2020
Annual Report
W
hile 2020 impacted each of us differently, for many, it changed how we live, how we celebrate, how we mourn, how we interact. Everything changed, seemingly overnight. Federation made a difference by caring for those who are vulnerable and investing in a stronger tomorrow.
Table of Contents 04 Financial Stability at a Time of Uncertainty 05 2020 Impact What & Why 10 Caring for the People Most in Need 16 Investing in Jewish Life Today & Tomorrow 26 Financial Resources
here [HIR] adverb
In this place; in this spot or locality Dear friends, Before the COVID-19 pandemic, thank you for being here generally meant in a physical place. But in 2020, despite quarantines and social distancing, Federation supporters showed up for the Jewish community in record numbers through Zoom screens, phone calls, social media, websites, and emails. You showed up through thoughtful collaborations, and you showed up with generous financial contributions. You enabled Federation and its partners to care for people in need – many for the first time; invest in a strong Jewish future through youth programming, leadership development, and legacy stewardship; and address antisemitism and security threats through advocacy, education, and safety measures. Together, we kept the community connected and we comforted those affected by loss, even while nurturing the joy and vitality of Jewish life. Federation’s responsibility to address the needs in Jewish life is matched only by our accountability to donors like you – to connect your philanthropic giving to the needs of Jewish families, individuals, and the programs and services that fulfill the values of chesed (loving-kindness), tzedakah (justice), and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Using today’s latest tools, from digital communications to data-driven fundraising and grant-making, figures prominently into ensuring your charitable contributions make the greatest impact fulfilling your philanthropic goals and addressing community needs. This report shows what our community accomplished through intentional and collaborative efforts, and Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ’s pivotal role fostering those efforts and their impact. Read on to see how, together, we changed lives for the better and learn about Federation priorities for today and tomorrow: • exceeding our financial goals and strengthening our financial foundation; • establishing a hub for Jewish life online; • taking the lead on communal safety and security – both physically and virtually; • saving countless jobs by sharing payroll protection resources. Thank you, once again, for being here and please know we are here for you.
Susan Antman Executive Director
Cheryl Markbreiter President
FINANCIAL STABILITY AT A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY
In 2020,
Jewish Federation, like the rest of the world, found ourselves in uncharted waters, rife with rising need and projections of falling donations tied to people losing or worried about losing jobs, businesses, and more.
By cultivating additional funding sources through foundations and matching grants, and by redoubling financial resource development outreach efforts, we offset reductions and donor attrition, and acquired support from hundreds of new donors. We continued to ensure sound fiscal management by:
Making commitments based on a budget with attainable revenue goals
Reducing overhead spending by 10%
MANAGING THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSSES
Reducing our percentage of uncollectible pledges to 4%, the current industry standard
Establishing a long-term reserve policy, to ensure our continued ability to weather storms like the pandemic
We thoughtfully and promptly responded to financial projections that charitable contributions across the entire region would take a hit due to the pandemic. In the second quarter of 2020, we lowered campaign projections and expenditures to reflect the unknown, while cultivating other revenue sources. As the year unfolded, Federation distributed $35,000 to 100+ families with COVID-related needs for food, shelter, and medicine, above and beyond the $800,000 distributed for human services support to vulnerable populations including Holocaust survivors, Hebrew Free Loans and seniors.
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2020 IMPACT WHAT & WHY Federation
is the communal organization best prepared to meet the challenges of perennial and emergency issues that require a united front, such as responding to antisemitism, poverty among our aging demographic, mental illness, apathy or ambivalence among young people, or as we saw in 2020, a pandemic with profound public health, humanitarian, and financial conse quences. As the toll of COVID-19 took hold in 2020, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey mourned with those who suffered unimaginable loss. At the same time, we met the needs of the moment head-on – including and in addition to our two ongoing impact focus areas: • Caring for the vulnerable; • Investing in a strong Jewish future. Federation’s foundation supported the weight of new and reimagined solutions for acute emerging needs, even as we continued to service ongoing ones. Federation was poised to bolster a strong, resourceful Jewish community.
