicago-area Jewish professionals to the opportunities for learning and training that this innovative program offers.

Ms. Luban,

who also serves as program consultant in the Community Services Department at Jewish Child and Family Services, is an alumna of the prestigious Wexner Graduate Fellowship and Wexner Heritage Programs and a past recipient of the Samuel A. Goldsmith Award from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. A lifelong connector of people and resources, she is the founder of the Jewish Communal Professionals of Chicago and has served on the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Communal Service Association of North America. She is also a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Jewish Day School and has served on the Board of Anshe Emet Synagogue.

A specialist in adult Jewish education, Ms. Luban has taught in the Chicago area for more than 15 years. She has published articles and presented at local, national, and international conferences on important issues ranging from education opportunities for Jewish organizational staff to the challenges faced by aging Holocaust survivors. She holds a Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California.

About her appointment, Dr. Barry Chazan, Director of the Spertus Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies Program and an internationally acclaimed Jewish educator, says, “We are fortunate to have Ann Luban joining our team. She brings years of experience and expertise in the Jewish communal world and she shares our commitment to excellence in Judaic and general professional studies.”

About her new role, Ms. Luban says, “I am excited to introduce new students to the Spertus MAJPS program. With its strong mentoring component and its use of a team-driven cohort model, this program is an instrumental force for creating new leaders to serve Chicago’s Jewish community.”

The MAJPS program brings a diverse group of Jewish professionals together to study the cutting-edge issues in contemporary Jewish life, advancing their career opportunities and enhancing the contributions they bring to Jewish organizations and institutions. Students graduate having grown personally and professionally, having cultivated critical leadership skills, built strong communal links, and gained real insight into how to meet Jewish community needs.

ABOUT SPERTUS
Spertus is a center for Jewish learning and culture that invites people of all backgrounds to explore the multifaceted Jewish experience. Spertus inspires learning, serves diverse communities, and fosters understanding for Jews and people of all faiths.

Founded in 1924 as Chicago’s College of Jewish Studies, Spertus today offers an innovative, non-denominational array of specialized and public programming, grounded in Jewish thought, inspired by Jewish values, and resolutely relevant to people’s lives.

Spertus offers accredited graduate-level degree programs in areas that are critical to the Jewish and wider communities—including Jewish studies, leadership training, and nonprofit management. Recognizing that learning is sparked by many points of entry, programming at Spertus also includes cultural and continuing education offerings, such as lectures, seminars, exhibitions, concerts, and films. Partnerships and collaborative relationships in the Jewish, academic, philanthropic, and cultural arenas further allow Spertus to serve as a portal for diverse learning opportunities.

“Women Unchained,” the much-talked-about documentary about women whose husbands refuse to give them a ‘get,’ a Jewish divorce; what can be done to prevent ‘get’ abuse, an

d why it matters to Jews of all backgrounds, drew a packed house to Spertus Institute in its Chicago premiere on March 11. Followed by a panel discussion, speakers included Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, head of the Beth Din of America, one of the nation’s most prominent rabbinical courts; attorney Sharon Shenhav, director of the International Jewish Women’s Rights Watch, and the film’s director, Beverly Siegel.

According to traditional Jewish Law, a divorcing woman must obtain a ‘get’ from her husband in order to remarry and avoid the stigma of ‘mamzer,’ illegitimacy, on her future children. Further, for the ‘get’ to be considered kosher, or valid, a man must give it of his own free will. A woman’s dependency on her husband to confer the ‘get’ creates a power imbalance that often fuels extortionate demands on the wife and her family.

Stressing the need for community education, Siegel said, “The problem of ‘get’ abuse primarily affects Orthodox women and Jewish women in Israel, but the issue of the ‘get’ is not just an Orthodox issue or an Israeli issue. It’s a Jewish issue, and we all need to understand how it can affect us and our children and grandchildren.”

Rabbi Schwartz endorsed pre-nuptial agreements to prevent ‘get’ abuse, specifically the agreement made available free of charge through the Beth Din of America. He also sited his use of annulment when possible to free a woman who is unable to get a ‘get,’ based on the Jewish-legal precedent of a mistake in the original marriage contract. Annulment in Jewish law does not affect the status of children born of the annulled marriage.

Ms. Shenhav urged rabbinical leaders in America and Israel to do more to help women without pre-nuptial agreements who are being held captive for vengeance or extortion by ‘get’-withholding husbands. Citing a Jewish divorce rate of more than 25%, putting many men in a position to extort their wives for a ‘get,’ she said, “the rabbis have tools (to combat ‘get’ recalcitrance), but the problem is, they aren’t using them.”

Panel moderator Emily Soloff, American Jewish Committee’s National Associate Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations, cited the results of a recent study of ‘agunot,’ women unable to get a ‘get.’ The study identified some 460 ‘agunot’ in America in the past five years, but acknowledged that the number underrepresented the problem and its financial impact on the Jewish community in terms of social services required to redress their plight.

“Women Unchained” raises issues such as how decisions divorcing Jewish women make today — do I get a ‘get’ or not get a ‘get,’ and what kind of a ‘get’ should I get? — can affect the ability of their children to marry within the traditional Jewish community and in Israel, where matters of personal status

for all Jews is governed by traditional Jewish Law.

The impact of ‘get’ refusal on women who are victims of emotional abuse and domestic violence is also addressed.

Synagogues, sisterhoods, and groups concerned with women’s rights in Judaism are encouraged to sponsor film programs followed by discussion surrounding these issues. Accompanying study guides are available.

Produced by Siegel and Leta Lenik, the 60-minute film is narrated by Mayim Bialik with an original score by Grammy-winning guitarist C Lanzbom. Women Unchained is available through National Center for Jewish Film (www.jewishfilm.org). Information on upcoming public screenings is available on the National Center for Jewish Film website or on Facebook at Women Unchained – The Documentary.

es in the Chicago, Illinois area, has been named the 2012 Medical Director of the Year. Dr. DeBacker received the award during AMDA’s annual conference “Long Term Care Medicine – 2012” in San Antonio, Texas on March 9, 2012. A specially designated interdisciplinary Selection Committee chose Dr. DeBacker from among numerous nominees based on his exemplary work as a physician leader, educator, patient advocate, clinician, and innovator within the community.

Dr. DeBacker is regarded as a true team leader, particularly by staff of CJE SeniorLife. “He is a gifted educator—a skill he brings to all aspects of his

work. He continually educates staff through clinical meetings that have contributed to an over-20% decrease in falls and fall-related injuries and 8% fewer readmissions from the subacute unit. He promotes ownership of the improvement process through an interactive format that seamlessly integrates clinical education,” said Ron Benner, Executive Director of Lieberman Center for Health and Rehabilitation and Sr. Nurse Advisor at CJE SeniorLife.

Dr. Noel DeBacker was presented with AMDA's 2012 Medical Director of the Year Award on March 9, 2012 at AMDA's annual 'Long Term Care Medicine' symposium

Dr. DeBacker lead the effort to implement electronic medical records at Lieberman Center, making it one of the first long-term care facilities in the Chicago area to adopt EMR. He was heavily involved in every stage of the process, and helped address the concerns of physicians and staff about the new system. He also created and implemented Quality of Life Rounds, an interdisciplinary intervention that focuses on residents with the most difficult clinical and/or behavioral issues, which has resulted in improving the quality of care for residents through thoughtful interventions and greater support for staff. In working with the research staff at CJE SeniorLife, he conceptualized quality of life for LTC residents and developed key indicators that were ultimately used for an assessment instrument. The results were accepted for publication in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.

Beyond CJE SeniorLife, Dr. DeBacker has also demonstrated leadership at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he has served as an acclaimed faculty member since 1982, winning their 2012 Outstanding Teacher Award in M2 Clinical Skills and a Department of Medicine Award for being ranked in the top 10% of medical school teachers in 2007. Most recently, he partnered with the university to create the Northwestern DeBacker Primary Care Education Imperative with the intent to produce more primary care physicians during a period of rising demand by exposing Northwestern’s medical students to the field in the classroom, various inpatient and outpatient settings, and the research laboratory.

In the community, he is a contributing writer on geriatric syndromes and diseases for The Leading Edge, a publication of Covenant Methodist Senior Services, a fellow at the American College of Physicians, and a member of the American Geriatrics Society and the Chicago Society of Internal Medicine. He is also a frequent speaker at various conferences, including AMDA’s annual meetings, where he has presented on Lieberman Center’s Quality of Life Rounds.

Upon receiving the award through AMDA President Karyn Leible, Dr. DeBacker said, “One of the most gratifying things in my career is witnessing the ascendency of our profession. AMDA has been a guiding light and will be even more important in the times to come.”

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CJE SeniorLife is an innovative provider of community-based and residential programs, and services for older adults throughout the Chicago area. Over the past 40 years, CJE’s wide range of services has grown to include assisted living, counseling and care management, long-term skilled nursing, Alzheimer’s care, home health, wellness programs and much more. CJE is a partner in serving the community, supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. For more information about CJE services, call 773/508-1000 or visit www.cje.net.

cialis price

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City of Chicago Treasurer Stephanie Neely

More than 80 business leaders explored the reasons behind the dearth of African Americans in Chicago business leadership positions and ways to solve the problem during a panel jointly hosted by AJC Chicago and the accounting firm Crowe Horwath.

The panel featured Gwendolyn Butler, President and COO, Capri Capital Partners; Billy Dexter, Partner at the executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles; Aylwin Lewis, President and CEO, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Inc.; and City of Chicago Treasurer Stephanie Neely. Shia Kapos, reporter and columnist at Crain’s Chicago Business, moderated the discussion. The event marked the first in a series to which AJC Chicago and Crowe have committed to continue exploring diversity hiring practices and bringing together business leaders from diverse communities.

The conversation at the Feb. 28 panel centered on obstacles African Americans encounter when seeking high-level positions in business—and the struggle is not limited to Chicago, the panelists agreed. Part of the problem is the education system and the lack of a mentorship pipeline, Lewis said.

“Education is the path to leadership,” he said. “Only 40 percent of African-American males graduate from high school. That has to change.”

Many panelists noted that such change can only happen when the conversation occurs at the CEO level. But the dearth of African-American CEOs in traditional

companies makes starting the conversion more difficult. That’s partially because African-American entrepreneurs and business specialists find that it is often easier, though not effortless, to start a business rather than try to climb an existing corporate ladder, Brooks said.

That statement drew parallels between Jewish business history and the African-American business reality today, AJC Chicago Board Member Beverly Huckman said after the panel. Huckman is Associate Vice President, Equal Opportunity, at Rush University Medical Center.

In fact, the subject of diversity hiring has been an AJC advocacy mainstay. In the 1950s and 60s, AJC conducted hallmark studies that highlighted ethnic barriers in the selection of executives, according to archival AJC documents. An AJC report from 1956, for example, pointed to an apparent pattern of discrimination against Jews in executive positions in 50 U.S. commercial banks. Over the years, AJC has advocated for Jews and other minority groups to be included in corporate recruiting efforts and encouraged banks and other businesses to implement other changes in personnel practices.

