The Jewish Women's Foundation of NJ
Empowering women & girls.

Imagine a future in which all women and girls grew up in healthy, supportive environments, with equal opportunity for economic, religious, social, and political achievement. Imagine a world in which there are no barriers that prevent any woman or girl from taking her just place in society and realizing her true potential. That is the world envisioned by the members of the Jewish Women’s Foundation (JWF) of NJ.

UJC MetroWest’s women’s foundation came of age in fiscal year 2007, reaching the $750,000 mark in financial commitments, holding its first educational seminar for the community, and announcing its first round of grant making. Grants totaling $44,000 were awarded to six organizations.

Two grants were awarded to foster the political participation of New Jersey’s women and girls: $15,000 to the UJC MetroWest Community Relations Committee to create the first Jewish women’s political network in the State; and $2,000 to the League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes for a program to enable high school girls to explore public service as a career.

Two grants were awarded to combat violence against women. The JWF Reitman Family Grant, in the amount of $8,000, was awarded to the Family Service League to provide programs for freshman women in every college in Essex County to empower them to defend themselves against date rape and sexual assault. In addition, the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section was awarded $6,000 to support the production of a video for the NCJW Center for Women’s Teen Dating Abuse Program featuring real girls who have been abused by their boyfriends.

Two grants were awarded to agencies dealing with the health of women and girls. One, $8,000 to the Girl Scout Council of Greater Essex & Hudson, provides funding for a healthy living program for girls that also promotes leadership development by utilizing older girls as “health ambassadors” for younger participants. The other, $5,000, was awarded to the Women’s Center at the County College of Morris, for a series of workshops building self-esteem in women who have completed drug or alcohol programs or who are returning to the community from halfway houses or other institutions.

To learn more, visit the Jewish Women's Foundation at www.jwfnj.org.