Update from The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey • September 2017 • Volume 6
Strengthening the Jewish community locally and around the world
Sharing help and giving hope When Leigh Anne Tuohy talks about how she got involved with NFL offensive tackle Michael Oher, a story familiar to many through “The Blind Side” book and movie, she says she didn’t do anything remarkable. Speaking at this year’s Main Event, Ms. Tuohy said while she was going to dinner with her family, she noticed one of the children’s schoolmates walking on the other side of the street wearing clothes that didn’t protect him from the winter cold. She asked her husband to turn the car around. That simple act changed all their lives. Main Event attendees identified with Tuohy’s desire to help someone she didn’t know. As donors to the Federation, they help countless people they don’t know;
people in need, whether on the other side of the street or the other side of the globe. Because every donation, when added to others, offers more leverage, more ability to help, and more hope for all. The Federation is the vehicle that enables anyone to metaphorically turn their car around - acknowledging there are vulnerable people among us and offering life-saving assistance nearby, in Israel, and around the world. This newsletter is filled with stories of people who benefit from their connection to the Federation, its donors, staff, and amazing community partners.
• Helping those with fertility issues build Jewish families
If you knew someone was hurting, someone was lost, or someone could reach their potential with a little extra push, would you turn your car around? These people are among us – and though you may not know them, they are your community. Turn the page and meet them now. Then turn to the Federation, so together, we can make a difference in more lives.
• Offering respite to families facing hardship
• Tutoring disadvantaged youth so they can succeed in school and life
• Nurturing teen activists, philanthropists, and volunteers
• Connecting people to Israel • Collaborating with law
With your help, she’ll keep smiling enforcement on the handling of security threats and bias incidents Whether acting as the catalyst or the initiator effectively assessing and addressing challenges, the Federation has a unique ability to work with partners to bring the strength of the entire Jewish community to bear on pressing needs. And it remains committed to caring for the vulnerable, inspiring young people to embrace their Jewish identity, and enhancing access for all Jews to programs, contacts, or services in this vibrant community.
Federation links law enforcement to the Jewish & other faith communities
More than 30 law enforcement personnel attended the LEO program
The Federation is working with community partners and law enforcement officials on programs that address concerns about security as well as increases in the number of anti-Semitic and other bias incidents.
More than 300 faith-based organizations throughout Greater Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, and Ocean Counties were invited to take part in the bias and security program
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni played a key role in making Chhange’s LEO program happen.
Chhange, the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights, and Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, spent two days in August using the Holocaust as a prism through which law enforcement officials could better understand their role in a pluralistic civil society. Thanks to the Federation’s close connection to Monmouth County Prosecutor, Christopher Gramiccioni, as well as a Federation grant, Chhange’s Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) program used interactions with local Holocaust survivors, group discussions led by Chhange personnel, and meetings at the United States Holocaust Historical Museum in Washington, DC, to help 50 representatives of Monmouth County law enforcement
gain deeper understanding of hate crimes and their role in responding to them. Participants also had time to reflect on their own biases and preconceived notions. The LEO program, offered intermittently since 2003, has worked with more than 350 law enforcement officials. Marlboro Police Department Lt. Joseph Tomazic has participated in many educational programs in his 17 years on the force. He said, “Of all of them, the LEO program has had the biggest impact — on me and on the people I supervise. It helped me see that we must do more than just enforce rules. We have to have compassion.” Another Federation program this August
The Federation helped bring more than $1 million in Homeland Security grants to enhance security at local Jewish institutions last year Advocacy secured a 300% increase in NJ funding for security at Jewish schools and security-related legislation with funding The Federation’s Security Task Force partners with the offices of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the NJ Attorney General, the Monmouth County Prosecutor, the Middlesex County Prosecutor, Monmouth County Sheriff’s office, Secure Community Network, and faith-based organizations throughout the heart of NJ
focused on security and bias education for both Jewish communal and interfaith community leaders. With High Holiday security top of mind, the Federation brought in Secure Community Network (SCN) to lead a session on community preparedness, focusing on synagogues and Jewish schools.
According to Federation First Vice President Amy Mallet, “Through the Federation, every Jewish organization in the community has access to best practices in security and dealing with bias. To broaden community awareness, our faith-community neighbors joined us for the second half of the program.”
This was followed by a presentation to the interfaith group on statewide initiatives addressing bias and security issues, led by NJ Attorney General, Christopher Porrino, and Director NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Jared Maples. On hand as resources were leading local, county, state, and national law enforcement professionals.
