Update from Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey • Spring 2022 • Volume 15
Making Jewish life stronger, safer, more supportive and sustainable
Federation is Here For Good. Raise your hand if you could use some inspiration right about now… something to bolster your faith and optimism, make you smile. In the six months since our last newsletter, the weight, complexity, and urgency of needs in Jewish life have intensified in connection with the war in Ukraine, Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis, rising cost of living, anti-Israel activity in new arenas, and more. While Federation has been addressing these and other emerging and perennial imperatives — with help from donors like you — we have simultaneously fostered and celebrated people, partners, and programs making Jewish life more joyous and forward-thinking, more empowering for people of all ages to build a bright future, more respectful and compassionate for those we hold dear. If a social enterprise incubator, tween golf phenom turned philanthropist, hide and seek-style learning, Jewish Instagram celebrity, and a love affair leading to a lasting legacy pique your interest, read on for this and much more inside. As you do, know Federation is here for it all — here for the pressing needs we face as a people, for the times when crisis strikes, for the lovely connections that make life sweeter and more meaningful, and certainly for the promise and possibilities we can fulfill together. We are here no matter what comes our way. We are here for each other. Today and tomorrow. We are here for good.
This is a love story involving a couple, a family, and a cause. Monroe Glitzerz”l, a young WWII veteran, went on a blind date. The story he’d later tell his daughter Lauren was “I saw your mother at the top of the stairs, and by the time she reached the bottom, I was in love.”
Their son Matthew said, “We always had conversations with our parents about our responsibility to give to those who have less.” Matthew remembers sitting at a phone on a Super Sunday, dialing for dollars.
“That gift made a statement. Barbara always led by example and inspired others,” according to Susan Antman, Executive Director of Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ. “She made it clear how important it is to educate and motivate the next generation to step up and get involved in the community. She wanted her children to know how important it is to support Jewish life, even after she was gone.”
There was much to love about Barbara Glitzerz”l. While raising three children, Barbara earned a PhD in Education, became a pioneer in advanced education for women, and won “Jeopardy!” four times. In 1990, she co-founded a womanowned executive search firm, reflecting her passion for helping women succeed in the workplace. Lauren said of her parents, “Both were brilliant, in very different ways.” The family were active members of Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick. Lauren said, “My mother got bat mitzvah’d in her 50s and it was one of the highlights of her life.” Community activism was especially important in the Glitzer household. Barbara co-founded the NJ Women’s Network and was active in a variety of leadership organizations for women. However, according to her son David, “Her heart was really in the Jewish community, and particularly Federation. She loved raising funds and then traveling with Federation to places like Uzbekistan and Argentina to see all the people they helped.”
But Barbara took that commitment a step further. Ever conscious of the needs that would outlive her, she decided — with Monroe’s complete endorsement — to endow her Lion gift to provide such generous support in perpetuity.
“We always had conversations with our parents about our responsibility to give to those who have less.” Community activity remains a priority for Matthew, David, and Lauren and their families. David says he and his wife make giving to the Jewish community their priority because, “There’s always a need.” They recall how their mom loved being a Lion of Judah, a distinction for women contributing a minimum of $5,000 to Federation’s Annual Campaign.
And they have, with donations to Federation in honor of their parents — and much more. “Barbara and Monroe were true role models, to all who knew them,” Susan added. “Knowing their children are following their footsteps, they would be so proud of their family.” To Learn more about legacy giving, contact susana@jewishheartnj.org.
Are You a Social Entrepreneur? You’ve got an idea. You see that something’s missing in the Jewish community and you’ve got a hunch your idea can help fix it. Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ is offering seed money and support for strategic solutions. Historically, Federation Opportunity Grants and AdVenture Grants provided start-up funds for synagogues and other organizations to get innovative programs off the ground. Now it is expanding its approach to support creative individuals and doing so through not just funding but a social enterprise incubator of sorts — helping design, implement, and manage innovative projects that build and expand social connections and engage people in Jewish life. The burgeoning social enterprise program takes inspiration from Federation’s current PJ Library Ambassadors program, in which parents of young children looking to connect networks and neighborhoods for hyperlocal Jewish programming, receive Federation backing to become leaders in these roles. Social Enterprise Grant proposals can address any aspect of Jewish life, with those intended to expand social networks and connections given priority. If you have identified an unmet need in the Jewish community and want to do something about it, the committee is offering grants of up to $3,000. For more information, contact lauras@jewishheartnj.org.
Caring Forever and Ever What happens to cemeteries that were originally maintained by now defunct synagogues and burial societies? For decades, Federation through the Jewish Cemetery Management Corporation in the Heart of NJ (Cemetery Corporation), has overseen several of these sites — from landscape and repairs to insurance and burial operations. Recognizing cultural and demographic trends increasing such needs, Federation and the Cemetery Corporation have established a relationship with the nonprofit Community Alliance for Jewish-Affiliated Cemeteries (the Alliance) to plan, fund, and implement long-term solutions for cemeteries before they become neglected. One synagogue president recently said, “Our leadership is unsure where we’ll be in 5, 10, 15 years.
