It has been said that “it isn’t what you know, it’s who you know.” The New Jersey state-wide New Jersey Jewish Business Alliance (NJJBA) recently held a business networking session for their members in Middlesex County on Tuesday, June 25, at the King Palace Banquet Hall in Edison. Approximately 50 people attended the event, including Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch, Highland Park Councilperson Matthew Hale, and East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, who said, “The biggest value of the Jewish community is their commitment to supporting one another, especially in these economic times.”
Support was the theme of the evening. Tedroy Young, of the United States Small Business Administration, was available to meet with attendees and answer any questions they had while other members chatted and networked, sharing how their work or business could help. In addition to “food for thought,” attendees were treated to delicious sushi, pastries and a wide variety of wines and soft drinks.
Beth Chesir represents YU Global and promotes their certificate programs and online classes. Her office is based in New York, but she lives in New Jersey and took advantage of the opportunity to stop by on her way home and attend her first NJJBA event. Douglas Dubitsky, financial representative of Certified Financial Services, has been a member of the group for about two years and enjoys seeing the expanding reach of NJJBA beyond the Bergen County area and the “tremendous effect networking has on businesses and people.”
David Rosenberg established the NJJBA close to 10 years ago to connect and advocate for the Jewish business owner. Business challenges constantly emerge, and to properly problem solve and meet these challenges, a solid support system with the willingness to take risks and the ability to see things from an alternate perspective is required. The single drive of the New Jersey Jewish Business Alliance is to provide an exceptional and vast network of opportunities for businesses in New Jersey. This network, the passion at the root of the NJJBA, was created and continues to evolve rapidly in facilitating business growth through referrals and introductions, networking events, and educational conferences or business forums. Josh Pruzansky, president and co-founder of the Raritan Valley Orthodox Jewish Community Association (ROC) described the NJJBA as “one of the most exciting events in the state” and NJJBA founder, David Rosenberg, as one of the most “connected” people in business who can create networks and connections to help businesses move to the next level. In addition to working with businesses in New Jersey, the group also was able to facilitate the donation of a mobile hospital to Sheba Hospital in Israel.
Metuchen mayor, Jonathan Busch, noted that he is the “Jewish mayor of a mostly non-Jewish town” but is striving to build a community model for other towns. Money Magazine recently rated Metuchen as the “number one place to live,” and one of the reasons is the number of connections that can be made both in business and on a personal level. There is “Metuchen Chai Life” on social media for Jewish people to set playdates for their children and get recommendations on various subjects. Networking events, such as the NJJBA, create business contacts and other connections.
NJJBA’s vice president of communications and attorney-at-law, Ameya S. Pendse, added how crucial it is for groups like NJJBA to “look after one another” and offer support to each other. He also introduced the group to the newly-formed Jewish Bar Association.
Josh Glussky, a commercial realtor with Sheldon Gross Realty, noted that this was his second NJJBA event. He had attended one about five months ago, and it seemed particularly relevant to come to this one as most of his work is in Middlesex County.
The NJJBA has around ten events throughout the year comprising all types of events—from networking to informational events—throughout the state. Over the years, they have connected more than 170 businesses and 30,000 people. The NJJBA feels that “together we can foster an enormous scale of growth when working as one people, using one united voice. To actualize and achieve a new era of economic growth and innovation, we utilize our outstanding services to support prosperous businesses. Business development is the heart of who we are.”
Their Tenth Annual Legislative Business Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, August 6, at the Robert Treat Hotel. As Rosenberg noted, “It is very rewarding to be able to assist businesses to grow.” For more information about the NJJBA, upcoming events, and how to get involved, visit: https://www.njjba.com/ or email [email protected]
