Holocaust Educators Learn Through Firsthand Experience
August 10, 2026
Ilyse Muser Shainbrown
Director of Holocaust Education and Combatting Antisemitism Coordinator
Famed Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel often said, “When you listen to a witness, you become a witness,” reminding us that when the survivors are gone, ...
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What the Ground Remembers
August 6, 2026
Ricardo J. Cristão
Teacher of Social Studies
Going into this trip, I felt something almost contradictory: excitement. There is nothing exciting about what happened to Jews during the Holocaust, b...
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From Merchavim to Greater MetroWest NJ: Educators Connecting Across Continents
July 23, 2026
Lisa Friedman
Noa L’Olam Liason, Global Connection Committee
“Wow!” was a word heard again and again from the Israeli educators who visited Greater MetroWest NJ this spring from our partnership community of Merc...
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It Still Feels Like a Dream
October 13, 2025
Daniella Gefen
Community Shlicha
It still feels like a dream — these past two years, this past week, this night and the morning after. So many of us imagined this moment for so long, ...
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Nova Survivor Moves the World at Eurovision
May 23, 2025
Maya Lior
Senior Community Shlicha
This past Saturday, millions of people held their breath during the final moments of the Eurovision Song Contest. Yuval Raphael, Israel’s 24-year-old ...
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Can You Create a Shared Society in the Middle of a War?
May 14, 2025
Yael Birin
Israel and Overseas Allocations Committee's Shared Society and Jewish Pluralism Pillar Leader
Getting involved with Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ's Shared Society and Pluralism Committee has been one of the most personal and meaning...
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The Power of Showing Up: Inside Our Israel Block Party
April 23, 2025
Maya Lior
Senior Community Shlicha
“A super fun day... a day of celebration, family, and unity!” That’s how Ilyssa Tepperman describes this year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut Israel Block Party, and...
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Za’atar Jelly, Late Night Chats, and Inspo: A Quick Trip to Israel
March 27, 2025
Kim Hirsh
Director, Center for Strategic Philanthropy, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ
“What is the purpose of your visit to Israel?” the El Al guard asked, his voice stern as I handed over my passport at Newark Airport. I braced myself ...
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Israel Through the Six Senses
March 12, 2025
Maya Lior
Senior Community Shlicha
Israel Through the Six Senses was created out of a deep need to reconnect with Israel beyond tragedy, beyond pain, and through the senses that make it...
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The Stickers Tell Israel’s Story
March 6, 2025
Benjamin Mann Ed. D.
Chief Planning Officer
Life goes on in Israel. Cafes are full. People commute to work. Kids are in school. The ceasefire is holding with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Leban...
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A Week in Israel: Resilience, Reflection, and Remarkable Growth
January 28, 2025
Steven D. Levy
Interim CEO
Expressing gratitude wasn't something that came naturally in the Israeli culture I grew up with, but this past week, I heard it more than ever. From t...
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A New Alliance to Strengthen the NJ-Israel Relationship
January 2, 2025
Linda Scherzer
JCRC Director
On Monday, Ofakim Mayor Itzik Danino will arrive in New Jersey to sign a sister-city agreement with the Township of Middletown, establishing a formal ...
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Get into the High Holiday Spirit with the Rishonim
October 1, 2024
Maya Lior
Senior Community Shlicha
Our Rishonim are gearing up for their very first Rosh Hashanah in New Jersey! Learn about their favorite traditions and how they'll be celebrating thi...
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Who are the Rishonim? Get to Know the Israeli Teens Volunteering in Our Community
September 6, 2024
Maya Lior
Senior Community Shlicha
After a rigorous selection process, six amazing Rishonim have been chosen to volunteer in our Greater MetroWest community. Each of these talented indi...
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Trying to Understand October 7
June 20, 2024
Jacklyn Fennessey
Guest Blogger
I was shaken to my core and the tears streamed as I imagined the terror and shock to know your child was not making it home....
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Our Strategy Since October 7
June 5, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
The point of Jewish federations is to help more Jews do more Jewish stuff with other Jews in Jewish spaces, Jewishly....
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What Really Gives Me Hope
April 18, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
So many Israelis – if not most – are still living through the horrors and pain of that terror attack....
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Update from Jerusalem (Here for Good)
April 15, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
Remember too: Iranians are not Arabs; the language of Iran is Farsi not Arabic; Iran did not launch a war on Israel, the Islamic Republic did - The...
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