Elizabeth, NJ–Bruriah students were treated to a day of financial literacy training by a team of specialists from the multinational financial firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. The Bruriah program followed visits by PwC to the Jewish Educational Center’s Yeshiva of Elizabeth elementary and Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy divisions twice over the past two years.
The PwC program, launched two years ago as part of its “Earn Your Future”’ $160 million commitment to provide financial literacy education in schools across the country over a five-year period, was introduced to JEC through PwC partner and JEC board member and parent Brian Ness of Hillside, NJ.
“As someone from PwC and a parent in the school, there was such momentum from the boys’ high school and elementary divisions that I wanted to bring my team back to visit Bruriah this year,” he said. “We felt it was extremely important to share our program with the young women of Bruriah because opportunities in finance ought to be made equally available to both men and women.”
Building on modules shared with the other divisions, 25 PwC professionals, ranging from first year associates to senior managers, covered topics that included money management, budgeting, credit, trustworthiness as it pertains to lending money, and investing. Most exciting for Bruriah students and faculty alike was the presence of a Bruriah alumna among the PwC team, Ilana Schwartz, of Fairlawn, NJ.
Having graduated from Bruriah just four years ago, Schwartz attended Michlalah in Israel and then Yeshiva University’s Stern College, finally earning her CPA in Accounting. She joined PwC just three months ago and was thrilled to be chosen as part of the visiting team. As she prepared to present her module to students, she shared that finance, “is something important to know for life. It’s never too early to start understanding what goes into saving, planning and money management.”
“I was very nostalgic driving here this morning,” she said. “Bruriah gave me a strong work ethic and a very well-rounded education overall, which really prepared me for my career.”
Also in attendance as part of the PwC team was RTMA alumnus Sammy Rosenzweig of Hillside, NJ, Class of 2008. This was his second year joining the team and presenting to students of the Jewish Educational Center.
Ness, as team leader, was gratified by the inclusion of former JEC students in his PwC team roster. “It’s a really nice opportunity for alumni, who have grown into the business world, to get a chance to return as role models and give back to the school in such a dynamic manner.”
The PwC visit is one of several Financial Literacy and Personal/Professional Development programs planned for the JEC this academic year. PwC will be back in the spring of 2015 to visit with Yeshiva of Elizabeth and RTMA students. There is also an Alumni Networking for Young Professionals event scheduled for January 7th from 6-8 p.m. at Congregation Ohav Shalom in NYC. A panel discussion on Estate Planning covering logistical, financial, legal and halachic topics is being planned for later this winter, and a presentation on Lessons in Self-Presentation by renowned Executive Coach Raleigh Mayer is tentatively slated for the spring.
For more information about any of these upcoming programs, please contact [email protected] 908-355-4850, ext. 6248.
By Adina Abramov
