CONNECTIONS OUR GOAL: TO BE STRONGER, MORE FOCUSED, MORE EFFECTIVE AFTER PROPOSED MERGER FREE ACCESS TO STAND UP FOR ISRAEL

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M I D D L E S E X CONNECTIONS Vol 2, September2014 FREE ACCESS TO STAND UP FOR ISRAEL One extraordinary opportunity has already presented itself in advance of the proposed merger of the Jewish

A new partnership with Jerusalem Online University is available to all and perfectly timed to help those seeking educational and engagement materials about Israel.

1 M I D D L E S E X CONNECTIONS Vol 2, September2014 FREE ACCESS TO STAND UP FOR ISRAEL One extraordinary opportunity has already presented itself in advance of the proposed merger of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County. A new partnership with Jerusalem Online University is available to all and perfectly timed to help those seeking educational and engagement materials about Israel. According to Keith Krivitzky, Executive Director of the Monmouth Federation, We realized when the latest conflict in Israel began, many people were not as familiar with the underlying or more nuanced issues. When challenged in conversations, either one-on-one or on social media, they were at a loss. Jerusalem U will help address that need. It offers age- and interest-appropriate educational resources, thought leadership, self-contained courses, films, and activism opportunities. Because the program is being underwritten by the Beth and Andrew Fromkin Family Foundation, it s free to the Middlesex and Monmouth communities. Among the offerings will be three premier showings around the region of Beneath the Helmet, an Israeli film that follows high school graduates as they take their places in the Israeli army. Susan Antman, Executive Director of the Greater Middlesex Federation, said, Jerusalem U s education and engagement programs are a gold mine of information for our communities. We are pleased to be able to share this with synagogues, organizations, and schools in Middlesex and Monmouth. To learn more, go to jewishmiddlesex.org/jerusalemu. CONNECT TO FEDERATION jewishmiddlesex.org OUR GOAL: TO BE STRONGER, MORE FOCUSED, MORE EFFECTIVE AFTER PROPOSED MERGER Through JDC, we help people in Hungary, Ukraine, and throughout Central and Eastern Europe who live in challenging environments. The Jewish Federations of Greater Middlesex County and Monmouth County are exploring a merger. Since they began in 1895, Federations have been guided by a sentence in Pirke Avot: All Israel is responsible one for the other. Inspired by these words, a newly merged entity would be more effective, better able to creatively engage the community, respond to emergencies, and care for each other wherever we live together. The combined lay and professional leadership would be able to focus on partnership and transparency, targeting programs so they are catalysts for change and connections. Expanded community engagement would mean increased assistance available to those in need. During the summer, both Federations held town-hall meetings for community members to assess the benefits of a merger. The board of the Federation of Greater Middlesex voted on Sept. 3. The Monmouth Federation board voted later in the month. Next is a vote by donors in each county. To find out how to participate, call Each Federation has a proud history. Working in concert to build on those histories, addressing shared goals and challenges, our goal is to do more for more, engage more and accomplish more, for generations to come. LEE LIVINGSTON Middlesex Chair, Merger Committee To overstate the obvious, what Jewish communal organizations have been doing to a great extent is no longer working. The most recent Middlesex demographic study of five years ago reported that 45% of our donors did not have a clear idea of what Federation did. The goal of the merger is for every Jew in our communities to know what Federation does, how it has impacted them, so they want to be a part of it. To me the key to success will be if in five years people are asking, Why didn t we do this years ago?

MITCH FRUMKIN President, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County We are two $2 million dollar businesses right next to each other. We re too small to be big and too big to be small.

So the merger will result in a synergistic team of professionals to implement the lay leadership s vision.

8 million from the JFNA Emergency Response Fund for Operation Protective Edge, to defray the costs of increased demand for humanitarian programs and services provided by Federation partners in Israel.