Panelists also said other communities’ successes can inspire the road ahead. Neely, who in September participated in an AJC Project Interchange trip to Israel, said she was inspired by the trip and especially the Israeli attitude toward venture capitalism and failure, which she asserted could be translated into building a better environment for African-American business leaders.

“It’s the ‘Start-Up Nation’ attitude. If you fail there, it means you’ve learned,” she said. “Here, failure means no one is going to invest in you anymore.”

AJC Chicago Board Member Gary Pines, who made the connection between AJC and Crowe and also recruited many of the attendees, said the panel brought back memories of “what my grandparents and parents told me about the barriers that Jews were facing in business.”

“After listening to the panelists,” he said, “there is no doubt that we have the opportunity to bring the African American and Jewish business communities together to help each other.”

The declaration states: “The need to transform the world’s energy economy while addressing global climate change is not only a religious and moral imperative, it is a strategy for security and survival.” The full declaration is at: http://www.coejl.org/jecc/declaration/.

“Each of us — as Jews, people of faith and Americans — has a personal responsibility to work toward lowering greenhouse-gas emissions and decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Rabbi Steve Gutow, COEJL co-chair, and president and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. “This responsibility starts in our hearts and from there we must care for our homes, places of worship and institutional buildings.”

COEJL Director Sybil Sanchez said, “The Jewish Energy Covenant Campaign commits our leadership to take concrete action on climate change and energy security. Reducing our energy use by 14% by 2014 is our first step toward the national goal of an 83% reduction of 2005 greenhouse gas levels by 2050.”

The year 2014 is the next ‘sabbatical’ or seventh year in the Jewish calendar, a traditional time to refrain from impacting the earth.

“Greening and sustainability are areas where the Jewish community has both an opportunity and an obligation to take a leadership role in the neighborhoods where Jewish institutions thrive,” said Stephen Hazan Arnoff, 14th Street Y executive director.

Since participating in the Jewish Greening Fellowship program, the Y has reduced energy usage with new systems and equipment, and adopted sustainable practices to reduce and reuse materials, especially in the Y’s theater, where the ceremony took place.

Among the 50 signers of the declaration are: Robert Barkin, president, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; Rabbi Yosef Blau, chair of Rabbinic Advisory Board, Canfei Nesharim; Rabbi Steve Gutow, president and CEO, Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Nancy Kaufman, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women; Karen Rubinstein, executive director, American Zionist Movement; Sybil Sanchez, director, Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life; Rabbi David Saperstein, director and counsel, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice president, The Rabbinical Assembly; Rabbi Arthur Waskow, executive director, the Shalom Center; Rabbi Steven Weil, executive vice president, Orthodox Union; and, Rabbi Steven Wernick, executive vice president and CEO, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

alt=”" width=”300″ height=”240″ />Inquiries for Business Reviews to the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois (BBB) jumped by over 16-percent in 2011, a sign consumers are taking the initiative to investigate companies before doing business with them.

“We are very pleased the BBB has become a greater resource for consumers who are following our advice to check out free BBB Business Reviews before signing a contract or making a purchase,” says Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicagoand Northern Illinois. “If consumers would consistently do this simple first step, there would be fewer upset and dissatisfied shoppers.”

The total number of inquiries fielded by the BBB in 2011 was

4,482,760, a marked increased over the 3,853,476 in 2010. Visits to the BBB website, www.bbb.org/chicago, increased by 40-percent.

“The reason for the inquiry increases,” explained Bernas, “is the intensive education campaign the BBB has sponsored through its use of billboards, radio, print, online advertising and public events.”

Complaints to the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois dropped by nearly 5,000 in 2011 compared to the 55,528 handled in 2010.

The top 10 types of businesses receiving complaints for northern Illinois in 2011 were: Department Stores, Financial Services, Insurance Companies, Auto Repair & Services, New Car Auto Dealers, Airlines, Collection Agencies, Retail Florists, Used Car Auto Dealers, and Restaurants.

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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.

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Kevin Willer of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center predicted Chicago's labor, university resources and capital would drive business growth.

Expect to see rapid change in Chicago’s business community in the coming year, as technology disrupts old industries.

“Think about what the Internet has done in the last 10 years,” said Matt McCall, partner at New World Ventures. It has created companies, while putting others out of business. “I also call it the venture capital employment act.”

Most of the entrepreneurs who made predictions and projections at the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center’s 2012 Startup Forecast event Wednesday morning were bullish about the coming year and said technology was likely to drive economic growth. “2012 will be the year Chicago gets noticed,” said Matt Spiegel, chief executive at TapMe, who predicted two more Chicago tech startups would issue Initial Public Offerings in the coming year.

With a plentiful labor pool, university resources and a growing network of startup investors, Chicago “holds the pieces” for sustainable business growth, said Kevin Willer, president and chief executive of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center. Unlike in the past when startup capital for new businesses was a rare find, Chicago now hosts angel networks and seed funds from local venture capital firms, Willer said. “You have a lot of people writing checks to help companies get off the ground,” he said.

Still, how many jobs will be created was less clear.

Increasingly, companies are using contingent labor to keep costs low as they figure out ways to turn a profit from businesses that often deliver information or networking at no cost to users. Even when they provide free access, many companies struggle to attract sufficient users as a proliferation of websites, apps, videos and games compete for consumers’ limited time.

Create value

“Free isn’t cheap enough,” said Howard Tullman, a serial entrepreneur who is president and chief executive of Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy in Chicago. “No one wins the race to the bottom.”

At the same time, free can work if the digital company can provide a compelling reason for people to become regular users, Tullman said.

Even when money isn’t exchanged, consumers make a deal with websites in the amount of personal information they’re willing to share. “I’ll give you more and more of my private information if you save me time, if you save me money,” Tullman said.

Hire problem-solvers

When building a team, entrepreneurs should look for problem-solvers and encourage them to practice devising solutions on and off the job, said Harper Reed, the former chief technology officer at Threadless, who is now working for the Obama campaign. When putting together an optimum team, he said, “Hire problem solvers. Fire non-problem solvers.” And don’t be afraid to prune

your staff to get rid of bad apples.

Cash isn’t the only incentive entrepreneurs can offer job candidates. While software engineers are in demand, many will accept a job at a startup because they relish the opportunity to make their marks. But to keep them, business owners have to trust their engineers and provide them a say in the company, instead of treating them like a resource, Reed said.

Entrepreneurs should give credit where credit is due, and celebrate successes along the way instead of dwelling on failures, Reed advised.

Build sensible businesses

Chicago has an advantage over other markets because of its “sense of sensibility” in building businesses, said Jim O’Connor, managing director of MVC Capital and co-chairman of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center’s board of directors. “This community you see built today is really additive and is going to build,” he said. “You’ll have some failures along the way, but we’ll have some really big successes. This is because this community works together.”

Read more at SmallBizChicago…

=”" width=”300″ height=”188″ />Despite facing another year of a difficult economy, the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago raised $78,773,343 in its just-concluded 2011 Annual Campaign, surpassing last year’s total of $78,604,927.

“There is no Jewish community in America quite like ours, and I’m ever so proud once again of what we have achieved,” said Steven B. Nasatir, President of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. “Our donors’ commitment to the JUF Annual Campaign, through thick and thin, is the reason for our community’s continued strength during these tough times.

“We owe a special debt of gratitude to our J-HELP contributors, those leaders and major donors who stepped to the plate and made supplemental gifts to ensure that community resources did not fall short, and that Jews in need would not suffer,” Nasatir said. “Hats off to Bill Silverstein for chairing this successful 2011 campaign, and to all my professional colleagues who, with the volunteers, ran a brilliant campaign on behalf of the Jewish people. They did all they could to make sure that primary needs would be met in our community and in Israel.”

The Annual Campaign provides the bulk of funding for the nearly 70 agencies and programs supported by JUF, one of the largest non-profit organizations in Illinois. It provides social welfare, education and relief services that serve 300,000 Jews and non-Jews throughout the Chicago area, and more than 2 million people in Israel and around the world.

Confronted with the third year of an economic recession, many non-profits across the country are struggling to continue providing services on the same level as before the downturn. Despite facing their own challenges, the Jewish people of Chicago once again responded to the needs of their neighbors.

“We are deeply grateful to every JUF donor,” said Campaign Chair Bill Silverstein. “This community demonstrated what Jewish peoplehood is all about. In the face of another very challenging year, our donors showed their commitment to collective responsibility and the tenet that all Jews are responsible for one another. I am truly humbled by how community members dug deep and put their trust in JUF.”

In 2011, JUF-supported agencies provided critical resources to families and individuals in the Chicago area. 2,922 families received nearly $3 million in emergency cash grants for housing, medicine and other necessities, a 28 percent increase from 2010; 14,435 impoverished Jews were provided free or highly subsidized healthcare; 44,000 were served hot meals, groceries and home-delivered meals; and 1,489 unemployed professionals were helped to secure employment, 22 percent more than the previous year.

In addition, JUF agencies have continued to assist families that pay for Jewish educational and recreational programming; led pro-Israel programming and increased advocacy on college campuses; advanced understanding of Israel in the greater community; and helped send thousands of young adults to Israel. They also have been on the front lines in meeting the critical needs of Israel’s poorest residents, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and Jews in nations all over the globe.

As community needs rise, so do the challenges to address them adequately.

“If ever there was a year when every dollar counted, this was it,” said Skip Schrayer, JUF/Federation Chairman of the Board. “Our agencies are valiantly struggling to serve more people with fewer resources, and JUF will gratefully put those contributions to work helping those in need in Chicago, in Israel, and around the world.”

“Our volunteers are a true inspiration,” said Jeffrey Cohen, Senior Vice President, Financial Resource Development. “None of this year’s success would have been possible without each and every one of them, beginning with the extraordinary leadership of General Campaign Chairman Bill Silverstein. We also got a huge boost thanks to our tireless Year-End Chairs, Wendy Abrams and Andy Lappin.”

“We wouldn’t have made it this far without every division and every congregation,” added Campaign Vice President Beth Cherner. “We are thankful to every volunteer who rolled up his or her sleeves and pitched in to help, from participating in a phonothon to serving on an event committee. While 2011 continued to be challenging, our donors, lay leadership and professional staff worked tirelessly to raise the dollars that are critical to meet the needs of our community.”

Every division of JUF played an integral role in raising money for the Annual Campaign. Every event, every phone call and every donation contributed to the overall success of the Campaign.

Two of the earliest events of the Campaign year provided a strong start to the 2011 effort. The Advance and Major Gifts event, which featured then-Mayor Richard M. Daley, raised $28.7 million, including $5.7 million for the J-HELP initiative aiding those hit hardest by the economic downturn. The annual Vanguard Dinner, starring The Tonight Show host Jay Leno, drew more than 700 people and raised $2.7 million.

