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About the JICNY
The Beginning
Moving to a new country can be intimidating and the frantic pace of New York makes the move even more challenging. People come to our great city looking for a career move, all the social life that New York has to offer, perhaps that perfect soul mate and of course participation in what the larges and most vibrant Diaspora Jewish Community in the world has to offer. Jewish International Connection (JICNY) is a hub for internationals from all over the world. It is a place to meet, find out about what is going on in the City and connect to the one thing that unites us from all corners of the world - our Jewish heritage.
Photo by Michael Findling, michaelfindling.com
Jewish International Connection
In December 2000 we had our first Shabbat dinner for Australians and South Africans living in the New York. From this event our community has grown to over 5,000 people over the past six years. With an emphasis on high-quality programming and wide scale affiliation, JICNY is a United Nations of sorts, with people from all over the world gathering on a regular basis for social, cultural and religious events.
Our programs include a highly successful weekly Torah class, led by Steve Eisenberg, on the Upper West Side, followed by a unique second class, held in multiple languages which typically include English, Spanish, French and Russian. Other events include lectures, tours of the Lower East Side, picnics, Shabattons and retreats. We host a film club that raises money each month for a different charity. We also plan an annual learning mission to Israel that has enjoyed great success.
Our monthly Shabbat dinners feature guest speakers from around the world. We have less formal Shabbat meals and social events throughout the month, as well. Founder, Steve Eisenberg sets hundreds of young professionals up with welcoming places to have the Shabbat meal every year. Over the years founders, Gavin and Jodi Samuels have had over 6000 people attend meals in their home. We recognize the interest and value of the Jewish international community in New York through all of our successes and for this reason we have created the JICNY Networking Group in order to expand on what we have previously been able to offer in the way of networking.
Living in a foreign country that is so diverse and independent, it is comforting to know that there is a place you can go where you will always be welcome; you will be able to explore your heritage and spirituality; and you will be supported by the community that surrounds you.
The JICNY team
Steve Eisenberg - Founder, JICNY
An active founder in JICNY, Steve juggles a high-flying career on Wall Street with a passionate commitment to Jewish outreach programs.
Steve was former Managing Director of investment firm Ehrenkrantz King Nussbaum, Inc., having previously served as a Vice President at Bear Stearns, specializing in Risk Arbitrage.
Steve serves as a lay leader in kiruv, and as a consultant, developing programs for many outreach organizations across the United States. Steve's Monday night classes in Manhattan attract over 100 people and he is frequently invited to speak and lead programs around the world.
Gavin Samuels - Founder, JICNY
Gavin Samuels is currently Senior Vice-President for Quark Pharmaceuticals. From 2000 to 2007 he held several positions in Pfizer Inc's Worldwide Business Development and Worldwide Product Development Groups. His experience included licensing, M &A and Venture Capital. Between 1998 and 2000 Gavin served as Senior Associate - Healthcare Strategy & Corporate Affairs at Merck Sharpe & Dohme in Australia. Prior to that Gavin held several clinical positions in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Gavin obtained his medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, an M.B.A. from the University of New England, Australia and a degree in Health Economics from Monash University, Australia.
Jodi Samuels - Founder, JICNY
Jodi Samuels has lived in 9 cities in 5 countries before making Manhattan home. In 2000, Jodi helped found Jewish International Connection of New York (JICNY), a Jewish outreach program for international Jews living in the metropolitan area. Prior to her move, Jodi started the Australian branch of Aish Hatorah, a similar Jewish outreach organization that flourished within 2 years to reach over 2000 participants. Over the past ten years in NYC, Jodi and her husband have welcomed over 10,000 people into their warm home for Shabbat dinners. Additionally, Jodi has expanded the JICNY way beyond Shabbat dinners alone. In 2009 JICNY had over ten thousand people attend events, organized high-profile networking groups, offered a variety of couples programs and helped to facilitate 55 marriages. Jodi is also the Founder and CEO MetroImma.com, a social networking site for Jewish mothers. She is known as a connector and networker in the community, has an impressive Rolodex of C-level contacts in the business and non-profit sectors, and actively serves on three boards. In 2008 Jodi gave birth to a beautiful baby with Down Syndrome and her and her husband Gavin have made it their mission to make Caila’s world a better place and their focus is to create Jewish educational opportunities for Caila and other special needs kids in Manhattan www.facebook.com/cailysworld. Jodi has an MBA from Bond University in Australia, MA Finance and BA in Psychology. Jodi and her husband Gavin live on the Upper West Side with their 3 children.
Anais Toledano Mizrahi- Marketing and Event Manager
Anais was born and raised in the Sephardic Community of France. In high school she was an active member of the Bnei Akiva movement and eventually became a director in the movement. After SATs, Anais went to a mehina/seminary program in Israel for one year before coming to New York. Graduated from Sy Syms School of Business, Yeshiva University, Anais majored in Marketing with a double minor in MIS and International Business. Working with JICNY has enriched her professional and religious experiences and emboldened her to expand herself through the chessed opportunities offered through this special organization
