Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey Newsletter Spring 2021

Update from Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey • Spring 2021 • Volume 13

Making Jewish life stronger, safer, more supportive and sustainable

At long last, welcome to spring!

Spring is the season of new beginnings.

As written in the Song of Songs, (12:11,12) “the winter is past… flowers appear on the earth.” And just as these writings are said to be filled with metaphorical meanings, so too is spring – a time to renew, to rise, to leap as we look to the future.

Alongside actual flowers, the seeds we have planted for a strong Jewish today and tomorrow are blooming.

A core part of Jewish Federation’s mission is caring for people who are vulnerable to things like food insecurity, mental health issues, lack of resources for special needs. As a community, we have overcome great odds during a pandemic on their behalf:

• The community COVID relief fund enabled a single mom of two to pay her rent.

• Emergency financial aid ensured a widowed cancer patient could get medical treatment.

• Kosher Meals on Wheels saved 97-year-old, Helen, from moving to a senior home, where she’d have been confined to her room alone.

continued on page 2

continued from page 1

• Hebrew Free Loan enabled Frank to make a living with a new business after COVID closed his old one.

• Teen volunteers’ at-home activity programs put a smile back on the faces and a spring back in the steps of children with special needs, like Jayden.

• When word got to Federation that Mr. X had wanted a Jewish burial, but left no family, arrangements, or assets, we stepped in to make it happen.

• When her husband’s death left Mrs. Z severely depressed, mental health counseling got her back on her feet.

Our impact is sobering, and at the same time, we could not – did not – forget the importance of investing in a strong and sustainable future, so there will always be a Jewish community – of course, to support one another in times of strife, but also to share in the joys of who we are, where we come from, and where we want to be.

This newsletter highlights how Federation strengthens Jewish life today and for the future through:

• Youth programs inspiring and empowering children to embrace Jewish identity and community;

• Security initiatives enhancing awareness and preparedness against antisemitic threats;

• Engaging women as drivers of change and connection.

We are grateful for Federation’s dedicated volunteers, partners, and supporters like YOU. Together, we are tending to a strong tomorrow, even as we take care of today.

THANK YOU! Susan Antman Executive Director Cheryl Markbeiter President

• Educational programs for youth and adults to stand up against hate;

J-Serve Inspired Teens J-Serve teens couldn’t wait to hear from the heart of NJ’s own Josh Keller, who, just a few years ahead of them, grew up in our area and discovered a passion for repairing the world – or, in his case, the ocean.

Today, the former Highlands resident, who became president of his college Hillel’s Scuby Jew ocean advocacy chapter, is Program Coordinator of Tikkun HaYam – Repair the Sea. He delivered the keynote address for our community’s recent J-SERVE teen mitzvah day. His focus: how to act and advocate on behalf of a cause you believe in.

J-SERVE 2021 was organized – as a hybrid event with both virtual and live outdoor sessions for COVID safety – by a committee of teens drawn from Federation and BBYO, as well as area USY, NCSY, and CTeen chapters. Half the day’s programs focused on the environment with a beach sweep and park clean-up. Other programs involved learning to advocate for environmental and social justice and performing acts of chesed with the elderly.

The teens learned from experts about advocating for Holocaust education in their public and private schools; some wrote to members of Congress regarding implementation of the Never Again Education Act. This followed a session in which a survivor of Kristallnacht shared his story.

In a general advocacy session, they learned about the “who’s who” in government and ways to advocate for issues they care about, including expanding resources for the elderly and people with special needs and food insecurity.

Teen leader, Abby Usiyevich said of her takeaway, “I’ve learned that being Jewish and helping people are synonymous. No act of kindness is too small.”

For more information on teen programs, contact stacyf@jewishheartnj.org.

What Women Want The world looked very different this past year, but with changing needs came new opportunities to connect and empower women to address those needs, including their own.

Laurie Landy described Federationsupported programs providing resources to people who are vulnerable to food insecurity, mental health concerns, social isolation, and more.

