Where will you find a wine guru, a baby-proofer and a dog trainer gathered together over a bagel and a shmear? Add in a Feng Shui practitioner, a dentist and the regular crowd of lawyers, realtors and bankers. Is this kosher? You bet. It’s business as usual at the Cherry Hill Jewish Business Network.

The CHJBN, as it’s known, is a diverse, yet culturally bonded group of Jewish professionals who meet every other Wednesday morning and monthly at informal evening cocktail gatherings, seeking new clients or members, new employees or job leads.

Since its inception last fall, CHJBN’s morning group has grown from 22 to standing room only, with 54 attending a pre-Passover meeting at the Training Resource Group Training Center in Marlton. Evening events typically draw over 150 Jewish professionals. The group’s targeted emails are sent to more than 300 individuals working
primarily in the tri-state area, and may be seen by more than 1,200 through partnerships and affiliations.

The group has evolved so quickly that founder and leader Jason Starkman, of Richardson Commercial Realtors, plans another branch in either Middlesex County or Monmouth County, in about six months. Also in the works is a new Executive Roundtable CEO dinner forum and dues are in the offing. Another sign of progress—two
women have been asked to join the all-male advisory board. In place, or forthcoming for CHJBN members are an annual diner, job fairs, an angel/mentor network, member-only insurance services and an internship program.

It’s no surprise that the CHJBN is thriving in a limping economy, the belt-tightening climate in which networking group memberships traditionally flourish. But why the necessity for a for Jewish networking group? According to information on the group’s website – www.chjbiznet.com -- one of CHJBN’s missions is to foster awareness about Jewish and world causes and opportunities, and foster discussion among the thousands of Jewish professionals in the
Delaware Valley. And at the Marlton meeting, Starkman encouraged his groupies to “help other people who are unemployed because Tikkun Olam, or healing the world, is the ultimate power of the Jewish community.” You have to give to get,” he added. Sharon Bronstein, owner ARTISTIC CREATIONS, a local gift basket company, invited anyone who would be alone at Passover to her Seder and Jason extended the same invitation.

Jewish professionals enjoy the group because of its altruism, informality and small size, according to participants. And the common cultural background adds a comfort level for some.
Randi Tonoff of R.T. Interior, an interior design and Feng Shui (the Chinese practice of creating a positive ambiance) firm, likes the CHJBN precisely because it’s a Jewish group. “I believe Jews are very loyal and like to talk and spread the word,” she said, explaining that her husband mark, of Tonoff Financial Services, started with the
group six weeks earlier and suggested she attend.

CHJBN is more relaxed than many similar organizations, according to Stan Brown of Corkscrewed of Cherry Hill, (a wine seller). “There is no note from mother required if you don’t show up,” he said, noting that some other groups meet weekly, which he believes is “overkill.”
Bonnie Natal of Lynk Systems (credit and debit transaction services) has acquired new business at CHJBN and “likes the way the group is run.” Dentist Amy Golden, whose practice is in Berlin, appreciates the focus on giving back to the Jewish community and the group’s more laid back format. And Patricia Gibbons, president of TaskMasters, a corporate and personal concierge service, likes
attending CHJBN meetings although she’s not Jewish. “The group provides the opportunity for everyone to introduce themselves and individually network.” She said, nothing that any reservations she had about attending as an African American woman quickly vanished.
Toby Weitzman of Creative Catering Co., who has been attending since the group began, emphasizes the serious side of CHJBN. “This group is more up my alley. There’s not as much schmoozing. You’re more in and out. Jason keeps the meetings rolling, which is important when you’ve got to get to the office. I like CHJBN’s philosophy, business-wise and personally.”
Part of this serious business is helping unemployed members find jobs. At the Marlton meeting, a CFO announced that he is looking for a new job because his company was about to be sold. And Susan Cohen, a software developer for more than 20 years, told of seeking an IT job in Quality Assurance. She lingered after the meeting to thank Jason and Gary Cohen (no relation), who owns a marketing company and serves on the CHJBN board of advisories. Howard Kohn, director of human resources at Wordsworth in Elkins Park, Pa,
served as an inspiration for Susan and other job hunters. Unemployed when he started attending CHJBN meetings, “I now come back to promote the benefits of networking,” he said.

Seeking a new job, new customers, additional employees or a particular service? CHJBN meetings are scheduled for June 11 and June 25, from 7:45-9:00 AM and include 30-second introductions of all attending, success stories, card exchanges, two member
presentations and a half hour of schmoozing. Every person who has attending at least two prior meetings has the opportunity to
be one of the two presenters at each meeting – with the proviso that they also sponsor a kosher breakfast. Meetings are held at 8001 – B Lincoln Drive in Marlton. Please RSVP by noon the day before at 609.586.1000 or 609.636.9513. For more information, log onto
www.chjbiznet.com.