Za’atar Jelly, Late Night Chats, and Inspo: A Quick Trip to Israel
March 27, 2025
Kim Hirsh
Executive Director, 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 ...
Read Article
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...
Read Article
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...
Read Article
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...
Read Article
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 ...
Read Article
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...
Read Article
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...
Read Article
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....
Read Article
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....
Read Article
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....
Read Article
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...
Read Article
Wellness and More
April 11, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
First the important stuff. BeWell, the Jewish Federation of North America’s youth mental health and wellness initiative, is partnering with Stanford...
Read Article
Highs and Lows
April 8, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
I was asked by someone thoughtful and smart about empathy and how to relate to Palestinian suffering during the Gaza war....
Read Article
The Latest
April 4, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
I've been focused this week on the plight of Evan Gershkovich, a United States citizen and journalist who was wrongfully detained by the Government of...
Read Article
Where We Are
April 1, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
We convened senior management and our Executive Board leadership last week for a wide-ranging discussion about strategic planning and the path ahead....
Read Article
What To Do
March 28, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
I’m extremely pleased that The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is investigating Rutgers University’s response to antisemitism and its...
Read Article
The Latest
March 26, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
I want you to know how grateful I am for all the messages of support and love my family has received after the passing of my father z"l....
Read Article
Professionals and Firehouses
March 15, 2024
Dov Ben-Shimon
Federation CEO
Israel says that it is now planning to “flood Gaza with humanitarian supplies.”...
Read Article