Rabbi Finman, Michael
Wolk, Eric Baum, Chana
Finman and Shelly Nadiv
discuss upcoming JBE
events.

Exchanging Ideas

Local Jewish
business groups
act as a network
for better business
and a resource
for charities.

JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR

Special to The Jewish News

elissa Mandell came to
the first meeting of the
Jewish Business
Exchange in August
1996 willing to listen and interested
in a reserved way. By her own admis-
sion, she was not exactly jumping up
and down.
The group was fledgling at best
and the speaker was discussing the
Internet and getting the most out of
a computer. She liked the feel of the
group and wanted more.
"Everyone was very friendly. It was
very warm and supportive," Mandell
said. "I decided to give it a try."
After a few major speakers
(Michigan Governor John Engler,
Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and
Weight Watchers President Florine
Mark) were featured at subsequent

meetings, Mandell was downright
dazzled. Now the co-director of
membership for the 16-month-old
Jewish Business Exchange, she cannot
say enough about what the organiza-
tion has done for her.
"Being a part of the Jewish
Business Exchange has involved a
minimum commitment, maybe two
hours a month. But it has had maxi-
mum return," said Mandell, a travel
agent. "I have gained business, refer-
rals and insight from the other mem-
bers of the group."
From the Jewish Business
Exchange to Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's Federation
Forum and a number of business
divisions of other Jewish organiza-
tions, local Jewish networking organi-
zations have provided newer avenues

for business people to learn more
about their trades, network with oth-
ers and enjoy the company of fellow
Jews.
And they are doing it in increasing
numbers. The Jewish Business
Exchange reports over 100 new mem-
bers in the last year and the
Federation Forum has held many
meetings with more than 300 people
in attendance.
Organizers say the increase in
numbers points to a need for Jewish
business people to build a communi-
ty of support among other like-mind-
ed individuals from the same cultural
background.
"That this organization is not only
thriving but doing very well in
attracting new members and big-
name speakers shows the need for it

2/6
1998

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