The Interview

Avi Koslowsky Engineer Building Solutions Manager

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

I was born and bred in Brooklyn and currently live in Fair Lawn, NJ.

How did end up in Fair Lawn?

I Went to Yeshiva University and was living in Washington Heights where my wife and I were looking for a growth-based Torah community outside of NYC. We have some family in Fair Lawn, and we liked what we heard and saw. We love it here - if anyone wants more info on the community, I’d be happy to share. Come join us!

How far is it from CBO? 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.

How many years have you been working at CBO?

This February was my 5-year anniversary.

How did you originally hear about CBO?

From a family friend.

What department do you work in and what is your role?

I work within the Contracts Department but I have a unique role which is Engineer Building Solutions Manager.

Tell us a little bit about what you do as an Engineer Building Solutions Manager.

I am constantly auditing our water and energy usage and looking for different conservation ideas, mostly via facility upgrades. In many cases we also are eligible for rebates and different incentives.

What would be an example of a project?

We are putting in new P-TACS units and new boilers over time in our facilities and have already installed some EV stations at Boro Park Center. The city is recognizing us for this and we even were a NYC Accelerator Award Recipient, which is an award for innovators in building efficiency services.

What are your hobbies? Travel, learning Torah, and sports.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? My kids screaming.

Where did you go to school?

Yeshiva of South Shore/MAY for high school, OJ (Ohr Yerushalayim) in Israel, and then YU.

What are you passionate about?

My family. I am very passionate about genealogy and family history. I want to make the world a better place and make a difference in my community.

What do people not know about you?

I’m a pretty open book.

If you were able to travel the world with one person live or dead (nonfamily or work related), who would it be?

Rabbi Yisrael Lau, Former Chief Rabbi of Israel. He is from Pitkowe, Poland which is where my grandparents were from.

What’s your favorite Centers perk? Remote Fridays.

What do you enjoy about CBO?

At the company I worked at before Centers, I was always given issues when I had to leave early for Shabbos. This is certainly not the case here! I love how the Torah and work values align and the company wants you to grow in your career, spiritually, and as a person. I very much feel that I’ve been a beneficiary of all 3. I started in an entry level job and have progressed in my career here and also feel that my values have benefited.

Shaul Jaspan Case Management Specialist

Where were you born?

Born and bred in Baltimore, Maryland.

Where do you live currently? Boro Park, Brooklyn.

How did you end up there?

I was learning in Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, went to Torah Vodaas in Brooklyn where I met my wife who is from Boro Park.

What department do you work in? Case Management, under Daniel Newman.

What do you do in that role?

A couple of different aspects.

I obtain HMO insurance authorizations and ensure the authorization is maintained throughout the Resident's stay at their facility. I also do home care referrals for nursing home residents being discharged.

How would you explain your job to a child?

I work at a desk and speak to insurance companies.

How long have you been working at CBO? Since September 2019, so about 3 ½ years.

How do you enjoy working at CBO? It’s special to be in such an amazing environment. That was honestly the reason I took the job here in the first place.

What advice would you give to someone starting out at Centers? Try not to take things personally. Making mistakes is part of the learning process.

How did you hear about CBO? Through Zvi Mermelstein from Billing. We Davened in the same Shul at the time, and still do.

Do you attend any Shiurim at CBO?

11:30 Kinyan Mesechta Chaburah, Mishna Berura and Daf Yomi when I can make it.

Which company benefits do you enjoy?

I love the new gym. I try to go there whenever I can.

What’s your favorite Rosh Chodesh lunch? The Milchig lunches.

What are your hobbies?

I give Mishnayos groups for kids, learn, read, and spend time with family.