Bruriah HS hosted their 10th biannual Career Day & Night last Wednesday, December 30. Professionals from a diverse array of fields volunteered their time to help guide 170 eleventh and twelfth-grade students on their paths towards becoming the next generation of Torah-observant women in the workplace. Of the 44 role models, 20 were Bruriah alumni.
Mrs. Ellen Azizollahoff, Bruriah Coordinator of Student Programs, introduced the event. “Your education here at Bruriah has aimed to prepare you for life’s journey by giving you the tools to chart your course: the academic know-how, the emotional stability and confidence, the leadership skills, the passion, idealism and values of a people for whom Torah is our compass,our companion and our destination,” she said. “Today’s programs are important pieces of that preparation. Today, we’re taking time to consider the journey ahead. What magnificent and varied opportunities lie ahead for each of you, b’ezrat Hashem!”
The daytime program’s featured key speakers included Rebecca Weiler, Director of Counseling and Programming at YU’s Career Center who spoke about fundamentals when embarking upon the journey of deciding on a career, and Kim Ephrat, Manager of Overseas Programming at Nefesh B’Nefesh (and Bruriah grad) who Skyped in from Israel to speak about career opportunities there.
Two women gave insights on effectively balancing a career and a Torah home: Adina Meuhlgay, trained as an occupational therapist but a stay-at-home mom by choice from Passaic, and Heather Kaminetsky, VP of Global Marketing for an online high-end fashion retailer and mother from Bergenfield.
The evening program consisted of another 40 dedicated and successful women. These role models presented in 10 workshops, each featuring four professionals in related fields including health, law, technology, finance, engineering, education and media. Girls were given the choice of three workshops from which to learn and ask their questions.
Among the notable speakers were Ofra Weinberger (PhD, Harvard,) Director of Life Sciences at Columbia; Elana Peikes, Controller at GF Investments; Elli Goldstein (JD Columbia), Partner at Kelleye, Drye & Warren law; and Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt, NY correspondent for Ha’aretz.
“I am always so impressed by Bruriah girls.” commented presenter Altie Karper, Editorial Director at Schocken Books, a division of Random House. “They are so bright, so enthusiastic, so well-grounded. I actually get chizuk from them. It was delightful to meet with those interested in publishing. We will stay in touch as I hope to find some interns among them.”
