RSS Feed
Highland Park, NJ - Yeshiva Student A PR Executive Scores Success — at 18 |
|
| |
Text Size
|
Eighteen-year-old David Prince of Highland Park and one of his clients, New York Knicks forward-center Al Harrington, received an award for their commitment to underprivileged youth at the recent annual gala of the Trinitas Health Foundation.
Between jetting to Las Vegas to represent clients, Prince also just completed his senior year at Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School in South River while maintaining his religious traditions as an Orthodox Jew.
“It’s all about balance and timing,” said Prince. “People say it’s hard to be Jewish in the real world. But, regardless if I’m on ESPN with one of my clients doing an interview, I’m wearing a yarmulke. That’s very important to me. My religious observance comes first before anything.”
Business lunches, whether with a stellar athlete or a rising rock star, are always at kosher restaurants.
Prince recalled that a well-known athlete once wanted to call on Friday night even though he was told it was the Jewish Sabbath.
“I was sitting down to dinner and heard the phone go off and saw it was him,” said Prince. “He tried me several times. I called him back right after Shabbos, and he told me he had a lot of respect for me that someone like him called and I didn’t cave.”
His Manhattan-based company, Prince Management, was started only last year, but already has an impressive track record.
“I’ve worked with guys from the NBA and NFL and rockers like Mims and David Rush, who was Young Boss, because I also do rap,” said Prince.
For his entrepreneurial skills, Prince has received a $40,000 scholarship from the McKelvey Foundation. Also a graduate of Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva in Edison, he is the son of Edward and Abby Prince.
But the young executive is putting off college for a year to study in Israel at Reishit Yerushalayim in Beit Shemesh.
His most enduring professional relationship is with Al Harrington, forward-center for the New York Knicks and former star for St. Patrick’s High School in Elizabeth. Prince said he developed the athlete’s not-for-profit organization, the Al Harrington Foundation, which provides educational and life-enhancing opportunities for disadvantaged youth in New Jersey.
“I started with him last summer and thanks to him I was able to start my own company,” said Prince. “I realized that, wow, this is something I could really do. Once I had him on my ballot, I really built some credibility.”
Prince has been actively involving in promoting nonprofits for several years, a decision he said was inspired by a sense of tikun olam, or repairing the world.
“The whole world is not just about business or your achievements,” he said. “This brings you back to the real world.”
Prince launched his business career during a summer internship at the Ecko Unlimited clothing line and managed to make such an impression that he worked the stint into a full-time marketing and public relations position.
One of his department’s duties was to coordinate publicity and marketing for Tikva Children’s Home, a Jewish orphanage in Odessa, Ukraine, that is underwritten by the company. It holds an annual golf outing that draws celebrities and athletes.
After Prince met with Harrington to convince him to come to Ecko company events, the basketball star surprised Prince by offering him a job to promote him. Prince landed the star athlete an appearance on MTV Crib and garnered endorsement deals within weeks.
Prince said he has no intentions of giving up his company while in Israel, leaving behind a trusted staff with whom he will stay in constant touch.
“I’m very positive,” he added, “it will not affect my business.”
More of today's headlines
“San Francisco, CA - Orthodox Jews in San Francisco now have the opportunity to relax a little for sabbath. That's because the community, with the help of local leaders...”
California - An Eruv Grows in San Francisco
Brooklyn, NY - Free Day Care's a Swede Deal
Total29
Read Comments (29) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 23, 2009 at 08:01 PM Anonymous Says:
What a kiddush hashem there are some yiddin that work
2
Jun 23, 2009 at 09:04 PM Anonymous Says:
“ What a kiddush hashem there are some yiddin that work ”
How unfortunate are you and your close ones that you can't complete a full positive thought without some negativity.
3
Jun 23, 2009 at 08:48 PM Anonymous Says:
What a kiddush Hashem. A nice Jewish boy who brings spirituality into the material world. May he go from strength to strength. Hashem Yaazor.
4
Jun 23, 2009 at 08:46 PM Anonymous Says:
Wow!!! An 18 year old and such a career! And what's even more amazing is his thrive for yiddishkeit. He's gonna learn in Eretz Yisroel now, that's really amazing!!!
5
Jun 23, 2009 at 08:42 PM cp Says:
Wow. Impressive. Hatzluche!!!
6
Jun 23, 2009 at 08:33 PM Simcha Says:
I am very impressed with this young man. He is obviously very talented. I also am very impressed with his decision to go to Yeshiva in E. Y. for a year or so.
7
Jun 23, 2009 at 08:30 PM Simcha Says:
#1; You can't help yourself, can you? I personally work, but maybe the Kiddush Hashem is made by those who eschew a life of luxury and devote themselves to full time Torah study. I mean any of the world's 5+ billion people can work but only we can learn Torah lishma!
