Professionals from a diverse array of fields volunteered their time to help guide 170 11th and 12th grade students on their paths toward becoming the next generation of Torah-observant women in the workplace. Of the 44 role models, 19 are Bruriah alumnae and nine are Bruriah moms.
Ellen Azizollahoff, who coordinated Bruriah’s 11th bi-annual Career Day/Career Night program, introduced the event. “Bruriah has aimed to prepare you for the journey that lies ahead by giving you the tools to chart your course: academic know-how, confidence, leadership skills, idealism and Torah values to light your way. The recent Career Day and Career Night programs are important pieces of that preparation. Tonight, 44 amazing, impressive, successful women will share their experiences, their passions and their wisdom as they discuss with you the wonderful opportunities that await you as you begin to build your futures.”
The daytime program was introduced by a values clarification exercise to get the students to begin to evaluate their personal priorities and goals as they approach the career-choice process. Sarah Younger, entrepreneur and owner of Summer Playland Entertainment Corporation then spoke on “the importance of keeping an open mind and ‘knowing what’s in your toolkit’ so that you are equipped to explore options and opportunities when they present themselves.”
The challenge of balancing career and family life was discussed by a faculty panel including Margeya Poupko, head of the English department, Zahava Greenwald, assistant principal for the Junior High, Shlomis Peikes, associate principal of Bruriah, and Shuli Fuchs, ninth grade advisor (and Bruriah alum). The women shared, in a most personal way, their satisfactions, struggles and strategies as they grapple on a daily basis with the existential dilemma of how best to be an excellent teacher without losing sight of being a loving, caring, present wife and mother.
The evening program featured 44 dedicated and successful women speaking about their careers. These role models presented in 10 workshops, each with four professionals in related fields including health, law, technology, finance, engineering, education, counselling, entrepreneurship and communications. Girls were given the opportunity to attend three workshops of their choosing as well as the chance to “mingle with a mentor” during an interlude for refreshments.
In recent years, due to the rising numbers of alumnae making aliyah, a Nefesh B’Nefesh component was added to the program. Melissa Lousky, of the employment desk at Nefesh B’Nefesh skyped in from Eretz Yisrael to speak about career opportunities there and the best way to prepare for them here.
“I am always so impressed by Bruriah girls! They are so bright, so enthusiastic, so well-grounded,” commented presenter Altie Karper, editorial director at Schocken Books, a division of Penguin Random House. “Bruriah girls are a joy to mentor, and they have made a huge kiddush Hashem during their Penguin Random House internships. Thank YOU for continuing to make this wonderful opportunity available to continuing generations of frum women!”
