When the tsunami killed thousands in Southeast Asia and left many more homeless and hungry, UJC MetroWest set up a relief fund immediately. Only a handful of the victims were Jewish – so why did we become involved?

We reached out to them because although we are a Jewish organization, with a mission to help meet the needs of our people, our caring extends beyond our own Jewish family. Our tradition teaches compassion for all human beings and urges us to engage in tikkun olam – the healing of the world. That’s why we raised funds to help after a hurricane devastated Haiti. That’s why we’re working to alleviate the suffering of the people of Darfur, Sudan, where two million refugees fled from genocidal violence.

UJC MetroWest is committed to do all we can to improve the lives of Jews everywhere and to build a better world for all people. I invite you to join us.

Ellen Goldner
President
United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ

Eli is only 11, but he has more hardships in his life than many grown-ups. His parents are poorly educated and unemployed, with medical problems. They can barely meet Eli’s most basic material needs. Eli has complained to the police of parental violence. His parents claim that he curses and hits them. It’s not surprising that his attendance at school is erratic, and he’s fallen behind his classmates in all subjects.

But there’s hope on the horizon. Eli is one of 400 elementary school students in a pioneer extended school-day program supported by United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ at the Ha’giva School in Ofakim, one of MetroWest’s partnership communities in Israel. Most of the students are from struggling, low-income families.

In Israel, the school day ends at 1 p.m., and usually there’s no school lunch program. The MetroWest-sponsored extended school day continues until 4 p.m. and provides a hot meal for the students – often their only one of the day. Activities include music, computer, and cooking classes, homework help and individual tutoring, and field trips. Therapists visit the school to assist students, like Eli, who need special attention.

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Just hours after reports of the devastation wrought by the Southeast Asia tsunami, the Community Relations Committee (CRC) of UJC MetroWest set up a special fund to help the victims. Last summer, CRC began working on an ongoing relief effort to aid the people of Darfur, Sudan, where a genocidal conflict has displaced an estimated 2 million people.

As the public affairs and public policy arm of UJC MetroWest, CRC looks and functions as the voice of the organized Jewish community in intergroup and interreligious affairs.

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“I’d moved to Cincinnati and I didn’t know any Jews. I was even alone for some of the Jewish holidays. I’d never been in that situation before, and I realized it was important for me to be with other Jews,” recalled Susan Weinstock, who now lives in Montville. “So I got a Jewish newspaper and found an article about a Young Leadership Division (YLD) event. I called up and said,’ I’m not a leader. Can I come anyway?’ and they said ‘Yes.’”

Of course, Susan was totally wrong about not being a leader. Recently, she was one of the Pfizer Global Manufacturing recipients of the W. E. Upjohn Award for volunteer work.

to learn more about Susan, click here

Seven years ago, Aaron and Edith Bernstein were struggling with the difficult questions confronting many interfaith families with young children: “What will be the religious identity of our family? How will we raise our children?”

The West Caldwell couple found their way to a couples discussion group offered by PATHWAYS, Outreach to Intermarried Families, United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ. There they were able to discuss their concerns frankly with others in a similar situation. After two years, they went on to the PATHWAYS school program, where they could learn together with their children about Jewish heritage.

click here to learn more about PATHWAYS

Hebrew. Computers. Art. Music. Torah. Talmud. Tzedaka. Mitzvot. Study in Israel. Nature field trips. Science. Math. History. Literature. Students at MetroWest’s day schools receive a quality education in both Jewish and secular subjects. The best of both worlds.

At Solomon Schechter Day School (SSDS) in West Orange, seniors are getting ready for the Neshama Trip to Israel, Feb. 27-May 27. At the Hebrew Academy of Morris County (HAMC), Randolph, middle school students use a cutting-edge mobile laptop “laboratory” with wireless Internet access in both secular and Judaic classes. Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy (JKHA), Livingston, focuses on Torah studies, the Hebrew language, and love for the land and people of Israel in its Judaic curriculum, which is taught in Hebrew.

click here to learn more about MetroWest's Jewish day schools.

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Montclair Mitzvah Day [Sunday, February 6]: Be a Super Mensch on Super Bowl Sunday.

Women's Awareness Day [Thursday, February 10]: A day of education for women with Phyllis Chesler.

Seussical [five performances in February]: JCC Musical Theater Company brings the characters and stories of Dr. Seuss to life.

Big Night Out [Saturday, February 12]: Music and entertainment with a focus on Israel opportunities for teens.

Livnot Society Event [Thursday, February 17]: "Building tomorrow … today" with guest speaker Sabi H. Shabtai.

Branching Out [Thursday, March 10]: Programs for Young Women to grow with us, change a life, make a difference.

Sports Nite Out [Tuesday, March 22]: A "slam dunk" event featuring Bill Walton.