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Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC)

Website:

www.ojchamber.com/
Location:

New York, NY
Founded:

2010  1

References

  1. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.” SignalHire. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.signalhire.com/companies/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce

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The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC) describes itself as a global umbrella for Orthodox Jewish-owned businesses of all sizes, and in all industries. 1 New Jersey real estate developer Duvi Honig is the founder of the OJC. 2 3

In October 2023, the OJC launched a boycott against Starbucks after Starbucks Workers United, the Workers United, SEIU-affiliated union and union-organizing campaign for Starbucks employees, expressed “solidarity” with Palestinians shortly after the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel. 4

The organization grew out of the Parnassah Expo – Nationwide Business Networking Events. 5

Background

The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC) says it is active on both business networking and political fronts to improve the prospects of Orthodox Jewish-owned companies doing business with major corporate entities. It also claims to help implement laws beneficial to Orthodox Jewish-owned companies at the federal, state, and local level. 6

The organization says small businesses make up more than 80 percent of its membership. 7

Founding

Duvi Honig is the founder of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC). 8 Honig is a real estate investor who was negatively affected by the Great Recession of 2008, seeing his house foreclosed and utilities turned off. 9 He also saw neighbors in Lakewood, New Jersey losing their jobs during the recession. 10

While some programs already existed to support businesses owners and job seekers, Honig said he found those programs had not kept pace with the economy, where more entrepreneurs were using technology, social media and outsourcing to create companies faster and cheaper than before. 11

He said this inspired him to establish the Parnassah Network in 2009 to offer day-long training seminars for startups covering job training, financing, coaching, and networking. 12 13

Divisions

The Parnassah Network expanded to include 14 divisions, which eventually led to the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. The OJC became the parent group with separate divisions, including the original network. 14

The OJC opened a New York City office in May 2017. 15 J. Morton Davis is the chairman of OJC in New York City. 16 Shmuel Shifrin is the executive director of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. 17

In January 2018 the OJC launched in Israel division in Jerusalem by hosting a business networking event. 18

Government Advocacy

The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC) says its Executive Public Policy Committee engages in advocacy with the White House, Congress, and the Israeli Knesset to benefit its members. 19

The chamber also says it has confronted anti-Semitism in the United Nations, and has battled the BDS movement (boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel) at institutions, asserting the movement would harm Jewish businesses and professionals around the world. 20

In 2016, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators honored the OJC during Jewish Heritage Month. These senators also held a press conference in front of United Nations headquarters featuring former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton. 21

The OJC teamed with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) for a “U.S.-Israel Business Alliance” trip to Israel in January 2017. 22 The event included a Knesset symposium attended by a dozen prominent members and a business networking dinner at the King David Hotel. 23

In May 2017, the OJC held an event to honor New Jersey state legislators for approving bipartisan anti-BDS legislation that passed the previous year. The legislation prohibited funds from the state’s $71 billion pension fund from being invested in any companies that engage in BDS activity. 24

In October 2018, Honig visited the Trump White House where he met with Mark Zelden, acting director of the Department of Labor’s Centers for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. 25

The OJC supported the designation of New Jersey Economic Development Day, which Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed into law in 2019. It is the second Monday in May each year. 26 New Jersey Economic Development Day is aimed at encouraging state officials, business leaders and local residents to organize job fairs, business conferences and to promote “economic resiliency,” as well as “streamline economic development programs to empower communities” for economic growth. 27

In February 2023, in Washington, D.C., officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce met with Duvi Honig, founder and CEO of the OJC, as well as Mark Jaffe of the New York Chamber of Commerce and James Kim of the [South] Korean Chamber of Commerce. The business leaders also had a private dinner at the Capitol. The chamber leaders and Commerce Department officials discussed World Trade Month coming in May. 28

In November 2023, the OJC opposed a proposed “Congestion Tax,” under which New York State could charge commuters entering Manhattan’s central business district during peak hours a toll reaching as high as $23. The Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, approved the move. OJC supported New Jersey Gov. Murphy’s intent to sue the federal government to block its approval. 29

