Crains New York - December 10, 2012 - (Page 9)

PEOPLE CHOSEN PEOPLE: Itta Werdiger Roth’s invitation-only parties fill a void in the city’s Jewish cultural life. BUSINESS of employers have caught fake references on job applications Source: CareerBuilder 29% EXECUTIVE MOVES United Nations Federal Credit Union: William Predmore, 57, was promoted to chief executive and president of the financial cooperative. He was previously executive GOTHAM GIGS Secret schmooze club A kosher speakeasy connects Jewish brothers and shvesters Secret supper clubs are having their moment, and in Brooklyn it’s not entirely uncommon to see a line of well-dressed young people outside an inconspicuous building. On a Tuesday in October, the Ditmas Park home of Itta Werdiger Roth, a mother of two, was converted into the Hester—a “speakeasy” featuring a live band, specialty cocktails and kosher food. ¶ Inside the Victorian, about 100 people noshed on sheep-cheese sandwiches with walnut pesto and apple-thyme tarts with smoky Scotch ice cream, sipping highballs of “Itta’s vanilla guerrilla cocktail.” A band, the Sway Machinery, fused vocals in a style inspired by Jewish cantors with funk and blues. ¶ Ms. Werdiger Roth started the Hester a year ago to fill a void in New York’s Jewish cultural landscape: a bar with live music and kosher food. “People like to go out, and I think this combines that with a Jewish cultural evening,” said the Ditmas Park home by day. The Hester at night native Australian from a Lubavitch family. ¶ Because kosher nightlife is hard to find, it brings in a large crowd of mainly modern Orthodox people from across the city. A few guests venture from Long Island or New Jersey. ¶ The name “the Hester” has a twofold meaning. It’s the Hebrew word for “hidden,” and also refers to Kate Hester, the Prohibition-era proprietor who coined the term “speakeasy.” ¶ Word-of-mouth and recent write-ups on J-Date have outed the Hester, but the guest list remains invitation-only. Patrons must register in advance, then get approved via email by Ms. Werdiger Roth before buying a ticket for about $30. ¶ Recently, she threw her first “Lady Hester,” a women-only dance party (because dancing in front of men violates Jewish law) featuring several female musicians and DJs. The Hester website described it as “like the Hester, but with only your shvester.” —ali elkin vice president. CNN Worldwide: Jeff Zucker, 47, joined the news organization as president. He was previously executive producer of Katie for NBCUniversal. ?What If! Innovation Partners: Barrie Berg, 51, joined the consulting company as global chief executive. She was previously an independent consultant. Fireman Hospitality Group: Andrea Roman, 42, joined the restaurant group as director of sales. She was previously director of sales and marketing at Planet Hollywood. HSBC Bank USA: Richard Eiseman, 59, was promoted to senior vice president and senior area manager for upper Manhattan. He continues as senior vice president and senior area manager for HSBC Securities. William Lardin, 46, was promoted to senior vice president and senior area manager for midtown Manhattan. He continues as senior vice president and senior area manager for HSBC Securities. MediaWhiz: Ori Carmel, 33, joined the digital media agency as vice president, performance strategy, a newly created position. He was previously chief marketing officer at Talktala. Speakeasy Inc.: Elizabeth Lieberman, 45, joined the communications and executive development company as vice president, business development, a newly created position. She was previously an independent fundraising and nonprofit management consultant. Hunter Roberts Construction Group: Bob Belitz, 45, joined the construction management company as vice president of finance and controller. He had been division controller at Arcadis. Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law: Jennifer Gundlach, 41, was promoted to senior associate dean for experiential education at the Maurice A. Deane law school, a newly created position. She was previously senior associate dean for academic affairs and continues as clinical professor of law. The Flatiron Room: Heather Greene, 38, joined the cocktail lounge as whiskey sommelier, a newly created position. She was previously whiskey specialist and ambassador at Glenfiddich. Nixon Peabody: Tushna Gamadia, 39, joined the law firm as counsel in its real estate practice group. She was previously a member of the legal closing group at Citigroup Global Capital Markets. buck ennis —eva saviano December 10, 2012 | Crain’s New York Business | 9

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - December 10, 2012

THE INSIDER
IN THE BOROUGHS
IN THE MARKETS
SMALL BUSINESS
BUSINESS PEOPLE
OPINION
GREG DAVID
REAL ESTATE DEALS
REPORT: PHILANTHROPY
THE LIST
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR THE RECORD
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SOURCE LUNCH
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - December 10, 2012