Spring 2018 allFOR ONE A publication of See Page 6 Page 4 Page 8 Page 9 United As One 6 Tips to Landing Corporate America Inaugural National Tomchei a New Job Meets Non-Profits Shabbos Convention Why do donations to the Chicago Chesed Fund have a Spotlight: greater impact than people may think? Expenses comparable to the income being raised Moshe is far less than any average 501c3 (charitable organization). This means we maximize all dollars donated, using them primarily to care for families in need, rather than paying expenses, such as Kahn salaries and overhead. When people donate, President of the Board of the Chicago Chesed Fund they should know they are assisting as efficient and Managing Partner of Ashley Management, an organization as possible to help struggling Moshe Kahn shares his thoughts on what sets the families. Chicago Chesed Fund apart. In addition to monetary A Message from contributions, why should people donate their time and Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst talents to helping a community organization such as the Dear Reader, Tomchei Shabbos Convention, both as a nonprofit educator and a student to learn best practices from other renowned Chicago Chesed Fund? Welcome to the Spring 2018 “All for One” issue. As always, organizations. we appreciate you taking the time to keep up-to-date with Volunteers become partners in chesed, helping the Chicago Chesed Fund’s happenings and important news. As Purim and Pesach quickly approach, the Chicago families move forward with dignity and with Our impact is only as powerful as the support we receive Chesed Fund is already preparing to assist. With Hashem’s the understanding that there’s always someone from our selfless community. help, we will brighten the holidays for many Chicago Jewish caring for them. A vital component of the Chicago families. Chesed Fund’s efforts is its ability to assist families I would like to extend a special thank you to our family of in a variety of ways – with programs and services supporters, volunteers and everyone who helped us and our We hope you enjoy our Spring issue and once again I want that require hands-on assistance. Whether it’s great community in 2017. We look forward to continuing our to thank you for supporting our organization. stocking the shelves of our 18,000-square-foot efforts this year to provide relief to families by offering the How did you first get involved food warehouse that enables families to food crucial support they need. ‘shop’ for free, organizing our complimentary Sincerely, with the Chicago Chesed Fund? department store that receives 26,000 pounds As you will read in the pages that I first met HaRav Shmuel Fuerst many years ago of clothing donations each month, or serving as follow, the Chicago Chesed Fund during our time in Telshe Yeshiva. As one of a volunteer financial advisor to help families get had an exciting past few Founder, Chicago Chesed Fund the yeshiva’s elite bochurim, he demonstrated back on their feet, it’s our selfless community months. Our exciting the same genuine kindness and warmth that he members that fuel better lives. Shas for Shidduchim carries today as founder of Chicago’s pillar campaign saw of chesed. hundreds of lomdim Children/Babies Holiday Government Celebrations Department Assistance Programs unite to complete Shas, Seven years ago, HaRav Fuerst asked me to be on Be part of an offering the zchus to the Board of an organization that greatly assists amazing cause. help Klal Yisroel’s singles find Chicago’s Jewish families in need. Honored to their basherts. We helped Job Household To learn more about our many Clothing Education Assistance Assistance be able to help achieve his vision of a community organize this year’s built on chesed, I humbly accepted. I have been programs and ways to participate, Annual part of the Chicago Chesed Fund family ever visit ChicagoChesedFund.org. National Financial Mental Medical since and currently serve as the organization’s Assistance Food Programs Health Assistance President of the Board. 2 ALL FOR ONE: Spring 2018 // ChicagoChesedFund.org 3 n an inspiring display of unity, the Chicago Shmuel Zaks of Chai4ever, who discussed fundraising I Chesed Fund, Tomchei Shabbos and like- challenges in today’s nonprofit climate, family minded organizations across the U.S. gathered in a psychologist Yerachmiel Milstein, who shed light on small Newark Airport conference room to discuss the impact of and solution to debilitating financial how to help struggling families in their respective stress that affects many families, and marketing guru UNITED communities more effectively and impactfully. Yitzchok Saftlas of Bottom Line Marketing Group, who gave tremendous insights on efficient and cost- Organized by the Chicago Chesed Fund and Tomchei effective marketing for nonprofits. Shabbos, the first ever National Tomchei Shabbos Convention drew renowned organizations from “It was an honor to help coordinate this ultimate communities across