Shalom Klein

Shalom Klein is the youngest Double Chai-er. The 23-year-old Skokie resident is the vice president and principal at MK&A, Limited and MKA Receivables. More important - he has helped nearly 100 Chicagoans find jobs and thousands of small business owners dealing with underemployment and financial challenges, according to his father, Moshe Klein, who nominated Shalom.

“As the founder and chairman and Jewish B2B Networking, Shalom spends his days, and most of his nights, making connections for small businesses in the Chicago Jewish community. You might say he was born to schmooze,” Moshe Klein said. “Thousands of people have attended and benefited from his regular programming, including most recently, ‘The Business Event,’ a free business and employment expo that drew more than 3,000 attendees.”

Shalom has also served on JUF’s Government Affairs Committee and on Senator Mark Kirk’s Small Business Advisory Board. He is participating in President Barack Obama’s symposium on job creation.

Name:
Shalom Klein

Age:
23

Pays the bills:
VP and Principal at MK&A, Limited and MKA Receivables

On the side:
Runs Jewish B2B Networking, publishes Jewish Business News and many other community projects

Relationship status:
Taken (getting married Aug. 5!)

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Avid networker, dedicated entrepreneur, big into community

How do you Jew in Chicago?
I’m a proud member of the Communications and Government Affairs committees for JUF, and sit on the board of Keshet and many other marvelous organizations that allow me to give back to our amazing community.

Passions:
Reading, following news and politics, an occasional movie

How do you give back?
I started Jewish B2B Networking to connect and empower small business, to build a stronger community, and put people back to work. Most important to me is my time dedicated to many government community and local boards/ committees that do good work, and using my skills to assist and be a resource.

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
be dedicated to getting rid of unemployment in our community.

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
The Chicago Jewish community will continue to draw new professionals from across the country who are attracted to a fantastic city filled with Jewish life and programming.

Me in 10 years:
At this rate, likely going to be a Starbucks VP Card Holder (or given large quantities of their stock.) My hope is that I will be able to reach and be a resource to even greater numbers of people in the Chicago, Jewish and business communities.