“Women have always been the changemakers in our community,” said

Robin Wander described Federation youth programs that inspire and

“Women have always been the changemakers in our community,” said Sheryl Grutman, co-chair with Brenda Tanzman, of Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy.

Sheryl Grutman, co-chair with Brenda Tanzman, of Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy.

Grutman and Tanzman set to work, together with Susan Antman, Executive Director; Cheryl Markbreiter, President; and Bonnie Leff, a Federation Tanzman Fellowship alum who took on a leading role in women’s engagement.

They asked women what they want, then developed a winter event series for Zoom to connect and engage them with programs for health & wellness, education, and socializing.

Presenters ranged from celebrities like Michael Solomonov and Susie Fishbein, to authors and curators from LA and NY, and experts and professionals from our area: Jan Grayzel, Beth Moss, Leah Todres, and Kerri Weiss, PhD. “By having these programs, we bring together women of all ages to meet new friends, learn and understand the importance of what Federation does for the community at large and in Israel,” said Brenda Tanzman.

At each program Federation supporters underscored the organization’s impact:

prepare future generations to embrace Jewish life.

Melissa Jerushalmy pointed out ways Federation has promoted communal security through grants, training, and communications.

Beth Krinsky spoke of how Federation’s Hebrew Free Loan stepped in for people in crisis; Marlene Herman spoke of Federation-supported education as a sound investment in the Jewish future; Naomi Lasky spoke about building bridges with multi-ethnic allies to fight antisemitism and with people in Israel to strengthen the extended Jewish family.

Both Sheryl and Brenda have been involved in Federation a long time and concur, “Our work remains relevant and essential here and in Israel; it feels good to know we are making a difference.”

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming programs. To learn more or get involved, contact bonniel@jewishheartnj.org At press time, Women’s Philanthropy was hosting its spring event series and readying for the return of The Main Event on June 8, after COVID sidelined the annual gala in 2020. Don’t miss it.

The Main Event Dani Shapiro, author of the New York Times instant best-seller, “Inheritance,” is set to speak on her intriguing memoir about family secrets and identity.

THE MAIN EVENT is JUNE 8 7:30 – 9 PM on ZOOM. RSVP at jewishheartnj.org/mainevent21

Anti-bias program Diversity was the order of the evening, as teens participated in “Listen, Learn, & Share,” a program designed to combat hate and bias with education.

most about it, and their favorite foods related to a holiday. Among their discoveries was that each has a significant spring holiday relating to renewal.

Moderated by Rutgers University Adjunct Professor of Sociology Dr. Jackie Phillips, MSW, LCSW, the program encouraged teens to talk with each other about their Catholic, Muslim, Sikh, and Jewish faiths.

They also talked about how old they were when they decided to take their individual practices seriously.

For almost all, it was in their teens, which emphasized the program’s timeliness.

Under Dr. Phillips’ gentle probing, participants explained three things others should know about their faith, what they enjoyed

Danielle Verde, an intern at the Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, completing a Masters in social work, designed the program.

Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Seeing Human series also recently included an interfaith adult program on different cultures’ spring holidays and their themes of renewal and redemption.

For more information about Federation programs and other ways the JCRC is building multi-cultural allies in the fight against hate, contact danr@jewishheartnj.org.

Critical Alert System Now Live Lights, cameras, and locks can make unauthorized entry of a facility less likely, but security preparedness depends equally on intangibles, such as emergency training and communications.

In addition to its recent Stop the Bleed and Countering Active Threat training, Federation, this spring, rolled out a significant, new, incident alert system for Jewish community leaders across the Monmouth and Greater Middlesex area.

The mass notification platform is designed to ensure – and confirm – organizations’ designated contacts receive real-time emergency and safety alerts without fail, during and after critical incidents.

Working with Federation Security Directors, the Secure Community Network, and system creator, Everbridge, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey invested in the platform’s development, deployment, and funding for our community.