the country, including Baltimore, display of achdus,” said Rabbi Yossi Fuerst. “The Bergen County, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Five give and take created a beautiful kiddush Hashem, AS Towns, Lakewood, Los Angeles, Miami, North Miami as attendees were able to strengthen their own Beach, Monsey, New York City, Passaic and St. Louis. approaches, but more importantly, shared thoughts and insights to help others around them.” Various roundtable discussions covered a broad range of topics, such as intake and vetting processes, “Thank you to Rabbi Fuerst, Mrs. Hudis Fleisher and ONE logistics, operations, marketing and fundraising. the Chicago Chesed Fund for putting this wonderful Ultimately, the convention spawned a wealth of ideas schedule and conference together,” said Ruchie and resources that were shared among attendees. Berger of South Florida’s JCS Kosher Food Bank. “It was an honor and a pleasure to meet everyone and “Our goal was to create a coalition of organizations learn about amazing programs happening around the Inaugural National working towards a single goal: to help provide support country. It was a true learning experience.” for families and individuals in need nationwide,” said Schneur Braunstein, Executive Director of Tomchei “It was a wonderful day of sharing and inspiration,” Tomchei Shabbos Convention Shabbos Los Angeles. said Rabbi Boruch Brull of Ahavas Yisroel in Baltimore. “Being able to sit among peers who work each day to Distinguished keynote speakers who contributed their help others was very special.” time and knowledge included fundraising specialist 4 ALL FOR ONE: Spring 2018 // ChicagoChesedFund.org 5 VISIT SHASFORSHIDDUCHIM.ORG FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS & VIDEOS CHICAGO UNITY HUNDREDS GATHER TO COMPLETE SHAS ON BEHALF OF KLAL YISROEL’S SINGLES n Tu B’shvat, an auspicious day brimming with renowned posek and dayan. “Everyone came Ozchusim, Chicago harnessed the power of limud together because they truly care about their fellow HaTorah to address one of Klal Yisroel’s biggest Jews. B’ezras Hashem, the day’s limud HaTorah concerns. should be a great zchus for all Klal Yisroel’s singles to swiftly meet their basherts.” From Tuesday to Wednesday evening, approximately 500 lomdim filled the Veitzener Cheder Yeshiva Following the completion of all 2,711 blatt, the Ohr Boruch building and completed shas in just 24 community united to participate in a grand Siyum hours for the zchus of helping Klal Yisroel’s singles HaShas that featured a catered seudas mitzvah, find their basherts. Lomdim representing states live music, dancing and special divrei bracha from across the country, including New York and Indiana, guest speakers, HaRav Shmuel Dishon, shlit”a, and traveled to participate in the momentous day. HaRav Shmuel Fuerst, shlit”a. To conclude the siyum, Kabalas Malchus Shamayim was recited, marking the Founded by the Chicago Chesed Fund under the day’s sanctity and importance. leadership of HaRav Shmuel Fuerst, shlit”a, the national Shas For Shidduchim campaign provided In his moving keynote speech, HaRav Dishon, shlit”a, individuals an opportunity to sponsor a daf or expressed the anguish many singles face each day mesechta for the zchus of finding a shidduch for searching for their intended, and the impact of limud themselves, friends, or family members. All proceeds HaTorah. “Just as Yehoshua ben Nun and the Bnei were donated exclusively to the Chicago Chesed Yisroel crumbled the walls of Yericho, so too the Fund for the mitzvah of hachnosas kallah. koach of limud HaTorah b’rabim should break down the walls in shamayim that may be preventing singles “Our community made an unbelievable Kiddush from finding their zivug.” Hashem,” said HaRav Shmuel Fuerst, shlit”a, 6 ALL FOR ONE: Spring 2018 // ChicagoChesedFund.org Photo Credits: Shlomo Dr. Adler, Yudi Rine, Yitzchok Saftlas to help you land the Corporate How does your corporate experience translate perfect job to the nonprofit world? TIPSSearching for a job can be stressful. Our team at Job Link America During my 25 years as President and COO of a national business, I’ve understands the unsettling feeling of being on the hunt, learned that any company’s success, regardless of the product or service and put together six tips to help you land the perfect job. it provides, is incumbent on its ability to drive growth. And the Chicago Chesed Fund is no different. A vital community resource that provides Meets assistance for hundreds of families in our community requires a seamless 6 Decide on the type of job you want. Be as specific as infrastructure and a forward-thinking approach to allow it to continue possible regarding job title, function, industry and its amazing work. I was trained to identify and forecast a company’s 1 company or organization you prefer. Narrow down Nonprofits next steps; its next opportunities. I’m humbled at the chance to use my your choices before you set out on a job hunt.