CARING FOR THE VULNERABLE
Compassion, and teachings on how to express it, are baked into our identity as Jews. The Torah instructed our ancestors to leave crops standing in the corners of fields to allow the poor to reap food for survival. Through the ages, we have embraced this form of social justice (tzedakah) – and all the ways it improves the lives of those who receive and those who give. The Talmud insists that, rather than giving directly to those in need, the highest form of tzedakah is contributing to a community’s centralized fund to ensure the dignity of both donor and recipient. This continues to sustain the Jewish people, enhance Jewish life, and strengthen the Jewish future. Jewish Federation’s role has never been more crucial in carrying it out. 5
INVESTING IN A STRONG JEWISH FUTURE Recent Jewish history presents many reasons we concern ourselves with keeping Jewish life thriving from generation to generation – not the least of which is so there always will be a Jewish community to care for our vulnerable. But, in fact, our ancient imperative to secure a strong Jewish future comes from The Torah. In the Shema, we are commanded to convey Jewish teachings to our children – so they will not only live by these values, but love them and pass them on to their own children. A vibrant, inviting community enables us to put a sweet taste for Jewish life in the mouths of children and adults. It is central to strengthening and perpetuating Jewish life.
MITIGATING COVID’S FINANCIAL REPURCUSSIONS As the potential financial impact of COVID-19 became more of a concern, among our top goals were: •
providing crisis relief to individuals and families in need;
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keeping Federation’s financial commitments to community partners whose programs and services run with help from our grants and allocations;
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supporting agencies and synagogues through operational challenges.
CRISIS RELIEF Federation spearheaded a community-wide COVID Relief Fund, which provided grants to more than 100 families for food, housing, and medical expenses. FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS We fulfilled our grant and allocation commitments to organizations by managing Federation’s own operating budget. This included partial workforce furloughs, obtaining government stimulus benefits, and bringing in additional resources, such as a grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, to defray our PJ Library youth engagement programs’ expenses. As a result, we were able to limit cuts in impact grants to instances in which partners’ programs were cancelled altogether or cost less to carry out because they became virtual instead of in-person happenings.
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OPERATIONAL SUPPORT When Jewish communal organizations suddenly shifted from in-person to virtual operations, they faced a host of new questions and challenges – both operational and financial. Jewish Federation created support networks and provided access to expert resources from local, regional, and national authorities, to see them through. We advocated with elected officials to optimize COVID stimulus benefits for non-profit organizations. We also provided access to expert guidance in obtaining Federal Payroll Protection benefits.
IMPACT
Hebrew Free Loan helped this family weather a financial setback. Joe D. was planning to fund a new yard maintenance business with his existing indoor recreation business when COVID closed the indoor facility. This left him unable to move forward to launch the new company, and with no income from his original business to support his family. An interest-free business loan from Hebrew Free Loan enabled Joe to launch his new, outdoor service company – just as demand for outdoor services surged. The new source of income enabled Joe to continue supporting his family and make timely loan payments as well.
Synagogue president turns to Federation to convene peers for problem-solving. “When COVID hit, our synagogue faced so many questions: how would we stay connected to congregants, help those who were struggling? How would we do high holy days this year? As president, I thought it would be helpful to reach out to other local synagogue presidents and Federation was the first place that I thought to turn to help me connect with them. I learned we were all dealing with the same issues. We have been a lifeline for one another and Federation made that happen.”
- Marjorie Wold, synagogue president
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2020 BY THE NUMBERS
Our impact in 2020 affected untold thousands of lives, with
impact funding caring for the 67% of vulnerable locally and overseas impact funding investing in a 33% of strong Jewish future locally
WE CARED FOR THE VULERNABLE 70,128
kosher meals
17,450+ 100+
hours of mental health counseling families received COVID relief emergency grants
WE INVESTED IN THE JEWISH FUTURE advocacy meetings putting Jewish
78 community needs in front of lawmakers 1,200+ families engaged in interactive programs 3,247
gifted PJ Library book subscriptions connecting children to Jewish life
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multi-ethnic programs building allies in the fight against antisemitism
WE ENSURED SAFETY & SECURITY IN JEWISH LIFE $1.3
million in security grants ($6M total to date)
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lay leaders, professionals, and clergy equipped with preparedness and response training
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community-wide briefings on current trends in antisemitic threats 8
ASSESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS GOING FORWARD Meanwhile, our Allocations committee redoubled its efforts to assess community needs that were likely to continue and/or emerge in 2021 and beyond. Completing a deep dive into the factors affecting need and input from across the Jewish community, the committee recommended allocations in 2021 follow these guidelines:
60% CARING for the vulnerable locally
30% 30% INVESTING in a strong INVESTING in Jewish today and a strong Jewish tomorrow today andlocally
tomorrow locally
10%
Israel and overseas programs caring for those who are vulnerable 9
CARING FOR THE PEOPLE MOST IN NEED “It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either.”