YOUNG LEADERSHIP DIVISION
In 2011, JUF’s Young Leadership Division connected thousands of young Jewish people to JUF through a variety of programming. Over the year, YLD raised $2.4 million from 4,165 contributors-up more than 400

gifts from the previous year. Kicking off YLD’s 2011 Annual Campaign was the Big Event with Sarah Silverman, which broke all records with more than 1,500 attendees, and raised $460,000. Thirty-six YLD participants traveled on the 2011 National Young Leadership Trip to Israel in July. YLD also offered young professionals opportunities to make professional and personal connections and make a difference in the community. Programming included volunteer opportunities, Shabbat gatherings, social parties and professional networking events.

WOMEN’S DIVISION
The JUF Women’s Division showed the strength of women’s philanthropy by raising more than $12.4 million for the 2011 Campaign, including almost $1.8 million raised by the Young Women’s Board.

The 2011 campaign was launched with the annual Lion Luncheon, featuring the Honorable Cory Booker, Mayor, Newark, N.J. The 275 women in attendance demonstrated their dedication to helping the community by raising nearly $3.2 million. Ann-Louise Kleper was honored as the Kipnis Wilson-Friedland Award recipient for her many years of involvement with Federation.

At the largest community-wide event for women, more than 580 came to the Swissotel Chicago on May 18 to hear guest speaker Campbell Brown, award-winning journalist and veteran broadcaster. The event raised more than $549,587, which included $34,670 for the Women’s Division Holocaust Community Services J-HELP project.

Women’s Board also presented several “Connections” programs throughout the city and the suburbs. The North/Northwest program that took place at Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim featured the program Secrets of Remarkable Jewish Women, in which female Chicago entrepreneurs spoke about what they have achieved in their personal, professional and Jewish lives. Phyllis Tabachnick, a Managing Partner at JPMorgan Securities, Rachel Durcshlag, Executive Director of Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, and Linda Pressman, blogger and author of Looking Up: A Memoir of Sisters, Skokie and Survival, spoke to approximately 250 women.

The Young Women’s Board kicked off its 2011 Campaign with Hatikvah 2011: Bringing Hope to Others, which raised more than $45,000 from 45 women. The event featured Dr. Daniel Gordis, who engaged attendees in a conversation about raising awareness of the realities Israel faces and what we can do here in Chicago to make a difference. In addition, the Young Women’s Board held Pillars 2011: Building Strong Communities, which featured child actress and reality-TV star Kyle Richards of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” She spoke about her conversion to Judaism and the passion she now has for Jewish culture. With more than 75 women in attendance, the event raised more than $55,000.

The Young Women’s Board continued its success with the annual Day School Insights program. The 2011 program featured professional organizer Riv Lynch, owner of the professional organizing company Sacred Spaces: A Space That Works, A Space You Love, who educated attendees with invaluable information on de-cluttering and organizing their homes. Day School Insights 2011 brought in more than 80 women representing seven day schools.

In addition, a new outreach event entitled Pre-School Insights also proved successful. The inaugural program, entitled “Never Order from the Kids Menu,” featured guest speaker Lara Field, founder of FEED (Forming Early Eating Decisions), a private pediatric nutrition counseling business, who explained how to prepare healthy and tasty meals for you and your children. More than 55 women filled the home of Young Women’s Board member Karen Budin for this event. The Young Women’s Board also held educational outreach programs in the north and northwest suburbs, and continued its leadership development program.

TRADES, INDUSTRIES & PROFESSIONS
More than 4,500 people attended four Trades, Industries & Professions (TIP) Annual events, raising more than $1.8 million from 1,600 gifts. Remarkably, more than 400—25 percent—of those gifts were from first-time givers to JUF. They were treated to a line-up of guest speakers that included Head Men’s Basketball Coach of Duke University and Team USA, Coach Mike Kryzewski; NFL Player, Commentator, & coach of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka; authors of the best-selling books, Freakonmics andSuperFreaknomics, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner; and a discussion on “Israel & the Changing Dynamics of the Middle East,” moderated by MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and featuring panelists Col. Miri Eisen (ret), former Assistant to Israel’s Director of Military Intelligence, and Dan Gillerman, former Israeli Ambassador to the UN.

CONGREGATIONS & COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN
Thirty-two congregations participated in JUF events for the 2011 Campaign. More than 2,400 attended the events, which hosted such speakers as Linda Gradstein, NPR; Jeffrey Goldberg, Alantic Monthly; Bret Stephens, The Wall Street Journal; Rabbi Joseph Telushkin; Eli Rekhess, Crown Visiting Chair, Northwestern University; Middle East analyst Micah Halpern; and authors Ariel Sabar, Michael Dzikansky and Thanasis Cambanis.

Overall, the Congregations & Community Campaign raised $5.9 million from 6,065 donors.

PHONOTHONS
JUF held four major community phonothons throughout 2011, raising $2.5 million. More than 800 volunteers, throughout Chicago and the suburbs, spent hundreds of hours reaching out to JUF donors to ask their support for the Annual Campaign.

MISSIONS
During the year, JUF sent some 500 Chicagoans to Israel through family, community and VIP missions, producing $1 million for the 2011 JUF Annual Campaign. Missions provide members of the community with a powerful glimpse into JUF-funded humanitarian work on the ground in Israel and other countries.

ISRAEL SOLIDARITY DAY
The 2011 Israel Solidarity Day featuring the Walk with Israel was held Sunday, May 22, in Skokie/Lincolnwood/Rogers Park/Peterson Park, and Sunday, June 5, in the City, North Suburbs, Northwest Suburbs, South Suburbs, Near West Suburbs and West Suburbs. Collectively, more than 8,000 Chicagoland residents came out to celebrate this event, which annually marks Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. The community-wide, family friendly event featured the Walk with Israel (a three-mile walkathon to raise funds for Israel), plus food and festivities for all ages. All dollars raised through the 2011 Israel Solidarity Day equipped Israeli children with school supplies for the 2011 academic year.

Read more at JUF News…

Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of philanthropic organizations, has given the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago its highest rating, “4 Stars – Exceptional.”

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While early projections for IPOs in 2012 aren’t promising, Lee Graul of BDO USA points out that investor confidence can change quickly.

The bull IPO market that many were predicting a year ago might take a bit longer to materialize.

While Groupon made headlines when it raised about $800 million in a November public offering that valued the company at $10 billion, making it the largest initial public offering by a U.S. Internet company in years, the U.S. market for public offerings in 2011 fell short of most experts’ predictions. In Chicago, four companies went public in 2011, even with 2010, and nine have plans for offerings in 2012, Crain’s Chicago Business reported Jan. 2.

Nationwide and globally, however, the number of IPOs fell in 2011 from 2010, Crain’s said. The European debt crisis, coupled with high domestic unemployment and slow economic growth, contributed to ongoing uncertainty, said Lee Graul, partner at BDO USA in Chicago. And the latest BDO IPO Outlook survey, conducted in early December, indicates bankers’ confidence has yet to rebound.

A bearish forecast

About half of investment bankers surveyed were predicting an increase in U.S. IPOs in 2012, compared with 72 percent who predicted an increase a year ago. About 35 percent said the market would be flat in 2012 and 15 percent predicted a decrease in offerings.

Most pegged the average size of initial public offerings at $291 million, up slightly from the average of $268 million projected a year ago, and significantly larger than typical IPOs in other economic periods.

Companies going public on U.S. exchanges in 2012 are likely to be backed by private equity or venture capital, as they were in 2011, Graul said. “We’ve found private equity and venture capital were the main sources of the transactions for the third consecutive year,” he said. More than 40 percent of IPOs are expected to come from private equity portfolios in 2012, followed by 20 percent from venture capital portfolios, the study said.

Waiting out the economy

Many venture capital investors have been waiting out the economy and holding on to portfolio companies longer than usual, resulting in more mature companies going public. “[The investors] haven’t been able to get their money out of their investments since 2008 or 2009,” Graul said. To the extent that venture capital and private equity investors are able to sell portfolio companies through IPOs this year, they will have more capital to invest in new ventures, he said.

Despite the study’s bearish forecast, Graul pointed

out that the stock market picked up during the last two weeks of 2011 and could lift investor confidence in 2012. ”Things change quickly on Wall Street. It’s all psychology,” he said.

What it takes

Companies likely to find success on the public markets will be able to show long-term growth potential, stable cash flow and profitability, the study said.

Technology, energy and health-care businesses are most likely to find success through U.S. IPOs, the study said. But even those sectors experienced a decrease in confidence in the survey, with 73 percent of bankers projecting an increase in technology IPOs in 2012, down from 87 percent who forecast an increase when asked a year ago. Bankers showed increased confidence in only the media/telecom sector, where 39 percent are forecasting an increase in IPOs in 2012 compared with 35 percent who were bullish on the sector a year ago.

Foreign markets beckon

Smaller firms wishing to go public in 2012 might consider exploring foreign exchanges, which can be more accessible to startups, Graul said. “There is an opportunity for people to look offshore for funds these days,” due to the lower cost of capital and less regulation, he said.

Firms that can’t generate interest on U.S. exchanges or that flinch at the compliance requirements in the United States might find foreign exchanges more appealing. Exchanges in Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada “have been more receptive to offerings,” he said.

At the same time, the U.S. exchanges generally command a higher share price. “You might be able to raise more money doing a U.S. offering than in these other markets,” Graul said.

Read more at SmallBizChicago…

x200.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”200″ />Keshet will host its Pearl Anniversary Rainbow Banquet celebration celebrating 30 years of service to the community on February 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Chicago Hilton & Towers. Entertainment will be provided by Grammy Award-nominated recording artist Neil Sedaka, and all proceeds will benefit Keshet’s educational scholarships, vocational training and recreational programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.

For 30 years, Keshet has successfully integrated individuals with developmental disabilities into their communities in positive ways. This celebration will honor those in the community who have provided great support for the organization. This year’s guests of honor are Scott and Debbie Rudin. Also being recognized for their contribution are Martin Samber and Designs for Dignity. Scheduled celebrity appearances at the event include Gabe Carimi of the Chicago Bears, along with a number of additional sports celebrities.

“Keshet has provided so many opportunities for our son, as well as other children and young adults in the community,” said Scott and Debbie Rudin. “The gamut of services that Keshet provides truly embraces each family’s individual needs.”

Keshet’s Pearl Anniversary Rainbow Banquet will take place on Sunday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Chicago Hilton & Towers, 720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, Ill. Individual tickets to the banquet are $300. To purchase tickets or to receive more information, please call 847-205-1234 or visit www.keshet.org.

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About Keshet
Keshet: A Rainbow of Hope for Children and Adults with Special Needs is a nationally recognized, state-of-the-art 501 (c)(3) organization, providing community-based educational, recreational, and vocational programs for children, teens and young adults with varying and multiple developmental disabilities. Keshet’s goal is to enable children with disabilities to participate as fully as possible in the mainstream of community life.

a>“In all realms of life, it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential. It’s no different in the financial realm.” – Suze Orman

“I’ve found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well.” – Alan Greenspan

“I want nothing that doesn’t belong to me, but I want everything that does.” – Moshe Klein

It’s a new year and in my opinion, it’s a good time to remind ourselves as small business owners how important it is to manage and grow our businesses, both with financial and moral integrity. Here are some thoughts that might be worth mulling over at this time.

