Photo Credit: Olivier Fitoussi for the The Jewish Agency for Israel
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 | jewishpmb.org FEDERATIONCOMMUNITYYOUR YOUR
However, this past year we also faced several crises. Antisemitism rose to historic highs and war broke out in Ukraine displacing more than 2 million people. The Federation set out to address both. We launched a month long combating antisemitism campaign to amplify Jewish voices across the Greater Mercer County and developed deeper relationships with our public education, law enforcement and government partners. Moreover, we quickly established a relief fund raising more than $115,000 for Ukrainian refugees. This report, along with our monthly digital newsletters and twice a year published magazine, set out to provide transparency and highlight The Federation’s work locally, overseas and in Israel.
Mark ExecutiveMerkovitzDirector
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Dear Friends,
As we look back, there is a lot to be thankful for. Our community embraced the post pandemic road back to normal, students returned to the classrooms, and socialization began to resume. The Federation brought the community together for Sukkah Village in October 2021, we celebrated with the first annual Jewish American Heritage Festival in May 2022, and the Women’s Philanthropy Spring Luncheon in June had an incredible turnout. We are continue to plan great community gatherings and are looking to our next major event, the Laugh Out Loud Campaign kickoff at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake on October 19th.
Daniel President,HerscoviciBoard of Trustees
With sincere appreciation,
On behalf of The Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, our Board of Directors, and professional staff, we are grateful for your generous support and thank you for your continued support of Federation’s mission in the future.
TABLE CONTENTSOF FEDERATION’S FOCUS 4 WHAT WE DO MATTERS 5 UPGRADING OUR OPERATIONS 11 TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES 12 NEW DIGITAL IMPRINT 13 REDEFINED MARKETING STRATEGY COMMUNICATIONAND 13 BLOOMING TALENT 14 FINANCIAL SUMMARY 15 COMMUNITY PARTNERS 17 DIRECTORSBOARD2022-23OF DANIEL HERSCOVICI President LAUREN NAZARIAN* Campaign Vice President STACEY BIALOW Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Vice President JEREMY BLACK Allocations Vice President MICHAEL FELDSTEIN Israel/Overseas Vice President BRIAN CHEVLIN Administration Vice President MARK JANOFSKY Treasurer DON LEIBOWITZ Secretary JERRY NEUMANN Immediate Past President BOARD TRUSTEESOF ADELE AGIN JUDY DANELIZABETHAXELRODBERMAN*BRENT HOWARD COHEN NEIL RABBISTEPHANIEMARISSAMARCYELLIOTCARLILESSER*MASIASAMBOLSAMETTREUWILLADENABLUM* Board of Rabbis/Ex-Officio *New Board Members Retired from the Board: Brandon Abelson Marsha Freeman Carol RabbiPollardBenjamin Adler ANNUAL REPORT | 3
The Jewish Federation serves the needs of our Jewish community locally, nationally, and internationally. Federation’s fundraising efforts support both humanitarian causes and innovative programs that support our foundational pillars: unify our Jewish community, combat antisemitism, care for vulnerable Jews and lead in times of crisis.
Bringing together youth, families & individuals through innovative programming and community-wide events regardless of affiliation, town or denomination.
Providing humanitarian aid for Jews in distress and addressing urgent needs at home, in Israel and around the globe.
CARE FOR VULNERABLE JEWS LOCALLY, IN ISRAEL & ABROAD
LOCALLYANTISEMITISMCOMBAT
Supporting those who are isolated, food insecure, or are unable to access programs that celebrate our Jewish tradition.
LEAD IN TIMES OF CRISIS
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Fighting hate, fostering Jewish pride, and celebrating our Jewish Heritage.
FEDERATION’SFOCUS
UNIFY COMMUNITYJEWISH
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Photo Credit: Olivier Fitoussi for the The Jewish Agency for Israel
WHAT WE MATTERSDO
This year the Jewish Federation saw a continued uptick in violence against the Jews, most prominently highlighted in ADL’s most recent audit. In response to hate and in the face of growing antisemitism, the Federation launched a combat antisemitism campaign to bring attention to and spark a dialogue about hate targeted against Jews. The Jewish Federation strongly stands against any form of hatred and believes every individual deserves the right to feel safe where they live, work, or go to school. The multifaceted media campaign included a billboard, bus wraps, print ads, and digital efforts, in order to increase community awareness. This critical initiative resonated positively as hundreds of thousands of people witnessed, shared, commented, and helped amplify the Federation’s profound message.
Combat Antisemitism
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Caring for the Vulnerable, Leading in Times of Crisis
In February of 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine displaced more than 2 million refugees. The Jewish Federation established a community wide emergency relief fund and raised over $110,000. Collectively, Jewish Federations across the country raised more than $64 million. The funds were allocated to 46 NGO’s operating on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries including The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Israel Trauma Coalition and others.
