2024 Mid-Year Impact Update 2024 Mid-Year Impact Update
Thank you for helping Federation make the Jewish community more caring toward those in need, more prepared and resilient in the face of rising security threats and antisemitism, more joyful and empowering for young people to live Jewishly today and build a strong Jewish future, and more connected with the land, people, and ideals of Israel.
With our gratitude ... Federation does more with your dollars
With our gratitude ... Federation does more with your dollars
In this MID-YEAR IMPACT UPDATE, see how Federation turns your “dollar” into more than a dollar’s worth of urgently needed impact for this critical time and a safe, strong, vibrant future:
• Security at camps, schools, daycares.................
50 times your $ • Grants for teens to travel to Israel........................ 2 times your $
• Programs & services for Holocaust survivors......... 2 times your $ • Giving voice to students formerly silenced about antisemitism at school................................ beyond $$$
Thank you for making this possible.
Susan Antman, Executive Director & Murray Katz, President
Pushing back on
RISING ANTISEMITIC SECURITY THREATS & BIAS
LED IN ‘STOP THE BLEED®’ PREPAREDNESS
Received NJ Office Homeland Security & Preparedness designation as distributor and trainer for Bleeding Control Kits building resilience for synagogues and survivability for victims of traumatic bleeding.
• Continued conducting training for houses of worship
COUNTERED ANTI-ISRAEL PRESSURE ON TOWN COUNCILS
Coordinated citizen advocacy at town councils to counter calls for ceasefire resolutions aimed at impeding Israel’s defense against Hamas.
BROUGHT IN NEW $100,000 GRANT TO ENHANCE SECURITY FOR YOUNGEST COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Proactively secured Tepper Foundation national Emergency Security Fund grant* for guard services at Jewish camps, schools, and daycares serving children from birth to age five. Funds enhancing security for the entire community now top $14.8M.
INCIDENT INTERVENTION: BACKED STUDENTS SPEAKING OUT ON ANTISEMITISM
Federation leads the community in risk analysis, training, government advocacy, incident intervention, and sourcing grants for security measures and preparedness.
Amplified student voices and guided families in series of interventions relaying details of antisemitic incidents at area high schools. Pressed superintendents and boards of ed in forging plans to make changes. *Awarded through Jewish Federations of North America
PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE AT HOME
SECURED MORE AID FOR FOOD SECURITY THROUGH ADVOCACY
Federation’s government advocacy brought our community $290,000 from the state budget for kosher meals, continuing to build on our strategy of finding new sources of funds for critical community needs.
NEARLY DOUBLED FUNDS FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR SERVICES
Brought in $155,000 more for Holocaust survivor programs and services through a foundation grant, nearly doubling our existing allocations.
CONNECTED PARENTS WITH RESOURCES FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF DIFFERENTLY ABLED CHILDREN
Multi-part series run by the Friendship Circle, that Federation proactively proposed and funded through an outside foundation grant, continued to help parents access benefits for their differently-abled children, epecially as the children grow into adults.
TURNED ISSUES INTO OPPORTUNITIES:
CULTIVATED STUDENTS’ ADVOCACY SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Created access and provided support for victims of school antisemitism to advocate with Senator Vin Gopal, chair, NJ Senate Education Committee, for remedies to systemic antisemitism.
DOUBLED SUPPORT FOR YOUTH CONNECTION TO ISRAEL
Fostered greater access for teens deepening connections to Israel through immersive, educational summer travel programs, thanks to grants fueled by Federation donors and family endowments.
EXPANDED JOYFUL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Extending the hyperlocal reach of PJ Library Ambassadors’ live, neighborhood-based programming to cultivate Jewish engagement and fun among more families of preschool and gradeschool children.
SECURED PJ LIBRARY GRANT TO BENEFIT DAY SCHOOL
Obtained grant for an area day school to engage prospective student families while delivering needed programs through PJ Library. Inspiring
Caring for PEOPLE IN NEED IN ISRAEL
NEXT STEPS: ASSESSING & RESPONDING TO EVOLVING NEEDS TO HELP ISRAELI COMMUNITIES REBOUND AMID WAR
Federation is now identifying communities along the Gaza border region hit hardest on and after October 7, to form a partnership:
• To build interpersonal bonds combating feelings of isolation caused by anti-Israel and antisemitic backlash to Israel’s defense
To contribute financial assistance for:
• Rebuilding of homes and physical infrastructure
• Restoring Agriculture to the Western Negev
• Returning people to homes and businesses in the community Mental health care providing intensive trauma relief
• Medical care supporting physiological rehabilitation
In the midst of the difficulty, there are flashes of light. Beyond Jewish Federations’ moving and most appreciated monetary support, your partnership and the thought behind all you do warms the heart.
Katef Lekatef
Federation created access for students to speak directly with Senator Gopal in Trenton, addressing issues of today and empowering leaders of tomorrow.
Federations across North America are helping restore food security as 75% of Israel’s vegetables and 20% of fruit are grown in the region destroyed by Hamas. (photo: Leket Israel)
Strengthening
BONDS WITH ISRAEL & ISRAELIS
CONNECTING THOUSANDS WITH ISRAELI HEROES & LEADERS TO DEEPEN MUTUAL APPRECIATION & UNDERSTANDING
Creating opportunities for local community members to meet, hear from, and speak to Israelis personally affected by and involved in the war.
• Brought Gaza combat veterans to our community
• Headlined sold-out Yom HaZikaron/Yom Ha’atzmaut event
• Toured area schools and synagogues
• Met elected and civic officials
Brought Israel’s Deputy Consul General/NY and The Jewish Agency’s Regional Director to share first-hand accounts of Israel today and vision for the future
• Brought bus loads of local community members to NY for NOVA EXHIBIT to bear witness to Oct. 7 music festival massacre
• Met and heard from a survivor
SAVE THE DATE — OCT. 6
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMEMORATION OF OCTOBER 7
Don’t miss this moving and meaningful community-wide gathering. Details at JEWISHHEARTNJ.ORG/OCT7
“I hope we gave the heart of NJ community half the strength that we received from you!” Eitan P, IDF soldier