The Jewish Link

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the founding of Israel and the 90th birthday of Israeli President Shimon Peres, Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), Congressman Joe Kennedy (D-MA), and Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to honor President Peres with a Congressional Gold Medal.  The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States. It is awarded to individuals, organizations, or events that have made a tremendous contribution to the history and culture of our country.

“President Peres’ extraordinary record of service has helped strengthen the unbreakable bond between the U.S. and Israel, our closest and most stalwart ally in the Middle East,” said Senator Ayotte.  “As we mark the 65th anniversary of Israel’s founding and the 90th birthday of one of Israel’s great leaders, this legislation demonstrates that the people of Israel and the United States stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of extraordinarily uncertain times.”

“Shimon Peres embodies the very best of a U.S.-Israel relationship forged by our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and rule of law,” said Senator Bennet.”In a world that today is more complicated than ever, President Peres’ historic career will serve as a beacon for the next generation of leaders. This bill celebrates and honors his leadership as one of Israel’s most dedicated public servants.”

“For over 70 years President Shimon Peres has dedicated himself to the enduring bond that unites Israel and the United States,” said Congressman Kennedy. “There has been no greater champion for our shared values and defender of our shared interests. In recognition of his tireless efforts and of the friendship embedded deeply between our two countries, I am honored to join my colleagues in offering this resolution today.”

“President Shimon Peres has embodied a commitment to the mutual values shared by the United States and Israel — values that include the preservation of life, faith, family, and freedom,” said Congressman Franks.  “As a figure instrumental in deepening US-Israeli relations, Peres’ lifelong dedication to these foundational principles, as well as his steadfast dedication to making the world a safer place from the sort of hateful ideologies that lead to terrorism, more than warrants his receiving a Congressional Gold Medal.”

“I welcome the initiative by Senators Kelly Ayotte and Michael Bennet and Representatives Trent Franks and Joe Kennedy to bestow Israeli President Shimon Peres with a Congressional Gold Medal,” said Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren.  “President Peres has inspired generations of Americans and Israelis with his optimism and dedication to peace, and this award would be another testimony to the deep and unwavering relationship between our countries.”

Rabbi David Baron, spiritual leader of Temple of the Arts and Chair of the Clergy Cabinet of the ShimonPeres Congressional Gold Medal Commemoration Committee, said, “President Peres’ achievements as a global statesman reinforce the core American value of preserving liberty and freedom for all people.”

“Shimon Peres is a symbol of the bridge that defines the US Israel relationship,” said Ezra Friedlander,CEO of The Friedlander Group, which was instrumental in creating the Shimon Peres Congressional Gold Medal Commemoration Committee.  “Honoring President Peres with the Congressional Gold Medal is an acknowledgment of the role that Congress played in the development of the U.S.-Israel relationship since its establishment 65 years ago.”

Who is Shimon Peres?

Shimon Peres was born in Poland in 1923 and his family emigrated to Tel Aviv in 1934.  Peres went on to serve in several high-level cabinet positions in the Israeli government, including as Minister of Defense, Foreign Minister, and Prime Minister – a career in public service that spans over 70 years.  A member of Israel’s founding generation; he was elected president in 2007.  He will celebrate his 90th birthday on Friday, August 2.

About the Congressional Gold Medal:

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution, or event. Although the first recipients included citizens who participated in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War, Congress broadened the scope of the medal to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants, and foreign recipients.

Friendship Circle of Los Angeles kicked off the beginning of construction for a new all-inclusive playground on Sunday July 21, 2013 at 1952 South Robertson Boulevard.

The event marked the beginning of construction for “My Backyard”, a playground designed specifically for children who have physical disabilities and other special needs.  Play structures and equipment were chosen by a team of skilled professionals and specialists based on years of experience with the special needs community.

The new playground will feature California’s first and only integration carousel, which whill allow children who are wheelchair-bound to roll directly on! Some other features included in the playground are a water and sand play structure, imperative for children who have sensory needs, an interactive raised garden that will enable children to enjoy gardening and watching the ‘fruits’ of their labor, a tricycle path with evenly spaced multi variation pavement for kids who require the stimulation of the vibrations and much more.  Long term plans include curriculum where typical children will have the opportunity to play with children who have various disabilities by utilizing each component of the yard to its full potential.  Furthermore, Jewish values, rituals and lifestyles will play a part in the plans to make the yard interactive and a place for physical, spiritual and communal growth. For example, the children will learn about the Jewish harvest holidays and then go outside and work in the Friendship Garden.  These plans include opening up the yard to local schools and youth groups where they can be a part of this place of inclusion and life-long learning.

98% of Jewish children who have moderate-several disabilities in Los Angeles do not attend a Jewish school. The Friendship Circle, and now this playground, will be a Jewish ‘home away from home’ for these children.