2 MITCH FRUMKIN President, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County We are two $2 million dollar businesses right next to each other. We re too small to be big and too big to be small. Together we would be able to do much more and be better at providing needed programs and services. Plus the strengths of the two staffs are wonderfully complimentary. So the merger will result in a synergistic team of professionals to implement the lay leadership s vision. ISRAEL EMERGENCY ALLOCATIONS By the end of August, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), on behalf of all Jewish Federations, released more than $16.8 million from the JFNA Emergency Response Fund for Operation Protective Edge, to defray the costs of increased demand for humanitarian programs and services provided by Federation partners in Israel. Why? Because since July 7, 2014, Hamas has shot more than 4,800 rockets from Gaza into Israel. Because 75% of Israelis live within range of the rockets. Because Hamas rockets have endangered 5 million lives. Because most Israelis have only 15 seconds to find shelter once a siren sounds. Because Israel built shelters to protect its citizens. How are the resources used? More than 80,000 children get immediate relief from the line of fire, including: For children living closest to the line of fire, respite from the shelters that serve as their play spaces. Enrichment classes for teens and activity kits for younger children in shelters. Special needs children from high-target areas are welcomed at Camp Shutaf. Additional help for 20,000 of Israel s most vulnerable citizens Federation-supported senior centers provide food and comfort for thousands of seniors living in poverty many of them Holocaust survivors. Now caseworkers bring food, medicine and comfort to the elderly and the disabled in their homes. Crews are installing air conditioners, to make them more comfortable, and Internet connections so they are less isolated. Expanded trauma support for 15,000 Israelis Psychological aid for civilians and first responders. Expansion of trauma hotline services. Flexible assistance for 22 communities hit hardest by the conflict Bridging the gap between government aid and local needs enhances the resilience of front-line communities. What s happened in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties? More than $200,000 has been contributed to the Israel Emergency Fund. With your help, shattered buildings will not mean shattered lives. More than 2,500 people have attended rallies in support of Israel. Many individuals have hosted Stop the Sirens events to raise awareness. OpEds and letters to editors have been printed in local and international media outlets. Hundreds of tweets, Facebook and blog postings have circulated. What can you do? 1. If you can, go to Israel. The Central Jersey Journey leaves on Oct. 26 (jewishmiddlesex.org/israelmission). 2. Reach out to everyone you know in Israel. Use , Facebook, Twitter, or telephone. Israelis need to know they re not alone. 3. Learn everything you can about the matzav, the situation, on Jerusalem University Online (jewishmiddlesex.org/jerusalemu). 4. Share what you ve learned with friends and neighbors. 5. Advocate for Israel. Write letters to editors, send s, and call your elected representatives. 6. Invest in Israel, if possible. 7. Contribute to the Jewish Federation to help pay for the humanitarian services Israelis need (jewishmiddlesex.org/donate). Have a question? Contact Susan Antman at santman@jf-gmc.org. SUSAN ANTMAN Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County Based on Jewish values, our primary mission is to care for the vulnerable, support Israel, and inspire the next generation to embrace Jewish life. Through the merger we would be positioned to devote more resources to community engagement and fundraising, strengthening and enhancing our ability to meet our objectives.

MERGER OFFERS MORE SHERYL GRUTMAN President, Jewish Federation of Monmouth County I am 100% certain this merger will be good for both communities. My personal love is Women s Philanthropy.

THE NEW JERSEY HUNGARY CONNECTION GETS STRONGER Combined resources would mean expanded opportunities to support all segments of the community.

The answer is more: more carefully targeted options engaging more people and meeting more needs.

Contact the Federation. Federation would not stop supporting the extraordinary Taglit-Birthright program that offers free 10-day trips to Israel to any Jewish person between the ages of 18 and 26.