Keep commitments. Contracts keep both parties honest, and each project has its own contract provisions that require a keen awareness of the project’s demands. But that is insufficient. To be ethical in keeping commitments means that our businesses had to develop the reputation in the past that we kept our word. A promise made must be a promise kept, though it’s an old cliché, it’s essential in succeeding in business.

Be honest in business dealings. Honesty is an essential part of integrity. Let me share something that has guided me over the years. It originates with Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian leader who helped India gain its independence from England through nonviolent means. He said, “There is one honest man for every hundred that claim to be honest.” The point of this maxim is that most of us know what is right, but few of us actually put it into practice. In being honest, we should not only avoid the sins of commission, but also sins of omission. I have to remind myself that not telling the client everything is not being totally honest.

Honor the Sabbath. It is customary in the accounting business to work 18 hour days, seven days a week. Sundays (the Christian Sabbath) are now workdays in many places. Sometimes it is very challenging for my firm not to work on Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath). In my own mind, I have substituted 24–7 with 35–6. By working six days and honoring the Sabbath, somehow our productivity and outcome are multiplied. When I do the right things, my watch gives me 35 hours. When I goof off, I don’t even get 24 hours. But the gift of time, as I call it, is real to

me when I keep the Sabbath day holy.

Knowing what is right, what is expected of us, and what to do is not difficult. The challenge is to put into practice what we know. I wish you all much happiness and prosperity in the year ahead and always.

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.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”225″ />Is it a Crime to bring more skill to the table than required?

Why Punishment for being “overqualified”?

EMPLOYEE

Regardless of what you do professionally, the current economic climate affects us all. During these turbulent times, anyone generating an income is fortunate. The number of unemployed is problematic, but the number of people underemployed is becoming an equally serious problem. Being underemployed means the inability to find full time work in a chosen field, accepting a substantially lower salary, or taking a position without benefits. Here’s how to cope:

• If you’re not happy with your salary, or want more of a challenge, make yourself more of an asset to the company – find ways to get the company to recognize the additional skill you bring to the table – excel in your work and ask for extra assignments.
• After a reasonable amount of time, request consideration for a position where your skill set can be better utilized and appreciated.
• As a result of doing your work faster, use any extra time you have to network. Talk to people in other departments and foster relationships that might prove to be valuable in the future.
• People who experience underemployment often feel desperate to change jobs – be
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  careful! Hiring managers can sense desperation. Accepting any offer that may come your way without fully considering the pros and cons can lead to another ill-suited position.

• Convincing a hiring manager you are a strong fit for a more senior position can be difficult when underemployed. Show your dedication, passion and work ethic by keeping current in your industry – attend classes or conferences, network, etc. Check all the benefits your company might offer, including continuing professional development training.

HIRING MANAGER

Today’s hiring manager shares celebrity status. After all, everyone’s trying to be noticed by someone who can offer a job worthy of their experience and skills. However, employers rarely hire the overqualified candidate; these individuals are often overlooked for being more skilled.

Employees should be recognized for his/her value, regardless of the position. The underemployed person has been hired to do a job, and if the job can be accomplished in less time with greater results, where is the downfall?

If an underemployed worker demonstrates additional skill that can be utilized – take advantage, but in a fair and ethical way. This additional skill should be positively acknowledged, along with compensation negotiation.

The hiring manager knows when someone is overqualified. If the decision is made to hire this individual, check in with this employee periodically. Perhaps things have changed – maybe this overqualified, underemployed employee can be transferred to another position or given more responsibility.

All of us should be respected for what we bring to the professional table. Everyone faces personal, financial challenges at some point, from depleting savings for a crisis to helping a sick family member to age discrimination. These few scenarios may force us to become underemployed. Stop punishing those of us who do what we have to for survival sake. Underemployment will most likely happen to most of us as a result of today’s economic instability – even hiring managers.

Andrea Storz owns a successful job counseling business, teaching clients how to create a more productive job search. 847-917-4141.

How will Chicago-area small businesses fare in 2012? Will the flagging economy

continue to affect financial performance? JewishBusiness News reporter Karen Schwartz asked some prominent Jewish Chicagoans what they foresee in the coming year.

Lou Lang, State Representative, Illinois House of Representatives

Lou Lang has represented the 16th District since 1987. He was appointed to the Illinois

House in 1987 by the Niles Township Democratic organization to fill a vacancy when

Lang mentor, representative Alan Greiman, became a judge. He serves as Deputy Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives.

What is the outlook for Illinois small businesses in 2012?

For two years, I chaired a job creation task group and we traveled the state seeking jobs for individuals. We have to put people to work, expand job opportunities and cut through red tape to encourage entrepreneurship. Small businesses are the backbone of

our economy. We also have to provide money for people to start businesses, whether it’s through loans or grants. There are people out there who just need a little financial support to hire other people.

What impact will the upcoming elections have on small businesses?

Every election has an impact, but it’s difficult to predict how the business climate will be different in 2012. We should look for political leaders who are willing to invest in the economy and grow the economy. I am a pro-business growth Democrat. The

government of the state of Illinois needs to do whatever it can to support small business.

Nancy Rodkin Rotering, Mayor of Highland Park

Elected mayor in April, 2011, Nancy Rodkin Rotering served on the Highland Park City Council from April, 2009 until her mayoral election, as well as on the city’s planning and environment commissions. A Highland Park native, Mayor Rotering earned her

B.A. in economics from Stanford University, an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and a law degree from the University of Chicago.

Is 2012 a good time to open a small business in Highland Park?

We have a very inviting and nurturing business climate in Highland Park. One of our greatest priorities in 2012 will be attracting new businesses to Highland Park as well as helping our existing small businesses grow. This business development effort is being

coordinated with the city’s Business and Economic Development Commission, Highland Park Downtown Business Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce, the Highland Park Retail Merchants Association, and a group of business district alliances, including the Ravinia Business District Alliance and the Briergate Business Alliance. We’ve had some new stores open, including new gelato stores, ArrivaDolce, and Frost and Charming Charlie, in the old Border’s as well as two new restaurants, Benjamin and M. We have a lot of other prospects for new stores.

Is there legislation that will affect small businesses in Highland Park?

Illinois is faced with financial challenges and is starting to shift funds. It affects Highland Park because our resources are diminished. On January 1, the PRPP (personal property replacement tax) will cut our budget by tens of thousands of dollars as the state squeezes us financially, and it makes it more challenging to sustain the things we need to do to support our businesses.

What else is happening in Highland Park that affects the business community?

Highland Park has a new Facebook page, and I send out regular e-mails to residents and businesses. In addition, we’re going to be working with IDOT to get new signage so people can easily find the nine business districts in Highland Park.

Marc S. Schulman, President of Eli’s Cheesecake

Eli’s Cheesecake World is a 62,000 square-foot state-of-the-art bakery, visitor’s center, retail store, dessert café, and corporate headquarters located on the northwest side of Chicago.

Do you think Mayor Emanuel’s election has helped small businesses in Chicago?

Chicago is definitely a good place to do business. We were grateful for Mayor Daley’s support and look forward to the support Mayor Emanuel will provide. He clearly understands us and has put a big priority on job creation. Since Rahm Emanuel took office, we’ve been promoting internally, and hiring new people from the neighborhood from Wright College, putting people into entry-level jobs. We’ve also hired refugees, and more people with disabilities.

Has any legislation helped you as a business owner?

On the national level, there were tax benefits in 2011 that helped us buy some equipment. It’s a great time of opportunity for small businesses, though capital may be hard to come by in an environment like this. But family businesses are critical to our economy

and work hard to make sure they survive in these tough economic times.

Dr. Steven. B. Nasatir, president of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

Dr. Steven B. Nasatir is a graduate of the University of Illinois, has a M.A. degree from Roosevelt University and a Ph.D from Northwestern University, and has traveled the world in his commitment to the Jewish and humanitarian causes. In 2011, he

received the Julius Rosenwald award, the highest award presented annually by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

There are many Jews in the Chicago area who are hurting financially. Are you hopeful that 2012 will bring about an improvement in the economy that will help more small businesses prosper?

Hopeful, yes, but for that to happen, I would be pleasantly surprised from what I see happening in the community. The Federation assisted 45,000 Jews for the fiscal year ending June 30. This economy is so severe, and I don’t see any reason to believe that

this coming year, things will be back to normal. People are asking for more financial assistance, jobs…the impact of this recession is very deep.

Is there anything you’d like to bring to people’s attention?

People might be surprised to find out the number of Jews they know who are unemployed and going through tough times. We know from talking to rabbis that they’re overwhelmed with these types of requests. It would be great if people were a bit more sensitive to the challenges that their friends and neighbors face. The tail on this economic downturn is going to be long, and when the economy picks up, there will be folks whose lives are going to be different and their retirements are going to be different.

Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congresswoman

Jan Schakowsky was elected to represent Illinois’ 9th Congressional District in 1998, after serving for eight years in the Illinois State Assembly. In her seventh term, Schakowsky serves in the House Democratic leadership as Chief Deputy Whip and is a member of the Steering and Policy Committee as well as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where she serves on the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

How is national legislation affecting Chicago-area small business owners?

In the 111th Congress, 16 tax cuts were passed into law affecting small business owners, and the White House released in the spring its small business agenda on how to help small businesses. In addition, the Democratic leadership has been having small business

events featuring speakers from federal agencies to help small businesses learn about getting capital. There is free equipment from the GSA (General Services Administration) that small businesses need to know about, and small businesses can get into the export business if they have the know-how to do so.

What would you say about the small business climate for 2012?

We’re going to have a debate about extending the payroll tax, which applies to employees and employers and affects small businesses. We need a strong advertising campaign encouraging people to shop at small businesses. There are so many advantages: they’re in your neighborhood, you can have a real relationship with them, and you know you’re going to get quality work. The Democratic Caucus had a hearing recently on small businesses with speakers who talked about just how important small businesses are to the local communities.

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//thejewishbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/247550_179379742115403_118499118203466_390365_7737791_a.jpg” alt=”" width=”180″ height=”120″ />Come meet with business professionals and small business owners for networking.

This was the first post. Shalom Klein expected only 20 people at his initial networking event in June of 2010. Instead, 75 people showed up. From these humble beginnings has grown a vast organization of business professionals and small business owners. As a grass roots organization, Jewish Business to Business Networking, has taken off like wildfire.

“The outcome was great,” Klein said. “People were already doing business with people they met that day.”

As Jewish B2B looks back on the past year, we can do so with great pride. Our growing organization now boasts over 15,000 members in our directory, networking events are held in Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit and web, tele-seminars as well as employment clinics are offered as community outreach. The website, www.JewishB2B.org, allows members to register for events, create a directory profile, search for jobs and post blogs. Jewish Business News, now publishing quarterly, reaches more than 15,000 people each issue. But most important, Jewish B2B has helped over 100 people get jobs!

