Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey Newsletter Fall 2021

Update from Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey • Fall 2021 • Volume 14

Making Jewish life stronger, safer, more supportive and sustainable

Marathons take stamina – one stride at a time There is so much in our lives that seems beyond our control, whether it’s the weather, the pandemic, the behaviors of others, even the fates of our favorite athletes.

Take marathon runners, who are guided by the knowledge that they have trained for the event, have a team of people who support them, have envisioned the outcome, and they are focused on achieving their goal.

In many ways, the work of Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ is like a marathon. The issues we deal with require persistence; if there were a finish line, it would be far away. In this newsletter we look at things like antisemitism in schools, the stubborn pre-teen trope that Hebrew school is boring — and why that matters, getting through to legislators on issues that concern us, planting seeds for a Jewish future, and more.

None of these matters will be resolved in a week, or a month, some not even a year. With each stride – each Federation initiative – we accomplish something. We get closer to goal and our wins along the way enable us to keep going strong.

Federation’s recent wins along the way include:

• legislative support in the antisemitism and •

security arenas; programs empowering students and their parents to battle back against hate speech;

• innovation for Hebrew school teachers to make learning lively and engaging;

• collaboration between generations of women to breathe new life into Jewish communal gatherings;

• renewed volunteerism to see and expand on the impact of Federation partners; and

• advancements in legacy giving that invests in a strong Jewish future.

“These wins not only get us closer to our goals, but they are accomplishments in themselves,” said Cheryl Markbreiter, Federation president. “They give us new life along the way, enable the Jewish community to stay strong, and forge on.”

Federation is fueled in our marathon by partners on the national and local levels who empower us and whom we empower to move forward in our shared missions; by supporters who share our vision of the heart of NJ as a welcoming community that cares for the vulnerable among us while strengthening Jewish life of today and tomorrow, and responding when crises occur; and our laser focus on the steps we must take to clear obstacles, navigate changing conditions, and forge ahead.

We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but we do know Federation work is the best way to do the most good in the Jewish world. That keeps us going.

Thank you for all you do to help.

Susan Antman Executive Director

Cheryl Markbreiter President

Strengthening community from within “We all will start by going individually,” she explained. “But I hope, as time goes on, each of us will find some program or service that we really connect with, one that we find so fulfilling that we’ll want to share the experience with others.

That way we will help replenish the pool of volunteers that are so sorely needed and feel good, too.”

She says the program serves an additional purpose: increasing Federation’s visibility in the community. “We’ll literally be on the ground, working with people who usually only see us when they are seeking grants or

In the early days of the COVID pandemic, volunteering across the US dropped by some 90%. However, as anyone who

followed news reports knows, the needs filled by the volunteers did not diminish. If anything, they intensified.

In part to help fill the void, and in part to bring attention to the need for more volunteers, staffers at Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ will be spending one day a month volunteering at the community organization of their choice.

Federation Executive Director, Susan Antman said, “Federation has always been about building community through volunteering.

Our activities are, at their core, guided by the Talmudic wisdom that

acts of human kindness are essential to tikkun olam, repair of the world. And, by extension, the welfare of our world depends on

people strengthening their own communities by helping others.”

She added, “Each staffer – including me — spends the bulk of our time supporting and advocating for Jewish community needs and addressing gaps in filling the needs of our partner agencies.

Now, beginning this fall, each of us will be encouraged to volunteer at the Jewish community program or organization of their choice, directly assisting service and program delivery.

publicity. Now we will be going into the community, seeing needs and services first-hand, and expending additional effort to help organizations meet them.”

Susan sees this as an opportunity to strengthen the community from within. “By definition, we on staff work on behalf of the community every day. But I hope this will offer each of us the opportunity to deepen our passion for some program or service that is in addition to our usual work.”

She added, “If we do, we will strengthen our partners, the community, our bonds to them, and Federation at the same time.”

To join this adventure, please contact rosalynp@jewishheartnj.org.

Her legacy: mentoring through unexpected acts of kindness

Battling back: partnering to combat antisemitism

According to her sister, Susan Kurcbart, Gail Shapiro-Scott was a devoted sibling, an avid reader, a caring physical education teacher, a marathon runner, and a mega-mentor.