Programs and Events

The OJC’s flagship event is the annual J-Biz Expo and Business Conference, which it calls the largest Jewish community business-to-business event in the world. The event is held in the New York/New Jersey region. The chamber says the event draws hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees from around the world. 30 31

In July 2018, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored the “Honoring Lauren Simmons, the Lone Woman on Wall Street: Empowering Minorities” event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in partnership with the African American Chamber of Commerce, Modern Wealth Concepts Executive Services Group, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The event was to stress the capacity for breaking barriers in business for all minorities. The event featured a series of panel discussions on women in business, as well as a speech by Lauren Simmons, who at age 23 was the youngest woman full-time stockbroker on the New York Stock Exchange. 32

The organization has also teamed with the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the New York Business Conference and Expo in Midtown Manhattan. 33

Starbucks Strike

After the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, Starbucks Workers United, a labor union of Starbucks employees affiliated with the Service Employees International Union’s Workers United division, posted, “Solidarity with Palestine” on its social media accounts. 34 35

The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce called for a for “a widespread boycott of Starbucks,” to “send a strong message against the normalization of violence and hatred,” according to the Jerusalem Post. The group added, “Together, let us make a resounding statement against the indifference displayed towards the loss of innocent lives.” 36

The OJC posted a list of the 300 unionized locations on its website and stated that “the Chamber urges all seeking a non-hostile [sic] environment to avoid.” 37 Starbucks Workers United accused the company of sharing the list of 300 unionized locations with the OJC. 38