These words are written in Pirke Avot, the compilation of Judaism’s ethical
teachings. They ring true in a poignant way when we talk about helping those who are vulnerable. With more need in our community and world than we, alone, may be able to fix, we may not ever feed all those who are hungry, aid all those who are frail, empower all those who feel unsure, lift all those who just need a hand through a rough patch… But we are changing the world for the thousands of people we do help, those we can reach, and the countless others whose lives are touched by theirs. In 2020, this included:
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR SERVICES
Frail or homebound Holocaust survivors often need help accessing medical care, nutritious meals, aid with the tasks of daily living, and social services to age with safety and dignity in their own home. Federation funding of partners, Jewish Family Services of Middlesex and Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Monmouth, help fill these needs.
Due to the pandemic, the number of survivors who needed home services increased significantly. Many service recipients – and providers – were nervous about personnel visiting homes. Our community’s professionals found ways to adapt services, such as meal delivery and assessments, and stayed connected with survivors. In addition, selected Cafe Europa monthly lunch gatherings resumed with volunteers bringing catered lunch to survivors’ homes and online entertainment via Zoom.
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KOSHER MEALS ON WHEELS There are countless seniors in our community who, due to financial or physical constraints, cannot shop for, afford, or prepare their own meals. Kosher Meals on Wheels (KMOW) provide proper nourishment as well as wellness check-ins. Social contact with the volunteers who deliver the meals keeps clients connected to the community and assures them they are not alone. At the beginning of the pandemic, KMOW partners funded by Federation, Jewish Family Services of Middlesex and Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Monmouth, experienced a dramatic increase in calls from seniors needing food. The number of recipients tripled. Many clients thanked the agencies for saving their lives.
IMPACT The safety net worked as tables turned for former volunteer Mary was a volunteer for KMOW from 2010 until 2014. She and her husband Frank attended many JFCS Senior Socialization programs held in Western Monmouth; anytime there was a musician and dancing, Mary and Frank took the center of the floor. When Frank suffered a major stroke and needed Mary’s full care and attention, Mary had to stop volunteering, but brought Frank for programs in a wheelchair. When the pandemic hit, Mary found herself unable to get out to get food for herself and Frank. She asked for Kosher Meals on Wheels. Recently, Frank passed away. Mary no longer needs homedelivered meals, but she knows that should she find herself in need again, our caring community is just a phone call away.
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MENTAL HEALTH Many members of the Jewish community who are in need of mental health counseling – as well as being uninsured, underinsured, or in need financially – feel their treatment is more productive with clinicians who understand Jewish culture, traditions, religious values, and family relationships. Federation-funded partners, Jewish Family Services of Middlesex and Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Monmouth, provide access to culturally sensitive and affordable mental health and addiction services. When the pandemic hit, demand for these services surged, as did the urgency to adopt telehealth practices, which enabled providers to reach more clients than ever.
IMPACT Mental health support meets burial aid to console this mourner. George was already in mental health counseling when his close friend of 25 years passed away from COVID-19. Knowing his friend was estranged from family and had no one to arrange burial, George’s grief about his friend’s death was compounded by anxiety because George did not have the resources or connections to carry out his friend’s final wishes to be buried according to Jewish law.
George’s therapist reached out to Jewish Federation; Federation provided a cemetery plot and connected George to a rabbi and Jewish funeral home that help needy families. The process helped George feel supported in all his grief and provided the Jewish burial for his friend.
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SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS Not all environments are welcoming of people who are differently-abled. Federation-funded partners, The Friendship Circle and Hand in Hand, create experiences in which children and young adults with special needs come together in friendship with teen volunteers for Jewish, social, and enrichment activities. Spending time in a comfortable, safe environment fosters joy for participants, peace of mind for parents, growth opportunities and a sense of purpose, fulfillment, compassion and community responsibility for volunteers – as well as a responsive, caring, inclusive Jewish community for all. Even with COVID-19, participants stayed connected through Facetime and Zoom, as well as safe in-person contact; and arts & crafts kits were delivered to children’s homes. Through it all, people with special needs were celebrated instead of separated, their needs were nurtured and met, and they were reminded that this Jewish community is always there for them.
