Jewish Federation Heart of NJ 2022 Annual Report

2022 Annual REPORT

Dear Federation Friend,

As 2022 unfolded, local and world events posed continuing challenges for the Jewish community. From the outset, we experienced:

• the hostage crisis at a Colleyville, TX, synagogue

• outbreak of war in Ukraine

• cost of living spikes affecting the most vulnerable among us

• Israel discrimination at the U.N.

• antisemitic incidents in area schools

• unmet financial need among our Jewish partner agencies.

Immediately, and throughout the year, Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ responded with:

• additional security training, resources, and response for local community members, leaders, and organizations

• emergency response for the people of Ukraine, deployed from the considerable Jewish communal infrastructure built with decades of Federation Annual Campaign support

• hands-on help for elderly people with profound financial need to navigate increased costs of daily living

• advocacy and interventions to prevent and push back against continually mounting antisemitic bias and threats

• youth enrichment and education fostering Jewish pride, joy, and values among today’s young people

• grants and allocations to augment local agencies’ funds for programs and services — and more.

Our impact touched hundreds of thousands of lives through:

• Support of partners and their programs

• Federation-run programs

• Collective efforts with Federations throughout NJ and North America

• Individualized, ad hoc interventions for needs and situations not addressed by existing communal supports.

From Kendall Park to Kyev, from Tinton Falls to Tel Aviv, Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, WITH YOUR HELP, made Jewish life stronger, more supportive, sustainable, and sweet, so we may share in all the joy and meaning of our culture and traditions while meeting any challenge that comes our way — so we may thrive together.

Thank you for your part in a loving and caring extended Jewish family. Please read on for highlights of all we acheived together in 2022.

May we continue to go from strength to strength in good health and peace.

Susan Antman Murray Katz

Executive Director President

BOLSTERED CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE, IN NEED, IN CRISIS

INVESTED IN OUR YOUTH FOR A STRONG JEWISH FUTURE

ENHANCED SECURITY AWARENESS AND PREPAREDNESS AGAINST HATE-BASED THREATS

ENABLED ELECTED LEADERS TO ADDRESS ANTISEMITISM AND OTHER NEEDS IN JEWISH LIFE

CULTIVATED CONNECTIONS WITH ISRAEL

WHAT WE DID IN 2022 1

Grants to Partners

HOW WE DID IT

FOUR PATHS TO IMPACT

As the needs in Jewish life evolve and cultural and generational shifts impact the ways in which community members support causes that matter to them, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey continues expanding on strategies to address critical issues facing all Jews.

In 2022, our innovative approach to optimizing impact in the Jewish world took a multipronged approach.

Federation Programs

GRANTS TO LOCAL PARTNERS

Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey makes grants to help partners fund critical initiatives addressing unmet needs in local Jewish life.

In 2022, allocations to partners helped fund programs and services in these areas:

60% Caring for the vulnerable

30% Investing in a strong Jewish future

10% Connecting with and caring for those who are vulnerable in Israel

Callie went along with friends for the social aspect of Rutgers Hillel Shabbat dinners. After a few weeks, following the d’var Torah, Callie asked Rabbi Reed what the Sh’ma is. The next week she asked what Zionism means.

Hundreds of students like Callie connect with Judaism and each other through these Shabbat dinners.

Ruthie’s illness confined her to bed. Extreme financial need and a Medicaid dispute prevented her from obtaining a wheelchair that she needed to begin physical therapy.

Federation and Hebrew Free Loan enabled Ruthie to get the wheelchair and start on her road to recovery.