The event included a breakfast for donors and a ceremony featuring speeches by founders Rabbi Michy Rav-Noy and his wife Miriam, Vice-President of Partnership & Innovation at the Jewish Federation Scott Minkow, parent and donor Bezhad Kianmahd, and Steve Bram, a representative of the R.P.O (Real Estate Principals Organization), which gave an $80,000 grant and ongoing consultation for the project. Children attending participated in art projects and were treated to a Mad Science show. Towards the end of the ceremony, the crowd broke into a dance at which point Director, Michy Rav-noy played a shovel like a guitar! Most inspiring, however, was the heartfelt and profound comment made by Mr. Kianmahd:

“I believe the G-d created each one of us with love….and no one is perfect…in that sense, we all have ‘special needs’. Nevertheless, G-d loves each and every one of us and takes care of our needs…that is the true message and embodiment to the Friendship Circle. This message is lived daily at the Friendship Circle. “

The Friendship Circle of Los Angeles was initiated by Rabbi Michy Rav-Noy and his wife Miriam in 2003 to address the social needs of Jewish children with special challenges. Its mission is to provide these children with opportunities to engage with others through social, recreational, educational and Judaic experiences.   At the heart of all Friendship Circle programs are its 420 teen volunteers from 58 schools around Los Angeles, who are paired with participating children to provide mentorship and friendship.  It’s a win-win for everyone as the teens give of themselves and children are the recipients of all that love.

B”H, after several years of negotiations, a dream came into fruition with the signing of an agreement between Yeshivas Bais Toras Menachem of Los-Angeles and ORT-College of Los-Angeles.

Students will study towards an associate’s degree in business management in the afternoon, while learning semicha together with chassidus and nigleh in the morning. Classes will be men’s only, and the calendar will follow that of Yeshiva – such as ample time for Pesach break and classes will take a standard summer recess. Students will be able to complete their semicha and associate’s degree in this novel two year program.

“There is a critical need for Yeshivos to adequately equip bochurim for marriage – which includes semicha and job-skills — to be future husbands and breadwinners,” says Mrs. Rivky Katz, Bais Toras Menachem co-founder.

As in previous years, the phenomenal semicha shiur will continue to be taught by the vibrant Rabbi Levi Chazan, and the testing will be by the esteemed RabbiElchonen Tauber, Rov and Dayan of K’hal Bais Yehuda of Los-Angeles. This is in keeping with the Rebbe’s Hora’ah of every bochur learning semicha, so that he will be well versed in practical Halacha with which to guide his family. This is in combination with a dynamic Chassidus shiur taught by Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz, which provides the flame of the program.

The novelty in this coming year’s program will be the synthesis of the above with the terrific opportunity provided by ORT-College of Los-Angeles. As put eloquently by Mr. Fred Keivanfar, Director of Admissions and Finance, ORT-College of Los-Angeles, “To enable our Orthodox young-men to earn a respectable parnassah to support their family is a tremendous mitzvah – without which a Jewish home cannot function.”

The college program will consist of a dual track program designed to accommodate students based on their academic skills. Students in track one will study for a 65 credit-hour associate’s degree in business management. Students in track two will study for a 32 credit hour diploma in accounting, alongside studying for their GED and furthering their English and Math skills.

“The evening class structure also provides an excellent opportunity for yungerleit to achieve a degree while working without having to enroll in a secular college,” says Rabbi Mordechai Katz, Dean of Bais Toras Menachem.

“This agreement is truly remarkable in so many respects,” says Rabbi Levi Bennish, current director of Bais Toras Menachem. “We greatly appreciate the dedication of ORT-College, headed by Mr. Joseph Neman, who in addition to making this program possible, has also ensured affordable tuition for our students.”

I debated on whether or not to write this article as I thought maybe it would be crossing two different streams of involvement.  However after giving it much thought, I realized that one stream may actually help the other and decided to write it.  As you know by now, my profession is as a therapist in private practice.  In each session I listen to people of all ages and situations discuss the things that challenge them and very often the source of much upheaval in the home is financial stress and pressure.  The past few years have been excruciatingly painful on the job and financial front.  Many people have lost their jobs, their homes, and have even gotten divorced over dealing with the financial burden.  I realized that a lot of the internal problems at home between husband and wife that I see during sessions would be lessened, if not solved, by financial security.  I’ve written several articles about the price tag of being an observant Jew and raising Jewish children, and the recent economy has only further challenged this in countless homes.  So, based upon this, I decided to share with readers about what I have found that has begun to make a difference for my family, and I believe can potentially make a difference for any family that participates.  It is shared with the intention of strengthening the community and hopefully potentially alleviating the burden that so many families are experiencing.

