22 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 

J

obs and Moms (JAM), a new 
three-week program for mothers 
with young families pioneered by 
Gesher Human Services and Temple 
Israel’s Early Childhood Center (ECC), 
is being launched on Jan. 
23. 
The initiative is aimed at 
mothers of preschool and 
lower elementary school 
children who are Temple 
Israel members and who 
have put their careers on 
hold but now, due to financial circum-
stances or a desire to reenter the work-
force, need guidance on how to find the 
right job. 
The free three-week course offers 
classes twice a week through Feb. 8 

at Temple Israel (5725 Walnut Lake 
Road, West Bloomfield) and was made 
possible through a $7,500 grant from 
the Jewish Women’s Foundation of 
Metropolitan Detroit.
“The idea is that participants will 
drop their children off at preschool then 
stay at Temple Israel for the program, 
making it as convenient as possible,” 
said Jason Charnas, director of business 
and career services at Gesher Human 
Services. “There is a great need for this 
programming as many young families 
are struggling with inflation. Mothers 
who may have had some time out of the 
workforce are considering their employ-
ment options but don’t always know 
how best to get the right job for them 
and their families.”

Charnas added that while this is a 
pilot project, the hope is that eventu-
ally similar programs will be offered 
to other Jewish communities in Metro 
Detroit.
Classes will be held on Mondays 
and Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m. to 
help mothers identify career paths. 
Participants must register for the pro-
gram ahead of time and are expected 
to join the three weeks of programing, 
which includes:
• Participating in fun and informa-
tional career assessments to explore how 
your personality, values and work style 
can coincide with your career choice
• Updating resumes and refreshing 
LinkedIn accounts for use in a job 
search
• Learning to manage stress through 
mindfulness and self-care
• Finding camaraderie with other 
mothers in a supportive environment

Temple Israel’s ECC Director Julie 
Levy said her center was thrilled to 
partner with Gesher Human Services to 
provide an incredible opportunity to the 
mothers in her community. “For anyone 
interested in entering or reentering the 
workforce, this is a fantastic pathway 
back in,” she said. “Our ECC moms are 
passionate and dedicated; any employer 
would be lucky to have them. We hope 
they will join us to gain the skills and 
confidence needed to reach for their 
dreams.” 

 

For information or to register for JAM, contact Phyllis 

Scripsick, career counselor at Gesher Human Services, 

at (248) 233-4278 or email pscripsick@geshermi.org.

OUR COMMUNITY

Free program from Gesher 
Human Services and Temple Israel 
helps moms find employment.

Jobs and 
 Moms

Jason 
Charnas

ALISON SCHWARTZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Temple 
Israel
“FOR ANYONE 
INTERESTED IN 
ENTERING OR 
REENTERING THE 
WORKFORCE, THIS 
IS A FANTASTIC 

PATHWAY BACK IN”

— ECC DIRECTOR JULIE LEVY

