A hallmark of a good high school is the selection of clubs its students can join. Many high schools begin new clubs as students express interest, and that is how the Business is Booming Club and Legal Pathways Club began at MTA.
Akiva Mensh, a current junior, is the founder and president of the Business is Booming Club, which began this year. The club has brought in many exceptional speakers that attract large crowds of students. This dynamic program invites esteemed CEOs from across the country to share their experiences, lessons, and insights with a large audience, providing invaluable guidance for young adults entering the business world. Some of the prominent speakers that MTA hosted include: Moshe Kinderlehrer, publisher of The Jewish Link of New Jersey; Seth Farbman, CEO of Vstock; and Elie Katz, CEO of National Retail Solutions.
One of the most well-known speakers that Akiva secured was bringing in Ira Zlotowitz, CEO of Gparency, and well-known for his family’s involvement in ArtScroll Publishing. The club has achieved tremendous success and boasts a full roster of impressive speakers for the coming year. Students are enthusiastic about this program, as it not only imparts essential business knowledge but also offers opportunities for internships and invaluable advice.
Joel Fridman and Michael Hofman began the Legal Pathways Club. The club provides students with valuable opportunities to gain insight into the legal profession by engaging in discussions with practicing lawyers and other legal professionals. An array of legal professionals have spoken to the students about their careers in law, how they got started, the professional challenges they face, and the successes they have had.
Among the speakers who came this year is MTA alum Jacob Joel Saks, the assistant district attorney in Queens. The club also welcomed Judge Eric Prus of the Kings County Supreme Court. Current MTA parent, Yaakov Sheinfeld, spoke about his thriving real estate law practice, as he is a partner in Milbank LLP. Rabbi Michael J. Broyde, MTA alum, addressed the students about what it is like to be an Orthodox Jew working as a professor at a secular college, which is especially relevant this year!
The most recent speaker was the Mayor of Englewood, and successful immigration lawyer, Michael Wildes. He spoke about juggling the array of responsibilities as mayor and as a managing partner in the firm that his father Leon Wildes founded. In addition to representing people like Melania Trump, Gisele Bündchen and other well-known clients, he is also an adjunct professor at Cardozo Law School. The Legal Pathways Club is helping prepare the next generation of legal minds and advocates for world Jewry.
MTA is extremely grateful to each of the speakers for taking time out of their busy schedules to speak with their students. It is especially gratifying to see Akiva and Joel take the lead in bringing in the majority of the guests.