3 MERGER OFFERS MORE SHERYL GRUTMAN President, Jewish Federation of Monmouth County I am 100% certain this merger will be good for both communities. My personal love is Women s Philanthropy. I ve watched it grow in Monmouth and can t even imagine how terrific it will be once the merger happens. THE NEW JERSEY HUNGARY CONNECTION GETS STRONGER Combined resources would mean expanded opportunities to support all segments of the community. Both the Jewish Federations of Greater Middlesex County and Monmouth County have excellent programs, many of which are identical. So what will happen to them if the two organizations merge? The answer is more: more carefully targeted options engaging more people and meeting more needs. Are you already getting the wonderful books and music from PJ Library so perfect for kids up to age six? Would you like to meet other parents with children of similar ages for holiday fun? Contact the Federation. Federation would not stop supporting the extraordinary Taglit-Birthright program that offers free 10-day trips to Israel to any Jewish person between the ages of 18 and 26. The life-enhancing Kosher Meals on Wheels program would continue, as would the Hebrew Free Loan Program. The combined entity would continue to facilitate holiday programs for teens, tweens, families, and seniors, often in combination with one or more of its partner agencies and synagogues. The combined entity would take advantage of Middlesex s strong advocacy program, offering more people opportunities to lobby elected officials. The Yachad program would continue, as would JMed, JServe, J. Team Teen Philanthropy, updates on Ukraine for the Jewish-Russian Club, the Greater Middlesex Jewish Cemetery Management Corporation, and the dozens of other programs. Plus, since SuperStorm Sandy devastated both counties, Monmouth s Sandy Teen Fellowship program would be expanded. The Caring Conference, which connects people with volunteer programs throughout the area, would too. In sum, the merger means more programs and more services helping more people. To support them, contact Federation: or jewishmiddlesex.org/donate. Hannah Sessler could be any New Jersey 11th grader who spent the summer at camp. However, she was in Hungary, at Camp Szarvas with Jewish children from 25 countries. During its three sessions the camp welcomed 1,400 campers, ages 8 to 18, to a rural setting for two weeks of fun and immersion in Judaism. Hannah Sessler with the other 24 North Americans enjoying a tour of Szeged, Hungary, while at Camp Szarvas. Many of these campers arrived knowing nothing about Judaism and had never met other Jews. Some only learned they were Jewish when their parents put them on the bus. They were joined in each of the two-week sessions by 25 American teens. A rising junior at Golda Ochs Academy, Hannah said, I became more in touch with my Jewish identity there, and learned to appreciate the things I take for granted. The fun part was meeting kids from around the world. Also, it s camp! We went canoeing, sang, and bonded over Judaism and our love of Israel. It really was a life-changing experience. Szarvas is funded primarily by the Ronald Lauder Foundation and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), an international partner of both the Jewish Federations of Greater Middlesex County and Monmouth County. Monmouth also adopted Budapest s Jewish Family Service last year. The camp nurtures personal growth in a pluralistic atmosphere. One measure of Szarvas success is that all the current leadership of Central and Eastern European Jewry are connected to the camp. According to Szarvas Fellowship Director Rabbi Seth Braunstein, It was founded in 1990 to help Central and Eastern European Jews rediscover their religious roots after living under Communism. Everyone comes to camp as citizens of their home town and leaves part of the global Jewish community of Szarvas. To learn more contact miriamt@jewishmonmouth.org or lsafran@jf-gmc.org. KEITH KRIVITZKY Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Monmouth County If we are going to have a vibrant Jewish community in the future, Federations need to focus on new ways of doing business and addressing challenges. So, I see this merger as strategically and existentially important.

MARILYN GOLDSMITH Middlesex Chair, Merger Fundraising Sub-Committee Merging our Federations will improve our overall fundraising strength by leveraging more resources and welcoming a new generation

IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION CHANGES LIVES OF SENIORS For decades, Somerset s Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living has fulfilled a promise to the individual, the family, and the Jewish community

Now, thanks to Wilf Community Connects, a pilot program partially funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, they are turning their attention to homebound seniors.

Program coordinator Rina Richard said, Part of The Wilf Campus mission includes a responsibility to people beyond the confines of our campus.