8
Jun 23, 2009 at 08:19 PM Elchonon Says:
Tikun olam?
L'taken olam.. b'malchut sha'd-i v'kol bnei basar yikru bishmecha..
(naw i'm not jealous.. I started selling on ebay at younger than that)
9
Jun 23, 2009 at 09:54 PM Avrohom Abba Says:
I am so proud of this young man!
This is a kiddush hashem!
10
Jun 23, 2009 at 10:05 PM AIS Says:
Uhhhhh....nice puff piece. It does little to explain exactly where this kid is coming from. He must have enormous connections through a very powerful and wealthy family to break into the sports world, which is extremely difficult for even those with much more experience and credentials than what you are making out to be some random religous 18 year old. I would put good money down that this kid is handled by some pushy, very wealthy jewish parents. Journalism and facts, please. For those who dislike english, here's some yiddishkeit "shikra shchiach; kushta lo schiach."
11
Jun 23, 2009 at 10:01 PM edison guy Says:
I know David personally. A real frum boy. Wishing him continued hatzlacha
12
Jun 23, 2009 at 10:13 PM joe Says:
“ Tikun olam?
L'taken olam.. b'malchut sha'd-i v'kol bnei basar yikru bishmecha..
(naw i'm not jealous.. I started selling on ebay at younger than that) ”
i know who you are ya you got big at a young age but still i think this kid beets you sorry
13
Jun 23, 2009 at 10:10 PM Anonymous Says:
Just wondering where does kidush hashem come into the business ?? Why is it a greater kidush hashem than millions of jews that do their jobs on a daily basis. Lots of luck to this young business man
14
Jun 24, 2009 at 06:25 AM Anonymous Says:
“ How unfortunate are you and your close ones that you can't complete a full positive thought without some negativity. ”
You, my freind, are atrue antisemite!! How dare you emply that Yiddin DONT WORK!! I hope you find yourdelf out of work you stupid ignoramous!
15
Jun 24, 2009 at 06:43 AM Milhouse Says:
“ Just wondering where does kidush hashem come into the business ?? Why is it a greater kidush hashem than millions of jews that do their jobs on a daily basis. Lots of luck to this young business man ”
It's a kiddush hashem when someone breaks into a world where shmiras shabbos is almost impossible, and shows that it is possible after all. It's even more of a kiddush hashem when he's so young, and yet shows such control over his yetzer hora. But the biggest kiddush hashem is simply that the story is newsworthy enough to get into the general press, and thus people who've never heard of such values hear about them for the first time.
16
Jun 24, 2009 at 12:27 AM Anonymous Says:
I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with his jop and wish him the best...but where exactly does kiddush Hashem come into the picture here?
I and millions of others don't pick up a phone on shabbos...and yes eat out only in a kosher place ... no matter who my client is.
17
Jun 24, 2009 at 12:18 AM Elchonon Says:
“ i know who you are ya you got big at a young age but still i think this kid beets you sorry
”
This isnt about "beating" I was pointing out that tikun olam isnt existent in the way mushy liberals put it to be.. I quoted l'taken olam in its original context.
I dont see tzedaka anywhere here, I always told / tell hashem to give me money so I can give tzedaka... as Yossi Gutnik tells it
18
Jun 24, 2009 at 07:01 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Just wondering where does kidush hashem come into the business ?? Why is it a greater kidush hashem than millions of jews that do their jobs on a daily basis. Lots of luck to this young business man ”
Too often we confuse anything that one of us does of which the outside world approves to be mekadaish shem shomayim.
By this test, a rabbi marrying a Hindu priest c"v in order to spread peace and understanding or a Jewish woman marrying a gay muslim c"v would be a kiddush hashem, while a family that disowns a child for converting c"v to avodas kochovim or refusing to walk their son Yankel down the aisle to marry his sweet-heart Patrick would be chillul shem shomayim.
Aharon HaKohen would be condemned as a fanatic today and Zimri's life story would be made into a movie about intolerance and every third grader would be forced to watch it every Adultry Pride Day, but we know that in fact his actions were mekadaish shem shomayim.
Not that this young man's success is comparable to any of these situations. I only wish to point out that it might be neither a kiddush hasem nor a chillul hashem (or it could be either) and using the 'wow, the gentiles will like us better now' litmus test doesn't work.
19
Jun 24, 2009 at 06:47 AM Anonymous Says:
“ What a kiddush hashem there are some yiddin that work ”
As my uncle a"h would say - If you gots notin good to say it s good to say notin!
20
Jun 24, 2009 at 09:03 AM 18 Year Old Says:
“ As my uncle a"h would say - If you gots notin good to say it s good to say notin! ”
As an 18 year old writing this i just want to say that this community instead of backing this young man are now finding ways to make this story negative. Why do so many of my friends have low self esteem? All you have to do is just look at your comments. Mr. Prince good luck, I look up to you and hope my elders will understand why we need people like you because as we can see they may be older but not wiser in understanding the importance of confidence in the youth.
