Cedar Brook Financial Partners Sponsors First in a Series of BBYO Leadership Development Programs

Cleveland, OH, December 08, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Spearheaded by Howard Slater, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MSFS®, MBA, a founding principal of Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC (www.cedarbrookfinancial.com), one of the region’s largest independent wealth management firms in the region, the first in a series of Israel Defense Force (IDF) Leadership Development Programs sponsored by the firm, took place November 2 – 4, 2012 at Camp Wise in Chardon, OH. The theme of the weekend-long leadership development program was preparedness and what it takes to be part of the Israel Defense Forces. Mr. Slater and five other community leaders served as IDF platoon commanders and led the teens in exercises to teach what it means to work on a team, be prepared, and lead; skills important for being successful in the army as well as in one’s professional and personal life.

Earlier this year, Cedar Brook granted $50,000 over five years to fund local leadership development through BBYO, the world’s leading Jewish teen movement. “We are honored to work with Mr. Slater and Cedar Brook on this important leadership development program. A key finding from our recent strategic plan study was that teen leadership development done on a local level results in successful campus leaders in college and later, in their communities. Mr. Slater took this research to heart and served as one of the IDF platoon commanders leading the teen training program,” said Todd Kay, Regional Director of BBYO.

“The first Cedar Brook Financial Partners BBYO Leadership Program successfully provided 110 local teens with a hands-on, religious, and emotional experience that they’ll never forget. Working with youth and helping them envision what it’d be like to join the IDF, undergo the training, and develop the mindset to complete whatever task might be required of them, is an incredible way to teach community leadership life lessons, said Howard Slater, Cedar Brook principal. “Simulating the experience by having teens wear IDF shirts and hats, live in bunks, and follow their platoon commanders’ instructions, is a really effective way to bring the leadership lessons to life,” continued Mr. Slater.

About Cedar Brook Financial Partners
Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, with offices in West Bloomfield, MI, and Naples, FL, Cedar Brook Financial Partners is one of the largest independent wealth management firms in the region, according to Crain’s Cleveland Business 2012. Cedar Brook’s now seventy-plus professionals deliver customized, personal services including comprehensive wealth strategies, investment and insurance advice, retirement plan consulting, and group benefit programs to physicians, corporate executives, privately held business owners, families, and public employees. Cedar Brook has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio by WorkplaceDynamics according to the Plain Dealer's 2012 study. The firm offers securities through Securities America Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Securities America Advisors Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC and the Securities America companies are not affiliated. For more information, please visit www.cedarbrookfinancial.com.

About BBYO
BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. For almost 90 years, AZA and BBG chapters in communities around the world have been providing exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the confidence and character of 250,000 alumni who are among the most prominent figures in business, politics, academia, the arts and Jewish communal life. Independent of B’nai B’rith since 2002, BBYO’s network of Jewish teens, alumni, parents, volunteers and philanthropists now serves as the Jewish community’s most valuable platform for delivering to the post Bar/Bat Mitzvah teen audience fun, meaningful and affordable experiences. With year-round activities in hundreds of local communities and inspiring worldwide travel experiences, BBYO’s broad program menu enables teens to explore areas of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israel education and Jewish values.