Elected leaders who are renowned in Ocean County’s Jewish community as years-long advocates of the community’s needs were honored in a special ceremony celebrating the community’s businesses and those that help to make its success possible. In the presence of business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the Jersey Shore area who assembled for the Orthodox Jewish Chamber’s massively successful Jersey Shore Business Expo, the Chamber’s founder and CEO Duvi Honig presented awards to Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, Ocean County Commissioner Director Joe Vicari, and NJ state Senator Robert Singer as a token of appreciation for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the community.
The sold-out event was organized by the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce as a means of empowering local businesses. A unique opportunity for face-to-face B2B networking, so critical in today’s economy, the event drew attendees from halfway across the globe, attracting businesspeople from not only the nearby Jewish hubs in Monsey, NYC, Far Rockaway, and Philadelphia, but from Atlanta, Texas, and even England and Israel. The venue at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center of Toms River was filled to max capacity, teeming with over 250 people who came to exhibit, network, and learn. The event featured nearly 50 exhibits, a high-level NJ state panel, and workshops on cutting-edge business tools and strategies.
Duvi Honig acknowledged the honorees and thanked them all for their leadership. “Day in and day out, you are reached out to for help by so many individuals whom you help unconditionally, and yet it goes unnoticed,” he said. “As we work to build bridges via commerce, it is our mission to recognize and say thank you, to strengthen our ties, and to show appreciation and gratitude.”
Accepting his award, the Sheriff thanked the Chamber for helping his department expand new relationships with NYPD, which goes a long way in the battle against hate and anti-Semitism. He shared a personal anecdote about how the Chamber helped him connect with a distant cousin, who is a lieutenant in the NYPD.
Commissioner Vicari shared with the room how Mr. Honig and the Chamber were instrumental in helping businesses restart after COVID as part of the governor’s economic committee. “We all beyond the Jewish community owe a debt of appreciation to the Orthodox Jew Chamber of Commerce for helping Ocean County businesses restart and stay open,” he said.
Senator Singer was effusive in praising the Chamber’s commitment to economic empowerment, declaring that he considered the Chamber a true partner in helping to build bridges and empower all via commerce.
The panel assembled by the Chamber for the event showcased its collaboration with the highest levels of state government and featured Christina Fuentes, Vice President of Community and Business Development within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA’s) Community Development division; Tricia McLain, Senior International Trade Specialist for the U.S. Commercial Service; and Don Newman, Manager of Small Business Advocacy within the New Jersey Business Action Center. The New Jersey Business Action Center personally reached out to the Chamber following the event to convey their satisfaction at the great number of introductions and new contacts they were able to obtain through the event.
There were workshops dedicated to equipping businesses with the tools that will help them get an edge in today’s competitive business market. Heshy Friedman, president of Azurite Marketing Group, a branding website, shared his expertise on utilizing LinkedIn to your greatest advantage. David Koegel, a middle-market lender with a business career that spans multiple national banks, covered the ins and outs of effective cash flow management. Rachel Lebowitz, a professional EOS implementer, guided participants on how to achieve their vision for their business. Kelly McCullough, RDN, LDN, a Clinical Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Coach, focused on women’s entrepreneurship and empowering women in the business world.
Montebello Media provided an invaluable resource for business owners, arriving on-site with a studio for one-on-one on-airinterviews, which helps businesses get the message out and generates footage for future promotions. Huvy’s Art Gallery, a member of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber, came in from Israel offering special discounted pricing for chamber members. A special VIP after-hour networking event was sponsored by Lampost for all vendors and VIPs.
Testimonials from attendees highlighted the event’s ability to deliver real results. Top Journalist from Israeli newspaper Maariv Josh Aronson who lives in Manchester UK was also there. “This event is important for Relations for world Jewry,” said Aronson, “I made many connections which improves relationships between diaspora Jewry.”
“What an amazing Small Business Expo today with the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce in Toms River!,” posted John Crisafulli, Vice President/Senior Business Development Officer at First Commerce Bank, who was a sponsor of the event. “So many great connections were made and Commerce was built while Bridging Communities.” Jane Johnston, Director of Marketing and Strategy at Priority Payment Systems Local, expressed her appreciation to the Chamber. “I’d like to thank you for hosting such a wonderful event yesterday,” she said. “From the content to the leads we gathered, we had an amazing experience.”
[Press Release]