Four months ago one of my closest friends came to me wanting to discuss some new business she was doing.  She said something about electricity and really I had no interest.  I’m a therapist, not in the energy business.  She continued to bug me telling me I simply had to give her 30 minutes to hear what she is doing and after six weeks of her chasing me I finally told her that because I love her I would listen.  (Really I’m a bit embarrassed that I wasn’t a better friend and given her that time sooner, but I’ll blame that on the fact that I have so many kids and let’s move right along . . .)  By the end of our 30 minutes together, I was impressed.  She had connected with Ambit Energy, Inc., a highly reputable energy company that was entering into the American marketplace due to the federally-mandated deregulation of the energy industry.  I’m sure most readers would recall the deregulation (breaking up of monopolies) of other industries, the telecom industry being one of the largest and most recent.  Seven years ago Ambit Energy jumped on the scene opening service for gas and electric in two states and has exceeded all expectations since that time.  In just seven years the company has entered into 9 states, reached over one billion dollars in revenue, is debt free, and is providing service to over one million customers.  All of this with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a long list of accolades including the coveted #1 spot on the 500, Inc. magazine’s list of top privately owned companies.  But . . . its business structure is network marketing (gasp) and could I really embrace this business model?  I knew due diligence was in order and so my research of the company and its business structure began.

What I found further impressed me.  The founders of the company are both power-houses of men, each highly accomplished business men in their own right.  The reputation of the company is exceptional.  Yes, there are some complaints on the internet—mostly out of Texas that has a very different setup then the rest of the states—but do a search on any company from Target to Microsoft and you will always find negative comments about something.  Certainly the ones posted about Ambit were minor and the A+ Better Business Bureau rating reassured me.  (Now I feel most confident given their recent award from J.D. Powers and Associates for #1 customer service by an energy company in the State of New York.)  I also loved the fact that they offer a Certified Green Energy program for those who prefer a more eco-friendly source of power.  Then of course I had to look at the business model—what exactly would I be doing?  How often do I need to do it?  How much will I get paid for it?  Upon reviewing the Ambit Energy compensation plan I was simply amazed.  The potential for growing long-term financial stability through their residual income plan is both genius and recession-proof with consultants earning residual income on every single gas and electric bill that he or she brings into Ambit Energy.  Even when times are tough, most households will pay gas and electric before any other bill—and they are already currently doing so which means I do not have to sell anything.  I simply need to ask people who are already paying for the service if they are interested in saving money through Ambit Energy and help them to make the switch.  That’s it.  Simple, easy, and done on my own time table and through my own personal network of contacts.

Once I was comfortable that both the company is credible and the work itself is something I can fit in to an already packed schedule I made the decision to jump in and have not looked back since.  After just under three months I am already making money each week, have been promoted once, and am slowly starting to bring in extra income to my home.  I envision this is something that I will continue to do part-time for the long-term building our nest egg and watching the residuals build over time.  With my oldest entering college in just two short years, the timing is perfect.  And speaking of timing . . .

One of the things that makes the opportunity with Ambit Energy here in Southern California so unique is that we are not yet an open market—meaning Ambit Energy does not yet service our immediate area.  The significance of this is that while I am networking with my contacts in currently open regions of Ambit Energy, I know that when service does open here there will be an immediate explosion of activity and an influx of both consultants and bills that will jump my income up considerably.  Although I believe the timing is always good to enter into Ambit Energy, the timing right now for us in Southern California is supreme.  No one from the company has confirmed when Ambit Energy will begin service in our area; however rumors are circulating that it will be sometime this fall starting with gas service.  Personally, although it is just a touch more difficult to work in an unopened area, I prefer to have this time to continue to build my business step-by-step and network to position myself as high up in the company as I can prior to the market opening.

Obviously there are many more details—a presentation for Ambit Energy goes through an overview of the entire involvement to be a consultant or customer of Ambit Energy.  In addition, I am fully aware that this entire article can be conceived as an attempt at shameless self-promotion for the new business I am involved with.  However after discussion with the Community Links magazine owner he agreed that this opportunity has the potential to help many Jewish families during otherwise difficult financial times, and it is through this lens that we agreed the value of sharing the information outweighs the potential misperception.

At a minimum, I encourage each reader to view www.energysupplyfree.com, which is a 25-minute presentation given by one of the top earners in Ambit Energy.  By the way, the speaker on this video segment happens to be an orthodox Jew in New York and dozens of the top consultants are observant Jews.  In addition, the owners of the company determined that if and when there are company events that fall on Shabbat or a Jewish holiday they will always offer a special recap session for those who had to miss.  I feel this goes above and beyond what is standard practice in corporate America and demonstrates a certain sensitivity and respect for those working with Ambit Energy.

For those of you who are intrigued, the next step after viewing the entire video would be to contact us to get questions answered and get started!  My partners and I are building one of the top teams in Los Angeles and plan to be leading the charge when the market opens in Southern California.  We’d love to have you by our side benefiting on the opportunity as well.  As the Gemara states, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.”  On a final note, there is also a way for businesses and non-profit organizations to benefit from the Ambit Energy program.  You can contact us at ambitcml@gmail.com or call 323-761-9127.  Here is wishing everyone abundance and flowing parnasa!

By: Mia Adler Ozair