CARING FOR THE VULNERABLE

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Monmouth County

Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County

Jewish Social Services of Middlesex

• Holocaust survivor services

• Kosher Meals on Wheels for seniors

• Holocaust survivor services

• Kosher Meals on Wheels for seniors

• Senior socialization

• Nutrition, emergency financial aid, and social supports for struggling families

• Need-based camp grants providing affordable childcare for working parents

JCC of Middlesex

Friendship Circle, Chabad of Western Monmouth

Hebrew Free Loan of NJ

• Learning Throughout Life adult ed

• Holiday & cultural programs

• Teen friendship program with differentlyabled children

• Financial emergency loans

• Building Jewish families loans

• Business loans

EMPOWERING & INSPIRING YOUTH TO CREATE A STRONG JEWISH FUTURE

Yeshivat Netivot Montessori

Formal Jewish education, K-8

Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva

The Hebrew Academy

Rutgers Hillel

Chabad of Central NJ at Rutgers

BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH ISRAEL

Axelrod Performing Arts Center

Formal Jewish education, K-8

Formal Jewish education, K-8

Shabbat dinners

Leadership development program

Shabbat dinners

• Israel/Jewish Film Festival

• Gili Yalo concert for Yom Haatzmaut

GRANTS TO PARTNERS IN ISRAEL

Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey helps fill unmet needs of vulnerable people in Israel, both as part of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) collective — through which we fund programs of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) (see p.16) — and through direct, targeted grants to underserved organizations doing critical work for people in need.

In 2022, our targeted Israel grants focused on helping youth at risk.

BOLSTERING ISRAEL’S AT-RISK YOUTH

With mounting troubles at home and having dropped out of school, Ariel found his way to Gesher El Hanoar - Bridge For Youth, in Tel Aviv.

The social and educational support he received enabled him to complete school, enter the military, and get his life on track.

My mom died when I was six. I had become a very angry person. And I was angry at myself. Gesher El Hanor put me back together. Today I’m a chef.

I can hold my head high. Ariel

CARING FOR THE VULNERABLE WHILE EMPOWERING & INSPIRING YOUTH TO CREATE A STRONG JEWISH FUTURE

Crossroads

Shutaf

Gesher El Hanoar

Clubhouse Amit Shikrun

INCLUSION AT ITS BEST

• Taking at-risk youth off the streets of Jerusalem

• Reengaging at-risk youth in school, military service, psycho-social rehabilitation

• Inclusive camp and recreation programs for children with and without disabilities

• Train people with mental illness to work in labor market

• Integrating and training people with special needs and mental illness to work in mainstream labor market

Our kids couldn’t just join the activities at the local community center, what were they supposed to do after school and during vacations?

Shutaf Inclusion Programs in Jerusalem offer year-round activities for children, teens, and young adults, with and without disabilities.

Beth Steinberg, co-founder of Shutaf

GRANTS TO PARTNERS 2022 impact by the numbers

FOOD SECURITY

412 People age 60+ received five kosher meals a week

107,500 Meals were delivered

26% Increase from 2021 in meals delivered

47 Individuals or families receive weekly food vouchers

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR SERVICES

244 Holocaust survivors received assistance

46% Increase from 2021

With increase in cost of living, aging survivors found themselves in greater financial need for help with activities of daily living.

SENIOR SOCIALIZATION

266 Seniors or couples took part in family service agencies’ socialization programs

2,920 Attendances took place at family service agencies’ socialization programs

3,300 Attendances took place at the JCC Middlesex socialization programs

TEEN FRIENDSHIP PROGRAMS WITH DIFFERENTLY ABLED CHILDREN

144 Differently abled youngsters participated in camps and weekly programs

170 Teen volunteers engaged in service, enrichment, and leadership development

17% Increase from 2021 in number of teen volunteers

SHABBAT DINNERS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

1,300 College students’ Shabbat dinners

DAY SCHOOL EDUCATION

427 Future Jewish community leaders’ schools receiving curriculum support

AID FOR VULNERABLE YOUTH AT RISK AND FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN ISRAEL

185 Crossroads clients receiving therapy; 95% reported increasing healthy behaviors

95% Gesher El Hanoar clients enter the employment market

40 Shutaf clients receive weekly vocational training and specialty education

350 Amit members in employment/education integration and other programs

RETURN TO IN-PERSON SOCIALIZATION

Senior socialization is critical to healthy aging and creates opportunities for people who built this Jewish community to remain vital, connected, and contributing members of an extended family that values and cares for them.

In 2022, several senior socialization programs that had paused or been meeting virtually due to COVID, returned to live and/or larger in-person gatherings.