4 MARILYN GOLDSMITH Middlesex Chair, Merger Fundraising Sub-Committee Merging our Federations will improve our overall fundraising strength by leveraging more resources and welcoming a new generation of donors. IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION CHANGES LIVES OF SENIORS For decades, Somerset s Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living has fulfilled a promise to the individual, the family, and the Jewish community in general: to care for older adults while always mindful of Jewish traditions and values. Now, thanks to Wilf Community Connects, a pilot program partially funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, they are turning their attention to homebound seniors. To reduce their isolation and improve their quality of life, Wilf Transport will provide assisted door-todoor transportation to community events. Program coordinator Rina Richard said, Part of The Wilf Campus mission includes a responsibility to people beyond the confines of our campus. Therefore, the board s strategic plan now includes bringing programs and services to the homes of Jewish seniors living independently in the community. Wilf At Home and Wilf Transport programs were developed to accomplish that goal. The reasons are obvious. Taxis and car services tax seniors tight budgets. Most affordable transportation programs would rely upon volunteer drivers, an impossibility in New Jersey due to insurance obstacles. To address the issue of state insurance law and policies, Federation is partnering with the Governor s Advisory Council on Volunteerism, the New Jersey Council on Access and Mobility (NJCAM) Workgroup, and the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations. According to Federation Executive Director Susan Antman, Accessible, senior-friendly transportation services are the most significant unmet need facing the elderly in our Those aging in place are part of the community. Jewish community, and are projected to grow exponentially. Therefore, Federation leadership developed strategies and built partnerships so the service could be offered. Providing transportation to seniors required participation from a variety of community partners, including Jewish Family Services, Wilf At Home, Wilf Transport, Wilentz Senior Residence, Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, Congregation Beth Mordecai, East Brunswick Jewish Center, and Temple B nai Shalom. It may take a village to raise a child. It takes a caring community to honor and respect its elders. Federation, Wilf Community Connects, and its partners are proof that Middlesex does all it can to make sure no senior living at home feels abandoned. For more information, contact lsafran@jf-gmc.org. After giving their all for Israel, some soldiers need to know they are not, and never were, alone. PEACE OF MIND RETURNING For the second time in two years, Israeli soldiers with lingering trauma from their war experiences will seek respite in New Jersey. The communities of Highland Park and Edison initially joined forces in 2012 to house 18 young men undergoing therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after defending the Jewish state. Another group, some veterans of the recent hostilities in Gaza, will be welcomed at a date yet to be determined in November. The Peace of Mind program, created by the Israel Center for the Treatment of Pyscho-trauma, provides a pathway back to civilian life for young veterans who have served for three or (continued inside) MURRAY KATZ Middlesex Chair, Merger Finance and Operations Sub-Committee I see this merger as a win-win situation, with the real winner being the agencies, organizations, and ultimately the individuals they and we serve.

SETH GROSS Past President, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County The most important function of a Federation is to help those who need support, from Kosher Meals on Wheels, to counseling, to

JEWISH CAMP CAN CHANGE A LIFE The evidence is compelling: according to several studies, people who attended a Jewish summer camp as a child are more likely than their peers to have a strong

So for the summer of 2015, Federation will subsidize a first-time Jewish camp experience for more than 20 children.

5 SETH GROSS Past President, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County The most important function of a Federation is to help those who need support, from Kosher Meals on Wheels, to counseling, to providing transportation for the elderly. The combined resources of Middlesex and Monmouth will improve the Federation s reach, from the shore to as far north as Piscataway. JEWISH CAMP CAN CHANGE A LIFE The evidence is compelling: according to several studies, people who attended a Jewish summer camp as a child are more likely than their peers to have a strong connection to Israel and build their lives around Jewish values and practices. Encouraging informal Jewish experiences is a strategic goal of Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. So for the summer of 2015, Federation will subsidize a first-time Jewish camp experience for more than 20 children. According to Federation board member Eliot Spack, support for the One Happy Camper (OHC) program began six years ago. OHC offers a Jewish overnight camp experience for those not currently attending a Jewish day school and not previously attending a Jewish overnight camp. He said, I chaired the Pavlovsky Endowment Committee, which funds formal and informal Jewish educational opportunities. We were looking for an innovative program and found One Happy Camper, which had just been launched by the Foundation for Jewish Camping (FJC). We were among the first Federations to apply and were accepted immediately. The grants are not needs-driven, explained Eliot, This is an incentive program. Each child receives an award for one year. After that, the family has to decide if Jewish camping is a priority for them. Jewish camps build connections that last a lifetime. The Pavlovsky Endowment Committee matched FJC s initial contribution and assumed greater responsibility for the following five years. In 2014 the committee invested in other outreach initiatives. Eliot is thrilled the Allocations Committee decided to make funds available for the summer of Still close friends with former bunkmates at New Hampshire s Camp Tevya more than 40 years ago, he said, Spending a summer at a Jewish camp is an invaluable experience. I hope the children who go enjoy it as much and make as wonderful friends as I did. For more information, contact lsafran@jf-gmc.org. PEACE OF MIND RETURNING (continued from page 5) more years in Israel Defense Forces high-risk combat units. Therapists work with soldiers who served in the same unit or team, taking advantage of esprit d corps and trust honed on the battlefield. As part of the program, the soldiers and therapists spend time in communities outside Israel, so that, according to unofficial project chair Rosanne Koenigson, They meet Jews in the Diaspora who embrace and applaud them. While here, they see that neither they nor Israel are alone. The extra benefit is that we get to know and thank these wonderful people. Federation Allocations Committee member Tony Winston JEFF SCHWARTZ said, Federation funds this program because it is about convening people and partners across the community in support of Israel and each other, which is exactly what Federation is about. Among those participating are the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, The Oneg Group, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Middlesex County, Rutgers Hillel, Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva, Congregation Ohr Torah, Highland Park Conservative Temple - Congregation Anshe Emeth, Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, Congregation Ahavas Achim, and the Highland Park Minyan. And the list is growing. For more information, contact lsafran@jf-gmc.org or rkoenigson@gmail.com. Middlesex Chair, Merger Allocations Sub-Committee Merger will allow the allocations process to be better, smarter, and more efficient. By merging, we ll be stronger, more vigorous, and a place where Jews can interact with like-minded Jews to repair the world and have fun with their peers in the process!