References

  1. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/company/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce/
  2. “People.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. LinkedIn. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/company/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce/people/
  3. Diamond, Michael. “Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish Chamber expands to NYC.” Asbury Park Press. May 3, 2017. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.app.com/story/money/business/2017/05/03/orthodox-jewish-chamber-commerce/308773001/
  4. Staff. “The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has boycotted Starbucks, calling on others to follow suit, after the barista union voiced support for Hamas.” Jerusalem Post. October 18, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/banking-and-finance/article-768968
  5. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/company/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce/
  6. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/company/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce/
  7. “Membership Benefits.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.ojchamber.com/membershipbenefits
  8. “People.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. LinkedIn. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/company/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce/people/
  9. Diamond, Michael. “Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish Chamber expands to NYC.” Asbury Park Press. May 3, 2017. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.app.com/story/money/business/2017/05/03/orthodox-jewish-chamber-commerce/308773001/
  10. Hold, Faygie. “Orthodox business group finds common ground with fellow minorities.” Jewish News Syndicate. August 6, 2018. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jns.org/working-to-find-common-ground-and-empower-young-business-professionals/
  11. Diamon, Michael. “Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish Chamber expands to NYC.” Asbury Park Press. May 3, 2017. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.app.com/story/money/business/2017/05/03/orthodox-jewish-chamber-commerce/308773001/
  12. “About.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.ojchamber.com/about
  13. Diamon, Michael. “Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish Chamber expands to NYC.” Asbury Park Press. May 3, 2017. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.app.com/story/money/business/2017/05/03/orthodox-jewish-chamber-commerce/308773001/
  14. Diamon, Michael. “Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish Chamber expands to NYC.” Asbury Park Press. May 3, 2017. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.app.com/story/money/business/2017/05/03/orthodox-jewish-chamber-commerce/308773001/
  15. Hold, Faygie. “Orthodox business group finds common ground with fellow minorities.” Jewish News Syndicate. August 6, 2018. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jns.org/working-to-find-common-ground-and-empower-young-business-professionals/
  16. ROI-NJ Staff. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce commends Murphy for congestion tax lawsuit.” Return of Information-New Jersey. July 26, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.roi-nj.com/2023/07/26/politics/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce-commends-murphy-for-congestion-tax-lawsuit/
  17. “People.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. LinkedIn. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/company/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce/people/
  18. Altshul, Sharon. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber Of Commerce Launch In Jerusalem.” Baltimore Jewish Life. January 15, 2018. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=37&ARTICLE_ID=97837
  19. “About.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.ojchamber.com/about
  20. “About.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.ojchamber.com/about
  21. “About.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.ojchamber.com/about
  22. Blum, Shimmy. “Mike Huckabee in Israel – Live broadcast from Jerusalem. Highest Echelons of Business and Political Worlds VIP Dinner in Yerushalayim.” Israel National News. January 4, 2017. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/222755
  23. “About.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.ojchamber.com/about
  24.  Blum, Shimmy. “State of New Jersey Is Honored by the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce for Its Landmark Anti-BDS Legislation.” Jewish Link of New Jersey. May 11, 2017. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://jewishlink.news/state-of-new-jersey-is-honored-by-the-orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce-for-its-landmark-anti-bds-legislation/
  25. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce talks economic development at White House.” Jewish News Syndicate. October 23, 2018. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jns.org/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce-talks-economic-development-at-white-house/
  26. Press Release. “Governor Murphy Signs Resolution Designating “Economic Development Day” May 13, 2019. Accessed November 4, 2023. https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562019/20190513e.shtml
  27. Hold, Faygie. “Orthodox business group finds common ground with fellow minorities.” Jewish News Syndicate. August 6, 2018. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jns.org/working-to-find-common-ground-and-empower-young-business-professionals/
  28. JNLJ Staff. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Hosts High Level Delegation at Department of Commerce in Washington.” Jewish News Link. February 23, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://jewishlink.news/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce-hosts-high-level-delegation-at-department-of-commerce-in-washington/
  29. ROI-NJ Staff. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce commends Murphy for congestion tax lawsuit.” Return of Information-New Jersey. July 26, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.roi-nj.com/2023/07/26/politics/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce-commends-murphy-for-congestion-tax-lawsuit/
  30. Hold, Faygie. “Orthodox business group finds common ground with fellow minorities.” Jewish News Syndicate. August 6, 2018. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jns.org/working-to-find-common-ground-and-empower-young-business-professionals/
  31. “About.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.ojchamber.com/about
  32. Hold, Faygie. “Orthodox business group finds common ground with fellow minorities.” Jewish News Syndicate. August 6, 2018. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jns.org/working-to-find-common-ground-and-empower-young-business-professionals/
  33. Hold, Faygie. “Orthodox business group finds common ground with fellow minorities.” Jewish News Syndicate. August 6, 2018. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jns.org/working-to-find-common-ground-and-empower-young-business-professionals/
  34. “Orthodox Jewish Chamber Of Commerce Calls For Starbucks Boycott.” Lakewood Alters. October 15, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023.https://lakewoodalerts.com/orthodox-jewish-chamber-of-commerce-calls-for-starbucks-boycott/
  35. Maida, Stephanie. “Starbucks Allegedly Encouraged Boycott Of Unionized Stores.” Tasting Table. October 21, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.tastingtable.com/1426877/starbucks-allegedly-encouraged-boycott-union-stores/
  36. Staff. “The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has boycotted Starbucks, calling on others to follow suit, after the barista union voiced support for Hamas.” Jerusalem Post. October 18, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/banking-and-finance/article-768968
  37. “Howard Shultz and Starbucks Corporate Team Work Together with Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Re It’s Union Owned Stores Taking Legal Action on Its Support of Hamas.”.” Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. Accessed November 14, 2023. https://www.ojchamber.com/detailsnews/howardshultzandstarbuckscorporateteamworktogetherwithorthodoxjewishchamberofcommercereitsunionownedstorestakinglegalactiononitssupportofhamas.
  38. Maida, Stephanie. “Starbucks Allegedly Encouraged Boycott Of Unionized Stores.” Tasting Table. October 21, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.tastingtable.com/1426877/starbucks-allegedly-encouraged-boycott-union-stores/
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Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC)

40 Wall St., 36th Floor, Trump Building
New York, NY 10005