Geshem Center Begins Activity

For the first time, a locally based mosad is starting a severely needed trade-school in the center of Crown Heights as the community faces the tremendous strain of unemployment and increasing poverty.

The new Geshem Center, under the auspices of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, has embarked on an ambitious mission to facilitate local employment and personal growth.

Its main objective: train people to enter the work force and be hired as qualified individuals. It will be providing serious job training for both men and women.

Located in the main artery of Crown Heights, 398 Kingston Avenue (corner Montgomery Street), the facility boasts state-of-the-art computers and classrooms for both technology and text-based learning.

The grand opening of the center will take place on Sunday, May 8th.

A variety of career building opportunities and professional development will be presented for all demographics in the community. Each semester’s courses will be running in a new rotation.

The first semester is focusing on computer skills and technology with Graphic and Web Design, Computer Programming, Internet Marketing (SEO), Digital Photography, Animation and Video Editing, to name a few. There will also be options for those in special education. Learning will be hands-on and the courses will be extremely affordable.

Upcoming classroom courses include GED preparation, interior design, math, journalism, business management, and real estate licensing.

“People should realize that this is a very ambitious and very comprehensive program. This is an all-out, twenty-four/six project we’re going to see through until people are hired,” said the founder, Rabbi Levi Kaplan.

Kaplan, who is also the dean of the Jewish Vocational Trade School, noted that he believes Crown Heights should be fully equipped to deal with the growing needs of the community.

Instructors have been individually selected to best teach members of the community while adhering to modesty and respect for the community values.

TOP INSTRUCTORS

The center has hired top instructors, including Stephen Diggs, an investigative journalist with a strong background in photo journalism and design, and over fifteen years of professional experience.

Staff also includes Tisho Richardson, an S.E.O. specialist and web developer in New York City and a private consultant to dozens of online companies, non-profits, and business organizations. The staff is experienced, professional, qualified, and committed to guiding applicants in achieving their final goals.

The Geshem Center is not only offering college level courses, but will see the participants through to their final job search, as well as guide them through job interviews and building their resumes.

“The Geshem Center is a very useful program and is long overdue, and it will add a whole new dimension to Hafatzos HaMayonos,” said Rabbi Manis Friedman of Minnesota, a world renowned educator himself, a frequent visitor to Crown Heights.

While many are lucky enough to obtain a position in their family’s business or work at Jewish-friendly establishments such as B&H in New York City, not everyone has that opportunity. Many feel their greatest success will come from doing something they are passionate about, rather than at a career chosen by circumstance.

FOR WOMEN TOO

What people may find most pleasantly surprising and innovative is the shared opportunity for women.

“Most of the programs and social networks in the community are exclusively for men. With Geshem we’re trying to move ahead and provide programs for everyone,” said Kaplan.

Geshem’s course offerings will allow women an equal chance to gain skills and enter the work force as well as pursue personal hobbies and talents.

Not only people in search of bolstering their career and job search, but those looking for personal enrichment, hobbies or simply pleasure are invited and encouraged to join. “We want to create an atmosphere of serious learning. Many feel they never had the chance to explore skills or talents in a setting aligned with core religious values,’ said Kaplan.

This is the sort of institution that over time will become indispensable to the community as an essential educational resource.

This comprehensive endeavor is moving forward with a powerful momentum, borne out of the desperate need for such a project.
G-d willing, Geshem will be a bustling center, full to capacity, as it fulfills a void in the community. Participants can take more than one class at a time and courses are open to all ages and demographics in the community. The only common denominator is a serious applicant ready to learn at University standards.

The hope of the team of individuals who are working on the project is that with their ambitious force, and through their oiling the wheels of the project, it will eventually be shouldered and driven by the community as a whole. Classes are open to young men and women and those single, married or those further on in their career. Each course will be geared toward a specific gender with the same classes offered to both sexes on different tracks/semesters.

Several courses are available for sponsorship. The current Video Production course is being funded by the Crown Heights Community Council.

THIS SEMESTER’S COURSES:

Introduction to Graphic Design for Women
8 week course
Begins Sunday May 1st
Meets Sunday 4:45-6:45PM & Wednesday 3:30-5:30PM

Beginners Digital Photography for Women
8 week course
Begins Tuesday May 3rd
Meets Tuesday 6-8 PM, Wednesday 6-7 PM*, Thursday 6-8 PM

Introduction to Traditional Animation Design for Women
8 week course
Begins Sunday May 1st
Meets Sunday 4:45-6:45PM, Thursday 6:00-8:00PM

Foundational Video Production & Editing for Men
25 week course, 150 hours
Began Sunday April 3rd
Meets Sunday 1:00-4:00PM, Wednesday 7:30-10:30PM

Beginners Web Design for Men
8 week course
Begins Sunday May 1st
Meets Sunday 7:30-9:30PM; Thursday 8:30-10:30PM

Introduction Computer Programming for Men
8 week course
Begins Sunday May 1st
Meets Sunday 9-11 AM, Monday 7:30-9:30PM, & Wednesday 7:30-9:30PM

Foundational Internet Marketing for Men
8 week course
Begins Sunday May 1st
Meets Sunday 11:00AM-1:00PM, Tuesday 8:30-10:30PM

VISIT GeshemCenter.com