Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ
  • Greater MetroWest’s Historic Centennial Year!

Greater MetroWest's Historic Centennial Year!

We honored Federation’s first century and came together in response to October 7, the war in Israel, and rising antisemitism in Greater MetroWest.

Look back at this milestone year and get inspired to help shape our Jewish community’s next chapter!

See all our Centennial volunteers below!

Thank you to all our Centennial volunteers!

We are deeply appreciative of the many volunteers who served in a leadership capacity during our Centennial year and throughout our Centennial Campaign. YOU made this historic effort possible!

We apologize for any omissions and ask that you contact Lauren Theodore at [email protected] with any corrections.

CENTENNIAL LEADERSHIP  

Jane Wilf, Chair, Centennial
Terri Friedman, Vice Chair, Local Community Engagement
Maxine Schwartz, Vice Chair, Local Community Engagement
Lori Klinghoffer, Vice Chair, Past Presidents 
Steven H. Klinghoffer, Vice Chair, Past Presidents 
Dr Lynne B Harrison,
Vice Chair, PACE
Abbi Halpern, Vice Chair, Targeted Giving 
Jeremy Halpern, Vice Chair, Targeted Giving 
Maxine B. Murnick, Vice Chair, Targeted Giving
Rebecca Gold, Vice Chair, New Century Fund 
Barbara Drench,
Founding Vice Chair, New Century Fund
Sheryl Pearlstein,
Vice Chair, Communications
Ira Steinberg, Vice Chair, Centennial Mission 

FEDERATION AND FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP 

Michael Goldberg, President, Federation
David Saginaw, Immediate Past President, Federation
Maxine B. Murnick, President, Foundation
Steven D. Levy, Immediate Past President, Foundation 

 2025 CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP  

Michele Landau, Chair, UJA Annual Campaign
Abbi Halpern, President, Women’s Philanthropy
Deborah Jacob, Immediate Past President, Women’s Philanthropy
Warren Usatine, Chair, William & Betty Lester Society
Shoshana Schiff, Chair, Lion of Judah Endowment 

CENTENNIAL MISSION TO ISRAEL
July 2-10, 2023

Ira Steinberg, Centennial Mission Chair
Jane Wilf, Centennial Chair
Vice Chairs: Terri Friedman, Emily & Jon Gantman, Marit & Jason Halper, Tracey & Jason Hoberman, and Maxine Schwartz

Bus Captains
Karen & Cliff Aaron
Randy & Michael Belfer
Stephanie Bonder
Shari Brandt
Mariela Dybner
Todd Eisenberg
Ellen & Richard Ezra
David Feuerstein
Diane & Jerry Forman
Michele & Jason Frieder
Jeff Gluckman
Dr Lynne B Harrison
Deborah & Gregg Jacob
Patti & Wayne Kent
Stephanie & Ben Lehrhoff
Padi Nazmiyal
Robin Plattman
Richard Prince
Caren & Larry Rothenberg
June & Michael Schechner
Shoshana Schiff
Jessica & Andrew Silverstein
Robin & Ira Weidhorn
Eileen & Larry Weiss
Jessica & Ari Wise 

CENTENNIAL OPENING EVENT
October 11, 2023 

Opening Event Committee 

Michael Belfer
Beth & Steven Berns
Becky Novin-Cannon & Chris Cannon
Lisa & Michael Carver
Heidi & Brett Cohen
Susan & Arthur Cohen
Judy & Jeremy Diringer
Jennifer & Lee Emdur
Stacy Ennis
Ronnie & Marc Epstein
Shelly Grossman
Jodi & Jeff Hiller
Lauri Hornik & Peter Kaplan
Nicole & Jordan Liss
Illana & Adam Margolis
Meital Nathan
Debra Nevas
Ruth Kirshner Novick & Bruce Novick
Mark Polson
Orlie & Richard Prince
Amy & Harold Roy
Rachel Braun Scherl & Zev Scherl
Miryam & Josh Smilow
Jennifer Weinstock 

HONORING HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS: SHARING OUR VOICES, KEEPING THE MEMORIES ALIVE
December 5, 2023

Event Co-Chairs
Marjorie & Norman Feinstein
Isabella & Josh Fiske
Cori & Jason Wilf 

Committee
Mara & Brendan Berger
Susie & Howard Bruch
Pamela & Jordan Davis
Suzanne Glatt
Sharon & David Halpern
Jocelyn & Gregory Klar
Michielle & Jason Kupferberg
Frank Langendorff
Jodi & Jay Murnick
Melissa Feldman & Ariel Nelson
Courtney & David Pantirer
Jonathan Ramsfelder
Gerri Rothfleisch