21
Jun 24, 2009 at 08:36 AM Anonymous Says:
“ It's a kiddush hashem when someone breaks into a world where shmiras shabbos is almost impossible, and shows that it is possible after all. It's even more of a kiddush hashem when he's so young, and yet shows such control over his yetzer hora. But the biggest kiddush hashem is simply that the story is newsworthy enough to get into the general press, and thus people who've never heard of such values hear about them for the first time. ”
I still don't get it pass any yiddish area and everything is closed. Who dosnt have a yetser hora. Maybe we are to nieve but a lot of jews keep kosher and shabbos
22
Jun 24, 2009 at 11:11 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Uhhhhh....nice puff piece. It does little to explain exactly where this kid is coming from. He must have enormous connections through a very powerful and wealthy family to break into the sports world, which is extremely difficult for even those with much more experience and credentials than what you are making out to be some random religous 18 year old. I would put good money down that this kid is handled by some pushy, very wealthy jewish parents. Journalism and facts, please. For those who dislike english, here's some yiddishkeit "shikra shchiach; kushta lo schiach." ”
how much? how much ya willin' to bet? Because i know of david prince personally and he has worked himself to be where he is today. Really just a good hard working guy. All the connections he has were ones that he made and developed on his own. Thats remarkable!
23
Jun 24, 2009 at 10:49 AM Milhouse Says:
“ I still don't get it pass any yiddish area and everything is closed. Who dosnt have a yetser hora. Maybe we are to nieve but a lot of jews keep kosher and shabbos ”
That's right, you don't get it. This is an industry where shmiras shabbos is almost impossible; and yet he does it. That's a kidush hashem.
24
Jun 24, 2009 at 11:40 AM Anonymous Says:
“ That's right, you don't get it. This is an industry where shmiras shabbos is almost impossible; and yet he does it. That's a kidush hashem. ”
It is a kiddush hashem how many people choose careers based on what will be the best for their avodas hashem.
25
Jun 24, 2009 at 12:37 PM Anonymous Says:
Mazel Tov!! Congratulations... Great Job, this is only the fifteen millionth time I've heard this story, but every time I can't imagine that an 18 year old can do all of this. Over that I can't imagine a Jewish Orthodox 18 year old kid doing that, because he has to take Shabbos and Jewish holidays off. Once again Mazel Tov
26
Jun 24, 2009 at 04:05 PM Anonymous Says:
“ You, my freind, are atrue antisemite!! How dare you emply that Yiddin DONT WORK!! I hope you find yourdelf out of work you stupid ignoramous! ”
My recommendation is that nobody else add fuel to the fire of #2. #2 May hashem open your mind to the emet.
27
Jun 24, 2009 at 04:44 PM Anonymous Says:
“ It's a kiddush hashem when someone breaks into a world where shmiras shabbos is almost impossible, and shows that it is possible after all. It's even more of a kiddush hashem when he's so young, and yet shows such control over his yetzer hora. But the biggest kiddush hashem is simply that the story is newsworthy enough to get into the general press, and thus people who've never heard of such values hear about them for the first time. ”
Millhouse you continue to amaze me with your on the money assesments of the situations. Most of the time you are way out in left field but I guess even you hit a home run from time to time
28
Jun 24, 2009 at 04:38 PM Anonymous Says:
“ It is a kiddush hashem how many people choose careers based on what will be the best for their avodas hashem. ”
I never knew that keeping shabbos and kashrus is a kiddush hashem. I can say that millhouse is very popular and he keeps shabbos and kashrus what a kiddush hashem
29
Jun 25, 2009 at 02:37 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Uhhhhh....nice puff piece. It does little to explain exactly where this kid is coming from. He must have enormous connections through a very powerful and wealthy family to break into the sports world, which is extremely difficult for even those with much more experience and credentials than what you are making out to be some random religous 18 year old. I would put good money down that this kid is handled by some pushy, very wealthy jewish parents. Journalism and facts, please. For those who dislike english, here's some yiddishkeit "shikra shchiach; kushta lo schiach." ”
I happen to know David very well; I've been good friends with him for about 11 years. He does NOT come from an especially wealthy or well-connected family. He simply got blessed with a great internship at Ecko that spiraled. His only real connection is that Seth Gerzberg, the president of Ecko, lives in Highland Park, NJ. But that's not a special connection to David; a good number of the youth (15-25 years) of Highland Park are moderate to good friends with Seth, myself included. He's a full-standing member of one of the Orthodox Shuls, and a straight up guy. And he's not "handled" by any "pushy" parents. His parents treat him, and have always raised him, as regular parents would a regular child. Nothing pushy.