by Debra Rubin
NJJN Bureau Chief/Middlesex

September 21, 2009

Job seekers and those who would like to help them came together in East Brunswick Sept. 10 for a day of networking and encouragement.

ParnasaFest, sponsored by six Jewish federations and Jewish family service agencies, drew over 200 people to Temple B’nai Shalom.

“It was wonderful, probably the best event we’ve ever had,” said ParnasaFest cochair Susanne Goldstone Rosenhouse.

“It was a great, diverse group of people,” agreed Dave Weinberg, founder and executive director of ParnsasaFest, which has organized networking fairs throughout the United States, as well as in Toronto, Jerusalem, and London.

Attendees included professionals who had been out of work for some time and others seeking better jobs and opportunities. Some, including an Israeli dance instructor, said the economy had put a crimp in their businesses.

One Monmouth County man said he was looking for a job for his out-of-work, 30-year-old son, who would have to move back home if he didn’t find a job soon.

Monte Block of East Brunswick, who runs three employment services, was busy collecting business cards.

He offered advice for potential job seekers: Be flexible. “People are offered $70,000 when they used to make $90,000, and they won’t take a pay cut,” said Block. “That’s not the right attitude. They need to be flexible and get back in the market.”

Block gave some encouraging news: He said the job market was at last turning around. “Last month we saw more activity than in the last year. We have 150 job openings and our clients are hiring. I really think we’ve made the turn.”

The gathering was run in partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and its Jewish Family and Vocational Service, Jewish Federation of Monmouth County and its Jewish Family & Children’s Service, and United Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks and its Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County.

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