COMMUNITY PARTNER APPRECIATION BREAKFAST
December 8, 2023

Jason Hoberman, Chair, Local Partnerships

Our Community Partners

 

CENTENNIAL SHABBAT, CHALLAH PRINCE, AND CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY BOOK
January/February 2024 

Centennial Shabbat Co-Chairs
Rebecca Gold
Alissa Nussbaum
Sarah Schonfeld 

Centennial Shabbat Committee
Mariela Dybner
Aliza Feuerstein
Rachel Friedman
Merle Lomrantz
Miryam Smilow
Eileen Weiss
 

Centennial Shabbat Synagogues
Adath Shalom, Morris Plains
B’nai Shalom, West Orange
Chabad of Randolph
Chabad of SE Morris County
Congregation AABJ&D, West Orange
Congregation Adath Israel (JEC), Elizabeth
Congregation Agudath Israel, Caldwell
Congregation Ahavath Yisrael, Morristown
Congregation Anshe Chesed, Linden
Congregation Beis Hillel, Union
Congregation Beth El, South Orange
Congregation Beth Hatikvah, Summit
Congregation Beth Israel, Scotch Plains
Congregation B’nai Israel, Millburn
Congregation Etz Chaim, Livingston
Congregation Israel of Springfield
Congregation Ohr Torah, West Orange
Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah, Parsippany
Congregation Shomrei Emunah, Montclair
JEC Elmora Avenue Shul, Elizabeth
Maplewood Jewish Center
Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael
Mount Freedom Jewish Center, Randolph
Oheb Shalom Congregation, South Orange
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield
Temple Beth Am, Morris Plains
Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim, Cranford
Temple Beth O’r Beth Torah, Clark, NJ
Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston
Temple B’nai Abraham, Livingston
Temple B’nai Jeshurun, Short Hills
Temple B’nai Or, Morristown
Temple Emanu-El of Westfield
Temple Ner Tamid, Bloomfield
Temple Shalom, Succasunna
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, South Orange
Temple Sholom of West Essex, Cedar Grove 

Centennial Shabbat Partner Agencies 
Daughters of Israel
Golda Och Academy
Gottesman RTW Academy
JCC MetroWest
JCC of Central NJ
JESPY House
JSDD 

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: A JURIED ART EXHIBIT
March-April 2024

Co-Chairs
Carrie Nussbaum
Ann Schaffer 

Committee 
Arlene Brafman
Jacie Civins
Jessica Gantman
Jared Green
Lora Hersh
Ann Leeb
Merle Lomrantz
Rachel Klinghoffer Marcus
Alexis Rubinstein
Marilynn Schneider
Rachel G. Wilf
Rita Yohalem 

CommUNITY MITZVAH DAY PLUS!
April 7, 2024 

Center for Volunteerism Chair: Elana Wilf Tanzman
Center for Volunteerism/NextGen Liaison: Shana Pantirer
Community Mitzvah Day Chairs: Melanie Kass and Elana Wilf Tanzman 

Center for Volunteerism Committee
Lori Bortniker
Rachel Kagan Friedman
Daniella Hoffer
Melanie Kass
Allison Levy
Courtney Pantirer
Shana Pantirer
Gerri Rothfleisch
Miryam Smilow
Maggie Soff
Ilyssa Tepperman
Lisa Wax
Lauren Weiss

Community Mitzvah Day Project Chairs
Lori Bortniker, Jennifer Emdur, Rachel Kagan Friedman, Daniella Hoffer, Lauren Kennedy, Allison Levy, Courtney Pantirer, Shana Pantirer, Amy Paternite, Mark Polson, Gerri Rothfleisch, Miryam Smilow, Maggie Soff, Ilyssa Tepperman, Lisa Wax, and Lauren Weiss
 

Learning Committee
Mariella Dybner
Shira Hammerman
Lila Levenson
Eli Rosenblatt
Jessica Silverstein
Joy Trief
  

Young Family Chairs: Lisa Glassman and Sarah Schonfeld 

Young Family Committee: Ella Chick, Marissa Freundlich, Lara Levine, Alexander Levine, Jessica Marinoff, Melissa Wernick, Nikki Katzur, Amy Reitman, Justin Reitman, and Sara Rothstein

