An event dedicated to community women whose families were impacted by Covid-19 and a tribute to the founders, donors, ambassadors and clients of PROPEL.
Given the unprecedented pandemic, PROPEL’s calling to support our community women and families was never more prevalent. A quick response to aid while given the country’s new imposed restrictions was quickly needed. Over the last six months, PROPEL has reached more women than ever utilizing a virtual platform. Whether providing career coaching to PROPEL clients virtually, organizing Zoom get-togethers and training classes, hosting weekly IG Lives, showcasing incredible working women on Instagram, PROPEL has pivoted like no other organization.
Our annual fundraiser reflected that same ingenuity, and on a recent Monday evening, PROPELETHON, a virtual community-wide telethon was aired to hundreds of viewers. A generous donation made by Sharyn and Ezra S. Ashkenazi, cofounder and supporter of PROPEL, in honor of their mothers Mrs. Sally Ashkenazi and Mrs. Gladys Kassin A”H, allowed for this event to take place.
Under the direction of Co-presidents Haim Dabah and Jacqueline Harary, and Project Manager Vicky Amzalag, and with the hard work of the PROPEL leadership and professional staff, PROPELETHON celebrated the fantastic achievements of working women, and shared testimonials from community supporters and board members.
The evening was beautifully emceed by community spokesperson and philanthropist Harry Adjmi and Vice President Dr. Gayle Krost, each a longtime supporter of PROPEL. The evening included heart-warming stories from PROPEL clients and inspirational messages from many community rabbis, including Rabbi Joey Haber, Rabbi Shlomo Farhi of the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue in Manhattan, Rabbi Eli Mansour of the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue in Brooklyn, Rabbi Shimon and Mrs. Alouf, Rabbi Saul Kassin of the West Deal Synagogue and Rabbi Haim Shaul and Rabbi Mendy Weitman of The Ohel Moshe Synagogue at the Moise Safra Center.
The audience was entertained by community comic David Levy in character as Solly, and extremely talented community singers Janet Chrem, Isaac Ashkenazi, Abraham Franco and Michael Tebele. One highlight of the evening was the entertaining and hilarious game show—the Not the Newlywed Game—hosted by Joyce Silverman—with four incredible couples, Norma and Michael Cohen, Raquel and Abie Feldman, Ginette and Isaac Gammal, and Marielle and David Dror. A special thank you to PROPEL board member and supporter, Marcy Feldman, and Caroll Dweck for all their hard work in making the game show a reality.
Some other exciting segments included a salute to our community healthcare heroes and a presentation of an award to Renee Steinberg Tawil, a nurse manager at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, on behalf of all community members who put their lives on the line and were first responders during the pandemic. Another segment included Gitta Kaplan, general counsel at Mamiye Brothers, which kicked off a “I’m Listed” tribute to all those women included in the PROPEL List. In addition, we are thankful to the presentation from the Founder Elliott Dweck featuring the inspirational story of Lynda Levy.
PROPELETHON helped to raise much needed funds for an organization that has tripled its volume since Covid-19. Now, more than ever, families are in need of additional income and PROPEL has responded by training women to become professionals and earners. PROPEL is proud to invoke the Rambam and reference his famous statement that teaching a person a trade is the highest form of charity.
Thank you to all who support PROPEL and understand the mission of the non-profit organization. PROPEL still needs help reaching its goal and appreciates that every donation in any amount counts. Please consider making a donation: Venmo @Propel-Network or visit www.thepropelnetwork.org/donate
