By: Sandy Eller
It was a true milestone moment for the graduates of Agudath Israel of America's COPE Education Services' CPA accounting program as they celebrated the culmination of a 22 month course of academic study, much of it taking place during a pandemic that posed numerous unprecedented challenges.
Each of the approximately 60 graduates had previously completed COPE's junior accounting program and they were joined at the commencement by their families and the faculty members who guided them through their nearly two year-long journey towards a promising career and the prospect of financial stability. A lineup of distinguished speakers that included Agudath Israel of America executive vice president Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Agudah board of trustees member Leon Goldenberg and the renowned Rabbi Paysach Krohn inspired the graduates as they begin writing the next chapter in their careers.
Addressing the graduates of the 24th men's cohort, student Aron Lefkowitz extended his gratitude to COPE Educational Service's director Rabbi Daniel Baumann for not only teaching accounting, but actually transforming the entire group into accountants.
"You didn't just give over the knowledge, you gave us over the profession with enthusiasm and energy so that we should love and have passion for our professions," said Mr. Lefkowitz.
Graduate Yehuda Schlesinger shared how he made the leap from being in kollel full time to a COPE student within a matter of hours, a reality that forced him to acclimate to English lectures and learn basics like the meaning of the word "asset" and how to do a Google search. Having broadened his knowledge through the CES coursework, Mr. Schlesinger has already trained two bookkeepers and he credited his professors for turning him into a professional.
"The COPE program which we have now accomplished is an amazing toolbox which we could use for our entire life," noted Mr. Schlesinger. "The best place we could have invested is in ourselves."
The graduates of the 25th women's cohort heard from two of their classmates who observed that those completing COPE's intensive CPA-track program typically find themselves in an enviable position because of the program's stellar reputation, high level content and professionalism.
"Completing the COPE program comes with the feeling of being eminently capable of practicing in the accounting profession," said one of the speakers. "Our training is unsurpassed. We have the best jobs. We don't need to worry about the career ahead of us - COPE has provided us with everything we need."
COPE has distinguished itself in numerous ways for nearly fifty years with its proven track record for academic excellence, rigorous standards and commitment to Torah values, serving the community's needs in a variety of ways. Thousands of students have taken COPE's accounting courses and acquired a broad knowledge of the fundamentals of business, with many coming in as complete novices but quickly finding themselves entranced by accounting and the world of business and graduating with marketable skills.
"The hallmark of our program is attaining marketable skills and maintaining the focus on the ultimate goal of earning a parnassa to help support a life of avodas Hashem," said Rabbi Baumann.
To learn more about COPE or to enroll in COPE's Junior Accounting/Business Essentials class, the first step towards a lucrative career in accounting, call 718-506-0500 x218, email info@COPEeducation.com or visit them online at www.COPEeducation.com. Separate day and night classes are available for men and women, with men's day classes starting on July 6th and November 5th, men's night classes starting on October 5th and women's day and night classes starting on October 4th. 
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