In Middlesex, Café Europa for Holocaust survivors and their friends came back in person mid-year, with approximately 46 attendees per month.

Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Middlesex also conducted socialization four days a week at Highland Park Senior Center, one time a month at East Brunswick Jewish Center, and two times a week at the JFS office in Monroe.

The JCC in Edison conducted ongoing book groups, adult education, bereavement groups, and holiday programs and luncheons.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) of Monmouth County returned mid-year to weekly congregate meals, with 35 people per week on average attending weekly at Freehold Jewish Center and 70 attendees at its JFCS Hanukkah party at Marlboro Jewish Center, with entertainment and an entusiastic corps of volunteers.

INTEREST-FREE LOANS

26 New Hebrew Free Loans made for personal, medical, and business needs 60% Increase from 2021

FEDERATION PROGRAMS

In addition to helping fund partner programs and services through grants and allocations, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey provides, conducts, funds, and administers initiatives and services filling unmet needs in the Jewish community.

The following are highlights, not an exhaustive list of all initiatives.

PUSHING BACK ON ANTISEMITIC BIAS AND SECURITY THREATS

Security Grant Support

• Guide organizations to optimize applications for nonprofit security grants

• Consult on implementation of security enhancements and vendor specification

Security Preparedness and Response

• Facilitate and provide vulnerability assessments

• Facilitate and provide training for incident prevention and response

• Administer Leaders’ Alert System and maintain communications network

Specific Incident Intervention

• Support community members and law enforcement authorities in preempting and handling threats

Government Advocacy

• Support elected leaders and law enforcement in understanding and addressing the Jewish community’s needs and concerns

• Partner with elected leaders to advance laws countering bias and threats

• Provide input and testimony on bills

Advocacy Training

Multifaith, Multicultural Alliances

• Empower citizens to conduct constructive discourse on issues with leaders and peers

• Brought expert training in handling antisemitism to Hebew Schools and students

• Create and nurture alliances for fighting all hate and bias

CARING FOR THE VULNERABLE

Special Needs Camp Grants

• Inclusion for all in the Jewish community

• Therapeutic enrichment for differentlyabled youth

• Respite for families with special needs

Need-based camp grants to Monmouth residents

EDUCATING & INSPIRING YOUTH TO CREATE A STRONG JEWISH FUTURE

PJ Library

PJ Library Ambassadors

One Happy Camper Grants

Teen Israel Travel Grants

Ruth Kroll Scholarship

Educators’ Group & Conference

J-SERVE Teen Community Service

BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH ISRAEL

Israel@75 Celebrations

• Making camp affordable for struggling families so that parents can work

• Free books, music, and programming bring joyful Jewish learning into families’ homes

• Neighborhood gatherings build Jewish community among young families

• Joyful, immersive experience with peers fosters Jewish learning and identity

• Enlightening, immersive peer trips deepen Jewish identity and connection to Israel

• Recognizing young women who give back to the community

• Training Jewish educators keeps Hebrew school engaging and relevant

• Teens fulfill mitzvot of tikkun olam and helping others

Yom Hazikaron

Red South Virtual Tour

Speaking Engagements

• Convened partners to collaborate on community plans

• Conducting, supporting, and promoting events throughout the area and year

• Commemorating Israel’s Memorial Day

• Raising awareness of fire balloon terror

• Celebrating resilience of the region

• Discussing Israel-Diaspora relations in small-group settings across the area

FEDERATION PROGRAMS

Reflections...

SCHOLARSHIPS PUT THE UNMATCHED BENEFITS OF JEWISH CAMP WITHIN REACH

I was lucky to have been brought up with a strong Jewish education and years of Jewish sleepaway camp. I found it a beautiful and fun learning experience, something I wished for my children to encourage them to embrace the joy and meaning of our Jewish identity and gain the well-rounded education and view on life that camp so uniquely imparts.

Wanting the same for my grandchildren, I felt it incumbent to make these experience possible while reducing the burden on my children. I am proud to make my children’s Jewish camp experiences possible and proud to support Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, which makes Jewish camp more accessible through grants and scholarships for many more children.

