metro Dialogue begins when it's based on facts. Gutsy and Glamorous Annual JVS Trade Secrets event helps women overcome challenges. There's only one nation in the Middle East that protects human rights. Israel. Trade Secrets co-chairs: Shayna Silverman, Mindi Fynke and Cheryl There's only one nation in the Middle East that protects freedom of worship for all its citizens. Israel. There's only one nation in the Middle East that protects the legal rights, safety & freedom of the LGBT communities. Israel. There's only one nation in the Middle East that protects and encourages freedom of the press. Israel. Dialogue begins when it's based on facts. Israel is by far the most democratic state in the entire Middle East. It supports civil rights for all its citizens regardless of religion, creed, race, gender & sexual orientation. Ravitz Foundation Confronting Anti-Semitism Program www.adl.org/michigan • 248.353.7553 detroit@adl.org www.adl.org/adlumoncampus A night filled with glamour and stories of courageous women, the sixth annual JVS Trade Secrets dinner on March 12 broke records for attendance and donations. The event at Knollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield raised more than $170,000 for the JVS Women to Work Program, which helps women overcome challenges and flourish in the face of devastating life changes. Keynote speaker Sandra Pierce, vice chairman of FirstMerit Corporation and chairman and CEO of FirstMerit Michigan, charmed more than 400 attendees with anecdotes about her career in the male-dominated banking industry. "Do not let anyone else convince you that you are not good enough, not skilled enough, not schooled enough to achieve what you feel you are capable or she said. "Sometimes it is difficult to be real- istic about what stands in your way. Sometimes you are afraid to ask for help. Sometimes we can be our own greatest obstacle, usually because fear of failure drives a lot of our decision making ... You do have the power to make decisions that are going to sup- port your own success:' Funds raised at Trade Secrets provide career counseling, job search training and skills assessment to women of all educational backgrounds and experi- Women to Work Program Kicks Off April 24 The JVS Women to Work program has helped thousands of women during its 30-year history. The program's next information meet- ing will be held 9-11 a.m., Thursday, Anti-Defamation Leagues 1907260 24 ril 10 • 2014 Margolis. Judy Richmond, coordinator of JVS Women to Work Program, and Myriam Cohen, recipient of the 2014 Women to Work Award ence levels after their world has been turned upside down following a divorce or the unexpected death, layoff or ill- ness of their spouse. "Trade Secrets allows JVS to continue helping women and families going through a difficult time said Hadas Bernard, JVS chair of the board and a founding chair of Trade Secrets. "A wonderful aspect of the program is that participants come from diverse backgrounds and they become friends and advocates for one another Myriam Cohen, a past participant of the Women to Work Program, was honored at the event for her amazing success story. When her 24-year marriage ended, Cohen worried about how she and her two sons would manage. She had a col- lege degree in early childhood educa- tion, but she hadn't worked outside the home in nearly 20 years. A friend recommended the JVS Women to Work Program, which launched Cohen on a path to self-dis- covery. After completing the program, Cohen began volunteering at a Jewish Senior Life apartment complex and discovered she loved working with the elderly. Today, she is program coor- dinator at Meer Apartments in West Bloomfield. Trade Secrets was co-chaired by Mindi Fynke, Cheryl Margolis and Shayna Silverman. ❑ April 24, followed by 10 group sessions two days a week for three hours each at JVS, 29699 Southfield Road in Southfield. For more information, visit www.jvsdet. org/women.