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JERUSALEM — When Elana Rozenman made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) six years ago, she hoped to continue her career as a clinical social worker in private practice.

But once she arrived, she realized that she was overqualified for entry-level positions and that she also had the handicap of not being fluent in Hebrew.

So she decided a career change was in order.

Frustrated but determined to make a living, Rozenman launched a business called SuccessWorks, an innovative goal-setting program based on techniques created by Californian Barbara Sher, author of the best-selling book "Wishcraft."

Today, Rozenman is running a thriving business, and is helping others do the same.

Of the more than 1,000 people who have attended her workshops and seminars in the past few years, hundreds have expanded their businesses and met other personal challenges.

Held in a variety of locations in the capital, the workshops, which are in English, attract a large number of new and veteran olim (immigrants) from English-speaking countries. A large percentage are women in their 40s, 50s and 60s.

Although she offers her services to Israelis as well as non-Israelis, Rozenman believes that her workshops fill a special need in the immigrant community.

"Israelis have automatic networks from school, from their families, from the army," she said.

"Immigrants lack this protektzia [personal contacts], and it makes it harder for olim to do business here. That's why it's crucial for them to have their own support system and to set up their own protektzia."

Women, she believes, have an even tougher time.

"In Israel, women's lives tend to be much more difficult," she said. "Household tasks take longer, and this makes it harder for women to find time for other things. Add to this the fact that people in Israel tend to have larger families, and you see why many women here choose to start microbusinesses — businesses conducted from the home."

Most of the women who attended a recent session of Rozenman's Professional Women's Network are doing just that.

At the workshop, which was held at a popular kosher restaurant in the heart of town, Rozenman asked each of the 60 women present to stand up for a minute and describe her goals.

While many of the participants discussed their fledgling enterprises in everything from jewelry design and dressmaking to holistic health and psychology, one young woman displayed the reflective running attire she manufactures in England. One woman said she runs a support group for parents of autistic children.

Several of the participants, like Ruth Cornfeld, have also taken Rozenman's eight-week Success Team seminar.

The workshop, which accepts both men and women, is geared toward having the group's members set goals and achieve them.

A talented amateur dressmaker, Cornfeld did not even dare to dream of being a professional designer.

"I have eight children and got married young," she explained. "At first I felt great, but my career aspirations were dead and buried."

Anxious to get out of the house a few hours a day, Cornfeld took a part-time job at a large fabric shop four years ago.

Three years later, she enrolled in the Success Team workshop. Meanwhile, she heard about a new design cooperative forming.

She "asked them if there was anything I could do for them. I was willing to do almost anything, and offered to go to Tel Aviv and pick up buttons and trimmings."

In an ending fit for storybooks, Cornfeld was asked to join the design team. "The woman I called said, `I know you — you're always wearing great things. Why don't you join our co-op?' "

Now an established clothing designer sharing a trendy store in Jerusalem, Cornfeld credited Rozenman and SuccessWorks for getting her on track.

"If you'd told me five or six years ago I'd be doing this, I wouldn't have believed it. When I joined the workshop I was self-motivated, but not directed. Elana helped me to allow myself to dream."

These days, "I feel younger every year," she added. "You wouldn't believe I have eight kids."