Rachel P.

Jewish camps’ lively song sessions following Friday night dinners celebrate the joy and meaning of Shabbat and Jewish community.

PJ LIBRARY: PASSING JEWISH JOY DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS

The PJ Library initiative is amazing. When my children were young, Jewish-themed books for young children were not readily available. PJ Library has changed the landscape.

We immediately signed up our grandchildren the moment they were born and they continue to look forward to monthly books that enrich their life and give them warm feelings about the Jewish traditions we enjoy as a family.

Thank you to Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey for supporting this wonderful initiative!

Larry N.

My teachers got a lot out of the Jewish Educators Conference and already told me that they will be implementing some of the techniques.

Synagogue Education Director, Mike W.

FEDERATION PROGRAMS 2022 impact by the numbers

SECURITY INITIATIVES ENHANCING THREAT PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

$3M Funds secured through federal NSGP for security improvements(1)

20 Organizations received federal NSGP grants

$470K Funds secured through state NSGP for security improvements

18 Organizations received state NSGP grants

80 Organizations guided in optimizing security grant applications 25 Vulnerability/risk assessments provided or facilitated

Jewish Federation successfully advocated for priorities included in the NJ FY 2023 budget, including record security funding for day school students. Among other wins, security-related priorities included:

81% Increase in funding for NJ nonprofit security grants

(1) Federation has helped bring more than $11 million in federal and state Nonprofit Security Grant funds to this community since 2015

CARING FOR THE VULNERABLE

EDUCATING & INSPIRING YOUTH TO CREATE A STRONG JEWISH FUTURE

2200 Children birth to age 12 received free monthly PJ Library books and music

3 New PJ Ambassadors engaged families in live community-building gatherings

419 Families participated in 72 PJ Ambassador-organized programs

38 One Happy Camper first-time Jewish camper incentive grants

45 Teen Israel Travel Grants awarded

43 Educators attended Educators’ Group & Conference

157 Teens took part in J-SERVE community service projects

• Cooking for Elijah’s Promise food pantry

• Cooking for seniors’ congregate lunch

• Beach sweep

• Socializing with differently abled children through Friendship Circle and Hand in Hand

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS BUILD BRIDGES

Jewish Federation’s multicultural International Holocaust Remembrance Day program highlighted Lessons from a Black Officer in WWII, who participated in the liberateion at Dachau.

LED COMMUNAL RESPONSE TO THREAT

When a threat against NJ synagogues was made public, Federation led response: advised community organizations on security protocols, coordinated with law enforcement, private security professionals, and more.

NORTH AMERICA AND NEW JERSEY COLLECTIVE EFFORTS

Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey operates simultaneously as a local, independent entity and as part of both New Jersey and North American Federation collectives, JFNJ and JFNA, protecting and enhancing the well-being of Jews throughout Monmouth and Greater Middlesex counties, the state of NJ, and far beyond.

JFNJ comprises 5 Federations serving 14 counties in the state and JFNA comprises 146 Federations and partners with organizations, e.g. JDC, JAFI, and others to support over 300 communities in North America, Israel, the former Soviet Union, and beyond.

Together, we do for all Jews what no single community or organization can achieve alone. The following are highlights, not an exhaustive listing, of this work.

COLLECTIVELY ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE

Collective efforts enabled us to successfully advocate for meaningful increases in funding for state and federal nonprofit security grants making the Jewish and other faith communities more prepared in the face of growing threats.

AIDING THOSE AFFECTED BY WAR

Collective efforts enabled us to rescue, resettle, and provide emeregency resources and care to hundreds of thousands of people affected by war in Ukraine, including some of the most vulnerable, elderly citizens.

GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY

TO CARE FOR THE VULNERABLE

• Health, mental health, and long-term care

• Holocaust Surviviors Assistance Program

• Emergency Food and Shelter Program

• ABLE Age Adjustment Act

FOR ISRAEL

• Israel aid and missile defense

• Iron Dome emergency funding

• Ben & Jerry’s exit from parts of Israel

• Morningstar anti-Israel rating practices

COMBATING BIAS AND THREATS

• Federal NSGP* funding increase

• Jabar-Heyer NO HATE Act

• NJ NSGP

• NJ FY23 Budget Day School Security

SECURITY PREPAREDNESS

• Reciprocal support with national and regional organizations concerned with Jewish communal security

UKRAINE WAR CRISIS RESPONSE

• Moving people to safety and caring for those unable to flee

• Resettling people in Israel and elsewhere

• Using JFNA intelligence to inform our local community’s overseas allocations decisions

EMPOWERING & INSPIRING YOUTH TO CREATE A STRONG FUTURE

• Changemakers

• Young adult cabinet

• Be Well

• Helps Jewish service agencies provide care

• Addresses aging Holocaust survivors’ needs

• Aids the hungry and homeless

• Allows savings by people with disabilities

Provided direct thought leadership and engaged community in advocacy:

• Conveyed need for annual aid package

• Replenish rockets from 2021 Hamas conflict

• Provided input re: BDS to negotiations

• NJ Anti-BDS Law proved pivotal

• Provided direction on needed changes

• To meet rising antismeitism and threats

• Strengthens enforcement against hate crime

• Law became permanent and funding increased to $5M per year

• Increased per student funds for security

• Locally provide access to national training resources

• Provide local situational expertise to state and national partners

• Collective engagement with federal and state law enforcement and elected leaders

• Jewish communal infrastructure built with Federation support over 40 years served as foundation for crisis response

• Global partners responded collectively

• Made targeted overseas grants to organizations aiding people displaced by Ukraine war

• Nurturing 20-25-year olds’ desire and ability to effect positive change

• Developing next generation of leaders

• Resources for youth mental health

COLLECTIVE EFFORTS 2022 impact by the numbers

CARE FOR THE VULNERABLE

30% Increase in state funds for NJ’s Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program — to $525,000 for FY23

42% Increase in federal funds for the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program — to $8.5M for FY23

43K Holocaust survivors worldwide served with trauma-informed care

$915M For federal Emergency Food & Shelter Program for FY23 ($280M in FY22)

$8B For the Child Care & Early Learning bill for FY23 ($6.2B in FY22)

8M More People with disabilities are now permitted to save tax-free for disabilityrelated and healthcare expenses for greater independence

ADVOCACY FOR ISRAEL

$3.8B For security assistance and missile defense included in federal FY23 budget

$1B Emergency funding secured from U.S. Congress to replenish rockets used in May 2021 conflict with Hamas

1 More win in combatting BDS, with Ben & Jerry’s negotiations

10M Morningstar users receiving less biased ratings about Israeli companies

LAWS PROTECTING AGAINST ANTISEMITIC BIAS AND THREATS

$270M Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding achieved for FY22 and $305M for FY23

$10M Passed by U.S. Congress for the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act for FY23, double the $5M approved for FY22

$5M Funding reached for NJ Nonprofit Security Grant Program

• NJ Nonprofit Security Grant Program became permanent

• Funds per NJNSGP grants were increased from $10K to $20K and time to use them increased from one year to two years

$205 per nonpublic school pupil added to NJ FY23 budget for security, putting spending on security at its highest level in state history

SECURITY INITIATIVES ENHANCING THREAT PREPAREDNESS AND

RESPONSE

81% Increase in funding for NJ nonprofit security grants to $5M

UKRAINE WAR RESPONSE DURING EVACUATIONS AND RELOCATIONS

400K Calls connected on emergency hotlines

82K People evacuated

138K People received healthcare

265K People received meals

34K People assisted in making Aliya to Israel

2.7M Pounds of clothing and hygiene supplies provided

43K Refugees received vital necessities

22K Elderly Jews and poor children sustained

122 Volunteers placed in 9 locations; gave 2,408 hours to help 104,000 refugees

EDUCATING & INSPIRING YOUTH TO CREATE A STRONG JEWISH FUTURE

$1,055 Approved in NJ FY22 budget per-pupil for nonpublic compensatory education, the first increase in nonpublic compensatory education since the 2007-08 school year

RECOGNIZING AND FULFILLING AN UNMET NEED

In 2022, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) moved the issue of highly inconsistent Holocaust education in NJ’s public schools to the top of its priorities — as essential to combating antisemitism long term.

