Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ

Today, we honor those we lost on this day in 2001. May their memories always be a blessing.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest was proud to both support and send representatives to Skin in the Game: Faith-Based Education to Strengthen Jewish-Black Solidarity.   With the Tree of Life and Buffalo shootings in recent memory and the increase in antisemitism in the wake of October 7th, members of Federation and several synagogues and predominantly Black churches in Essex County worked to strengthen their relationships, build shared analysis about antisemitism and racism, and prepare to stand up for each other in the future. The group of clergy and lay leaders met five times before the closing dinner on Sunday, September 8. Participants are now looking forward to taking their collective knowledge back to their home organizations.

Nearly 80 years after the concentration camps were liberated, Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser continues to share his story. “We’re all human beings, and we should all learn from each other rather than hate.” https://lnkd.in/eRa7QKPP  If you have a school or group that would like to hear firsthand from a survivor or a descendant of a survivor in GMW please find more information here https://lnkd.in/ef2TA9xD

A new documentary about Oct. 7 features the parents of some who were killed or taken hostage that day, telling individual stories while exploring the resilience of the Jewish people. https://lnkd.in/giAwp9NU

Join our team !

Jewish athletes have competed in every meeting of the modern Olympic Games since 1896 and have won at least 459 medals. As we cheer on those competing in Paris, here’s a look at some of the most successful and decorated Jewish Olympians: https://lnkd.in/gVgPnav4

It’s been 300 days since the horrors of Oct. 7. It's been 300 days since we've seen our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons. It's been 300 days too long. #BringThemAllHome #BringThemHomeNow

Thanks to YOU we exceeded all expectations!  • The Annual Unrestricted Campaign raised more than $21.760 million, ensuring we have the resources to respond immediately to community challenges and emergencies.  • An astounding $30 million raised for our Emergency Fund for Israel toward immediate support on the ground for victims of terror, food, medical needs, updating bomb shelters, and other essential services.  • In addition, we raised an additional $8.67 million in targeted gifts for our Federation as well as partner agencies and other Jewish organizations through Federation and from Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) fundholders.  • In total, along with additional grants from JCF fundholders to local synagogues, partner agencies, and other Jewish organizations locally, in Israel, and around the world, we raised more than $100 million in total impact.  • At the same time, through our historic Centennial Campaign, our Federation and JCF raised an additional $30 million this past year in endowment and legacy commitments towards the future of our Jewish community. The Centennial Campaign has has achieved more than 90 percent of our goal of raising $250 million by December 31, 2024. YOUR support sustained and strengthened our community through a deeply challenging year in Jewish history.

Members of the Wilf Leadership Program, Greater MetroWest's innovative lay leadership development initiative, traveled on a Mission to Cuba this month. Experiencing Cuba together gave participants the opportunity to witness the resiliency of the Jewish people, learn about the critical work of the JDC - a Federation partner and the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization - and create bonds of friendship rooted in Jewish community. Tracey Hoberman, one of the attendees of this mission said, "It’s hard to put into words what an incredible experience we’ve had over the past few days in Cuba! It was a mix of every emotion…we were happy to visit the Jewish community and bring them some supplies that they so desperately needed; we were sad to see the conditions that they and so many people in Cuba live in; we were hopeful to hear them speak optimistically about the future of the Jewish community and their desire for things to get better; we were frustrated to see that change can’t and hasn’t happened sooner for them; we were delighted to see that their traditions and their JCC/synagogues are so similar to ours with teen/senior programs and a Sunday school; we were upset to hear that they haven’t had running water at the Sephardic synagogue for over a week so they’ve had to close their doors to the community; happy and sad were the emotions that we felt and the ups and downs we experienced all week as we learned about the complexities of this country. This trip showed me that no matter where in the world we live, as Jews we are all connected. Sharing the same history and praying for the same things, hostages to be freed, peace in Israel, caring for our elderly and loved ones and more." Interested in a transformative, immersive Jewish travel experience? Check out Federation's upcoming community missions: https://lnkd.in/gsPFy694

“There are well-orchestrated efforts by anti-American and anti-Jewish organizations within the United States that provide financial and logistical support to those who harass and threaten Jewish students.” https://lnkd.in/gcjruGTM