Khal Zichron Yaakov in Lakewood was the site of a dinner hosted by Professional Career Service (PCS) on behalf of their successful accounting program. Over 250 current and former students of the program gathered to pay tribute to the program, one of the most successful programs run by PCS.

The accounting program began in Lakewood close to ten years ago and to date close to 300 yungeleit have taken advantage of what the program has to offer. Led by the combined efforts of R’ Yoel Towlinski, PCS placement director, and Mrs. Zucker, PCS’ accountant recruiter, PCS has been able to help place and council many of the graduates. Many of the graduates have gone on to successful accounting careers at some of the most prestigious accounting firms including Deloitte and Touche and Price Waterhouse Coopers. A second successful division of the program, in Montvale, NJ near Monsey, was instituted in recent years.

The program is run in conjunction with Farleigh Dickinson University (FDU). Since beginning their affiliation with PCS FDU’s ratings have risen to the top of the accounting field in the State of New Jersey.  

The accounting program embodies PCS’ goal of providing an opportunity for yungeleit to earn a parnasah in a most upstanding way. Furthermore, knowing that when the day comes to leave the confines of the yeshiva there is someone looking out for them allows yungeleit to sit and learn with menuchas hanefesh, says Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Vice President of Community Relations and PCS Board Member. “The program fits the schedules of the yungeleit at the same time allowing them to pursue a degree without compromising on their ruchniyus by attending a secular college”, says Rabbi Lefkowitz.

PCS began with the backing of the Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva, Harav Elya Svei ZT”L in 1990 in New York spreading to Lakewood with the help of R’ Gedalia Weinberger in 1995. R’ Gedalia, who serves as Chairman of the Board of PCS, spoke at the meeting about why he and his fellow board members Rabbi Lefkowitz, R’ Yossie Feldman and R’ Avi Schron volunteer so much of their time and effort on behalf of PCS. R’ Gedalia related a story told about the founder of the mussar movement Rav Yisroel Salanter. A simple Jew followed the great torah leader around one Erev Yom Kippur to observe how Rav Yisroel prepares for the great day. After eating breakfast the individual observed Rav Yisroel place a hammer in his pocket and proceed to go around to all the nine shuls in town making sure to hammer in any nail that may be sticking out from a chair to ensure the utmost comfort of those attending shul on Yom Kippur.

“Making sure others are happy and relieving their pain is the most gratifying thing one can do”, said R’ Gedalia. “It is a tremendous zechus for us to be able to help others in this way.”

R’ Yossie Feldman, founder of PCS of New York commented on the great sense of pride he felt upon seeing hundreds of yungeleit whose parnasah opportunities have come through the organization he helped create. To date, over 4,000 baalei parnasah have been helped through the efforts of PCS in New York and Lakewood.

R’ Daniel Soloff, National Director of PCS who has helped the program take off during his time as Director, relayed to the crowd the responsibility they have towards their fellow graduates of the accounting program. The same way someone gave you your first accounting lead, said R’ Daniel, you must be there for others who are looking for their first break.

Bob Defilippis, Chairman of the accounting program, spoke glowingly of teaching in the PCS program over the past five years. Defilippis spoke of how gratifying it is for him to play a part in the development of the program’s success.

The evening’s guest speaker was Yosef Levine, Audit Senior Manager by Deloitte & Touche. Aside from giving pointers on how to succeed even in today’s tough economic times, mainly by putting yourself out there by showing you are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, Levine stressed how those in the workforce have the constant responsibility to create a Kiddush Hashem.

(YWN Lakewood Desk)