SAY NO TO ANTISEMITISMCOMBATTINGHATE:LOCALLY
HUMANITARIAN AID TO UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
THE GREATER MERCER CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
SUKKAH VILLAGE 2021
The Jewish Federation worked collaboratively with partner synagogues and agencies to create opportunities for socialization and connection within our community.
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In September of 2021, the entire community came together at the Sukkah Village 2021, a brainchild of Joshua Zinder, a local architect, entrepreneur and managing partner of JZA+D. The event was held in honor of Rabbi Adam Feldman, z”l. Hundreds of people of all ages, from near and far, came to Princeton to walk through and to tour kosher, sustainable, and portable sukkahs, attend panel discussions, view a film screening and get artistic at the family event by making Ushpezin invitations and sukkah decorations. The Sukkah Village 2021 highlighted how art, religion and social activism can spark joy, awareness and conversation. Moreover, the event raised more than $18,000 through the sale of sukkahs and in June the funds were disbursed to 18 local, nonprofit organizations.
In December of 2021, our community celebrated the miracle of Light Together. Thank you to our partners at the JCC Princeton Mercer Bucks & Abrams Camps, Har Sinai, Beth El, Adath Israel, Beth Chaim, and The Jewish Center of Princeton for creating an inviting and welcoming atmosphere in our community.
JEWISH LIFE: A STRONG AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY
Unify the Community: Individuals, Families and Youth
WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY SPRING LUNCHEON
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In June of 2022, after almost two years apart, more than 110 women in our community gathered for a fun afternoon luncheon to eat, socialize and shop!
During the event, women heard from Wendy Soos, Executive Director, JCC Princeton Mercer Bucks & Abrams Camps, Michelle Napell, Executive Director of Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS), and Ian Kandel, BBYO’s VP of Movement Strategy, about the issues impacting our local youth and programming that has been established to help guide them.
In May of 2022, the Jewish Federation held the the first annual Jewish American Heritage Festival celebration in Greater Mercer County coinciding with Jewish American Heritage Month. The event drew a crowd of more than 400 people. Everyone enjoyed performances by The Maccabeats and Koleinu and some great Isralei cuisine and local deli fare. The Festival’s primary goal was to reinforce pride in our Jewish heritage and to create an atmosphere of positivity and love in a world filled with so much hate and antisemitism.
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL
SECURING OUR COMMUNITY TODAY, TOMORROW, AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
This year the Jewish Federation witnessed a continued aggression against Jewish synagogues and agencies. In January, an attacker entered Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas and took hostages. In April, a Jewish fraternity house at Rutgers University was egged during a Holocaust Remembrance Day event. In June, a student drew swastikas in Caldwell’s middle school bathroom and made threats against the school. Our Federation remains on high alert, at all times, and works hand-in-hand with local law enforcement agencies, Secure Community Network, NJ State Homeland Security and the FBI to ensure that our community remains safe. This year, the Federation held a communitywide security training course; additionally, we continuously monitor and audit our current security needs, developed a plan to bridge the gap, and do our utmost to help everyone in our community feel safe.
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UPGRADINGOPERATIONSOUR
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TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
Over the course of the year, the Jewish Federation made significant technological and process upgrades to our marketing and communications, financial management systems and donor and prospect management systems. These efforts in combination, improved efficiency, addressed communication gaps and will help us centralize data and allow the Federation to operate more strategically.
DONOR SYSTEMMANAGEMENTPROSPECT& SYSTEMMANAGEMENTFINANCIAL MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS& ANNUAL REPORT | 12
TECHNOLOGYUPGRADES
/jfedpmb/JewishPMBjewishpmb.org Visit FollowUs!Us!LikeUs! ANNUAL REPORT | 13
Website
NEW DIGITAL IMPRINT
In May, the Jewish Federation launched a redesigned website that includes modernized backend infrastructure. It features an extensive overview of Federation’s philanthropic focus and positive impact in the community. Most importantly we re-launched a robust community calendar, simplified our grant application and reduced overall digital operating costs.
REDEFINED MARKETING STRATEGY COMMUNICATIONAND
The Federation’s voice grew stronger, more transparent and informative this year with the help of our new Director of Marketing, Larisa Leffel; led by Ms. Leffel’s efforts, Federation succeeded in developing a thoughtful marketing and communications strategy. Digital and print communications are now a regular feature, educating the community on the Federation’s goals, the positive impact it creates and why supporting our local Federation should be an important philanthropic priority.
We expanded our social media presence to include both Facebook and Instagram. In one month, the Federation’s account followers tripled. Both platforms have been instrumental in helping amplify the combat antisemitism campaign, provide a glimpse into our events like the Spring Luncheon in real time, and sharing news alerts.