Shalom Klein believes in making connections

Networking is Shalom’s passion and he has taken it to an art.

“I believe we’ve tapped into the small business community,” Klein said. His events attract a diverse crowd, about 80 percent looking to connect business to business, and about 20 percent looking for jobs.

“The goal is stimulating the Jewish small business community by encouraging people to do business with each other and create new business opportunities,” he said.

Because of Shalom’s involvement on the executive committee of Jewish Vocational Service, Jewish B2B Networking has also been working with JVS and other organizations on joint programming. This effort has resulted in a series of Employment Clinics Seminars for those job hunting.

Yes, Shalom has a day job. He serves as Vice President of MK&A and MKA Receivables, handling small business collections.

Jewish B2B Hosts Monumental Networking Event

To keep the momentum going, Jewish B2B held “The Business Event,” a free business and employment expo last August, which attracted almost 3,000 attendees. Also in attendance were U.S. Congressman Robert Dold, U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Representatives Lou Lang & Daniel Biss and Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen.

Next year’s expo is scheduled for June 14, 2012 at the Lincolnwood Town Center. Check out www.thebusinessevent.com for details and registration information

JB2B Helps Create New Opportunities for Job Seekers

Utilizing speed networking and other networking formats, Jewish B2B events make meaningful connections for those looking for employment.

Deb Weiner had just moved back to Chicago when she heard about JB2’s speed networking event downtown. Looking for a job in the non-profit sector, Deb attended and met Susan Levin-Abir from Keshet, who was impressed with Deb’s enthusiasm and background. Keshet was looking to fill a new position for a marketing and community outreach manager. Deb had several interviews and was subsequently hired. “Because Jewish B2B created these kind of events, I had an opportunity to meet face-to-face with people who were hiring. It was great to network within the Jewish community.”

After more than 20 years in the asset recovery business, Steven Schwartz was looking for new opportunities. He came to several JB2B networking events and met Pete Fenner, AAA Midwest Recruiter, who talked to him about opening an independent AAA office. This appealed to Steve because it would give him an opportunity to offer customers both AAA membership services as well as auto, home and life insurance. Now that his office is opening this month in Skokie, Steve also uses the Job Board on the Jewish B2B website to recruit his own staff.

“I’ve met so many new people through Jewish B2B Networking and reconnected with others, said Steve. “It’s a magnificent organization.”

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5″ />State:

The SBAC continues to aggressively push for policies that will benefit small and mid-market businesses. With over 400 businesses and professionals in the organization, we have discovered through the power of critical mass, these businesses can have a very loud voice. During the last legislative session, the SBAC drafted the Small Business Contracts Act (HB 3186), a law which mandates that all state agencies establish a goal of awarding 10% of their procurement contracts to small businesses. That bill was passed and signed into law by Governor Quinn and has now moved into the implementation stage.

State Representative La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago), Chairman of the Small Business Committee of the Illinois House, recently convened a hearing that brought all state agency procurement chairs to the table. With only 2% of state procurement contracts currently going to small businesses, the dialogue centered on the agencies’ plans to meet the 10% requirement goals.

Health insurance continues to be a driving force in our advocacy efforts. Currently, only 31% of business owners with 10 or fewer employees can provide insurance to their employees. The cost of health insurance is impacting our economic growth. As business owners, it can be the X-factor which sways a company away from hiring.

The SBAC Health Care Committee along with other dedicated business organizations, including Jewish B2B, have formed a strong coalition in support of HB 3236, the Health Benefit Purchasing Co-op Bill. This legislation would enable small businesses to create their own non-profit health insurance co-ops, which would be operated, and governed by, advocates and representatives of the business owners, and employees, enrolled in the co-operatives. Small business owners would finally have the opportunity to stabilize, and eventually bring down, the costs of health insurance. The SBAC is determined to push for and get HB 3236 passed in this coming legislative session.

Federal: Payroll tax extension

Many lawmakers from both parties agree that Congress should extend the 2 percentage point cut in the payroll tax. The partisan conflict now lies on how to cover the cost. The payroll tax cut extension will cost $185 billion in lost government revenue. The latest Democratic plan calls for a 1.9% surtax on income over $1 million, as well as other provisions to cover the cost. Republicans oppose the plan because they say it will increase the tax burden on small-business owners, a contention the White House rejects as false.

Although economists disagree about the stimulus effect of the tax cut, at a time when folks are struggling, the tax cut is hugely popular among voters. Failure to pass a measure would mean a larger tax burden for Americans in 2012 — $1,000 on a family earning $50,000. Hence, politicians run the risk of being hammered in the polls if it expires.

The clock continues to tick and the pressure is increasing to reach an agreement or face the public wrath over higher taxes in the coming year. Senator Dan Coats, an Indiana Republican, said the chamber will “eventually pass” an extension. “Both sides are committed to passing this, so in the end there will be some different mix of cost

offsets agreed to,” he said.

By Blanca Campos, Vice President

Small Business Advocacy Council

Over the past two years, I’ve spent many hours at event s hosted by various organizations, businesses, and chambers of commerce – many of them that have a specific ethnic or other agenda-driven focus. In fact, it amazes me how divided

people are depending on where

they live, their level of observance, and of course their political beliefs. BUT… the one issue that unites people from all walks of life, regardless of all their differences is the need to earn a living and put food on the table. I was taught as a child, that the highest form of charity (or “tzedakah” in Hebrew) is helping someone earn their own livelihood.

In this quarter’s issue of JBN, Karen Schwartz talks to some of the Jewish business, media, and elected leadership that make a major difference in our community on a daily basis. Their backgrounds, path to their respective positions, and inspiration are fascinating stories, but the common thread is their commitment to helping and giving back, each in their own way. There are certainly many more that deserve the exposure and recognition, we were only able to fit and reach a small sampling.

As always, we want to hear about your story, feedback, inspiration, and other comments. If you would like to be featured in an upcoming issue of Jewish Business News, contact Editor Mira Temkin at mt@thejewishbusiness.com

To Success,

Shalom Klein

y-300×264.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”264″ />JVS Chicago, an interagency of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, announced today educational scholarship funds received by grants from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation. Administered by JVS Chicago, more than $500,000 in scholarships is available for full-time Jewish college and graduate students who currently or previously resided in Chicago with financial needs and who are pursuing careers in the helping professions. Deadline for application is February 15, 2012.

In addition, through the generosity of the Kovler family, two scholarships will be awarded to high school graduating seniors. Each student will receive $10,000 toward a four-year undergraduate program. Students must live in Chicago, have financial need, and earn a minimum of a B average academically. Math and business majors are preferred. Deadline for application is March 1, 2012.

For eligibility requirements and application forms call 312-673-3444 or go to www.jvschicago.org/scholarship.

ABOUT JVS

For over 125 years, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) has provided entrepreneurial support services, job development and placement, career counseling and networking, and customized skills training and rehabilitation to help all people realize their full potential. The agency is an affiliate of and receives

support from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and other public and private funding. To learn more about JVS Chicago, visit www.jvschicago.org.

# # #

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A beloved scene from the movie dramatized on stage. Photo credit: Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Back in September, when young Jewish composer and lyricist Benj Pasek was touring Seattle with his show A Christmas Story, The Musical! -which comes to Chicago in December-he attended Yom Kippur services. After all, said Pasek, he always goes to synagogue on Yom Kippur-and his mom would have been furious if he hadn’t. Then, after shul, Pasek wrote Christmas jingles for the show.

His two Yom Kippur activities seem paradoxical, yet Pasek joins a long history of Jews writing Christmas music. There’s Irving Berlin’s ‘”White Christmas;” Mel Torme’s “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire;” and Jerry Herman’s “We Need a Little Christmas.” Apparently, we Jews do need a little Christmas too.

There’s something anthropological about looking in at Christmas from the outside, according to Pasek. “We have a longstanding tradition of Jews who wrote Christmas songs,” said Pasek, who lives in New York. “There is something about looking in on a culture in a way that being Jewish on Christmas allows you to do. You observe what people love about it.”

A Christmas Story, The Musical!, a new musical based on the holiday movie classic, plays the Chicago Theatre just in time for the holidays-Chanukah and that other little December holiday you may have heard of-from Wednesday, Dec. 14 to Friday, Dec. 30.

I watch the film version of the A Christmas Story on a continual loop on cable every Christmas as many of you probably do-after all, what else is there for a Jew to do on Christmas before going out for Chinese food?

The 1983 film comedy-and now the musical-are based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shephard. The plot centers around young, bespectacled Ralphie Parker’s Rockwellian existence in 1940s Indiana as he schemes his way toward his ideal holiday gift-a Red Ryder Action Air Rifle BB Gun. Yet, the adults in his life burst his bubble with repeated warnings that “You’ll shoot your eye out.” Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie in the film, is among the producers of the new musical, while Joseph Robinette wrote the script, John Rando directs, and Warren Carlyle choreographs the show.

Pasek talks about the process of adapting a film into a musical. “Usually, in musicals, the biggest emotional high points are the ones you want to sing,” said Pasek, who is half of a composer/lyricst team with his friend and

fellow 2007 University of Michigan grad, Justin Paul. “It’s expanding the little moments from the movie and making them bigger and broader.”

Fans of the movie will be happy to watch beloved elements of the film come alive in the stage version of the story including: a department store Santa, played by Jewish Chicago actor Adam Pelty; a double-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole; a dancing leg lamp with backup leg lamp dancers; and some very obnoxious pink bunny PJs Ralphie was forced to wear in childhood.

Pasek’s real-life childhood was very Jewish. He was raised in what he calls a “Conservative Reconstructionist” Jewish Philadelphia home, where his family kept kosher and he attended Hebrew school. When he moved to Manhattan, one of his first jobs was teaching Hebrew school. Eventually, he made his way into the theater business-and has found success at it too. He and Paul were named the youngest winners of the Jonathan Larson Award and listed as part of the “50 to Watch” up-and-coming writers by The Dramatist Magazine.

Now, preparing for the new musical, Pasek says Jews will enjoy the show as much as non-Jews. “A Christmas Story transcends religion in a way that it’s just part of American popular culture,” he said. “…It’s not just a Christian thing-it’s the same way my family bickers about Chanukah. It feels very universal.”

For ticket information, visit The Chicago Theatre box office, visitwww.thechicagotheatre.com, or call 1 (800) 745-3000.

Read more at JUF News…

alt=”" width=”214″ height=”300″ />Stewart Flink, founder and managing member of Chicago-based hedge fund Next View Capital, has been elected to the board of directors of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU). He was also appointed to its endowment fund investment committee.

“Stewart’s enthusiasm, innovative energy and keen insight are wonderful leadership traits,” said Alex Goren, president of AABGU. “I have no doubt that he will make a great addition to our board, and his vast finance experience is a real asset for our investment committee.”