Virtual programs brought joy into homes of families with special needs. One mom reports about her daughter: “She lit up with Ms. Colleen! It was perfect! I had a great time too. It got us up and moving with a purpose and Sophia was so happy to see familiar faces.”
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SENIOR SOCIALIZATION Many Jewish seniors become vulnerable to loneliness and isolation from their Jewish community and cultural heritage as they age. Federation-funded senior socialization programs promote wellbeing and vitality, as well as expressing our respect for these seniors, by engaging, educating, entertaining, and provding stimulation and enrichment for them.
IMPACT
David’s wife had passed away a few months before he arrived at the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, for the first time, to attend a bereavement group. As his wife had been ill for many years, many of the plans they’d hoped to enjoy together never materialized. David’s life had revolved around caring for her. After several sessions, David became an active part of the weekly Men’s Group and the Senior Adult Club. He became more outgoing, joking with the other members at lunch and singing along with the entertainer. As programs turned virtual, David reached out to his grandson for help navigating Zoom and continued participating that way. David tells us he feels connected to other JCC members and staff and recently commented that he is sorry he did not engage in JCC activities while his wife was alive. At the height of the pandemic, David offered financial and emotional support to keep these kinds of programs going. They have been a lifeline and he wants to give back. 14
JCC CONNECTS ON THE ROAD The JCC of Middlesex County’s initiative bringing holiday programs to seniors who reside in assisted living and rehabilitation centers operated through Purim, when COVID placed it on hiatus. The JCC’s Learning Through Life initiative shifted from an in-person to virtual format, keeping more seniors than ever connected to each other and a vibrant community with lectures, music, comedy, virtual travel, and more.
CAMEO CONGREGANT MEALS For seniors who may not have money to buy food or the transportation or physical or cognitive ability to prepare meals, the CAMEO congregant program provides a nutritionally balanced Glatt kosher lunch that meets seniors’ nutrition needs while increasing their connectedness to the community. This helps them age in place and promotes their cognitive, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Until COVID shut-downs were implemented in March, CAMEO congregant meals were going strong with four locations serving between two and four days a week. After March, many CAMEO participants became KMOW recipients.
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INVESTING IN JEWISH LIFE TODAY & TOMORROW Under ordinary circumstances
fostering togetherness in a diverse and geographically spread-out community requires concerted effort among willing partners and participants. It requires communications, infrastructure, and appealing ways to engage with one another. When the world shut down in March 2020, Federation quickly created a virtual hub for information about and connections to Jewish Life Online. We marshaled partners, leaders, and participants in a wide range of programs to adapt them for virtual and, in some cases, outdoor, socially distanced settings. While things were not the same, of course – with isolation, mental health and addiction complications, cyber threats, and added burdens on the home front – for parents of young children and adult children with aging parents – our community showed itself to be nimble, resourceful, and united in keeping Jewish life thriving. And somehow, through the grief, frustration, fear, and unfamiliarity, this community, made amazing things happen – even surpassing previous levels of participation and engagement.
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PJ LIBRARY
PJ Library is Federation’s premiere program fostering joyful Jewish learning and connections among families with children to age 12. It includes community gatherings and the gift of free books and music delivered monthly to 3,247 children’s doors. In 2020, our PJ Library and PJ parent ambassadors surpassed all records when events went primarily virtual. We engaged 513 families in 120 programs around Jewish holidays, themes, and traditions, including:
YOU’VE BEEN DREIDLED During a time when it was harder to connect and to celebrate, PJL Ambassadors brought Hannukah joy to 255 families and helped them connect with each other. They invited families to get a Hannukah gift bag with supplies to make three more bags to give to other families. Families added cards, donuts and other items of their choice and surprised neighbors and friends with some holiday cheer. PJL MONTHLY ART PROGRAM Every month, dozens of PJL families got together on Zoom to make art projects related to a Jewish holiday, story, or famous artist. We’ve made centerpieces for Rosh Hashanah, Book of Dreams inspired by the story of Jacob’s ladder, clay oil lamps, upcycled menorahs and more. Through art, we learned about Jewish holidays and traditions and developed kids’ creativity and imagination. WINTER BEACH BALL In February, we invited families to celebrate summer in the middle of winter. Forty families with babies and toddlers gathered at The Hebrew Academy in Marlboro for songs, games, characters, beach balls, bubbles, and more. MITZVAH PROJECT AT THE FREEHOLD JEWISH NURSING HOME In January, before COVID started, Kristyn Mednik, our PJL Ambassador in Marlboro/ Manalapan area, organized a mitzvah project for the families in her group. They visited the Jewish home in Freehold, one of the children read a story to the kids and the seniors, and the kids made a craft with the seniors to decorate their rooms. Beautiful connections were made between PJL families and the seniors, and the residents enjoyed interacting with the children.
