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Upcoming Community Events Schedule

HAITI EARTHQUAKE !!!

Shalom everyone:

As you know, there has been a devastating earthquake in Haiti. The Federation system is working with the Joint Distribution Committee to assess the situation on the ground and begin providing immediate assistance.

Make a donation to aid relief efforts for the victims of this overwhelming disaster.  Alternately, send a check to:  775 Talamini Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Please specify in the memo of the check:  “Haiti Crisis”. 

EVERY DOLLAR of your donation will go directly to Haitian relief efforts. Thank you for your kindness and compassion.

Diane Naar

Thanks to everyone who helped us to plan and implement this year's Federation Super Sunday!
It was a great success - thanks to all of you!

Special thanks to our staff members, Matt, Lauren and Carol, our entire Jewish Federation Board, as well as our Super Sunday Committee, Chair Dan Shanok, President Ed Tolman, and special thanks to Mark Chazin and Lil Swickle.

We sincerely thank the JCC, JFS, the Holocaust and Genocide program at RVCC, Temple Sholom and Temple Beth El, our Youth Coordinators, everyone who adopted phones, donated food or worked to make it happen.

Please click here for the Courier News article - and here for Jewish newspaper article from THE SPEAKER.

Thank you again - we could not have done it without you!

Diane Naar

Super Sunday - BE THERE!  DECEMBER 6, 2009

Once a year—just for a day—hundreds of people come together to build community and help repair the world using their cellphone. It’s Super Sunday, the Jewish Federation’s agency-wide phone-a-thon and community event, and the impact is enormous. With only our voices and a vision we all share, we will reach out to thousands of donors and raise thousands of dollars to support the programs and services that are making a difference for Jews locally and nationally, overseas and in Israel. We need your help!

Volunteer for a 2-hour slot.

It’s not just work (although there’s plenty for you to do). It’s also a celebration of our Jewish community!

December 6, 2009 9:30am-2:00pm -Volunteer and be with us on that day, or if you cannot, please ANSWER THE CALL when you receive it -

THE JEWISH FEDERATION - WE DO THE GOOD THAT IS IN YOUR HEART!

CALL US TODAY 908 725 6994 x 202

Super Sunday to Partner With Somerset County Food Bank This Year! ( December 6, 2009 )

When you come this year to volunteer at our Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Super Sunday phone-a-thon, please bring with you canned food, supermarket gift certificates or bags of fresh produce for our Somerset County Food Bank.

"While you are enjoying your bagel and lox on Super Sunday, please help us to feed our community residents in need" said
Dan Shanok, Super Sunday chair.

"We are so proud of our area food banks," said Diane Naar, Federation Executive Director. "I met with Marie Scanell, our Somerset Food Bank Director the other day" said Naar. "She is appreciative of the fact that we help each and every year by bringing donations each year to the program. This year, Marie specifically also requested supermarket gift cards and fresh produce, in addition to canned goods. Because of the difficult economy, more and more people are depending on programs like the food bank to sustain them. We are proud to work with them and are so appreciative of the fine work that they do. Many people don't know that the food bank also has a wonderful program called "working wardrobe" - you can go to their warehouse at building 9E on Easy Street in the Central Jersey Industrial Park and bring gently used clothing for community residents who are job hunting, and do not have the appropriate clothes."

Please partner with the Jewish Federation by Adopting a Phone Station, Phone Station table, or by sponsoring in other ways.
(see attached flyer). Of course, we need volunteers, and we hope that everyone who is called will respond by giving a meanginful gift to the Federation annual campaign. The campaign helps to many in need - the elderly, children at risk, the disadvantaged, those in need of mental health services, the homeless, the hungry, and so many more, remarks Dan Shanok, Super Sunday chair. We work day in and day out to help our community locally, in Israel and in parts of the world you may have never even heard of. Please give us your time, and a piece of your heart on Super Sunday. Live Generously...It really does do a world of good!

Business Networking Breakfast
(Click here for more details)
Thursday January 28, 2010
7:30AM
Sponsored by:

An Open Letter to Our Jewish Community

Dear Friends,

Our federation has a long history of serving as a safety net for the Jewish community — here and around the world. In this way, we embody the enduring values of Jews taking responsibility for one another.

During these difficult economic times, members of our community may be experiencing extreme financial turmoil and emotional distress. Please remember that part of Federation’s role is to provide connections for people in need to health and social services which exist in and around our tri county area. On a routine basis, we receive calls for assistance and we have the expertise to advise you on what programs and services you may be eligible for. Please reach out to us at (908)725-6994, x 202 and we will work with you.

Every day, our local partner agencies see the ongoing impact of our economy's downturn. Unfortunately, a growing number of requests are coming from formerly middle income families who are suddenly in crisis. Here are just some of the needs we’re now seeing: 

• More requests to area food banks
• Additional need for counseling and intervention for residents without medical
  benefits or insurance
• Need for vocational guidance and job search assistance for those who are
  unemployed or underemployed
• Assistance with housing
• Legal help for those without the means to purchase this service

Your neighbors and friends need your help now more than ever. If you are able to make a donation to the Annual Campaign or to volunteer your time or services, please contact us at the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren Counties, 775 Talamini Road, Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807 or call (908) 725-6994 x 238. Once again, if you or someone you know needs help, please do not hestitate to call. 

Many Thanks!

Sincerely,
Diane S. Naar
Executive Director