PROPEL remains steadfast in its mission to support women in the community as they enter the workforce. Our clients are pursuing exciting careers and expanding their knowledge to be the best they can be in their respective professions.

PROPEL recently organized two enrichment courses, computer literacy classes and Hebrew immersion for women pursuing careers in the field of Judaic Studies. Each of these classes is taught by dynamic women in our community—Cookie Setton and Miriam Harary.

Computer Literacy Courses
Cookie vividly recalls her early years as a working woman. Originally, she had her own business designing and producing applique clothing; when styles changed and the business no longer made sense, Cookie needed to reinvent herself, so she took a position as an administrative assistant in a wholesale business. At that time, she had no significant computer skills. She quickly realized that they needed sharpening and relied on library books to improve. Slowly but surely she learned more and more until she acquired a level of proficiency. Today, Cookie is a Google Certified Educator, experienced in the use of Microsoft Office.
Her journey as a computer specialist makes Cookie unusually well suited to teach others in both individual and group settings. She teaches computer courses at several institutions, including the Sephardic Bikur Holim. Most recently, she joined the PROPEL team and uses her expertise to move women forward. Her classes include, but are not limited to, basic computer skills, Microsoft Office and QuickBooks. Cookie attempts to remove the fear associated with achieving computer competence, and works with each student at a pace that takes her learning curve into account.
Cookie explained that, “Technology in the workplace is constantly changing and my lessons must evolve to stay current and make women valuable members of the workforce.”
Improving computer skills is essential today. PROPEL’s clients are benefiting from Cookie’s knowledge, and salaries are rising as computer mastery is increasing.

Hebrew Immersion Courses
Always in search of a career that makes sense for community women, PROPEL collaborated with the Allegra Franco School of Educational Leadership (AFSEL), and organized a Hebrew immersion class in Deal this summer. Miriam Harary, head of the Hebrew Department at Hillel Yeshiva for 30 years, was engaged as the teacher for this summer course. She was the perfect fit for this course. Over a two-week period, Miriam aimed to perfect the quality of Hebrew language spoken by her students.
Miriam used several techniques to encourage her students and improve their language skills. The class read articles, participated in discussions, analyzed songs, and communicated after class with a WhatsApp Group in Hebrew. Women of all levels in Hebrew language signed up for the class and the feedback was incredibly positive. By offering this class, PROPEL and AFSEL are hopeful that more women will consider pursuing a career teaching Judaic subjects in community schools.
PROPEL is proud to support women in the community and will continue to provide enrichment courses based on their needs.
If you are interested in a career, please reach out to PROPEL and we can help you fulfill your professional goal, call 646-494-0822 or email info@thepropelnetwork.org.

Congratulations! A young couple gets call after call of Mabrook and good wishes from family members and friends. The layette looks beautiful, the cute new baby gifts start to come in, and the excited young couple have their aspirations, hopes, and dreams for their newborn baby. As time goes on they realize things just don’t seem right. Wasn’t the baby supposed to be crawling and talking by now? Everyone tells them, “Don’t worry, everything is fine.”

After a few months, Mom and Dad take the baby to the doctor and after some testing, their worst fears are confirmed—their child has special needs. The doctor explains the child’s disability to the parents, but they are too numb to understand what he is saying. The reality slowly sets in—all the plans they had for this child have been shattered, and at that moment they realize, life is about to change—drastically.
What now? Who can they call? Who do they turn to for guidance, advice, and support? Who can hold their hand and help them navigate through the maze of a new, scary world that they know nothing about?

Unfortunately, this scenario has been played out many times, and is the reality that many families within our community face. For them, life means being on guard 24/7, in a state of high tension, often having to cope all on their own. Along with this tension comes so many questions:
How do I keep my child safe and out of danger? Which school is most suitable for my child’s unique disability? What is really going on with my child and how do I get a proper diagnosis? Which doctor do I go to that knows how to deal with my child’s needs? What are my entitlements, and how do I get them? How do I fill out all these confusing government forms? Who is the best therapist for my child? How do I balance my energy and efforts with the “regular” children in the family and the special needs child? Is there anyone else out there that I can speak to who has done this before? And the list goes on.
That’s where CARE comes in. CARE stands for Community, Advocacy, Resources, Encouragement. This unique community organization deals with the global needs of a family (the entire family) with a special needs child, because the effect that the child has on his/her family is felt in so many ways.

CARE’s team is made up of a combination of parents and professionals. The parents provide priceless real-life experience that is needed to guide the new family. The professionals provide a comprehensive knowledge of schools, programs, entitlements, benefits, and funding that the family may be eligible for.
CARE’s team meets with the family and creates a plan to better their lives. “We sit down with parents of special needs children, listen to their stories, and see what is needed for the child and the family,” said Victoria Safdieh, a founder of CARE. “The challenges that arise as a result of having a special needs child branch out into many different areas of family life. We address and try to help with all of these issues.”
CARE has been advocating, advising, encouraging, and providing a host of services and programs for hundreds of families within our community. The organization has obtained millions of dollars of state funding for services, including nursing, home health aides, social security income, handicap permits, equipment, and schooling. In addition, CARE has been reaching out and building relationships with the local special needs schools and learning about their programs, in order to help guide parents to the school that will best suit their child’s unique disability.

“It is relatively easy choosing a school for a “regular” child, but when it comes to a special needs child it’s a whole different world,” said Meyer Safdieh, cofounder of CARE.
An important part of what CARE does is focus on the siblings of the special needs children, by running monthly sibling events and attending to their needs.
Another focus of CARE, is the impact that the child has on the relationship of the parents.
Often, parents find themselves drifting apart and their relationship is compromised as a result of the constant stress of having a special needs child. CARE encourages them and helps them with practical advice to strengthen their marriage, even going so far as sending couples on a date night in the city and providing a hotel room and dinner to help them refocus and reconnect. CARE also runs lectures and events exclusively for parents of special needs children.

CARE has teamed up with YDE to create a sports program for the autistic boys, which takes place weekly in the school, and has many YDE students volunteering. In addition, CARE held an incredible Purim carnival in Magen David Yeshivah, attended by hundreds of volunteers and special needs children and their families. It was a fun day with music, moonwalks, games, shows, etc. The shining, happy faces of the children were heartwarming. Each child had a volunteer, and their parents were able to enjoy the rest of the family in a fun environment, it was truly a magical day.

In addition, the community came together this past summer to support CARE at the home of Carol and Ike Chera. The Cheras graciously opened their home. Rabbi Eli Mansour, Mr. Harry Adjmi, and Mr. Jack Kassin inspired everyone with their words of support and encouragement for this special, one of a kind organization. Rachel Mitrani gave an emotional speech describing her experiences with her daughter and what CARE means to her.

With its office located in the heart of Brooklyn, at 1977 Coney Island Avenue, the community has a place to turn to for help, advice, guidance, and support for their special needs children. It is there, that they will find a hub of dedicated professionals and volunteers doing their best to help with all of the challenges they are dealing with.
If someone you know needs CARE’s services, or if you would like to participate in any way, whether to volunteer or to donate, please visit our office or call (718) 975-7171.q