Flink was tapped to teach a course on investing in the MBA Honors Program at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in summer 2012. He has experience in money management and has been running hedge funds for over a decade. He will focus on different types of investment strategies, risk management, hedging techniques, and entrepreneurship with respect to investment management. The goal is to provide students with real world examples that Flink has lived through personally and help them identify solutions to future situations that might occur.

“This is an exciting opportunity to share what I have learned in my 30-plus years of finance and investing, as well as give students the background to create employment opportunities for themselves both in Israel and abroad.” Flink explains.

“Educating the future business leaders in Israel is an opportunity that I felt compelled to accept, and when I visited the University last February, I was duly impressed with the caliber of students, faculty and administration. And now, it’s a real honor to be serving the institution even more by becoming of member of AABGU’s national board.”

Flink has presented before many groups, including universities, accounting firms and peer groups on portfolio construction, as well as how to protect assets in declining environments. He has published numerous articles on hedge funds, published monthly newsletters and written a chapter on hedge funds in PIPEs: A Guide to Private Investments in Public Equity published by Bloomberg.

Stewart and his wife Jennifer are one of the founding couples of the Chicagoland and Jewish High School where he also started the school’s endowment fund. He is an active member of AABGU’s Great Lakes Region, and is also involved with the Midwest Friends of the IDF.

Flink earned an M.B.A. from

the Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1983 and a B.A. from Vanderbilt University in economics and psychology in 1978. He has four children, all of whom are fluent in Hebrew.

About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion’s vision, creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University’s expertise locally and around the globe. With some 20,000 students on campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sede Boqer and Eilat in Israel’s southern desert, BGU is a university with a conscience, where the highest academic standards are integrated with community involvement, committed to sustainable development of the Negev. AABGU is headquartered in Manhattan and has eight regional offices throughout the U.S. For more information, visitwww.aabgu.org.

g” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”199″ />The organizers of Buy Israel Week, which starts today through December 4, unveiled today their marketplace web site which features special offers from sponsors and discount vouchers from more than 100 online and local merchants. The vouchers will be processed via the jdeal.com web site, the largest Jewish daily deal site in the United States, and one of the organizing partners of Buy Israel Week.

Buy Israel Week merchants represent a wide spectrum of “Made in Israel” goods, such as soap from kidronsoap.com, honeys, jams and oils from Negev Nectars, Shalom Sesame DVDs from Sisu Entertainment, women’s fashion from TelAvivCouture.com, chocolate from the Chocolate Dreams Company, and award-winning Israeli wines from onlinekosherwine.com and Wine Shuk. There are also a variety of religious items like hand woven Tallitot from Gabrieli.com, IDF Tzizit and prayers at the Western Wall. Local merchants include Israeli restaurants, like Hummus Place in NY; a Head of Fashion in the Washington, DC area; Nagilla Center in LA and King Solomon’s Pizza in Phoenix, AZ . In addition, there are opportunities to double your donation to various Israeli based charities, such as American Friends of Magen David Adom raising money for an ambulance and other medical supplies, and American Friends of Meir Panim, which is raising money to feed hungry children in Israel.

The sponsors make up a cross-section of Israeli manufacturers in a variety of industries and outreach organizations and includes Ahava; American Associates, Ben Gurion University (AABGU); Barkan Winery; Binyamina Wines; American Friends of Magen David Adom; American Friends of Meir Panim; Artistic Tile, Conference of Presidents; EL AL; Israel Bonds; Osem; Royal Kedem; PJ Library and Tnuva.

Finally, to drum up excitement, every day from 12PM-2PM ET, Buy Israel Week is featuring a Seriously Surprising Israel giveaway contest for various Israeli made products and services. Today’s giveaway was for 2 free tickets to Israel, courtesy of EL AL Airlines, one of Buy Israel Week’s main sponsors.

Many of the participating Jewish newspapers have released special Buy Israel Week supplements as of November 17. These are highlighted in the press section of the web site. The Buy Israel Week blog features other items of interest.

—–

About Buy Israel Week

Buy Israel Week is being held November 28-December 4 as an integrated marketing campaign that is being held online, in print and various in-person events that are taking place around the U.S. in this timeframe. Buy Israel Week is organized by jdeal.com, the largest and most comprehensive daily deal site targeting the Jewish market, and nine media organizations -– The Jewish Week Media Group of NY, Washington Jewish Week, Florida Jewish Journal, Tribe Media Corporation, the Jewish Standard of New Jersey, the Chicago Jewish News, Texas Jewish Post, J. the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California and Jewish News of Greater Phoenix – representing the largest Jewish markets in the United States, as well as the Israel-America

Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturers’ Association of Israel, Israel Export and Cooperation Institute, Conference of Presidents and Stand With Us. For more information, contact info@buyisraelweek.com or visit us on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/buyisraelweek.

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A business’s value often lies with its intellectual property, as Google’s planned buy-out of Motorola Mobility suggests.

Google wanted Motorola Mobility’s 17,000 patents and was willing to pay $12.5 billion in the deal that was approved Friday by shareholders of the Libertyville-based mobile technology company, experts said. In general, 80 percent of a company’s market capital is in intangible assets, “and intellectual property is the largest single piece,” said James Malackowski, chief executive of Ocean Tomo, a Chicago firm that serves as an auction house for intellectual property.

With patents hotter than ever, the America Invents Act passed last month aims to put U.S. patent regulations on the same page as international rules, by using a first-to-file criterion for assigning patents instead of the first-to-invent standard used historically in the United States.

With the new law, which takes effect in March 2013, the pressure will be greater than ever to be the first to file a patent, said Robert Gerstein, partner at Marshall, Gerstein & Borun in Chicago. “With first-to-file, there’s a premium placed on getting your application in,” Gerstein said.

Traditionally, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office’s first-to-invent criterion considered who came up with the idea first instead of who filed for the patent first. But the old system led to complicated, expensive legal proceedings when more than one company claimed to be the original inventor. Often, a small business couldn’t afford the legal fees to defend itself. By going to first-to-file, the government hopes to eliminate some of the contests that have been clogging the system, Gerstein said.

Reduced fees for small businesses

What’s more, a provision in the law reduces the filing fees by 75 percent for small businesses. Entrepreneurs also might be able to save on legal fees by using reduced-fee services through universities, small business centers or online companies, such as Rocket Lawyer, which offers access to on-call attorneys who discount their services by 40 percent.

But it’s important to seek legal advice early, says Chicago entrepreneur Richard O’Brien, chief executive of Payment Pathways Inc., who has filed for four patents. “If you have a good idea, you need to stop talking about it and go file your patents,” he says.

O’Brien understands the advantage the new rules provide to entrepreneurs who act quickly. “First-to-file does give me a lot more defensive capability,” he said. But even under the new law, large corporations will still have the power to file a dispute, he said.

O’Brien filed his first patent in 2004, shortly after the company was founded and years before it went to market with its Greenlist directory, designed to make electronic payments safe. He received that patent in 2010 and another one, which Payment Pathways had filed for in November 2006, was awarded this past May, he said.

Keeping attorneys in business

In what O’Brien calls “a very frothy market in intellectual property,” he expects to see far more patents filed. “It’s a lawyer-get-rich law,” he says, because ultimately it will generate more work for attorneys.

Most agree more patents are likely to be filed because of the new rules. In fact, 80 percent of attorneys survey by Rocket Lawyer said they think there will be more provisional patent applications in the future.

Many of the patented ideas might not

support a new business, but they could draw royalties for inventors willing to license the technology, said Charley Moore, the founder and chairman of Rocket Lawyer.

In the meantime, consumers and business owners acknowledged being confused by the rule change.

Two-thirds of respondents to a Rocket Lawyer survey of non-attorneys said they were not aware of the new law. In addition, just one-third said they understood the difference between first-to-file and first-to-invent.

Read more at SmallBizChicago…

idth=”300″ height=”232″ />Keshet announced today that it has partnered with the Great Midwest Region of BBYO to launch a new program that provides Jewish teens with developmental disabilities the chance to socialize and learn alongside typically developing Jewish teens.

Keshet, a non-profit organization that provides community-based educational, recreational and vocational programs, and BBYO, the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences have created this program to foster awareness and acceptance of diversity in the young Jewish community.

“Our new partnership with BBYO will provide more opportunities for Jewish teens with special needs to integrate into social, recreation and educational programming along with their typically developing peers,” said Heather Tratt, COO/director of programs for Keshet. “This is such a great experience for our participants, as well as for the BBYO teens.”

With this partnership, two BBYO chapters from the Buffalo Grove area, Armand Hammer AZA and Ahavah BBG, will each be welcoming a Keshet teen with a developmental disability. Each individual from Keshet will have a BBYO peer mentor to help them learn the program and Keshet and BBYO plan to expand the program to include more teens later in the year.

“We’re very excited about this program with Keshet,” says Ben Kozberg,

program director for GMR BBYO. “We want to welcome more Jewish teens into BBYO and be sure they have meaningful and fun Jewish experiences as teenagers.”

For more information about Keshet recreational programs, contact Tratt at 847-412-5773 or heather@keshet.org. For more information about BBYO, contact Kozberg, GMR program director at 224-406-9261 orbkozberg@bbyo.org.

###

About Keshet

Keshet: A Rainbow of Hope for Children and Adults with Special Needs is a nationally recognized, state-of-the-art 501 (c)(3) organization, providing community-based educational, recreational, and vocational programs for children, teens and young adults with varying and multiple developmental disabilities. Keshet’s goal is to enable children with disabilities to participate as fully as possible in the mainstream of community life.

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stamp” src=”http://thejewishbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/food-stamp-300×221.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”221″ />The ARK is recruiting staff and board members and volunteers to participate in a 5-day Food Stamp Challenge, in order to call attention to the realities of hunger in the community and to demonstrate our advocacy efforts. Please join the challenge!

Here’s how it works:

• Each person should only spend $4.50 per day (a total of $22.50 for all 5 days of the Challenge) on food and beverages.
• All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge, including take-out or dining out, coffee, and beverages should be included in your food expenses.
• Only eat food that you purchase during the Challenge. Do not eat food that you already had in your pantry or refrigerator (except for spices and condiments).
• Try to avoid accepting free food from friends, family or at work during the Challenge.
• Keep track of food receipts.
• Visit our Facebook page during this time and share your experiences.

Formal registration is not required. For more information, contact Phyllis Nutkis atpnutkis@arkchicago.org or 773-681-8978.

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VICE PRESIDENT JOSEPH BIDEN
DELIVERS REMARKS TO THE

YESHIVA BETH YEHUDA ANNIVERSARY DINNER – November 13, 2011

Renaissance Center Marriott Hotel

Detroit, Michigan

7:20 P.M. EST

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I understand I’m not even the end of the program. (Laughter.)