Our local Federation leaders approached NJ Sen. Vin Gopal, head of the NJ Senate Education Committee, who enthusiastically agreed to champion legislative efforts aimed at improving consistency, transparency, and accountability in Holocaust education across the state’s public schools.

Our Federation helped draft and testified in Trenton in support of proposed legislation, enlisted partners from the Jewish Feederations of New Jersey to provide collective support, and the initial bill passed committee in 2022.

In 2023, this important step in improving Holocaust education in NJ became law.

AD HOC INTERVENTIONS

When it’s not clear where to turn, or there IS nowhere else, individuals and organizations look to Federation. Conversely, when Federation identifies an unmet need in Jewish life, we proactively step in or convene the community to create solutions.

Though what’s needed may fall outside existing or formal programs and services, no Jew or Jewish organization in Monmouth or Greater Middlesex is alone.

Whether by direct intervention or marshaling collective action, Federation helps figure it out.

LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED

When a local family service agency needed more financial support than Federation allocations could provide, we proactively sought additional funding sources and obtained a matching grant from an outside foundation.

This enabled the agency to provide additional trauma-informed care for 244 Holocaust survivors.

WHEN IT’S NOT IN THE “PARENT HANDBOOK”

When Rachel experienced antisemitism at school, her parents did not know where to turn to begin addressing it. They contacted Federation. We provided guidance and resources for them and the school.

Rachel felt so empowered, she became an advocate with Federation in fighting antisemitism.

A NEW JEWISH COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

• Our community did not have a Jewish newspaper for four years

• An independent information source connecting all local Jews is critical to a strong community, but no one organization had the wherewithall to create a new media outlet

FUNDRAISING SUPPORT

• Organization needed funding beyond Federation’s allocation capacity

• Organizations who did not participate in Federation-sponsored legacy training program 2016-2020 are now ready to learn how to cultivate endowments

EMPOWERING & INSPIRING YOUTH TO CREATE A STRONG FUTURE

• Parents of Federation Teen Israel Grant recipient needed more financial aid to make the seminal experience affordable

• Parents of college students on Birthright Israel’s unprecendented wait lists asked if Federation could help

ADDRESSING ANTISEMITISM

• Parents of students who experienced antisemitism contacted us for advice

• Spearheaded community-wide effort to conceive a vision, find/vet a publisher, and launch the new Jlife magazine

• Synagogue asked for support with Holocaust education project

INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

A struggling mom whose teen needed a break from family troubles called for help

An elderly widow recovering from surgery needed help with smoke detectors

Seniors who no longer drive at night couldn’t get to communal programs

• Helped find additional funding sources and applied on organization’s behalf or helped organization apply

• Coached organzations’ leaders one-on-one and shared resources

• Identified sources and made introductions to contacts for additional funding

• Found ways and people to help, enabling students to secure trip spots

• Guided parents on handling with school

• Provided resources for school leaders

• Advocated with elected officials to fund educational initiatives at schools

• Provided promotional support raising awareness and attendance

• Arranged for teen to attend Jewish sleepaway camp with several sources of aid

• Visited, changed batteries and light bulbs, provided names of resources for the future

• Reached out to other attendees and arranged for rides

AD HOC INTERVENTIONS 2022 impact by the numbers

A NEW JEWISH COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

12K Readers were introduced to the new Jlife magazine in its first month

FUNDRAISING SUPPORT

$100K Additional funds Federation sourced and secured from foundation grant to augment Federation allocation on behalf of local agency serving Holocaust survivors

244 Holocaust survivors received expanded trauma-informed home care

$5K Additional funds Federation sourced and secured from foundation grant to augment Federation allocation on behalf of local agency serving people with special needs and their families

100+ Volunteers and staff received advanced training in working with individuals who have special needs

$14M Future value of legacy gifts reached, helping 12+ Jewish organizations secure the future of critical programs and services