PJ Library fills this home with sweet Jewish traditions “My Jewish mother-in-law was our children’s link to Jewish life. When she passed away, it left a major void that I couldn’t fill. PJ Library helps keep warm and loving Jewish traditions, and our sweet memories of grandma, alive in our hearts and our home.”
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TEEN PROGRAMS At a time when they are hungry for meaningful encounters in their life, teens benefit from involvement in Jewish communal activity – from community service and social interactions to leadership development programs and beyond.
J-SERVE
When live programs, such as our J-SERVE teen mitzvah day was subject to the COVID shut-down, our teen leaders were not content to cancel the program. Instead, the determined and talented committee insisted on retooling it as a virtual program. They adapted plans to save the day from cancellation and 65 teens participated in virtual community service, such as:
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Making an interactive music video accompanying a cooking project for parents - to occupy PJ Library children at home during the height of the quarantine;
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Sending thank you notes to first responders and healthcare workers;
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Hearing first-hand from an emergency room physician on serving others.
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JTeam
JTeam Teen Philanthropy is a year-long program that gives high school students a real-life opportunity to allocate funds to various causes and organizations. JTeamers assess needs, evaluate grant applications, advocate among their peers for their preferred recipients, and create community presentations. After months of grant evaluation, the 2020 teens made their decision and were poised to alert grant recipients of their awards – when COVID hit. On the eve of announcing its grants, the team regrouped and decided to ask applicants to recast their requests for COVID-related needs. Ultimately, JTeam awarded COVID relief grants to:
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The Hebrew Academy – for care packages to families who lost loved ones and jobs due to COVID;
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The Friendship Circle – for activity packs bringing fun and beneficial materials and activities to children with special needs who were home bound and cut off from their usual programs;
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Jewish Family Service – for restocking its food pantry after a surge in requests from elderly community members unable to get out for groceries.
Teen learns ways to help through Federation involvement I didn’t really know a lot about Federation when I got a grant from them for a summer program in Israel, but that trip and my introduction to Federation were lifechanging. It got me involved in Federation’s J-SERVE teen mitzvah day and JTeam teen philanthropy back home. I learned that being Jewish and helping others are synonymous. Even when COVID changed all our J-SERVE and JTeam plans, I learned there is always a way to help. I always knew I wanted to help; I just didn’t know where to start before my involvement with Federation. - Abby U
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ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES Chabad at Monmouth University enables students to connect with the warmth and beauty of their Jewish heritage, as well as offering guidance and support, during the college years. In 2020, programs went entirely virtual, for example, with to-go kits for Passover Seders and Shabbat, so students could observe in their dorms or homes. Chabad at Monmouth U believes that Jewish education and meaningful experiences are imperative to fight indifference, apathy, and assimilation that face our Jewish community. For there to be a Jewish tomorrow, our students need to have a Jewish today.
PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS
From lifelong education, holiday happenings, Israel engagement, civic advocacy and more, Federation programming for adults enables people of all interests to find meaningful connections to the Jewish community.
In 2020, these programs, too, went virtual, and connected adults in record numbers to Jewish enrichment and community.
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Our four-part series on Coping with COVID Stress brought community members together with a psychologist and an infectious disease doctor;
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Our virtual travel series brought more than 400 attendees to Jewish heritage destinations around the world, including throughout Israel;
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Our virtual Yom Hazikaron/Yom Haatzmaut program enabled us to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending Israel and celebrate Israeli independence;
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Our virtual cooking programs with celebrity chefs and leading local foodie brought Jewish holiday cooking to life. 20
FIGHTING HATE
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A strong Jewish future is built on today’s strong foundation. With rising antisemitism and other forms of ethnic hatred on the rise, the Jewish community and our allies of other backgrounds, through the Jewish Community Relations Council, came together in 2020 to push back by: Promoting understanding with people of different backgrounds;
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Advocating with civic leaders for publicly-supported solutions;
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Educating young people to stop the generational cycle of bias.