Well, first of all, let me thank Debbie for inviting me. And she is correct, everyone knows about you in Washington. And everyone knows something else — at least Joe Biden knows — when Debbie Stabenow asks you something, just say yes the first time. Don’t say, I have to check my schedule. Don’t say, I’m not sure — just say yes. Governor, start listening to her. Say yes, because Carl and everyone else listens to her. (Applause.)

By the way, Governor, it’s an honor to be with you tonight. I appreciate your — being with you. I think we can call a quorum of the United States Congress here today. (Laughter.) To all my former colleagues in the House and the Senate, I say thank you for allowing me to be here with you.

Ladies and gentlemen, 97th anniversary — I’m told you began with a weekly class of just five students some 97 years ago. And now, you’re the largest Jewish school system in the state. And nearly a century — for nearly a century you’ve set a standard for excellence not just in Jewish education, but in education period, preparing each generation for leadership and service in the community, which is an unyielding Jewish tradition.

I’m probably one of the few Christian members of the Congress who can say the motzi. (Laughter.) I’ve attended more Jewish dinners than some of you have. (Applause.) I’ve raised more money from AIPAC than some of you have. (Applause.) I have spent

more money raising money for the Federation than some of you have. (Laughter.) You think I’m kidding, don’t you. I’m not.

It’s a testament to all of you that so many of Michigan’s leaders are assembled here today — your master of ceremonies indicated, reading off all of the people who are here. It is a testament to the great, great work that you do.

Although I was not educated here, I was not educated in the tradition — I was not educated in a Jewish school, I was educated in the traditions of Judaism. I was educated about the oppression and genocide committed against the Jews, the historic ties between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. I was educated at my dinner table by what my Jewish friends at home refer to — and you would — as a righteous Christian, a man who taught us that without vigilance, the safe haven of Israel, it could happen again without Israel.

I got in trouble some years ago and Carl may remember. About 18, 20 years ago, I was speaking to the Zionist Organization of Baltimore. And I said, I am a Zionist, for I learned you do not have to be a Jew to be a Zionist. The fact of the matter is that the man who raised me was absolutely committed to the notion that it should never happen again, the man who could not understand why there could even be a debate about the establishment of the state of Israel. That man was my dad.

So it was no surprise to my friends when I was elected to the Senate in a state less than 1 percent of the Jewish — less than 1 percent of the population is Jewish, that I got so deeply involved early on in the Senate with the business of Israel. I was elected when I was 29 years old. And I continued my education, because I had the opportunity to get there and be educated by men like Hubert Humphrey, like Abe Ribicoff, like Jack Javits — people who were my mentors as a young kid in the United States Senate.

And like all of you, I feel we have an obligation to educate all of our children about the darkest moments of the past, so we can avoid them in the future. That’s why when children — when my children were old enough, I took them — as Carl remembers — my first trip taking my oldest son at 15, then my second son when he turned 15 to Europe. We literally flew into Germany, went down to Munich, got in a car and drove to Dachau, the first place they ever visited, because I wanted them to understand what mankind is capable of, the incredible humanity.

But I also wanted them to understand that the most horrible circumstances imaginable that occurred there and in other concentration camps is only paled by the endurance of the human spirit. Folks, it’s more than just Zachor. It’s more than just remembrance. It’s an American national security interest that Israel remain free, secure in a democratic state in the Middle East. As I said when I — (Applause.)

If there were not an Israel, we would have to invent one. As I said in a speech I recently made at Tel Aviv University, American support for Israel is not just an act of friendship; it’s an act of fundamental national self-interest on the part of the United States, a key component of our broader efforts to secure this region and the wider world as well as secure our own security. President Obama feels exactly the same way.

When we came to office, when it came to standing up for Israel’s security both in terms of the threat it faces and countering those who seek to delegitimize Israel — this is the most concerted effort in my 36 years in the Senate and two and a half years as Vice President that I have seen an effort to literally delegitimize Israel as a nation state. It’s occurring in Europe. It’s occurring around the world.

The commitment we have made — all my colleagues in the Senate and House that are here, all our administration — is equal to and surpasses that of any of our predecessors. Early in our administration when the President gave his speech in Egypt to the Muslim communities around the world, he made our commitment plain as day, standing in Cairo in the midst of an Islamic audience.

He told the audience in the heart of the Arab world, and I quote, that “America’s bond with Israel is unbreakable.” Now listen — (Applause.) Listen to what he said this September at the United Nations General Assembly. He said, “Israel is surrounded by neighbors that have waged repeated wars against it. Israel’s citizens have been killed by rockets fired at their houses and suicide bombers on their buses. Israel’s children come of age knowing that throughout the region other children are taught to hate them. Israel, a small country with less than 8 million people looks out at a world where leaders of much larger nations threaten and are committed to wipe it off the face of the map.”

That statement was not made at a Jewish dinner. That statement was made for the whole world to hear before what was a mildly hostile General Assembly.

The threats against the Jewish state have changed dramatically since I first became a senator in 1973. Then, there was no concern about a nuclear armed Iran, Hamas armed with sophisticated rockets, Hezbollah with longer range missiles, uncertainty among Israel’s neighbors during what has become known as the Arab Spring.

So now, as a consequence of those changes our commitment to Israel’s security must and does reflect those new threats. In spite of our own tough economic times — I need not tell folks in Detroit about tough economic times. In spite of these tough economic times, the President with the help of the Congress has secured $3 billion in annual assistance for Israel, the most ever. (Applause.)

On top of that, the President asked for an additional $205 million to help Israel produce what is referred to as the Iron Dome, the short range rocket defense system that has intercepted dozens of rockets along the Gaza border, rockets that could have struck hospitals, schools, or homes. And it is now being installed along the Lebanese border.

President Obama saw firsthand the need for a system back in 2008, when he was — when he actually visited the region. He saw how the residents of the border areas were perpetually in the cross hairs of Hamas and Hezbollah. And he worked with Israel on two new missile defense systems — Arrow and David’s Sling — on a high-powered radar system that could detect missiles by satellite and give the Israelis early warning of a launch against them.

It’s not just the technology, but the human relationships that will ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge. Since taking office, we’ve launched the most comprehensive and meaningful strategic and operational consultations across all levels of our government, unprecedented in their scope, frequency and character.

The largest ever joint military exercise in our joint history — Juniper Cobra, it was referred to as. The most visits by senior high-level Department of Defense officials and their Israeli counterparts — over 200. Such cooperation, as you observed, only exists with the closes allies; cooperation that a friend of mine for 39 years, Benjamin Netanyahu himself, has rightly called unprecedented.

The President is also keenly aware of the existential threat that Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons could and would pose to Israel. It would also be, I might add, a direct and serious threat to the United States. That’s why President Obama is absolutely determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, period. (Applause.)

We have built up the strongest and most far-reaching sanctions that Iran has ever seen. As a result, Iran is increasingly isolated, and we are not — we’ve severely set back its ability to buy technology to continue its nuclear and missile programs. We’ve made it increasingly difficult for Iran to do basic business transactions around the world. For example, major multinational companies have suspended or stopped some $60 billion worth of energy projects with Iran, while banks, insurers and other financial institutions have ceased doing business altogether, just in the last 18 months.

And don’t take my word for it. Here’s what President Ahmadinejad — after saying initially the sanction had no consequence — here’s what he recently told the Iranian parliament, just two weeks ago. And I quote, “the West as imposed the most extensive and dastardly sanctions.” He went on to say, “Every day our banking and trade activities and our agreements are being monitored and blocked. This is the heaviest economic onslaught,” he went on to say, “in our nation’s history. Our banks cannot make international transactions anymore.” And he went on.

The Israelis know that they can count on us and on this President. As recently as this September, when demonstrations in Cairo turned violent, and protestors breached the wall of the Israeli embassy there, tearing down Israel’s flag and threatening the security of the embassy staff, the Israeli’s asked for our help. President Obama immediately responded.

Afterwards Bibi, I should refer — I’ve known him so long — the Prime Minister, Netanyahu, said of the President, I quote, “I requested his assistance at a decisive, I would say even fateful moment. He said he would do everything possible, and that’s exactly what he did. He activated all the United States’ means and influence, which are certainly considerable. I believe we owe him a special debt of gratitude.”

Even — even as we remain vigilant to any and all threats to Israel’s security, we will have — and I can tell you for eight Presidents we always have had — tactical disagreements over policy. But none of these disagreements go to the heart of our relationship. They never have. And we will never allow it to occur.

That’s more important than it ever has been today, because, as I said, we are witnessing the most sustained aggressive attempt to de-legitimize Israel that I have ever seen. And I have been more deeply involved in this issue than anyone but four people who are still in the United States Congress.

The United States is fighting these efforts with everything we have. It was one thing to help stop the sale of AWACS to the Saudis — I voted against AWACS to the Saudis years ago. It’s a very different thing — it’s a very different thing to meet the pernicious undermining of Israel’s statehood that is occurring subtly all around the world.

We stood by Israel when the Goldstone Report on the 2009 Gaza War was issued, because we will always support Israel’s right to self-defense. We refused to attend events that — (applause) — and by the way, this has been bipartisan — we’ve refused to attend events that legitimize the flawed — excuse me — 2001 World Conference Against Racism, which outrageously singled out Israel for criticism.

We vetoed the U.N. Security Council resolution that declared Israel’s settlements illegal, and we’re working around the clock to prevent the United Nations and its agencies from further isolating Israel, and from prematurely endorsing a Palestinian bid for statehood. (Applause.)

And we are strongly — strongly — opposed to the decision by UNESCO to in fact recognize Israel as part of its organization to approve the Palestinian bid for full membership.

We have repeatedly made clear to the Israelis and the Palestinians, and the international community, that long-lasting peace can only be achieved — as Israeli leaders have argued from the beginning — by negotiations between the two parties themselves, period. Period. (Applause.) As the President said of the United Nations last month, There are no shortcuts to peace.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we know, as our Israeli friends know, and I think everyone knows, that the status quo between Israel and the Palestinians is not sustainable.

For the Palestinians, statehood will not just fulfill legitimate, long-sought aspiration common to all people’s, it will restore the fundamental dignities and self-respect that their current predicament denies them and their current actions keep them from achieving. For Israel, this is about both preserving its identity as a Jewish state, and achieving the lasting security that Israel deserves.

It is no secret that demographic realities make it increasingly difficult for Israel to remain both a Jewish homeland and a Democratic country, in the absence of a Palestinian state and an agreement.

Like many Americans, I’ve experienced the magic of Israel many, many times. But at a relatively young age, when I had just turned 30, I first visited on the eve of the Yom Kippur War. My very first meeting was with a woman I’ve always admired — had always admired — from afar, as millions of Americans did.

I remember being ushered into her office where she sat me down in front of her desk, and she had behind her a series of maps that she kept pulling back, up and down, while she chain-smoked. She, Golda Meir, explained to me what had happened in the Six-Day War. She read to me the most woe-some tales and letters from young men, young Israeli soldiers, and women who had been killed on the front.

There was a young man sitting next to me named Yitzhak Rabin, who I met for the first time. As the Prime Minister spoke, I think she could see my sense of apprehension as I thought of the daunting threats that faced Israel at the time.

