The mission of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater MetroWest NJ, founded in 1990 by Saul Schwarz and Ruth and Jerome Fien (pictured at left), is to serve as the archival repository of the Jewish community of Greater MetroWest, encompassing Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union, and portions of Somerset counties of New Jersey. We adhere to our mission by collecting, preserving, maintaining, and making available to the public the records of administrative, legal, fiscal or historical value, historical artifacts, books, oral history and manuscript collections. The Society serves the Jewish and general communities as a research center, exhibit center, producer of public forums, and publisher of books and papers on topics of historical Jewish interest.
The JHSGMW welcomes visitors of all ages! Whether you are a historian, a researcher, a writer, working on a school project or just looking to learn more about the community, we can help you find the materials you need.
Our archives in Whippany are open Mondays-Thursdays: 9 am to 5 pm, and Fridays: 9 am to 4 pm (closed on national and Jewish holidays).
Schedule your visit Research AgreementSupport JHS
Help us fulfill our mission of preserving the "best" of Greater MetroWest and NJ history.
Donate / Become a MemberVideos from Our Library
History repeats itself: Videos of presentations and traveling exhibits sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater MetroWest NJ.
See PlaylistDigitized Jewish Papers of Record
Over 200,000 pages and 100 years of Jewish newspapers, ensures their long-term preservation and unlocks unique access to historical knowledge.
See CollectionHoward Kiesel Memorial Archives
The Archives of the JHSGMW contain many of the treasures of the Jewish community of Greater MetroWest.
Search CollectionsTraveling Exhibitions
Traveling exhibitions that recreate Greater MetroWest's and New Jersey's greatest memories of the 20th century.
See the ExhibitionsHistoric Cemeteries of Newark
Greater Newark, once a robust Jewish community, is the resting place for 60,000 individuals across the five Jewish cemeteries we maintain.
Read NowCommunity Milestones
Celebrating life's happy occasions and grieving the losses together.
Learn morePhoto captions (left to right): UJA mission to Europe and Israel boarding Pan Am plane in 1957; Jewish Community Council of Essex County President Herbert Abeles (holding the camera) with his family in 1953; Israel Mission in 1966; and groundbreaking for Federation Plaza in 1978
Making the Call: Our Communal Commitment to Fundraising
Jill Hershorin |Thousands of volunteers rang doorbells and made phone calls over the past 100 years in fundraising for the UJA Annual Campaign....
Contact Us
Karen Auerbach Bocaletti
Manager
(973) 929-2954
[email protected]
Jill Hershorin
Archivist & Curator
(973) 929-2995
[email protected]
Mark Polson
JHS Chair
To submit a membership application, update membership information, make a donation or other administrative business, contact Karen Auerbach Bocaletti at the phone number or email address above.