She said, “Until her sudden death in March of 2020, Gail mentored everyone: the staff at Whole Foods, barristas at her favorite Starbucks, people she’d met during her daily 8-mile walks, and, of course, students long after they’d graduated. And her mentoring was on an epic scale.

Gail frequently helped young staffers in stores she frequented write their college application essay.”

Federation Executive Director Susan Antman said, “The new Gail Shapiro-Scott Fund for Family Engagement will enable hundreds more to benefit from her brand of mentoring through unexpected acts of kindness.”

The fund, made possible by Gail’s legacy gift to Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, will be used to engage families with young children through the PJ Library suite of programs provided by Federation, which connect young families to one another, to Judaism, and the community. This includes the monthly delivery of books and music with Jewish content, holiday programming, and programs for parents with young children.

Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council is bringing information, strategies, and tactics to identify and combat antisemitism to educators and other adults.

It will also help sustain our community’s PJ Library Ambassadors corps, women who reach out to other young families in their areas, and then link them to one another and the surrounding Jewish community.

“Gail’s acts came from her love of books, her love of Judaism, and her love of others,” Susan Antman added. Gail was a devoted friend and caring mentor who put the needs of others ahead of her own. In her memory, I am inspired to try my best to do the same. Knowing that she was helping, through PJ Library, to put books in the hands of young children, engage young parents, and connect them to others and to the Jewish community – that would make her heart sing.”

Susan Kurcbart added, “Gail wanted to help women and children.

She would love this program.”

For more information about the fund, or how you can leave your own legacy gift, contact susana@jewishheartnj.org.

JCRC co-chair, Liran Kapoano, explains, “I have met many people who want to take action, but don’t know where or how to focus their energies. That’s what we hope to address with this program – namely, give training and tools to people in our community who are motivated

to try to improve the current situation and secure a Jewish future.”

The committee is planning a multi-part series, beginning later this year, in which Federation will partner with multiple organizations with expertise in aspects of the battle against antisemitism.

“Through the series, participants will become more empowered to fight antisemitism in smart ways and strengthen our Jewish community,” Kapoano added.

Sign up today at jewishheartnj.org/learnadvocacy

New collaboration for new possibilities Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ has always been strong, and is now getting even stronger, thanks to a collaboration with a powerful cohort – the PJ Library Ambassadors.

These are young mothers who, as part of Federation’s PJ Library program, reach out to others raising young Jewish children in their area, inviting them to hands-on programs that foster learning and friendship for the children and parents.

Personal interaction has always been the secret sauce that drives Women’s Philanthropy. No matter why participants initially get involved, they stay engaged because of the connections they make and the friendships that

develop. Underscoring it all is a commitment to improve the lives of others — in this community, in Israel, and around the globe.

According to Brenda Tanzman, who co-chairs Women’s Philanthropy with Sheryl Grutman, “We have watched these women build the Ambassadors program into something impressive that benefits children, their parents, and the entire community.”

Development Advisor, “The chemistry of collaboration between Women’s Philanthropy and the PJ Library Ambassadors creates new possibilities for rich and meaningful friendships while serving and strengthening the Jewish community.”

During the pandemic, PJ families with young children have been enjoying great programs while interacting with one another from the comfort of their homes.

In addition, the PJ Ambassadors have been conducting smallgroup, social-distanced events outdoors.

Now, as partners with Women’s Philanthropy, programs will similarly employ small-group, in-person interactions to engage women of all

Just a few of the women involved in creating this new collabora tion

generations and grow participation in Federation’s activities.

According to Barbara Yuson, Federation’s Fundraising &

For more information on Women’s Philanthropy, contact barbaray@jewishheartnj.org.

Legislative update In the past four years, more than $6 million in government security grants has been awarded to area synagogues and other Jewish organizations, thanks in large part to support provided by Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ Security Initiatives personnel and partners.

Now, a new grant opportunity is on the horizon, focusing on improving the energy efficiency of buildings housing religious organizations and other non-profits.

As this is being written, Congress is addressing an energy bill that includes $50 million over five years for the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act. It would create a Department of Energy pilot program to allow nonprofits to purchase materials that promote efficient energy use and improve environmental responsibility. Grants would be available for upgrading drafty, poorly insulated, decades-old buildings with upgraded windows, HVAC systems, renewable energy generators, and solar panels.

