Networking event aims to help people find work

TORONTO — Two young Torontonians are planning an event that they hope will help people who have lost their jobs because of the economic downturn.

Choni Fried, left, and Moshe Grunfeld

Moshe Grunfeld, a 22-year-old legal assistant, and his friend Choni Fried, a 27-year-old development officer for Chai Lifeline, are bringing ParnasaFest to Toronto this Sunday evening. The name is a reference to the Hebrew word for livelihood.

The grassroots networking event has already spread to 10 locations. It was launched last month in the United States by Dave Weinberg, a Toronto-born, Washington, D.C.-based friend of Grunfeld’s and Fried’s, in response to layoffs in the Jewish non-profit world.

Following a pilot event Feb. 11 in New York, ParnasaFests have been held in Chicago, Washington, Detroit, Jerusalem, Long Island, Sacramento, San Francisco and London, England.

After a second ParnasaFest was held in New York, Grunfeld said he heard that one person was hired as a result of a contact made at the first event, and that seven people received interviews.

“This is not a job fair,” said Grunfeld. Much of it will consist of “shmoozing,” and there will be an opportunity for attendees to introduce themselves by name and area of work.

As well, networking consultant Ida Shessel (letusfacilitate.com) will conduct an “interactive skill builder” to help participants network more effectively.

Shessel, who is donating her time for the event, said she hasn’t heard of any similar events, aside from some smaller Jewish networking groups.

Because of a limited budget, ParnasaFest has been promoted mostly through Facebook and has been attracting a younger crowd, but the event is intended for everyone – “all ages, all career levels,” Grunfeld said.

“We just want a good mix, because you never know who knows somebody who knows somebody… We’re especially looking for people who are hiring, and for sponsors.”

As of last week, Grunfeld and Fried had one sponsor, Saveutel, a company that provides cellular phone consulting services. They also have the venue,  the Toronto Zionist Centre, courtesy of the Marlee Shul, a young Orthodox congregation that meets in the building.

Although Grunfeld is employed, he spent several months last year looking for a job following his graduation from Yeshiva University. Eventually, he said, a Facebook contact who saw that he was job-hunting provided the lead he needed.

“You never know whose grandmother’s aunt’s cousin is going to be working at an accounting firm that happens to have a job, even if it’s not an accounting job.”

Fried said he and Grunfeld “immediately got on board” when they heard about the project. “For me, it was recognizing that if we can make a difference, it was incumbent on us to do something,” Fried said.

Like Grunfeld, he also heard about his job through someone he knew. “I think if we can help people network, it’s imperative that we do this.”

He and Grunfeld advise job seekers to bring their business cards but not their resumes to ParnasaFest. The dress code is business casual. “There’s no formality,” said Fried.

“They should just bring themselves, and a willingness to shmooze and meet new people,” Grunfeld added.

Fried said he would encourage prospective employers or people who know of a job opening to attend even for a short time. Organizers are asking people to pre-register.

ParnasaFest Toronto will be held this Sunday, March 29, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Zionist Centre, 788 Marlee Avenue. For further information or to pre-register, go to parnasafest.org and click on “Toronto.”