For Jeremy, a 32 year old consultant and investor living in downtown Raleigh, one off-hand comment forever changed the way he looked at his identity as a Jew.
“Zalmy and I were having coffee one day and talking about investing. I was sharing about the power of compound interest and referred to it as ‘the most powerful force in the world.’ With a twinkle in his eye, Zalmy reminded me that there is one force in the world more powerful than compound interest… Hashem.
“Then I found myself repeating it. I was hanging out with my investment banker who is a young Jewish professional, and we were talking about compound interest. As we referenced it being the most powerful force in the world, I found myself stopping to correct myself and remind us both that the most powerful force is Hashem.”
With the knowledge found in Torah and Chassidus, there is insight into every aspect and cross-roads of our lives. And if there is one thing that people crave today, it’s personal relevance – “what is the connection to me, to my life?”
This is something Rabbi Zalmy and Mushka Dubinsky, shluchim to the community of young Jewish professionals in Raleigh, NC, have been noticing.
“When I share a Torah thought with a young professional using a concept or language that I know he or she can relate to in their personal lives, I see a light switch on in their eyes. Whether it’s about cryptocurrency, dating in the modern, one-click-buy world, or the struggle to find young Jews they can connect to, this shifts the conversation from a dry discussion of principles to a living, engaging dialogue,” relates Zalmy.
With an approach of freshness and currency, Rabbi Zalmy and Mushka are building a strong and connected community of young professionals in the heart of downtown Raleigh. The outcome of their approach is clear: what started with 2 young Jews at their Shabbos table has grown to gatherings of well over 100 young professionals in less than 4 years.
Recognizing the power of personal investment in community, Rabbi Zalmy and Mushka often discuss the impact of Tzedakah and young giving. Their Chai Club, comprised of young professional donors in their community, has expanded to 83 monthly contributors – a significant amount of charity for young, new-to-the-workforce adults.
“I am so proud of how far our community has come,” says Rob Botkin, a 28 year old lawyer, and a proud Chai Club member.
“Raleigh isn’t known for its Jewish population, and the young professional demographic is the hardest to pin down. We relocate often, we don’t commit to plans in advance, we are at the peak of our social lives, yet CYP continues to grow and flourish. I give to CYP because I like to see the community’s success. By giving to CYP I feel I get more than I give to the community.”
The fact that many young professionals have stepped up and taken the initiative to give Tzedakah, becoming involved in CYP as benefactors and not just participants, is telling. There is something in the way that Rabbi Zalmy and Mushka Dubinsky provide meaning that people are craving: “Teach me Torah values. But can you teach it to me in my own language?”
“Being part of a Jewish community that goes beyond the typical structure of a congregation has brought me closer to Hashem in the most positive of ways,” says Jeremy.
Right now, there’s an opportunity to take part in growing the beautiful CYP Raleigh community. Together, we’re raising $100,000 in 36 hours so that every young Jewish professional in Raleigh has a connection to a Yiddishkeit that is relevant, vibrant, and in the language of 2022.
Click here to join in growing this beautiful community.
We were lucky enough to have Zalmy join us for a year of shlichus in London! What a special yungerman, his community is very lucky to have him and Mushky!