The weather outside may not make it seem so but summer is around the corner. Many of our students use the summer as a chance to explore different industries through internships. One of the many charges of our Shifra Hanon Pathfinders Department is to help interested students find internships and jobs in the fields they wish to explore. In today's alumni newsletter, you will read about four alumni in very different fields who provided internships to our students. If you are interested in offering an internship to one of our students (summer or semester), please contact the alumni office or email the Pathfinders Department at [email protected]. 

Lauren Edelman Sable (ES ‘99, HS ‘03) is an attorney for the New York State Supreme Civil Court. She served as the principal law clerk for a judge working in the Civil litigation division. She has worked with multiple Flatbush students during her clerkship. These students were involved in the entire process of preparing a case. These students read motions, helped prep the judge, cataloged evidence, performed judicial research and more. “A highlight of this experience for the students, the judge and myself came at the end of their internships, they would be responsible for all case preparation. This was where they were given the opportunity to shine and show how much they had learned. My judge was so impressed with each of the YOF students who interned with our office.”  One of the students who interned for Lauren was Albert Dweck (HS '16). “With Lauren’s guidance, I was able to get involved in all aspects of running the judge’s office. I learned so much about how a court room and a case operates. Lauren’s warm and welcoming spirit in a very bureaucratic and cold space (a courthouse) made my whole experience even better. We have kept in touch, and she has provided me with continued career advice and counsel.”

Maurice Levy (ES ‘97, HS ‘01) is an owner and developer of Paramount Assets, an urban real estate development firm in New Jersey. He has been a part of the Internship program at YOF since 2015 when Mrs. Hanon reached out to him. The high school real estate club was looking to hear from more field professionals. This past summer interns in his office were exposed to many different facets of the real estate business from construction to leasing. We spoke with a former Paramount intern, student Maurice Silvera (HS '23) who said, "As an intern at Paramount Assets this summer, I gained invaluable experience in the fields of real estate and architecture. I’m especially grateful to all the professionals in the office who were incredibly welcoming and full of advice to help me succeed." Maurice and other interns learned how to use CAD, a commonly used computer based architectural drawing program, working with the design team, learning from the leasing agents, serving as project managers, and sourcing materials (an enormous undertaking in the current real estate market). They were able to see and experience projects from start to finish. We asked Maurice Levy why other alumni should participate in this program, he said, “this is part of the values we learned at Flatbush, being a good community citizen and sharing opportunities with others.”

Aaron Berger (ES ‘84, HS ‘88) is a cardiac electrophysiologist. His work involves caring for people with heart rhythm abnormalities. He splits his work time between his medical practice office and in the hospital at Mount Sinai Brooklyn. Aaron’s involvement with the interns program dates back many years. He worked with numerous YOF interns before the pandemic. When he was asked to be a part of this program he jumped at the opportunity. “It’s all about hakarat hatov. I am a proud Flatbush alumnus and I am so grateful for what the school did for me and my family. I want to help current students and see the school continue its incredible work for many years to come.” His interns have been involved in all facets of his practice, from seeing patients in the office, observing procedures, sitting on medical technology meetings and making hospital rounds. ‘The program can take some of your time as a professional, but it’s incredibly gratifying to help someone who could become a future physician. Knowing you helped open their eyes to career opportunities in medicine. It’s extremely rewarding to help and give back to the community.” 

Nancy Mizrahi (HS ‘15) is a videographer and film producer. She has worked on documentaries, promo ads, family lifecycle events and with community organizations. “My goal is always to help people and organizations show your story.” Her involvement with the internship program goes back to her own involvement with Pathfinders as a student. “I had a close relationship with Mrs. Hanon and will always appreciate how hard she worked to expose us to different industries. I interned in a fashion house through the Pathfinders office. That work in fashion exposed me to the world of video production. That’s where I learned how to build a photo shoot. From there I started building a business. First on the side and then it became a full time career.” As she built her business, the interns became an integral part of it. “I rely on the Pathfinders students to play different roles in each event. They assist on film sets, working the second camera, set up and break down of equipment, editing work, and other hands-on opportunities.” Nancy talked about how the interns have helped her to expand her business. “The students are a great tool to help you balance your business needs. They are excited to work and learn and you have the opportunity to teach and share your knowledge. It also allows me as a business owner to work on more projects.”