Dan Rozett, on behalf of Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council, has been in contact with the representatives who serve Middlesex and Monmouth Counties (in order of seniority): Cong. Chris Smith (R-NJ4), Cong. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12).

Dan said, “It is critical they understand that this bill can help non-profits save on energy costs while reducing their environmental impact.”

For more information, contact danr@jewishheartnj.org.

Teachers’ conference bringing EdTech to Hebrew schools Even prior to COVID, public and private schools considered the use of educational technology (EdTech) part of their normal school day. But in many instances, synagogue budget constraints prevented local Hebrew schools from offering their students the same access to innovative learning platforms.

Perrineville Jewish Center, Millstone; and Michael Wikes,

That’s about to change, thanks to a committee of dedicated supplemental Hebrew school administrators and teachers who applied to and were granted funding from Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ — on behalf of all Hebrew schools in the community.

Mike explained that the Education Directors Group in the Heart of NJ has presented a conference for all supplemental Hebrew school educators at the start of each of the past four years.

However, they did not focus on getting the bulk of their cohort comfortable using the technology available, in part because they felt that – without follow-up –

According to Melissa Pescatore, Religious School Director, Temple Shaari Emeth, Manalapan, “This

program is really an evolution of Federation’s relationship with the supplemental schools. They have convened us each year and always contributed to our continuing education conference.”

Federation’s new grant provides for the hiring of an EdTech consultant to offer robust professional development opportunities focusing on engaging 21st century students. It will also help fund the purchase of appropriate technology platforms and applications.

Spearheading the program with Melissa are: Inbar Robbins, Executive Director Education and Programming, LEV Academy at

so used to using it in their secular schools.”

“Engaging students remotely has long been on our radar. COVID made it a Number One priority for all educators.”

Education Director, Congregation B’nai Israel, Rumson.

the teachers could not take advantage of what they had been exposed to.

The trio agreed that successful teaching meets students’ needs. These new modalities better accommodate differences in learning styles, communication, and other mental processes.

As Mike said, “The field of education has evolved rapidly. There are now models of innovative pedagogy, and we aim to bring them into our classrooms, so more students are more actively engaged.”

Inbar added, “EdTech does not replace personal interaction. It adds to existing lesson options, especially since our students are

“Hebrew school comes at a critical phase of students’ development; it leaves a lasting impression,” added Federation’s Director of Community Impact, Laura Safran. “Making it more effective

and engaging is critical to students’ Jewish identity and a stronger Jewish future.”

EdTech will also help address another reality faced by every supplemental school program and every parent of a supplemental school student: the conflict between Hebrew School and extracurricular activities, from sports to play practice.

Melissa added, “The technology does not replace us. It helps build the relationship between students and teachers.”

For more information, contact lauras@jewishheartnj.org.

Federation Leadership Cheryl Markbreiter PRESIDENT Jeffrey Schwartz 1ST VICE PRESIDENT

230 Old Bridge Turnpike South River, NJ 08882

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

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

Battling back against hate speech and bias in middle and high schools According to ADL, middle and high school students deal with more personal antisemitism, including verbal taunts, swastikas etched into their lockers and desks, and slurs on bathroom walls than students on college campuses.

At a recent meeting of area supplemental Hebrew school leadership convened by Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, Dan Rozett, Federation’s Manager of Community Relations & Israel Engagement, proposed working together to bring the ADL’s Words to Action program to more students.

He said, “Antisemitism in public schools is of great concern, and yet supplemental Hebrew schools have limited time to teach their students

who attend public school to deal with it. Words to Action is focused and practical.”

The one-day, interactive program, scheduled for the end of this year, will have one track empowering students with tactics to deal with antisemitism, and another track offering parents effective measures to help their children deal with antisemitism and hate speech.

The program begins with a brief overview of the origins of antisemitism. It then moves to using experiences to define antisemitism and hate speech. The final segment uses role-playing to help develop strategies for effective responses.

national resources they can call upon, including from Federation, itself,” Federation Executive Director, Susan Antman added.

“This initiative is the latest of many Federation has supported through recent years and we will continue to do so for our children and our future.”

“Throughout, both groups will be introduced to a slew of local and

For more information, contact danr@jewishheartnj.org.