NextGen SPRING SOIRÉE: WE WILL DANCE AGAIN
April 18, 2024 

Co-Chairs
Tara & Chad Cohen
Jana & Aaron Luber
Courtney & David Pantirer 

Committee
Alex & David Beare, Sharon & Erez Biala, Heather & Zach Bier, Melissa & Jariel Bortnick, Marissa & Ryan Freundlich, Vicki & Rich Fullop, Michel Ovalle Giladi & Oren Giladi, Elizabeth & Owen Harnew, Lindsey & Jared Hutter, Hunter Janoff, Ashley & Brandon Katz, Rachel & Barry Klein, Aly & Richard Korman, Steph & Ben Lehrhoff, Jamie & Matt Leskowitz, Alex & Brett Levine, Lara & Alex Levine, Gloria & Matt Newman, Alissa & Russell Nussbaum, Amy & Justin Reitman, Randi & Adam Sandler, Rachel Lohr & Adam Sheps, Ariel & Michael Stein, Jacqueline & Ben Wald, Steph & Andrew Werbler, Melissa & Aaron Wernick, Allison & Jason Wesalo, Cori & Adam Zweibel 

NextGen Event Co-Chairs
Oren Henry and Nicole Liss  

NextGen Chairs
Arielle Welt and Ben Hoffer 

 100 for 100 Co-Chairs
Abbi Halpern and Jeff Feinstein

GREATER METROWEST AT THE TABLE
May 2024  

Cookbook Co-Chairs
Leslie Dannin Rosenthal
Debbie Janoff

Committee
Lory Bernstein 
Heather Bier 
Deb Caplan 
Arthur Cohen 
Terri Friedman
Lainie Gilbert 
Carrie Harmon 
Barbara Hutter 
Alexandra Kerner 
Sheryl Pearlstein 
Miriam Peretsman 
Laura Dorf Queller 
Michelle Retik 
Mindy Schall 
Michele Strumeier 
Lynda Wachsteter 
Helene Wingens  

Thanks to all who contributed to Greater MetroWest at the Table! Learn more 

WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY PRESENTS LEADING COMMUNITY & INSPIRING CHANGE
May 8, 2024 