Federation’s investment enables Jewish organizations in the heart of NJ to participate in the platform free of charge.

If you are active in a Jewish organization and want to know if it is set to benefit from HEARTNJ Alert, please contact your organization’s security lead. For more information about security preparedness through training and communications, contact amyk@jewishheartnj.org.

We’re planting seeds and they’re blossoming Thanks to Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ’s PJ Library and PJ Parent Ambassadors programs, the seeds of Jewish joy are blossoming for families with young children throughout our area!

More than 120 different virtual and socially distanced outdoor programs celebrating Jewish themes and traditions happened during fall and winter, with more than 50 different families participating in each.

Hundreds of holiday kits were delivered to PJ families’ homes, with age-appropriate games, books and activities. And every month, there was a

Our PJ community is thriving.

Our cherished PJ ambassadors, Anne Goodman in the Middletown area, and Joanna Koster in the Metuchen/Edison area, join us in welcoming two new parent ambassadors, each bringing something special to the program.

In the Manalapan, Marlboro, Morganville area – where many PJ Library families have connections to former Soviet countries – Kristyn Mednik recently built a bridge between children here and children living at Tikva home for orphaned, abandoned, and abused Jewish children in Odessa, Ukraine.

Kristyn knew that Tikva’s annual talent show would be a great opportunity to connect the groups who live so differently and far from each other but share so much in the way of their Jewish roots.

She oversaw production of a video through which our local children r walk. e v o s s a performed the PJ P oses” on M y b in the show. a B “ Finding Meanwhile, PJ ambassador community-wide Danielle Arno – recognizing that art project – all in addition to the COVID heightened pre-teens’ regular, monthly delivery of free need to socialize, even if via Zoom PJ Library books and music to – developed popular programs for more than 3,200 local children.

them under the PJ Our Way tween program banner.

For Passover they decorated Elijah’s cups. Families picked up the supplies and got together on Zoom for holiday games, schmoozing and the art project.

For Good Deeds Day, they made pots of flowers for seniors who receive Kosher Meals on Wheels.

And in East Brunswick, Danielle Lasoff, a certified Yoga instructor, zoomed Baby Yoga for parents to enjoy a little movement and mingling with their little ones. Now, they look forward to taking classes outside at area parks as the weather gets warmer.

More spring PJ programs run by Federation, included:

• A Day on the Farm experiencing how goats, horses, and other animals help people with physical and developmental issues;

• Box of Israel, celebrating Israel’s Independence Day by bringing a basket of Israeli items to families’ doorsteps;

• The Art of Self Portraits celebrating Jewish artists from across the globe and each child’s unique identity and artistic ability.

For more information, or to join in the fun, email inbars@jewishheartnj.org.

Federation Leadership Cheryl Markbreiter PRESIDENT Jeffrey Schwartz 1ST VICE PRESIDENT

230 Old Bridge Turnpike

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID New Brunswick,NJ Permit No. 885

South River, NJ 08882

Ed Guttenplan 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Murray Katz TREASURER Sheryl Grutman SECRETARY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Elise Feldman Alex Kemeny Laurie Landy Naomi Lasky Adrienne Ross Michael Wasserman Susan Antman EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

You make our world better What you do brings hope and help to scores of individuals, each of whom would thank you personally, if they had the chance. There are many ways to help. Here are a few:

DONATE

Whether you make a pledge online to meet immediate needs or create a legacy gift to ensure a vibrant Jewish future, you help people – here in the heart of NJ, in Israel, and around the globe. Go to jewishheartnj.org/donate or call 732-588-1800.

VOLUNTEER

Make time to help others. Many of Federation’s partners could use some extra hands and fresh enthusiasm. For suggestions that match up with your availability and interests, contact info@jewishheartnj.org or call 732-588-1800.

PARTICIPATE

This newsletter is full of programs, but they only scratch the surface of what is available in the heart of NJ. To find more, got to jewishheartnj.org/calendar or call 732-588-1800.