PROPEL CELEBRATES ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
IT WAS TRULY AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING FOR PROPEL, AS THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CELEBRATED ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON JULY 14TH AT THE BEAUTIFUL HOME OF SHARON AND MICHAEL HADDAD (VICE PRESIDENT OF PROPEL). OVER 200 GUESTS—INCLUDING COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PROPEL BOARD MEMBERS, PROFESSIONALS AND CLIENTS—GATHERED AT THE EVENT. THE EVENING WAS WONDERFULLY ARRANGED TO RECOGNIZE TWO WOMEN WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY—ALICE ADJMI AND DR. GAYLE KROST (VICE PRESIDENT OF PROPEL).
An upbeat video montage set to the song “Let’s Get Down to Business” opened the program. On the large screen, the montage portrayed the achievements of many PROPEL clients and reviewed PROPEL programs and events. The guests saw how PROPEL provides career guidance and invests in women to allow them to develop professions, and promotes “Smart Giving” by making an investment in a woman’s career that has a return that continues to grow for years to come. By investing in women, PROPEL is investing in the families and future of our community.
Hostess, Sharon Haddad, warmly welcomed the guests and thanked and acknowledged honorees and the keynote speaker. Sharon then introduced Jacqueline Harary, co-president of PROPEL, and noted that PROPEL is one of the most relevant charities in our community. Jacqueline described the evolution of the organization over the past five years. At its inception, PROPEL focused on enabling women to obtain certificated careers; now, the organization is helping women enter graduate programs. Jacqueline declared that PROPEL’s mission of improving the lives of so many people speaks to her, and she is very proud of the growth of the organization.
Jacqueline introduced our keynote speaker, Adela Cojab. Adela’s inspirational speech described her family’s move to Deal, New Jersey from Mexico when she was a young child, her education at Hillel Yeshiva, and standing up against anti-Semitism at New York University. Most powerful was Adele’s acknowledgement of her mother as her role model who encouraged her to always achieve. The crowd cheered as she announced that she is starting law school this fall.
Alice Adjmi was presented with the PROPEL Community Woman of the Year Award in gratitude for her outstanding dedication to the health and wellbeing of our community members and all that she accomplished during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gladys Haddad, President of Magen David Yeshivah, spoke beautifully about Alice’s desire for everyone around her to be happy, and her inspiring and empathetic nature. Gladys described Alice’s dedication to our community during the pandemic and introduced a surprise video from Amanda Kloots, a person who Alice impacted during the pandemic, by enabling her to see her husband in the hospital before he passed away. A video about Alice, featuring Ivor and Robin Braka (PROPEL board member), Freda Sutton, and Mazal Liniado of Shalom Foods, further illustrates Alice’s impact on community members and her massive generosity.
Dr. Gayle Krost was presented with the PROPEL Lifetime Achievement Award in gratitude for lifetime advancement of education in our community. PROPEL Board Member Marcy Feldman delivered an impactful speech introducing Gayle, a philanthropist who has done so much for our community, and acknowledging the importance of education instilled in Gayle by her parents. Gayle was encouraged to pursue a career as she attended New York University School of Dentistry and became an endodontist, while maintaining strong family values. A video featuring community leaders Ezra S. Ashkenazi (PROPEL co-founder and board member), Sammy Saka and Elaine Parker further highlighted the important role Gayle plays in our community through her leadership roles at many key organizations, including Hillel Yeshiva, Children’s Cancer Center and PROPEL.
Co-Executive Director of PROPEL Alissa Shams thanked the board, the advisory board, the newly formed young professional board, and the professional and marketing team of PROPEL for their tireless devotion to PROPEL’s mission and clients. Alissa discussed PROPEL’s synergy with other community organizations and beyond, including Sephardic Bikur Holim, UJA Federation of NY and Touro College. A video presentation portraying collaboration with Touro featured PROPEL clients currently enrolled in programs there prefaced Allissa’s introduction of two extraordinary PROPEL clients.
Probably the moment of the evening which allowed the guests to understand the instrumental work of PROPEL was when graduates, Lendy Sardar Hanono, a PROPELed client, and Judith Betesh, a functional nutritionist, came up to the podium to passionately tell their stories. Under the mentorship of PROPELed, Lendy enrolled in and completed Touro’s Jewish Education and Special Education masters program, and when asked to describe herself, she said, “I love learning!” Lendy is a shining star, and we look forward to her sharing her radiance, wisdom and passion with the students in the community. Judith has a depth of knowledge about promoting great health through eating well. If she doesn’t know something she will search for answers in all the right places because client health is an essential focus of her work. Judith is generous, loving and kind; however, it is her strength that truly inspires. We are very proud of these incredible women, Lendy and Judith!
Co-President of PROPEL Haim Dabah then offered some encouraging words about where PROPEL has taken the community in terms of promoting the concept of a second household income and highlighted the new initiatives of the organization, including PROPELed, the Victoria Aronow PROPEL List, community high school engagement, and the PROPEL Mentorship program.
Harry Adjmi, one of our community’s well-known leaders, closed the event and passionately recognized many sponsorships and donations to PROPEL.
A special thank you to Norma Cohen Productions, Seuda Foods and Lauren Ancona for helping to make the evening such a successful one.
PROPEL is extremely appreciative of all the community members who support the organization and all the donations that were pledged at the event. PROPEL offers career guidance and some financial scholarships to cover part of the cost for training and educational programs and exemplifies “smart giving.” By investing in women, each donation evolves into a salary which can help support a family, and eases the financial burden which is a reality in today’s world. As the Rambam proclaims, teaching a person a trade is one of the highest forms of tzedakah. PROPEL is committed to the financial success and future of the community by inspiring women to feel confident in careers that they choose.
If you are interested in a career, please reach out to PROPEL and we can help you take the steps to fulfill your professional goals and dreams.. PROPEL 646-494-0822|info@thepropelnetwork.org | Instagram @PropelNetwork
