Common Goal Unites Lawyers

By COLlive staff

Dozens of lawyers crowded the offices of the Orthodox Union (OU) in Lower Manhattan on a chilly night last week.

Suits cleanly pressed, ties in place and business cards in hand, the room was filled with the buzz of networking and business talk.

A joint project of the OU Job Board services and Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs (CHYE), it brought together like-minded frum attornys.

Rabbi Yehoshua Werde of CHYE said the decision to work with the OU was part of “our focus on creating opportunities for members of our community… by having our experienced professionals share with those who need it.”

Attendees at the event were able to listen to and speak with experienced law professionals.

Zaki Tamir, a lawyer who chairs the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, was one of the speakers present.

He said he came with an eye to look for future employees, but his main attraction to the event was to witness Rabbi Werde’s work.

While Werde “didn’t invent programs like this, he’s brought them to our community. [CHYE] is another sign that Crown Heights is continuing to move up,” Tamir noted.

The need for an event of this nature was apparent to both the speakers and attendees.

“It can be very difficult to find a job in this market,” said Maimon Kirschenbaum, one of the Crown Heights attorneys that spoke at the event, “but participating in forums like this is key to future success. It helps you keep your eyes on the ball.”

Tova Bernbaum, a community member and law student at S. John’s University, came to help shape her law career.

“I wanted to hear about the various career possibilities out there,” Bernbaum said. “I also was able to learn about how others dealt with the challenge of balancing work-life and family.”

Future events can be found on the CHYE website as well as on facebook.com/CHYoungEntrepreneurs