As the calendar year draws to a close, it feels natural to reflect on the past twelve months—celebrating achievements, acknowledging setbacks, and preparing for the opportunities ahead. Typically, this retrospective exercise helps us develop a sense of purpose and momentum as we enter a new year. But this was no ordinary year.
This was a year that challenged us to reevaluate our friendships, identify new adversaries, and sharpen our focus on what truly matters. It was a year that compelled us to question some of our most fundamental values.
Over the past twelve months, our community faced rising antisemitism in countless venues. In 2024, every Jewish organization in our area encountered challenges—some unprecedented, others not experienced in decades. Yet, with the support of our community and donors to the UJA Annual Campaign, our Jewish Federation stood tall. We faced these challenges with vigor, strength, and an unwavering commitment to our mission, vision, and shared purpose.
As we close this chapter, I want to focus on the positive outcomes of 2024 and celebrate the people who made a difference—in our community and in Israel. Each of them could be considered a hero, committed to making our world a little better. TOGETHER, we accomplished so much.
In Greater MetroWest New Jersey, we witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of support for Israel and our local community. We raised more than $30 million for the Emergency Fund for Israel, along with millions more for organizations helping our family in Israel survive and rebuild. We gathered to hear testimonies, stories of resilience, and accounts of how Israelis are coping with missile-filled skies and blaring sirens.
Meanwhile, our Jewish Day Schools educated more than 2,000 students, and our Jewish Early Childhood Centers taught 3,000+ children. Jewish Family Service (JFS) provided counseling, comfort, and relief to hundreds in need. Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD) and JESPY House empowered more than 500 individuals to achieve greater independence. Friendship Circle continued supporting hundreds with special needs, and our JCCs engaged thousands of seniors, teens, and adults with programs that strengthened their Jewish pride and identity.
On local college campuses, Hillels rose to the occasion, expanding Jewish programming to support students facing their most challenging environments yet.
All of these organizations—and more—benefit from your generous donations through the UJA annual campaign. Beyond our partner agencies, Federation supported Holocaust survivors needing financial assistance, coordinated pastoral care at local hospitals, and helped families access Jewish camps with financial aid.
Another key focus this past year was expanding our “tent”—becoming more inclusive and welcoming to all 125,000 Jews living in Greater MetroWest. We know this journey is neither simple nor short, but we remain committed to meeting the needs of every Jewish family, regardless of affiliation, orientation, or individual path. Our goal is to ensure that everyone feels like they belong, are engaged, and are vital members of our community.
It would be impossible to capture every way we have strengthened our community this year, so I encourage you to review our recent Impact Reports for more details. Most importantly, we accomplished all of this TOGETHER.