About an hour and a half into our meeting, she suddenly looked at me and she said, Senator, would you like a photo — would you like a photo opportunity? I thought, What in the heck did that come from? (Laughter.) I said, Of course I would, Madame Prime Minister. Many of you have been in her office, the same office. We got up, they opened the double doors and walked out into that hallway, and there are all kinds of press there.

And as we’re standing next to one being photographed like it was a press conference — not speaking, just being photographed — she looked straight ahead, and talked to me while I was looking straight ahead. And she said, Senator, you look worried. And I said, Well, I am — I looked at her and I said, I am, Madame Prime Minister, after what she had just told me. She said, Don’t worry, Senator. We Israelis have a secret weapon in our conflict with the Arabs. We have nowhere else to go. We have nowhere else to go.

With the United States, past Presidents and this President know, that Israel has nowhere else to go. That’s why we have done more than any administration on the security front with Israel because we know it has nowhere else to go. To make sure that Israel can stay exactly where she is — a Jewish state, secure and free. And that is why the bond between America and Israel is absolutely unshakeable.

So, ladies and gentlemen, as my dear grandfather used to say every time I walked out his door, he’d say, Joey, keep the faith. Ladies and gentlemen, keep the faith. I commit to you, as a supporter of Israel for 40 years, and the record to show it, that I can match against any man or woman who ever served in the United States Senate, I guarantee you we will stand with Israel because we know she has nowhere else to go. And we want her to stay right where she is. (Applause.)

God bless you all, and may God protect our troops. Thank you. (Applause.)

siness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Nicks-Pizza-Pub-kitchen-credit-Taylor-Smith-300×200.jpg”>

At Nick's Pizza & Pub, employees are privy to the company's financial results. Photo by Taylor Smith courtesy of Nick's Pizza & Pub.

Like a big family, everyone who works at Nick Sarillo’s restaurant knows everything about the place, including how much Sarillo pays himself in salary, how much the cheese costs, how customers rate the service and even how many napkins on a table is too many.

They’ve also learned the values Sarillo’s Italian restaurateur parents taught him: Treat your customers like guests in your home. Give them the same quality and service you would deliver if they were your own family.

The mix of contemporary open-book management and old-world service has proven to be a winning formula for the $3.7 million Nick’s Pizza & Pub in Crystal Lake. And with the opening last month in Elgin of a second Nick’s Pizza location, Sarillo is out to prove his success is repeatable. Building one thriving restaurant is hard enough for most entrepreneurs, but learning how to take the business to the next level is a task business owners in all industries struggle with, experts say.

Opening the books

“Most people don’t manage proactively. They’re reacting and putting out fires,” said Rudy Miick, president of Miick & Associates, a Boulder, Co.-consulting firm. But open-book management changes that because it encourages planning based on hard data. Using open book, companies share financial results regularly with employees and encourage workers to take an active role in boosting that performance.

“It’s one of the things we really promote,” said Mary Corbitt Clark, then executive director of Winning Workplaces, an Evanston-based non-profit that strives to help small businesses improve their workplaces.

“Being entrusted with the information conveys a kind of respect and sharing that employees take very seriously. It’s precisely what they want,” Clark said. The concept of empowering staff is a growing trend among restaurants, said Hudson Riehle, a senior vice president at the National Restaurant Association in Washington, D.C. It often involves a pay-for-performance component and can be effective at boosting profitability and employee retention.

While Sarillo credits consultant Miick for suggesting the open- book approach, the restaurant’s culture is all Sarillo’s. He grew up in his family’s restaurant business and learned firsthand the value of hard work and customer service.

“By the time I got out of high school, I thought, ‘I’ve had enough of pizza,’” he said. He turned to building custom homes for a while, but when he couldn’t find an appealing family restaurant in Crystal Lake, he decided to start his own. He opened Nick’s Pizza & Pub in 1995, with his family’s pizza recipe and a rustic atmosphere. He built the restaurant with barn beams, then decorated it with antiques, mounted animal heads and put peanut shells on the floor.

Old-fashioned work ethic

In the first seven years, the restaurant grew to more than $2 million in annual sales. But with employee turnover hovering at more than 100 percent annually, Sarillo knew something needed to change before he could expand further. “I was a pretty driven, hard worker coming from that old Italian neighborhood where we couldn’t understand if everybody didn’t come to work and bust their butt for you,” he said.

When he came to realize other people “have a different understanding from their upbringing of what hard work is,” he learned to motivate employees by telling them clearly what his expectations were and promising higher wages when performance improved.

Sarillo’s instincts were better than most, Miick said. “His personal coaching was pretty

darn effective,” he said. Now, with the help of Miick, Sarillo has turned his business principles into a codified system that he can implement at multiple locations. He plans to add three new locations in the next three years, he said.

With the Elgin eatery projected to bring in about $5 million in sales its first year, the company could hit $9 million in sales by the end of the year, Sarillo said. What’s more, the Crystal Lake restaurant has achieved a profit margin of about 18 percent, nearly double its level three years ago and well above the industry average, Miick said. And annual employee turnover has dropped to less than 30 percent.

Read more at SmallBizChicago…

1/11/276465_258837394158462_155677340_n.jpg” alt=”" width=”180″ height=”179″ />Keshet will host its fourth annual benefit concert at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, this year featuring Grammy Award-winning recording artist Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers on November 19 at 8:00 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Keshet’s educational scholarships, vocational training and recreational programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.

McDonald, a former member of the Doobie Brothers and current solo artist, will perform Doobie Brothers hits as well as solo hits throughout his career. An “after set” party will be taking place after the concert at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center Chicago North Shore.
The Michael McDonald benefit concert will take place on Saturday, November 19 at 8:00 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts; 9501 North Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, Ill. Individual tickets to the concert are $85 and $150. Tickets for the “after set” party are an additional $150. To purchase tickets or to receive more information, please

call 847-205-1234, or visit www.keshet.org.

###

About Keshet
Keshet: A Rainbow of Hope for Children and Adults with Special Needs is a nationally recognized, state-of-the-art 501 (c)(3) organization, providing community-based educational, recreational, and vocational programs for children, teens and young adults with varying and multiple developmental disabilities. Keshet’s goal is to enable children with disabilities to participate as fully as possible in the mainstream of community life.

Keshet, a partner in serving our community, is supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

ess-Technology-300×221.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”221″ />Small businesses increasingly rely on technology to grow and prosper, but how they use the options could spell the difference between success and failure.

To help them better harness the power of social media, websites, blogs and mobile marketing, the Small Biz Tech Tour, presented by Smallbiztechnology.com, will stop in Chicago on Thursday, November 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for a full-day event at Microsoft Corporation/AON Center, 200 E. Randolph Dr., Suite 200.

“Industry experts and local business owners will share their insights, lead discussions and show attendees how technology can save time and money, boost productivity, increase revenue and

better serve customers,” said Hedy M. Ratner, co-president of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), a partner organization in the Chicago leg of the tour.

Attendees will learn how to improve their websites and better understand how to utilize website analytics, how to publish relevant content to garner more new business leads, and how to improve email marketing. They will also receive tips and techniques to make social media tools like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube more effective.

Early bird registration until November 3 is $49 and $99 thereafter. Registrants using the code WBDC10 will receive a special discount. For more information or to register, visit www.WBDC.org, or call (312) 853-3477.

In her final

months as a political science major at the University of Pittsburgh, Susanna Zlotnikov had a positive outlook about landing a job.

But as the months passed and her network of contacts led only to dead ends, Zlotnikov decided she needed a backup. Instead of spending the summer after her May graduation sending out more resumes, Zlotnikov took a pair of internships and moved to Israel.

It worked out well: In November she expects to be starting a full-time job in Israel as grants coordinator with Save a Child’s Heart, an Israeli-based humanitarian organization that provides cardiac surgery for children from the developing world.

With the U.S. economy still sputtering, a growing number of college graduates are turning to Israel programs to bridge their educational and professional careers. In many cases, these young American Jews are drawn to the programs not out of Zionist sensibilities but because they’re looking for workplace experience or seeking a way to do something Jewish. Some are even finding jobs in Israel and staying.

After losing a job in Hollywood, Jessica Fass decided to go on a Birthright Israel trip and then stayed in the country for an extra month. Upon returning to the United States, Fass felt as if she were in culture shock and kept thinking about returning to Israel. She decided to do an internship through WUJS Israel Hadassah, which helps college graduates find opportunities in Israel.

“It seemed like the perfect time go,” she said.

Within six months, Fass had found a full-time job in Israel and now is working in marketing for a company in Tel Aviv, which she described as being like Los Angeles “but with Hebrew.” Fass said she was surprised to find how much more willing Israelis were to take a chance on a new hire.

Read more at JTA…

daily cialis

width=”200″ height=”300″ />

=”http://thejewishbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/318859_216023535117690_118499118203466_497598_1286781019_n-150×150.jpg” alt=”" width=”150″ height=”150″ />The Business Event is one that certainly lived up to its name. Last August, more than 2,700 people came together at the Holiday Inn, Skokie to look for job leads, meet potential employers and talk to small business vendors. Spearheaded by Shalom Klein, founder of the Jewish B2B Networking and publisher of Jewish Business News, and also sponsored by the Small Business Advocacy Council, the event showcased the importance of face to face meetings.

“This was an excellent turnout for the first year of an event. It provided our company with a lot of visibility and we met a lot of qualified candidates,” said Michael Gluck, Director of Marketing for GCG Financial, who was there primarily to recruit financial advisors.

Carla Cenker, Aflac representative and full time rabbinical school student at the Hebrew Seminary of the Deaf, came to network. She felt the financial sector was very well represented, mixed in with entrepreneurs, which she felt was very creative. “It exceeded my expectations.”

Breakout sessions led by industry experts were presented throughout the day. Seminars about job searching, networking techniques, Linked In, resume reviews and more assisted job seekers in their quest.

Local politicians greeted the crowd

State and national politicians like U.S.Congressman Robert Dold, U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and State Senator Louis Lang were among the political leaders who attended and came away with the message of “we need

jobs.” Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen who has attended other Jewish B2B Networking events in the past, was pleased with the turnout as well as efforts being made to fill the vacant storefront of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.

In fact, at the Village of Skokie’s August meeting, Mayor George Van Dusen recognized the efforts of Shalom Klein in helping to stimulate small business and economic development by issuing a resolution proclaiming August 25, 2011 as “The Business Event Day.”

A Real Networking Event

At heart, it was a day of meeting people and reaching out to others who needed a little encouragement and support.

Recent law school graduate Cari Silverman who was there looking for a job said that she found that people were really helpful. “They were willing to pass my resume around and make connections for me.”

Rick Glickman, Dream Kitchens commented, “It was an honest and true networking event. People who were there really wanted to help. It was a great opportunity because people really need to be in front of each other.”

The next Business Event, which promises to be even bigger and better, is set for May 17, 2012. Registration begins October 1, 2011.