Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ

During Sukkot, our Interfaith Leaders group had a Sukkot celebration to which more than 80 people came together to share the joy of the holiday and build meaningful connections across diverse faiths. The group began in the sanctuary, where attendees learned about Jewish rituals. They asked thoughtful questions, like, “Does the ark always face Jerusalem?” and “What is that thing on your head?” — the latter coming from a curious five-year-old. Afterwards, attendees enjoyed dessert and conversation in the sukkah, where strangers became friends. The Interfaith Leaders recently launched the Be a Good Guest series. This initiative allows clergy and their congregants to celebrate becoming comfortable in one another’s houses of worship and sharing their unique traditions. Interfaith Leaders Chair Rabbi Robert Tobin hosted the first of these sessions at B’nai Shalom in West Orange. In the coming months, we will be visiting Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities to learn about their customs and traditions. 

Our Greater MetroWest community has been more united than ever to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of people in Israel and New Jersey. Check out our Impact Reports that share powerful stories of community members whose lives have been transformed, while highlighting the tremendous scope and scale of our collective work—from supporting Israelis to combatting antisemitism and providing Israel education in our community in the year following October 7, 2023. Discover the tremendous impact of your support: https://lnkd.in/eEgUwKeE

Have you registered for our Cocktails & Conversation yet? Don't miss this exciting chance to hear from brothers Philip and Jeffrey Bershad and connect with other professionals in the Greater MetroWest area. Check out this event now and secure your ticket before spots run out!

Amir Naim was born and raised in Kibbutz Erez, one of our six partner communities in Israel. He was a husband, soon-to-be father, an amateur beer brewer, and an essential part of Kibbutz Erez’s emergency response team. On October 7, Amir’s life was tragically taken while he defended his home from Hamas terrorists. In his honor, this year’s annual Erez Beer Festival, supported by Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, brought the kibbutz together during Sukkot to remember Amir and reunite community members who’d been displaced after the attacks. Amir is survived by his wife, Shahar, his parents, and his older siblings. His firstborn son, Raphael, was born in April 2024. Learn more about Kibbutz Erez: https://lnkd.in/eG7Z8a47  #BringThemHome #BringThemAllHome #AmIsraelChai #StandWithIsrael

Last week, JCRC sponsored a candidates forum with Tom Kean, Jr. (R) and Sue Altman (D). JCRC Steering Committee member Ben Hoffer was one of two people who interviewed Tom Kean, asking questions about rising antisemitism, the US-Israel relationship and support for Israel’s war against Hamas, Hizbullah and Iran. JCRC Director Linda Scherzer moderated the same conversation with Sue Altman, in back-to-back meetings with the candidates at Temple Shlomo in Bridgewater.

Earlier this week, our Center for Volunteerism teamed up with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey for a diaper sorting event! Together, with our early childhood centers we’ve collected over 750 lbs of diapers! Thanks to everyone’s efforts, our Federation has contributed more than 2,000 lbs—making up over a third of the total!

"Almost two years ago, I wrote a piece about my family’s sukkah (temporary hut) and our traditions that tied into the rise in antisemitism in the world. Yes, you read that correctly. I wrote it two years ago during Sukkot 2022 about a recent surge in antisemitic incidents. Here’s the frightening part. I can’t even remember why I wrote it. There’s been so much fear, horror, disappointment, and sadness over the last year, that I cannot fathom why I would have sat down back then to tie this beautiful holiday of Sukkot to the antisemitic incidents reaching my inbox and text messages. As I write this, we are commemorating the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel." Keep reading Ilyse Muser Shainbrown, Director of Holocaust Education, blog Creating Joy After a Year of Tragedy using the link below: https://lnkd.in/eKsevHuZ

One week ago, nearly 3,000 of us gathered at Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Short Hills for a solemn memorial to mark one year since the tragic events of October 7. In that sacred space, we were united not only by our love for Israel, but by our unwavering commitment to support Israel’s right to defend itself and our shared dedication to combatting antisemitism here in Greater MetroWest.   Sharing the evening with so many members from our community truly showed our collective strength and resilience as a community.    #NeverForgetOct7 #BringThemHome #BringThemAllHome #AmIsraelChai #StandWithIsrael   See photos from the event here: https://lnkd.in/eyYGRjY5 Watch the recording of the night here: https://lnkd.in/e-WswUKb

It’s been one year since nearly 1,185 Israelis were murdered. More than 250 hostages were dragged away from their homes and their families, and their lives and taken into Gaza. It’s been one year since our sense of safety was shattered, our world was broken. For our community, the 365 days since have been a blur. Today, on the anniversary of that horrible massacre, #JFEDGMW mourns those we have lost; we pray for the remaining hostages; we honor the heroes who defend the world’s only Jewish State; and we reaffirm our strength and commitment to Israel. #NeverForgetOct7 #BringThemHome #BringThemAllHome #AmIsraelChai #StandWithIsrael

The Women’s Philanthropy 2025 opening Board meeting was held at LifeTown…truly an incredible place where those with special abilities are seen for the unique skills they have and the beauty they bring to the world!       Abbi Halpern, our new Women’s Philanthropy President, inspired over 80 members of the Board , and helped start the year by sharing a recap of our successful 2024 UJA Campaign and look ahead to an important 2025.     We also announced the Leadership Leap, an exciting opportunity for all community members to support two important initiatives: increased funding for programming and resources to secure our local Jewish institutions, and creating a much-needed therapy room in the new Resilience Center in Ofakim, Greater MetroWest's Israel partner community who lost more than 50 people on October 7.