Among the representatives from churches, mosques, and synagogues were many of the participants in last year’s Federation Interfaith Clergy Mission to Israel. According to Ms. Mallet, “That mission continues to produce many benefits, far outlasting the trip itself.” For more information, contact Amy Keller at amyk@jewishheartnj.org.
Plan now for summer camp next year Think summer camp is so last month? Not if you plan to send a child to camp next summer. Many early sign-up discounts expire in the fall. And now is the time to apply for camp grants and scholarships supported by the Jewish Federation. Why does the Federation help as many families as possible afford Jewish summer camp? Because studies show the joyful, immersive experiences are a sound investment in a strong Jewish future, since Jewish campers grow into proud and involved Jewish adults. Take Stacie — the only Jewish kid in her class, and the only one from her neighborhood in her Hebrew school. Tired of being different, she told her folks she didn’t want to be Jewish anymore. Their rabbi said a Jewish summer experience might help her feel
more comfortable, but the family budget had no room for camp that year. Thanks to a Federationsupported camp incentive grant and help from a synagogue fund, Stacie went and has returned two more times for friends and fun in the place where she enjoys being Jewish. The Federation can help make camp possible. There are need-based and special needs camp scholarships, and for those unfamiliar with Jewish camp, there are One Happy Camper first-year incentive grants. The Federation and NJ Y Camps also promote short-stay “trial-sized” camps. These include: Weekend Family Camp; First Step, a five-night all-inclusive program; and a two-week Israel-connected program for those fluent in Hebrew. For details and applications, go to jewishheartnj.org/camp.
Travel to Israel for priceless memories Federation Missions to Israel offer more impact on travelers and more activities at the best prices. Take a look at what’s coming.
Kids can leave troubles at home at summer camp
65% of incentive grant recipients return to Jewish camp
254 children received Federation camp assistance this year through incentive grants, need-based scholarships, and special needs camp scholarships In the last 12 months: 105 teens received Israel teen grants 902 young people from the heart of NJ went on Birthright The Federation conducted four missions to Israel
• Warm your heart and soul on the Dec. 25, 2017 – Jan. 4, 2018 mission for families, couples and solo travelers, which includes a bar/bat mitzvah opportunity for children and adults. Spend a day in Safed, Shabbat in Jerusalem, explore the natural wonders of Eilat, and see how Israeli ingenuity has made the Aravah Desert bloom.
• Experience the wonder and excitement of a Birthright trip on the Federation’s Birthright-style trip for adults, October 15-22, 2018. The price: $1800, not including airfare. Choose to pay $180 for 12 months, online by credit card and, by departure, the trip will be paid for and you’ll have made a meaningful gift to the Federation. Once you’re in Israel, you’ll see the highlights as well as meet people your Federation gift supports.
• And don’t forget the free Birthright experience, for 18 – 26 yearolds or Federation Israel travel scholarships for teens. For more information about Israel travel go to jewishheartnj.org/ missions or contact danr@jewishheartnj.org.
Israel: A trip of a lifetime
Wanted: high school advocates for Israel Do you know a high school student who loves to write and likes to advocate for Israel? The Federation offers a range of programs for Jewish students dealing with anti-Israel bias, whether in local high schools or on college campuses. Write On for Israel is a two-year competitive program for high school juniors and seniors. Only 48 students from the NY Metropolitan area are invited to learn from renown journalists and others how to use their passion for writing to shape opinions.
Learning to be advocates for Israel
Write On includes monthly sessions in New York City and, in year two, travel to Israel to meet with leading journalists and policy-makers. Participants hone their ability to think critically and clearly express complex ideas. Also, in early 2018, the Federation will launch a new oneday conference aimed at helping teens deal with verbal and visual anti-Israel assaults prevalent on high school and college campuses. They’ll learn about peer to peer advocacy and how to interact with elected representatives. Through exploring the historical and religious connection between Judaism and the land of Israel, they’ll discover why their voices matter, as well as how and when to speak up.
The Jewish Federation and two of its partners are offering to help replace the ache, through a new
Thanks to a free subscription for the community provided by the Federation, synagogues, schools and individuals have been accessing the Israel advocacy material on JerusalemU Dozens of synagogues, youth groups, and schools will participate in the Israel advocacy conference for teens this winter. Hundreds of people dealing with issues such as job loss, home repair, business, and now adoption, fertility, and surrogacy have been helped by Hebrew Free Loan (HFL) Since 2008 HFL has given more than 300 interest-free loans totaling more than $1.4 million
To learn about these and other Federation programs such as JTeam Teen Philanthropy, Rising Stars theater program, and more, go to jewishheartnj.org/teens or contact lauras@jewishheartnj.org.