Honorary Chair: Merle Hirschmann 

Co-Chairs: Stefanie Gordon, Erica Needle, and Rachel Braun Scherl

Event Committee
Susan Aidekman • Audrey Bartner • Taryn Berelowitz • Michelle Berger • Shari Berman • Beth & Steven Berns • Lory Bernstein • Andrea G. Bier • Elizabeth Bier • Heather Bier • Robyn L. Bier • Ruth Brewster • Sharon Brickman • Shari Broder • Susie Bruch • Jennifer Budlow • Elaine Cahn • Debra & Ken Caplan • Jody Hurwitz Caplan • Soraya Chafetz • Danielle & Andrew Chizzik • Heidi Cohen • Sylvia Cohn • Jodi Cooperman • Stacey Davis • Barbara Drench • Mariela Dybner • Dorie Eisenstein • Stacy M. Ennis • Daryl & • Andrew Epstein • Tally Faro-Siegel • Betty Feinberg • Alex & Jeff Feinstein • Marjorie & Norman Feinstein • Elise Feldman • Anna Fisch • Rebecca Fisher • Isabella Fiske • Thelma Florin • Diane & Jerry Forman • Yona Freiden • Stacie Friedman • Terri Friedman • Norma Fuerst • Emily Gantman • Karen Hirschmann Gates • Marcia Gillette • Andrea & Scott Gillman • Rebecca A. Gold • Terri Goldberg • Mindy Goldberger • Toby Goldberger • Melissa Goldman • Caroline Goldstein • Jordana Horn Gordon & Jon Gordon • Paula Gottesman • Sandra L. Greenberg • Amanda & Steve Greenblatt • Beth & David Greenspan • Shelly Tepper Grossman • Marcia Grosswald • Lisa Gutkin • Abbi Halpern • Susan & Alan Hammer • Dr Lynne B Harrison • Lauren Hausman • Mimi M. Heyman • Alexandra & Jason Hirsch • Hayley Hirschmann • Peter Hirschmann • Tracey Hoberman • Daniella & Ben Hoffer • Barbara & Andrew Hutter • Lindsey & Jared Hutter • Deborah Jacob • Rachel Jager • Debbie & Allan Janoff • Merle H. Kalishman • Stephanie Karp • Melanie Kass • Randi & Scott Kates • Sharon Kepniss • Alexandra Kerner • Jeri Kimowitz • Dr. Sarah Klibanoff & Rabbi E. Samuel Klibanoff • Lori Klinghoffer • Jill Kopelman • Michele & Jeffrey Landau • Saundra Lautenberg • Robyn & Michael Laveman • Marcy Lazar • Adele Lebersfeld • Stephanie & Ben Lehrhoff • Robin Leitner • Brenda LeVine • Jacqueline K. Levine • Joan Levinson • Nicole Levitt • Beena Levy • Julie Lipsett-Singer • Lisa Lisser • Merle Lomrantz • Susan L. Lubow • Jayne Mackta • Sheree Mandelbaum • Jean Mandell • Carol P. Marcus • Ruth B. Margolin • Judith May • Sydra Miller • Jodi Murnick • Lee Murnick • Maxine B. Murnick • Stacey Nadell • Padi Nazmiyal • Steven Needle • Arielle Ness • Shoshana Newman • Becky Novin-Cannon • Mindy Opper • Pearl Pall • Shana & Marc Pantirer • Joanne Perrotta • Robin Plattman • Wendie Ploscowe • Robin & Mark Polson • Freida Posnock • Susan Present • Laura D. Queller • Erin & Daniel Rathauser • Elaine D. Ravich • Genie Reichman • Michelle Retik • Marian E. Rocker • Sharon Rockman • Amy Rollins • Cynthia Root • Leslie Dannin Rosenthal • Linda W. Rosenthal • Caren & Lazer Rothenberg • Gerri Rothfleisch • Shira B. Rothschild • Lois Ruderman • Jill Sacher • Paula Saginaw • Geri Samuel • Ann & Mel Schaffer • Cynthia Hollander Schechner • June & Michael Schechner • Norma Schechner • Yoni Schenker • Zev Scherl • Sarah Schonfeld • Bunny Schwartz • Maxine & Rob Schwartz • Betty Seidel • Sylvia Seltzer • Sara & Michael Sherman • Dr. Tally Faro & Mr. Brian Siegel • Victoria Shpilsky • Carol Sidman • Jessica & Andrew Silverstein • Amy & Ira Steinberg • Sylvia Steiner • Linda Sterling • Frances M. Stern • Michele Strumeier • Lorraine & Gary Survis • Shari-Beth & Jeffrey Susskind • Cathy Tabak • Marcia Tabatchnick • Elana Wilf Tanzman • Ilyssa Tepperman • Gail P. Kreitman Toll • Suzanne Tucker • Deborah Turvey • Lynda Wachsteter • Janice Weinberg • Eileen Weiss • Lauren Weiss • Arielle Welt • Gayle & Larry Wieseneck • Jane Wilf • Dr. Marcia Robbins Wilf • Rachel G. & Jonathan Wilf • Karen Willsky • Deborah Zuckerman 

 

NEW CENTURY FUND COMMITTEE

Marsha Atkind, Keith S. Barbarosh, Martin Barber, Gary Beinhaker, Robyn L. Bier, Jay Blumenfeld, Gary Botwinick, Howard Bruch, Lawrence Chodor, Joni Cohen, Laura Cohen, Barbara Drench, Steven A. Fishman, Marcia Gillette, Alice Goldfarb, Gerald Grunt, James Gurland, Jeffrey Halper, Ken R. Heyman, Marsha G. Hoch, Merle H. Kalishman, Mindy Kirschner, Max L. Kleinman, Howard Koransky, Robert G. Kuchner, Michael Landau, Judy Lieberman, Merle Lomrantz, Saul Lupin, Jean Mandell, Erica Needle, Steven Needle, Ariel Nelson, Susanne Newmark, Kala Paul, Daniel Ramer, Larry Rein, Laura Rogers, Jeffrey D. Roth, Randee Rubenstein, Eleanor Rubin, Arthur Schechner, Robert Scheckman, Ronna Scheckman, Bart A. Schneiderman, Bunny Schwartz, James A. Schwarz, Floyd Shapiro, James Shrager, Ron Silbermann, David Slater, Ira Smelkinson, Robert A. Sochor, Jeff Strumeier, Howard N. Tepper, Frances Ticker, Jon Ulanet, Susan Weinstock 

Thank you to our Centennial Diamond Sponsors

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ
Sally Gottesman in honor of her parents Paula & Jerry z”l Gottesman
Mandelbaum and Goldberg Family
UJA Benefit Concert Supporting Foundation of JCF
Wilf Family Foundations