JFEDGMW Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ convenes and leads our community to ensure the continuity and strength of the Jewish People, to support a secure Jewish and democratic State of Israel, and to care for Jews in need locally and around the world. Serving as the backbone of the Jewish community, we are uniquely positioned to connect the work of our 27 local and overseas partner agencies. What we accomplish together, with the help of people like you, is far greater than what one organization or person can achieve alone.
Centennial Our Jewish Federation is turning 100! It was in 1923 that Greater MetroWest’s earliest roots were planted. Jewish community leaders here realized that numerous agencies were competing for the same philanthropic dollars. They joined together to establish one organization with one annual campaign to raise funds for social services. This type of support for our Jewish community has been our Federation’s guiding principle from the very beginning, and the Centennial Campaign – our largest fundraising effort ever – is focused on enhancing our community today and building endowments to create a strong and vibrant Greater MetroWest for our next century and beyond.
Mission A mission is a trip with a purpose. You won’t just see Israel’s sites, you’ll get to know Israel on a deeper level. You’ll see firsthand the impact of our Federation’s work abroad and meet the people whose lives have been touched by your dollars. The Centennial Mission provides an authentic and immersive Israel experience in celebration of Israel’s 75th birthday.
Jewish Community Foundation Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ (JCF) is the planned giving and endowment arm of our Jewish Federation. The JCF has approximately $600 million in assets under administration among close to 800 funds. These include funds for our Federation, partner agencies, synagogues and Jewish organizations worldwide, as well as Donor Advised Funds and Supporting Foundations. In 2022, the JCF disbursed $57 million in grants, with more than 70 percent going to Jewish organizations. The JCF works with individuals and families to develop gifts that will carry on a donor’s legacy for generations.
UJA Annual Campaign A gift to the UJA Annual Campaign of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ enables Federation and its partner agencies to meet urgent and ongoing humanitarian and social service needs and to build vibrant Jewish communities. More than 60 percent of the funds raised stay in Greater MetroWest, helping Jews in need and building Jewish community. Nearly 40 percent goes to meet overseas needs to build living bridges between Greater MetroWest and our partner communities in Israel and strengthen Jewish communities in 70+ countries around the world.
The Annual Campaign raises more than $21.1 million in unrestricted funds and over $31.4 million including targeted giving through the Campaign. Last year we provided support of more than $60 million to the Jewish community, including those UJA and targeted dollars raised as well as grants to partner agencies, synagogues, national Jewish organizations, and overseas partners from fundholders of our Jewish Community Foundation.
Women’s Philanthropy Through UJA donations and hands-on volunteering, GMW women are leaders, change-makers, and community shapers. The women of GMW contribute more than one third, or $7 million+, of the total dollars raised for the UJA Annual Campaign.
Lion of Judah 430 GMW women are Lions of Judah, a nationally-recognized program for women making an annual donation of $5,000 or more to the UJA Annual Campaign. Lions of Judah play a vital role in promoting social justice, aiding the vulnerable, preserving human dignity, and building Jewish identity. Today, more than 18,000 women around the world are proud to call themselves Lions. The international symbol of the Lion of Judah is a gold Lion pin that can also be worn as a pendant. More than 235 GMW women have also established a Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE) — a permanent fund guaranteeing a Lion of Judah gift in perpetuity. In honor of Centennial, some of these women are fulfilling these commitments during their lifetime, called a Living LOJE.
Pomegranate Society Modeled after the Lion of Judah program, the Pomegranate Society recognizes women who donate $1,800 or more to the UJA Annual Campaign. The silver Pomegranate pin, which can also be worn as a necklace, is a symbol of a woman’s commitment to, and compassion for, the Jewish people.
JDC The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC or The Joint), founded after World War I, was the first Jewish organization in the United States to give large-scale funding for international relief. Today JDC works in 70 countries to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief for victims of natural and man-made disasters.
JAFI Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future, serving as the main link between the Jewish state and Jewish communities everywhere. JAFI connects the global Jewish family, bringing Jews to Israel, and Israel to Jews, by providing meaningful Israel engagement and facilitating Aliyah.
P2G The Jewish Agency’s Partnership2Gether Peoplehood Platform connects 450 Jewish and Israeli communities in 46 cityto-city and region-to-region partnerships, engaging more than 350,000 participants each year in meaningful connections. GMW has a strong partnership with the cities of Ofakim, Arad, and Kibbutz Erez, which are located in the Merchavim region of the Negev.
JFNA The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) represents 146 Jewish Federations and more than 300 Network communities, which raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually and through planned giving and endowment programs to support social welfare, social services, and educational needs. Greater MetroWest is a member of the Federation movement, collectively among the top 10 charities on the continent, which protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice), and Torah (Jewish learning).
Mega Event An experience/celebration that brings our Centennial Mission — 500 strong — all together.
WhatsApp Download WhatsApp, a free, private, and easy way for you to chat with and call everyone in Israel and also back home. WhatsApp will be the primary way that your bus communicates while in Israel. We will also use our own Centennial Mission app, launching at the Pep Rally.