Helping to replace pain with joy, one baby at a time It’s easy to find photos of smiling babies. Having one is not always easy. And it’s tough to talk about when there’s a problem. Adoption, fertility treatments, and surrogacy offer hope. Yet their expense force many to continue to look at photos of smiling babies. And ache for their own.
More than 400 teens were involved in a series of Federation-sponsored StandUp4Israel workshops in area synagogues
Building Jewish Families interest-free loans program as well as a local resource, yeshtikva.org, offering guidance and online support. Hebrew Free Loan of NJ (HFL) offers resources for all sorts of issues, from debt consolidation and medical bills to helping domestic violence victims start new lives in safety. Their new program is
It’s amazing how fast you fall in love
aimed at strengthening Jewish families and the Jewish community. If you know someone trying to build a Jewish family or needing financial help during a difficult time, contact: lauras@jewishheartnj.org or look online at hebrewfreeloanofnj.org and yeshtikva.org
Those in need often don’t know how or whom to ask for help Her family said Elly had a nervous condition. Sensitive and easily startled, her emotional state deteriorated when her husband began hitting her. Her co-workers at a central New Jersey assisted living facility offered comfort, but no solutions.
and began taking Abby to services. The rabbi soon learned of their situation, and contacted the Federation to see if, together, they could help this family. Among the ideas they came up with was to get the kids to Jewish
Now back home in Israel, Tamar is a Keren Gimmel tutor. She completed her IDF obligation, is starting college, and hopes to become the same kind of teacher as the one who changed her life.
Teen tutors help Israeli at-risk youth improve study skills while having fun Then her husband lost his job, and soon thereafter had a breakdown, and Elly’s situation worsened. Elly did her best to remember to buy food. Her teen-aged son, Jason*, and his nine-year-old sister, Abigail, did everything else. They shared the cooking and cleaning, and made sure Elly took her medicine. They filled out forms, as needed, from the courts and the bank, and got very good at fielding questions from collection agencies. Somehow, Jason maintained good grades while making sure his sister did, too. When Jason was invited to a classmate’s bar mitzvah, he found himself enthralled by Judaism, the religion his parents had grown up with but ignored as adults. He felt comfortable in the synagogue,
teachings to instill the values of giving back and respect for all. Tutors, most of whom were in the Keren Gimmel program as youngsters, employ informal education to help kids develop the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.
sleepaway camp — to give them a break for a few weeks, a chance to just be kids. A need-based camp scholarship from the Federation plus money from a synagogue fund made it happen. One of Abby’s counselors, Tamar, was from Kiryat Malachi, a town in southern Israel. Tamar had been an eager student when her family emigrated from Belarus. Soon, she began failing classes. One of her teachers noticed Tamar hanging out with a disruptive group, and connected Tamar with Keren Gimmel, an after-school program that works with at-risk immigrant, disadvantaged, and special needs kids. Keren Gimmel, a recipient of Federation funding, uses Jewish
While little at home has changed for Abby and Jason, they have more emotional support, thanks to connections to their synagogue and interactions with camp friends. Their rabbi and several synagogue members are now working with the Federation to find more options for assistance for the whole family. Neither Jason, Abby, nor Tamar know that the Jewish Federation funded the programs that made such a difference in their lives. They don’t know the people whose donations made those programs possible. But you know you can be one of those people by giving today. Thank you. *All names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.
More than half the families who qualified for needbased camp grants receive other forms of support from Federation and its partners 290 Israel youth at-risk received Federation support this year through partners such as Keren Gimmel, Gesher El Hanoar, Crossroads, and others
Federation Leadership Jeffrey Schwartz PRESIDENT Amy Mallet 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
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Michelle Fields 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Murray Katz TREASURER Cheryl Markbreiter SECRETARY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Joel Krinsky Naomi Lasky Adrienne Ross Roy Tanzman Keith Krivitzky CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Susan Antman EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
You offer hope and help Donate 230 Old Bridge Turnpike South River, NJ 08882 Phone: (732) 588-1800
Your donation to the Federation brings hope and help to people, all of whom would thank you personally, if they could. Whether you make a pledge online to meet immediate needs or create a legacy gift that will make a difference in the future, you help people – in the heart of New Jersey, in Israel, and around the globe. Go to jewishheartnj.org/donate or call 732-588-1800.
Volunteer Make time to help people in need. Many of the Federation’s partners would love to have your help. For suggestions that suit your time and interests, contact lauras@jewishheartnj.org or call her at 732-588-1800.
Participate Meet interesting people and have fun on a mission to Israel. Or take advantage of the many terrific programs in the area. Contact lauras@jewishheartnj.org about the mission. Go to jewishheartnj.org/calendar to see what’s happening near you.