Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs (CHYE) hosted its much-anticipated annual Founders Circle Huddle at Albany Manor in Crown Heights, last Tuesday evening.
The Founders Circle is comprised of Crown Heights business leaders who actively support CHYE through generous financial contributions and dedicated mentorship, helping guide the next generation of Lubavitch entrepreneurs.
While the evening was primarily reserved for CHYE’s invited guests, a select number of premium tickets were made available to those eager to join Crown Heights’ most influential business minds. The event was proudly hosted by Flagstar Bank and Ainsworth Gorkin LLP.
The venue was filled with accomplished entrepreneurs and professionals, treated to a lavish buffet complete with carving stations, a sushi bar, and an open bar offering signature cocktails.
The highlight of the evening was a powerful keynote fireside chat featuring iconic luxury developer Michael Shvo (Shvo.com) in conversation with local real estate magnate David Junik. Shvo captivated the audience with his reflections on success, emphasizing the importance of unwavering dedication, market expertise, spiritual connection through davening at the Ohel, and staying open to Divine Providence (Hashgacha Pratis).
Following the keynote, attendees joined breakout Huddle Roundtables—an opportunity for meaningful discussions led by leading business experts, including:
Yehuda Apfelbaum, CGO, Morgan & Morgan
Schneur Minsky, CEO, Art to Frame
Noteh Gross, Wealth Strategist
Lipa Lieberman, Managing Director, Meridian Capital
Avi Minkowitz, Wolf Advisory Group
Esriel Rappoport, Co-Owner, Malion Holdings
A key moment of the evening was the formal introduction of Kasriel Shemtov as the new Lead Mentor of the CHYE/Level8 Business Mentorship Program. With over four decades of experience across every area of business—including operations, finance, marketing, and strategy—Kasriel shared his passion for mentorship.
“I’ve always believed in giving back,” he said. “After decades in business, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Young entrepreneurs have incredible passion but often lack the experience to navigate crises. I’m excited to be here to help anyone who’s ready to grow.”
“Rabbi Yehoshua Werde does tremendous work on behalf of the community,” noted Yehuda Berg, a CHYE business counselor. “The support of the Founders Circle is what makes CHYE’s impact possible—from helping people launch their businesses to taking them to the next level.”
Special thanks to the event sponsors:
COLlive.com | Fasten Halberstam | Noteh Gross – NY Life | MG In Focus | Aron Goodman Law | AI Digital Commerce | Bhired NYC | Madison Commercial Real Estate
For more information about CHYE/L8, visit CHYE.info
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