Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest is the largest Jewish philanthropy in New Jersey and the eighth largest Federation in the country, serving the Jewish community in Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union, and parts of Somerset counties. Inspired by our Jewish values, Federation cares for people in need locally, in Israel, and in 70 countries around the world. Together, Federation builds upon and ensures a vibrant Jewish community today for future generations. We care. We build. We save.
GMW UPDATE
IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
Check Out Our commUNITY Mission Scrapbook Page! – Our Federation recently returned from a historic endeavor – taking 475 people from across the community on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Israel. more
Important JCF Deadlines for Year-End Donations – A non-cash donation of stocks or mutual funds is a great way to support the UJA Annual Campaign, reduce your taxable estate by adding to a donor advised fund (DAF)*, or strengthen an annual campaign endowment. more
Women’s Philanthropy Announces Lions’ Leap Initiative to Fund Arad Reno – Women’s Philanthropy has announced a new initiative, The Lions’ Leap, to raise money for a much-needed renovation of the Arad Music Conservatory in one of our partner communities in the Negev. more
Grotta Celebrates Anniversary and Presents Impact Award – On November 14, The Grotta Fund for Senior Care (Grotta) celebrated 15 years as an advisory fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ. more
Register Now for Women of Wisdom Educational Series – 3 morning sessions, 1 evening session. Space is limited! Register early! more
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Federation Program Facilitates Difficult Conversations About Israel – In the wake of October’s shooting in Pittsburgh, when controversy arose over whether Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Lau recognized the Conservative synagogue as a Jewish house of worship (much of the confusion was the result of a mistranslation from Hebrew to English and Lau’s quotes being taken out of context), Lisa Lisser, a lay leader and Jewish educator, saw the entire exchange as a symptom of a problem between Israeli Jews and diaspora ones: their inability to effectively discuss their differences. more
Exploring Outposts of the Two Narratives of Israel/Palestine – American Jews are familiar with the Israeli narrative. But the country is home to two narratives, and until there is acknowledgement of that, peace can be only a distant hope. more
YOUR IMPACT
My Pittsburgh Project by Lila Zinner – I created this project as a part of the Rising Voices Fellowship of the Jewish Women’s Archive, which gives myself and 17 other Jewish teen girls a platform to express our ideas through blog writing. Our cohort decided to respond to the shooting in an extra, free-form post. more
What to Do When Trauma Hits Home – THERE WERE LOTS of questions — from students asking why the tragedy happened, from youngsters wondering about God, from people whose friends hadn’t called to check on them, even from the Jewish a cappella group Pizmon about how to interact with audience members after the group decided not to cancel a scheduled performance in Pittsburgh. more
IN THE NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 12, 2018
HOLIDAYS AND HALACHA IN THE ISRAELI PUBLIC SPHERE
Federation's Global Connection department hosts community programs about Israel. more
December 17, 2018
HOLOCAUST COUNCIL’S BAGEL & BOOKS – BENEATH A SCARLET SKY
Pino Lello wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He’s a normal Italian teenager obsessed with music, food and girls, but his days of innocence are numbered. more
December 19, 2018
HOLOCAUST COUNCIL REAL TO REEL FILM SERIES – BOMBSHELL
Bombshell is a documentary on the life of Hollywood Golden Age star Hedy Lamarr. more
December 27, 2018
HOLOCAUST COUNCIL LUNCH & LEARN WITH SOL SPIERER AND ALAN SPIERER
“When Hell was Paradise” can be used to sum up the terrible experience of Jews who were deported (or fled) to the relative safety of Siberia and other parts of the Soviet Union. more