(Courtesy of Project Ezrah) Nearly a decade ago, Project Ezrah launched The Aisle, an engaging financial education workshop for engaged and newly married Jewish couples, which is increasingly sought after by couples looking to start their marriages off on a healthy financial footing. In recent years, Project Ezrah has partnered with YU Connects and the YU Counseling Center to offer an expanded Aisle+ program featuring marriage specialist Dr. Avi Muschel along with personal financial educator Tamar Snyder Chaitovsky.
As the Aisle+ has grown more popular, many couples who have been married for five, 10 or even 15 years have approached Project Ezrah saying that they, too, could benefit from this program. Project Ezrah is excited to fill that need by offering a Mindful Budgeting workshop geared toward couples in their 30s and 40s, which will take place on Wednesday, November 13 from 8-9:30 p.m in person in Teaneck. The workshop, which is offered at no charge, is designed for families in the general community who do not require financial assistance but are seeking practical skills in budgeting to gain better control over their household finances.
“While Project Ezrah is typically known for supporting families in financial distress, it is continuously working to expand its services to provide added value to the wider community,” said Rachel Krich, executive director of Project Ezrah. “The workshop reflects Project Ezrah’s commitment to fostering financial literacy in all sectors of the community, ensuring that even those who are financially comfortable can benefit from its resources.”
The focus of the Mindful Budgeting workshop is on understanding financial mindsets, fostering sustainable financial habits, and creating a realistic budget. Led by Rachel Krich and Tamar Snyder Chaitovsky, the workshop will address the “mystery” of where a family’s money is going each month and how couples can establish and achieve shared financial goals to enhance their family’s well-being. Learning how to manage spending; set savings, investing and tzedaka goals; and prepare for future expenses like bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings can prevent financial stress and offer peace of mind.
The workshop will be tailored to the unique financial needs of couples in this life stage—many of whom have been blessed with several children and may be overwhelmed by the typical costs of living in the Orthodox community in Bergen County, from yeshiva tuition and sleepaway camp fees to the rising cost of groceries. What has worked until now for couples who are earning a good living may no longer be as effective, as inflation has risen and couples recognize the benefits of being more mindful about their spending.
Rather than sitting through a long frontal presentation, participants will bring their laptops and recent credit card and bank statements, and spouses will work together on their budget during this workshop, with step-by-step guidance from the facilitators. Participants will leave the workshop with a first draft of a personalized budget and agreed-upon financial goals.
The co-presenters approach budgeting not from the standpoint of deprivation and cutting back, but from the point of view of prioritizing what’s most important to each person as an individual and as a couple and viewing money as a tool to help families accomplish their goals.
Project Ezrah is committed to expanding the financial education resources it offers the community through Ezrah University. Future financial education workshops may be geared toward college students, retirees, and other demographics in our community.
To sign up for the Mindful Budgeting workshop, visit ezrah.org/budgeting.