Be the first to know about the proposed MERGER VOTE... and see what s HAPPENING NEAR YOU... Check the community calendar at jewishmiddlesex.org/communitycalendar email info@jewishmiddlesex.

885 Rosh HaShanah 5775 Wishing everyone a peaceful and healthy new year.

6 Be the first to know about the proposed MERGER VOTE... and see what s HAPPENING NEAR YOU... Check the community calendar at jewishmiddlesex.org/communitycalendar info@jewishmiddlesex.org or call Old Bridge Turnpike South River, NJ Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID New Brunswick, NJ Permit No. 885 Rosh HaShanah 5775 Wishing everyone a peaceful and healthy new year. SHALOM, MIDDLESEX COUNTY COLLEGE Mitch Frumkin, President Susan Antman, Executive Director Newsletter by Wordsmith4you LLC Wordsmith4you@gmail.com STOP IN TO SAY HELLO & LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County 230 Old Bridge Turnpike South River, NJ jewishmiddlesex.org Two years ago, Rutgers Hillel approached the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County seeking a grant for the Peer Network Engagement Internship (PNEI) that provides a Jewish presence on campus, connects Jewish students to one another, and builds relationships that extend beyond campus. The Allocations Committee granted the proposal and asked them to expand the program to include Middlesex County College (MCC), which often feeds students to Rutgers. Attending a commuter school can mean a student has little if any interaction with other students outside the classroom. That makes PNEI a perfect fit for MCC. At Middlesex County College PNEI will help Jewish students connect to each other and the Jewish community. Retired MCC professor Dr. Jerome Shindelman, said, I spent over 40 years on campus and had always hoped that our Jewish students might connect with one another and the broader Jewish community. According to Rutgers Hillel Director Andrew Getraer, We re currently identifying Jewish students at Middlesex who are campus leaders. We ll meet with them regularly, guiding them in how to build on their connections and how to plan programs such as Shabbat dinners and holiday-themed events for their Jewish peers on campus. Adrienne Ross, Federation Allocations chair, added, PNEI is innovative programming that highlights quick response, ability to execute, and a positive impact on the Jewish community. And those students going on to Rutgers will have a built-in network of connections before they arrive. For more information contact Greg Yellin, Director of Engagement, Rutgers Hillel, at greg@rutgershillel.org.

Table of Contents. 120 Years of Positive Change. Caring for the Most Vulnerable. Uniting for Israel. Engaging All Ages in Jewish Learning

Table of Contents. 120 Years of Positive Change. Caring for the Most Vulnerable. Uniting for Israel. Engaging All Ages in Jewish Learning The Case for Giving A Message from Our Chairs We are blessed to be part of Boston s Jewish community, and tremendously proud of what we have accomplished together. For over 120 years, we ve united to make