Update from The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey • March 2019 • Volume 9
Strengthening the Jewish community locally and around the world
It’s About Harry Welcome! And happy Purim! My name is Dale Goldberg. I have been a Jewish Federation supporter since 1993 because it is the one organization that serves every Jew and every Jewish organization — regardless of affiliation — in meeting our community’s most pressing priorities: caring for those in need, investing in a strong Jewish future, and addressing crises that affect us all — from hurricanes to hate crimes. I’m passionate about Jewish Federation because it gives me — and each of us — the power to make Jewish life sweeter, stronger, and more sustainable. And, quite simply, I care about Jewish life. In the pages that follow, you’ll read some recent examples of Federation programs, support, and partnerships impacting the Jewish community. These are just the tip of the iceberg; there are many more. Let me tell you how our donations to Jewish Federation made a difference for one man — Harry*. By his late 80s, a series of losses had left Harry frail, broke, and alone. The first time Steve, a Kosher Meals on Wheels (KMOW) volunteer, walked into Harry’s kitchen to deliver food, he found two places set at the table — one for Harry and one with a handwritten sign that read For My Beloved. Harry’s wife of 60 years had just passed away. Steve came to realize his deliveries were about much more than food. He was often the only person Harry would see all week. In time, Harry began confiding in Steve, especially about his son, who had stopped taking Harry’s calls years earlier. After months of Harry’s asking whether he should try calling his son again, Steve, gently suggested: “Harry, you ought to do what your heart tells you to do.” * Name and likenesses may be changed for privacy continued on page 2