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Community Mitzvah Day Plus!

Make a real impact on the lives of others

CommUNITY Mitzvah Day during Federation’s Centennial year provides opportunity to put our Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and tzedakah (charitable giving) into action, making a real impact on the lives of others.

Plus, pairing service with deep and compelling Jewish learning highlights the connection between our desire to serve our community and our identity as Jews.

As we recognize six months since the vicious attacks of October 7, let’s come together to spread some light through a day of hands-on service and learning.

Which mitzvah will YOU find meaningful? Space is limited for most in-person projects. Registration required for all projects.

Browse the list below and click on the program title to register for one or multiple programs.

Partner Projects


Thank you to our CommUNITY Mitzvah Day Plus! leadership

Community Mitzvah Day Plus! Sponsors
Daniel Rocker and Joshua Rocker and families in honor of their parents Marian & David Rocker

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

Centennial Leadership
Jane Wilf, Chair, Centennial
Terri Friedman, Maxine Schwartz, Vice Chairs, Local Community Engagement

Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ
Michael Goldberg, President
Dov Ben-Shimon, Executive Vice President/CEO

United Jewish Appeal of Greater MetroWest NJ
Michele Landau, Campaign Chair
Rebecca Pollack, Chief Development Officer

Women’s Philanthropy
Deborah Vineberg Jacob, President
Diane Bakst, Director

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ
Steven D. Levy, President
Kim Hirsh, Executive Director

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, and Lauren Weiss

Community Mitzvah Day Project Chairs:

  • At-Home Kits – Rachel Kagan Friedman and Maggie Soff
  • Cemetery Cataloging – Mark Polson and Gerri Rothfleisch
  • Dignity Grows – Lori Bortniker and Lauren Weiss
  • JESPY House – Allison Levy and Miryam Smilow
  • Jewish Family Service Central – Courtney Pantirer and Lisa Wax
  • Passover Packing – Daniella Hoffer, Shana Pantirer, and Ilyssa Tepperman
  • Learning – Jennifer Emdur and Amy Paternite
  • Young Family – Lauren Kennedy

Learning Committee: Mariella Dybner, Shira Hammerman, Lila Levenson, Eli Rosenblatt, Jessica Silverstein, and 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

Community Partners (in formation):

Bobrow Kosher Food Pantry
JCC Kosher Meals on Wheels
JESPY House
Jewish Family Service of Central NJ
Jewish Relief Agency
Jewish Vocational Services
Lester Senior Housing
Met Council
Nourish.NJ

Synagogues:

B’nai Shalom of Sussex County
Congregation Anshe Chesed, Linden
Congregation Beth El, South Orange
Congregation Shomrei Emunah, Montclair
Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisroel
Oheb Shalom Congregation, South Orange
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield
Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim, Cranford
Temple Beth O’r Beth Torah, Clark
Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, South Orange
Temple Sholom of West Essex, Cedar Grove
Temple Sinai, Summit


Security at Federation Events

The Greater MetroWest Community Security Initiative (CSI) is coordinating all security with local police departments. As with every Federation event, every available resource is being utilized to ensure our safety. Two important items of note:

  • Backpacks, luggage, or large purses will not be allowed inside. We encourage you not to bring a bag, if possible, or to bring a very small bag. All bags will be subject to search.
  • Please do not share Federation events on Facebook Live or any other livestream platform.

Building an inclusive community is a priority. Please email federation@jfedgmw.org to let us know if you require an accommodation to meaningfully participate in an event. One of our Federation professionals will reach out to you to learn more.