By Alexandra Roth-Kahn

I knew we were expecting well over 400 people for the Connect to Care job fair on March 2nd. And through my continuous analysis of our data, I am also acutely aware of the thousands of people that are being served monthly through Connect to Care.

However, it is a radically different experience to look at numbers and calculations on paper compared with hundreds of people waiting on Amsterdam Avenue to enter the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. The sight of these individuals lining the block in front of the JCC will forever stay in my mind. It serves as a testament that we created a truly valued response for the Jewish community at a point of utter crisis in our region. We have made services that are of critical necessity possible.

I was extremely impressed by the level of sophistication and coordination that marked every aspect of this event. The planners’ efforts really paid off. It's astonishing that 700 people each had unique experiences. I saw some individuals rushing for the networking session, while others spoke at length with our colleagues at the New York Legal Assistance Group table. The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services team was engaging with clients at every minute. I traveled the elevators numerous times and witnessed so many participants exchanging their resumes with one another, networking at the core, and providing one another with suggestions and tips in their job searches. I doubt that many of these people knew each other hours before. It is these customized experiences that make our initiative so precious and distinctive.

In the central room with the tables of employers, there was a tangible sense of energy and enthusiasm. The attendees truly looked their best and moved around the room with confidence, which I know comes from coaching and support. I don't want to diminish how painful it is that so many people are out of work, but there really was a positive aura in the room — a feeling that we are all going through this together.

I not only felt the pride in Connect to Care that I feel every day, but I actually felt in awe of all that has been accomplished. When I was speaking to a member of the Russian press and witnessed how astonished she was to learn that just next week, Brooklyn will host a similarly designed fair with all new employers and all new clientele, I privately shared in her wonder.

To our beneficiary agency colleagues, thank you again for all of your work and your steadfast commitment to this initiative.

Connect to Care Brooklyn Job Fair is Wednesday, March 10th, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., at the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst. For more information, call 1.718.331.6800 ext. 178.