THE JCRC The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) advocates for Jewish interests throughout and beyond the Jewish community by working with Jewish, interfaith, and civic leadership on the local, state, and national levels. In 2020, JCRC advocacy was instrumental in the passing of the Federal Never Again Education Act expanding Holocaust education in public and private schools. In addition, the JCRC:
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Conducted seven briefings throughout the area on the current state of antisemitism in order to increase awareness and preparedness;
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Successfully advocated for Facebook to remove current and then ban future Holocaust denial posts;
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Conducted a campaign informing the public how to complete the census and vote by mail during the COVID quarantine to ensure the Jewish community’s needs are known and met;
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Advocated with Congress to support additional COVID-19 relief as well as approving economic stimulus for the nonprofit sector;
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Gathered with Jews and Blacks to reconnect with our shared values of peace and justice;
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Conducted and took part in several interfaith programs, including JCRC Seeing Human panel discussions, in which Jews, Christians, and Muslim adults, teens, and clergy gathered to say, “no to hate,” and Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom’s program inviting all to stand up to antisemitism;
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Contacted lawmakers to reject the UNHRC blacklist regarding Israel.
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Federation helped lawmakers see the need for more Holocaust education in schools, and The Never Again Education Act became law. “We can’t let the truth a bout t he Holocaust — my truth — be denied or forgotten. - Local Holocaust Survivor
CHHANGE COLLOQUIUM At Chhange’s 2020 Colloquium commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Holocaust survivors, students and community members learned what it meant to be a hero, the importance of standing up against injustice, and how one person can truly make a difference. Jewish Federation’s support of the Colloquium, and its long-time support of many Chhange programs, has helped the organization educate, inspire, and empower individuals to stand up to injustice and become active, involved citizens. BUILDING BRIDGES With a grant from Jewish Federation, Chhange partnered with Highland Park Middle School to incorporate the Building Bridges anti-bias curriculum for Grade 8 students. Building Bridges promotes open dialogue among students, faculty, and administrators, enabling the school’s diverse socioeconomic populations, ranging from highly affluent to underserved, as well as students with special needs, to respectfully engage in difficult conversations. The goals of Building Bridges are to combat bias and hate, foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding, and create a safe, welcoming school community. Due to COVID, the program was put on hold. 22
Bridges built virtually were equally strong. “The impact from this year’s virtual Chhange Colloquium was a wonderful surprise! I thought it would be a much less meaningful experience than past Chhange Colloquiums I have attended in person, but in fact, in these strange times, it was more so. Watching online provided the opportunity to absorb what was being discussed more easily, give in to my emotions, and allow me the ability to go back and watch it again at my convenience. Being isolated brought perspective to Pastor Chris Edmond’s touching story. His father’s actions and sacrifices to save Jewish lives brought home the point over and over of how one person can make a huge difference…and put into action that to save a life is to save the world, in his case the worlds of hundreds of people and their descendants. We could all absorb this message in private and let our emotions take us where they went, without feeling the pressure of being surrounded by others. Unexpected advantages included, at least for me, a more emotionally impactful experience.” - Colloquium attendee “Chhange’s seamless transition to virtual programming, and particularly the Colloquium, helped me, along with my students, stay connected to our study of genocide and human rights, and to each other. I’m so proud of the work my students created in response to this transformative programming. Thank you, Chhange, for providing inspiring educational discussions for the community.” - Educator who attended Colloquium
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ENHANCING SAFETY & SECURITY IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY Jewish Federation’s Security Initiatives addressed security threats that come with hate against Jews and other ethnic minorities. Along with our task force, partners, and professionals, we addressed the mounting need to make Jewish gathering places more secure against general security threats and those relating to mounting antisemitism even in a virtual world. In 2020, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we increased our attention to virtual and cyber security, protecting organizations and individuals from online fraud, scams, and hate incidents:
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Helped bring another $1.3 million in security grants to heart of NJ Jewish organizations, bringing the 6-year total to more than $6 million;
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Sponsored, arranged, and facilitated access to security training for 236 community leaders from synagogues, schools, cultural centers, and other Jewish organizations;
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Laid the groundwork for a new community-wide shared emergency alert system introduced in the first quarter of 2021.