FEDERATION IS GROWING
Favorite show: 30 Rock
The Jewish Federation has grown by attracting new talent and nurturing existing.
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Favorite musician: Frank Sinatra - Standards and Musicals
Mark Merkovitz has been the Executive Director of The Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks for the last 4 years. Prior to working at the Federation, he was involved as a Federation volunteer and contributor. Mark is instrumental in developing relationships with local agencies and partners, as well as driving community engagement, program ideation and execution, and daytoday Federation operations.
Favorite artist: Salvador Dali
Favorite athlete: Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Brian Chartock joined the Federation family at the end of June. He is a highly accomplished non-profit professional and for almost a decade acted as an Executive Director of Congregation Beth Chaim. Brian’s primary role is to help the Federation implement a successful fundraising strategy, establish strong donor and prospect relations, and oversee all fundraising events and campaign.
Mark Merkovitz Executive Director
Larisa Leffel joined the Jewish Federation a year ago. Her focus is on strengthening the Federation brand, overseeing planning, development, and execution of the organization’s marketing initiatives, and streamlining communication across all print and digital media channels. She develops marketing plans, content creation, and creative strategy for the Federation.
Favorite book: The Dead Zone by Stephen King Dan Curtis IT Director, Infrastructure and Planning
Dan Curtis joined the Federation family at the end of June with a background in finance and management information systems. Prior to joining he worked in the banking industry for the Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, and non-profits including the American Red Cross. His role is to help the federation with IT infrastructure, database analytics, and planning.
Brian Chartock Director and Head of Development
Larisa Leffel Director of Marketing
Mark Janofsky held several senior financial and administrative positions at Shire Pharmaceuticals US. He was a co-founder of Oceana Therapeutics and served as the Chief Financial Officer for Novasom, Inc. and Nytronics, Inc. He also held senior finance positions with a Nestle/L’Oréal joint venture, public television and public accounting. Mark oversees all financial matters, including timely closing of the books, accounting for pledges and monitoring the satisfaction of allocation commitments.
Mark Janofsky Head of Finance and Board Treasurer
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FINANCIALSUMMARY
ANNUALEXPENSESCAMPAIGN58% Allocations 14% Administration 15% Fundraising 13% Programs The Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks continuously works to improve efficiency and maximize our impact within our local community, in Israel and around the world. With more than 70% of our funds directly impacting our community through grants and programs, our goal is to get that to 75%. This is primarily driven by campaign size. Our focus in 2023 is on efficient and transparent operations and of course growth of our campaign. The Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks’s main source of income is our Annual Campaign. Additional revenue comes from established endowments and legacy gifts. The annual campaign runs from July 1 to June 30. $1,033,421 TOTAL RAISED IN 2022 $769,000 2022 COMMUNITYANNUALCAMPAIGN $149,421 ENDOWMENT & LEGACY GIFTS $115,000 RELIEFEMERGENCYUKRAINEFUND ANNUAL REPORT | 16
Adath Israel Congregation
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater
Princeton Public Library Print StarkSproutsSolutionsandStark
Board of Rabbis Princeton Center for Jewish Life Princeton Hillel Community News Service, LLC.
Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design McCaffrey’s Market
Nancy Rose
Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber
Congregation Beth Chaim Daniella Erin NYC Designs that Donate EdisonFBIPartners
The 215 Guys
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JCC Princeton Mercer Bucks & Abrams Camps JewBelong.com
NJ State Homeland Packet Media LLC
Arts Council of Princeton Beth El Synagogue
FEDERATIONPARTNERS
Abrams Hebrew Academy Jewish Day School
OUR COLLABORATIVE WORK ACCOMPLISHES GREAT THINGS FOR JEWS LOCALLY, IN ISRAEL, AND AROUND THE WORLD
BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LOCAL PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
FLM Reprographics, Inc.
Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry
Greenwood House Har SinaiJ’BelleTemple
Mercer County
Princeton Police Department
Stephanie Will - Coldwell Banker Realty
The Jewish Center Temple WitherspoonTemptingMicahTableMediaGroupWithumSmith+Brown
PJ Library
Hadassah Medical YadProjectShmaChabadOrganizationYisraelIsraAIDOneFamilyLeketLakashish
The Jewish Agency for Israel
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
The Israel Trauma Coalition
United Hatzalah HillelNefeshInternationalB’NefeshHIAS
World ORT
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OVERSEAS PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
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213 Carnegie Center Box 2157 Princeton, NJ 08543 לארשי לכ הזב הז םיברע “All Jews are responsible for one another” Talmud Bavli (Sh’vuot 39a) Princeton, NJ | /JewishPMB | /JFEDPMB (609) 524-9911 JEWISHPMB.ORG ANNUAL REPORT | 20