We want to make sure those who came before us — many who built our synagogue — are cared for in perpetuity.” “Those who built and thrived in once vibrant Jewish communities deserve the same guardianship we want for our own loved ones,” says Mike Wasserman, Federation board member and president of the Cemetery Corporation. “Even if a synagogue comes to the end of its life cycle, community responsibility for the care of a cemetery never ends.” Two major provisions of the new agreement with the Alliance are how to make sure there is enough money to maintain the grounds in perpetuity, and to have a succession plan for management of the cemetery. Mike invites anyone interested to join in this important effort, either by volunteering time, serving on the Cemetery Corporation board, or sponsoring needed cemetery projects. For more information, contact JewishCemeteriesHNJ@gmail.com.
Passionate CamperGolfer Plays it Forward
Security training is good. Drills make it better.
Sam was eight when he received a One Happy Camper incentive grant from Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey to try Jewish sleepaway camp. He loved it and returned year after year.
For several years, Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ has offered security training for community members and leaders to learn how to react in a threatening situation.
As he approached bar mitzvah age, Sam decided for his bar mitzvah project, he wanted to pay it forward — or in this case, play it forward.
Federation has also helped scores of local Jewish organizations apply for nonprofit security grants awarded by state and Federal departments of Homeland Security. With our help, more than $9 million has been awarded to date. One such grant funded a two-part Active Assailant Training and Drill in Federation’s office, led by a team from Counter-Terrorism Watch, Inc. and Federation’s Director of Security Initiatives, Amy Keller. The first part focused on prevention, protection, and mitigation. The second part was an experiential drill in response and recovery.
He turned his passion for golf into a fundraiser, inviting family and friends to sponsor him in a day on the links. The thousands of dollars he raised enabled Jewish Federation to provide five additional camp grants for children who, like Sam, were not sure about attending a Jewish sleepaway camp. He said, “I have great memories from camp — including both sports and religious experiences. Plus, I made lots of good, possibly lifelong friends, friends who understand me for me. We have a special bond.” Jewish sleepaway camp is proven as one of the most effective ways to strengthen Jewish identity and participation through adulthood. Federation is proud to support camp as a powerful investment in a Jewish future and grateful to Sam for paying — no — playing that forward for others. Who knows how many among them will also be inspired to do the same. For more information, email lauras@jewishheartnj.org
“With a drill, people can put things into practice. It helps cement what they’ve learned in a presentation,” according to Amy. “The enhanced awareness and experience people gain from a drill become tools they can take wherever they go. It’s empowering.” One participant said, “I’ve been to trainings before, and taken careful notes. I even have action steps posted in my office. But going through a drill in our own location made it all so much more real.” Another said, “When they told us in the drill scenario that “bad guys” had entered the building and we had only seconds to react, I froze. But the trainer helped me see what options were available. That coaching was invaluable.” Amy added, “Everyone who participated agreed that the exercise left them feeling more secure about their ability to assess a threat, scan their surroundings, and respond.” She recommends that every non-profit participate in this sort of exercise. For suggestions about possible resources or funding, contact amyk@jewishheartnj.org.
Community Members Make a Difference Restaurants sponsor Federation event despite their own COVID hardships Training Replaces Anger with Effective Advocacy Tools “I’d been really despondent about antisemitism, at home and abroad. I felt angry and helpless. When I met the others on the JCRC training, I felt I was with people who are passionate about the same things I care about. As someone who was never actively engaged with the Jewish community before, I’m looking forward to learning how I can make a difference.”
“It’s important to give what we can to support the Jewish community.” Dalia Barness, owner of Metuchen’s Orchid kosher restaurant, which for 15+ years has been a supplier for Federation-supported Kosher Meals on Wheels The business was a sponsor — along with Bridge Turkish and Mediterranean Grill, Highland Park; Fred & Murry’s, Freehold; and Mazza & More, Allenhurst — of a Women’s Philanthropy cooking event with celebrity chef, Jamie Geller, benefiting Ukraine emergency aid.
Jhanna E, participant in JCRC advocacy training series, Uniting to Combat Antisemitism
J-SERVE empowers youth to make a difference “A lot of my friends and I are committed to community service and we know that one person can make a difference. It’s really inspiring to be around others who share that commitment. That’s why I love J-SERVE.” Liyah R, chair of J-SERVE 2022, worldwide initiative bringing together 15,000 teens and tweens across 250+ communities in more than 30 countries “giving back” to their local communities
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Paying it Forward in Poland In early March, Igor Susid found himself at the Twarda JCC organizing sleeping bags, medical supplies, and food for distribution to thousands of Ukrainians fleeing to Poland. The JCC’s campus — on the site of the Warsaw Ghetto — is today’s home to Warsaw’s Jewish organizations.
to be together, and everyone has brought something to help,” Igor said. Igor has a special connection to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), one of Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ’s partners providing Ukraine emergency aid at Twarda and thousands of other sites. For 30+ years, Federation has supported JDC in its work rebuilding Jewish life and delivering human services for the needy across the former Soviet Union. JDC is a major funder of the summer camps Igor attended as a child, including Szarvas, the legendary camp in Hungary that, since 1990, has been working to revitalize Eastern and Central European Jewry. And when Igor and his partner were co-founding Puszke, JDC contributed funding, legal consultation, and more.
Igor is co-founder of the Puszke Foundation, which normally supports Jewish education and cultural events in Poland. For now, it is focused on refugee relief. “People who were not involved [in the Jewish community] on a daily basis are coming here now
Through Jewish Federation’s decades-long support of JDC, donors like you are a pivotal part of Igor’s story. You are a pivotal part of the Jewish community infrastructure in Eastern Europe that immediately snapped into action to aid people caught in the Ukraine war. And with your help, Igor has been able to pay it forward and play a part.