In the last national election, our community did what no politician, candidate or political pundit thought the Sephardic community would ever do – we showed up – and we did so in mass numbers! For reference, in the last two PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS (2016 AND 2020), the Sephardic community had between 3,000-4,000 members show up to vote. However, in the most recent election, we saw voter turnout triple to over 10,000 community members, largely due to an historic and unprecedented initiative directed by the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF). The excitement to vote was something we had never seen before, and together, the community sent shockwaves through New York State’s political landscape, with a clear message: We are here!
The benefits that our community has seen in just the last 3 months since the November election are extraordinary. From elected officials visiting our institutions, to increased funding, to renewed calls for our community to have our own elected officials, the response has been overwhelming, and we are only getting started.
Considering both the rise in Anti-Semitism and the recent serious and significant challenges that Israel has faced, including threats from extremist factions in Congress that want to condition military aid to Israel, or rhetoric from members of Congress questioning US support for life saving defensive technologies like Iron Dome, the question became: what can we do and what comes next?
Over four years ago, Ezra S. Ashkenazi conceived a bold concept to create the National School of Public Service (“NSPS”) whose primary mission and focus is to educate and empower Jewish communities across the country to seek careers in public service. Despite the limitless opportunities and benefits that could come with a career in public service, our community has historically not taken advantage of the diverse career paths and professional progress that is available.
After years of working through details, solidifying a curriculum, and identifying an advisory board, the recent threats to the U.S.-Israel relationship as well as to Jewish communities around the United States made one thing undoubtedly clear: It was time to launch the National School of Public Service to inspire and recruit the next generation of Jewish leaders.
The NSPS is proud to launch our first affiliate program in partnership with Propel, a community career mentoring organization for women that is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In the past two years alone, Propel graduates have generated over $30 Million “per year” in salaries – a tremendous accomplishment for our community. With the inclusion of careers in public service, we hope, G-d willing, to significantly increase the earning potential of families within our community. We would like to take the opportunity to thank the President of Propel, Dr. Gayle Krost, who has been a staunch advocate and supporter of our initiative.
The NSPS will utilize relationships with organizations, universities and national groups to forgo the need for a dedicated physical space and will expand far beyond our community.
The goal of the NSPS is two-fold:
First, we would like to introduce, enable and assist community members with their eligibility for the over 100 available career paths in government, all of which come with extraordinary benefits. Regardless of your educational background, degree or interest, there are countless positions available that community members can take advantage of.
Second, our goal is to identify and empower community members to participate in the political process, and position as many of our community members as we can to run for office. The financial benefits of having our own community members elected to office is in the tens of millions of dollars annually. In addition, the importance of having our values and interests represented in a drastically changing political landscape is imperative.
NSPS Founder and Founding President Ezra S. Ashkenazi explained succinctly: “We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. We have a responsibility to enter the arena playing the game, and the NSPS will be the avenue by which we achieve these goals.”
The NSPS will be a game changer for Jewish communities across the United States eager to get involved but lacking the means or know-how to do so. Starting with Propel as our first affiliate, the NSPS will continue to cultivate our partnerships with colleges, universities and institutions around the United States with a goal of having tens of thousands of Jewish activists around the country working in public service.
Joey Saban, the NSPS’ Executive Director, emphasized the potential long lasting significance of the organization’s mission: “As a community, we have an opportunity to not only spearhead the growth of the NSPS, but to create a foundation for change that will last generations. Now is our moment, now is our time and now is our turn – join us today!”
Q&A:
1. What career paths are available in public service and how can I get involved?
There are over 100 available career opportunities ranging from social media experts to graphic designers, to election lawyers, and of course to the possibility of running for office. In order to get involved: Women please email info@thepropelnetwork.org and men email joey@thensps.org.
2. What kind of benefits are offered for some of the career opportunities?
Government jobs tend to have great benefits, from health care to retirement funds, to flexible schedules and competitive pay. The health care benefits alone can save community families thousands of dollars a year.
3. What long term benefits could the NSPS provide for our community?
Our community is lacking in adequate representation and that affects our taxes, our schools, the funding for our organizations and our quality of life. Being able to educate and empower community members to seek careers in public service will provide our community with the political capital that is necessary to ensure that our community is well served.
4. Do I need any specific experience to apply for a job?
There are hundreds of jobs available. Some of them have experience requirements, but many do not. I recommend speaking to a career specialist at Propel who can help find a position that works for different experience levels.
5. What are some of the positions that are available?
Application Developers Social Media Experts
Graphic Designers Analysts
Campaign Managers Field Directors
Senior Advisors Assistant Design Directors
Communications Interns Accountants
Election Lawyers Press Interns
Web Designers Photographers
Community Liaisons Bookkeepers
Project Coordinators Inspectors
Nurses School Liaisons
The National School of Public Service is in the process of being formed as a 501C3.
Joey Saban is a member of the New York State Committee and District Leader for New York’s 45th Assembly District.