EMPOWERING & INSPIRING YOUTH TO CREATE A STRONG FUTURE

$10K Cost of immersive Israel experience defrayed by additional funding sourced by Federation to augment Federation Teen Israel Grants enabling teens’ families to afford the seminar trip

$3K Average amount of additional funds sourced per teen to augment Federation grants

10K+ Number of young adults waitlisted for Birthright Israel trips, prompting calls to Federation asking for help securing a slot

ADRRESSING ANTISEMITISM

40% Increase, nationally, in antisemitic activity in K-12 schools, including harrass ment, vandalism, and assault

3-fold Increase, locally, in number of parents who contacted Federation for guidance when their children experienced antisemitism in school

6K+ Additional people informed about Hate Ends Now immersive Holocaust education experience at a local synagogue

In an era when Jewish community newspapers, like even the most venerable secular publications, struggle to survive, Jewish Monmouth and Middlesex counties had not had a community-wide publication for all Jews since 2016

With unprecedented challenges in Jewish life at this time, connecting and informing every Jew and Jewish organization is critical.

Jewish Federation took on the task of identifying prospective publishers and convening community leaders to create and fulfill a vision for a feasible, sustainable new media outlet.

In 2022, Jlife Heart of NJ published its first issue. Though not a “Federation paper,” we were proud to facilitate input, participation, and representation from nearly every Jewish organization in our diverse community to make it a reality.

Today, Jlife informs and connects thousands of readers to enrich and strengthen Jewish life. Subscribe for free at jlifenj.com.

ANSWERING SOME OF THE SADDEST CALLS

When a family is living at or near the poverty line, unexpected, extraordinary expenses, such as those that come with the death of a loved one, are simply not affordable.

When there is nowhere else to turn, families often call Federation to explore what communal resources may be able to help.

In 2022, Federation assisted in three such instances, providing cemetary plots previously donated to Federation for such use and connecting families with clergy to perform Jewish burials.

FINANCIAL EFFICIENCY

Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey manages nearly $26 million annually, with approximately $3.2 million in our annual operating budget, and greater than $22.5 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 2022, we exceeded our targets in each of these areas.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey cultivates and mobilizes financial resources from our annual community campaign, targeted campaigns for designated purposes, foundation grants, and endowment and 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. Annual Community Campaign $1,600,000

Designated Gifts, Foundations, and Other Sources

$1,200,000

Endowment Contributions $1,100,000

BOARD OF TRUSTEES & OFFICERS

President

Cheryl Markbreiter

Vice President

Jeffrey Schwartz

Vice President

Elise Feldman

Treasurer

Murray Katz

Secretary

Sheryl Grutman

Impact & Allocations

Ken Philmus

Women’s Philanthropy

Kristyn Mednick

Jewish Community Relations

Joel Krinsky

Leadership Development

Pamela Neuman

Governors’ Council

Bonnie Leff

Adrienne Ross

Executive Director

Susan Antman

LEARN MORE FOLLOW US @jewishheartnj

THE GOVERNORS’ COUNCIL

Dr. Stuart Abraham

Mrs. Michelle Fields

Mrs. Joan Fischer

Ms. Phyllis Freed

Mrs. Wendy Friedman

Mrs. Arlene Frumkin

Dr. Marlene Herman

Mr. Liran Kapoano

Mr. Todd Katz

Mr. Alex Kemeny

Mrs. Melissa Kessler

Mr. Anthony Kestler

Mrs. Carol Kominsky

Mrs. Beth Krinsky

Mrs. Laurie Landy

Mrs. Bonnie Leff

Mrs. Amy Mallet

Mrs. Inbar Robbins

Dr. Adrienne Ross

Mrs. Marcia Schwartz

Mrs. Francine Semaya

Dr. Eliot Spack

Mrs. Brenda Tanzman

Mr. Roy Tanzman

Dr. Mike Wasserman

Mrs. Dara Winston

Mrs. Phoebe Wofchuck

CONTACT US

230 Old Bridge Turnpike South River, NJ 08882 phone: 732.588.1800 email: info@jewishheartnj.org

web: jewishheartnj.org