“We take security seriously at CBI, having invested thousands of dollars in the past few years in our security program and target hardening. Working with Federation on this year’s grant was truly a joint effort. With all the craziness of COVID in the midst of submission deadlines, the patience and assistance we received from Federation was remarkable. Knowing there were others out there looking for assistance, I never felt rushed or put off. This Federal funding will enable us to close any gaps we have, making our members more secure as antisemitism and hate are more prevalent in our area.” - Emilie Kovit-Meyer Synagogue Executive Director
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LIFE & LEGACY Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ brought the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s four-year Life & Legacy training and incentive program to our community with the goal of empowering Jewish organizations to cultivate a strong Jewish future. Among the ten organizations that participated, more than $12 million in future value was committed, of which $2.5 million was already realized. In addition, $370,000 in incentives was awarded to be used for current needs.
“Federation brought the Grinspoon Foundation’s Life & Legacy program to us. It meant that we could focus on what we want to do in the future and create a much more viable congregation. The Life & Legacy program allows us to look to the future through planned giving, provides us with the professionalism we didn’t already have, and gives us an incentive to keep ourselves going. It allows us to support our congregation in a much more effective manor.”
- Joel Weissglass Synagogue Life & Legacy Liaison
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FINANCIAL RESOURCES Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey
manages nearly $21 million annually, with a approximately $3 million in our annual operating and endowment budget, and greater than $19 million in endowment funds. Our goal is to spend 80% or more of our budget funding programs and services and 20% or less on administration and fundraising – a level deemed appropriate and financially efficient by Charity Navigator. In 2020, we exceeded our targets in each of these areas.
Grants for partners’ programs and services 58% Federation programs and services 30%
12%
30%
58%
Administration and fundraising 12%
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FINANCIAL EFFICIENCY Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey cultivates and mobilizes financial resources from our annual community campaign, targeted campaigns and gifts designated for specific needs, and endowment or legacy gifts. Developing financial resources in this way, Federation enables donors to align their philanthropic investments with the causes they care about – all while addressing the Jewish community’s most critical needs for today and a strong Jewish future. In 2020, financial resources were generated from the following sources.
$1,100,000
Endowment contributions $1,100,000
$1,100,000
Designated and foundation gifts $1,100,000
$1,800,000
Annual community campaign $1,800,000
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Officers
Trustees
Mrs. Cheryl Markbreiter President
Dr. Stuart Abraham
Dr. Adrienne Ross 1st Vice President
Mrs. Linda Block
Mr. Edward Guttenplan 2nd Vice President
Mrs. Michelle Fields
Dr. Murray Katz Treasurer Ms. Sheryl Grutman Secretary
Committee Chairs
Mrs. Linda Benish Mrs. Jennifer Bullock Mrs. Joan Fischer Mrs. Wendy Friedman Mrs. Arlene Frumkin Mr. Mitchell Frumkin Dr. Marlene Herman Mr. Liran Kapoano
Mrs. Cheryl Markbreiter Executive Committee
Mr. Anthony Kestler
Ms. Naomi Lasky Community Building & Advocacy
Mrs. Beth Krinsky
Mr. Alexander Kemeny Impact & Grants
Mrs. Laurie Landy
Mr. Jeffrey Schwartz Financial Resource Development Mrs. Elise Feldman Governance & Leadership Development
Mrs. Rosanne Koenigson Mr. Joel Krinsky Mrs. Jan Lillianthal Mrs. Maxine Macnow Mrs. Amy Mallet Mrs. Pamela Neuman Mrs. Leslie Ostrin
Leadership Council Dr. Marlene Herman Dr. Eliot Spack
Presidential Appointees
Mr. Ken Philmus Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg Mrs. Francine Semaya Dr. Eliot Spack Mrs. Brenda Tanzman Mr. Roy Tanzman
Dr. Stuart Abraham
Dr. Michael Wasserman
Mr. Mitchell Frumkin
Mrs. Phoebe Wofchuck
Executive Director Susan Antman
Thriving Together... for for for for for for
our community those in need seniors children enducation Israel
for our future.