Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through volunteering to foster community, equality, and the impact of working together to drive positive change.
On Monday, our South Jersey Jewish community commemorated the day by volunteering at local synagogues and organizations. Check out some of the activities in the video below! For a full list of activities from each place, visit: https://bit.ly/4gCHKb7
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âNoon-Yearsâ celebration kicks off 2025 at Weinberg Commons
At Weinberg Commons, Director of Residential Services Diona Gayle handed out yellow roses to Weinberg residents and participants of To Our Positive Success (TOPS) and their families at a âNoon-Yearsâ celebratory luncheon. Gayle sang for participants, giving a Jazz-inspired performance while residents enjoyed a festive meal of Chinese food to ring in 2025.
Happy New Year from the Jewish Community Voice! Hereâs to a joyous year filled with good health. đđ
Kellman Brown students create 3-D printed dreidels for Chanukah
Fifth graders at Kellman Brown Academy (KBA) gave the 3-D printed dreidels they created in the Sarah Samson Jewish Community STEM Lab a few test spins before taking them home for Chanukah.
Check out the full video below.
Meet Alan Brooks
Check out what Katz JCC Arts, Books, and Culture Festival goers had to say about the artwork of Alan Brooks, a talented artist now residing in South Jersey.
Brooks' unique creations, inspired by vintage art and graphics, were chosen to be showcased at the Festival in the Appel Art Gallery this year.
Full video story on Alan Brooks coming soon...
JFCS In-Home Services Help South Jersey Seniors
Jewish Family and Children's Service - JFCS of Southern New Jersey is proud of our longstanding commitment to supporting our community's older adults through a wide array of in-home offerings. Our goal is to help seniors age in place in their own homes with comfort, safety, and independence. We strive to serve the whole person through a holistic array of services that foster healthy eating, a clean home environment, continuity medical care, assistance with personal needs, and the companionship of others. While there are many wonderful local organizations that offer each of these services individually, our agency's in-home supports are coordinated under one roof by highly trained staff and case managers who are familiar with each client's unique circumstances.
Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4hOwMjU
Federations holds 102nd Annual Meeting
On Wednesday, October 30, the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey (JFSNJ) and its family of agencies held their 102nd Annual Meeting, celebrating the accomplishments of the year and installing new officers and board members including new agency presidents.
Incoming agency presidents who were installed are Nancy Pearl, Katz Jewish Community Center, Cherry Hill; J.D. Abrams, Jewish Senior Housing and Healthcare Service; and Margo Orlin, Jewish Family & Childrenâs Service. Additionally, Ivy Brown Rovner was installed as the new JFSNJ board president, concluding Ed Rivkin's service.
This year's honorees were Adam Roth, director of Special Needs, and Iris Snyder, Engagement & Donor specialist, recipients of the Susan Love Staff Achievement Award; Meir Rozalis, recipient of the Shellie Greenspun Young Leadership Award; and Marvin and Marsha Raab, recipients of the H. Richard Dollinger Community Service Award.
JCRC of SNJ's Raab/Goodwin Holocaust Center holds 12th Annual March of Remembrance.
On Sunday, October 13, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey - JCRC's The Esther Raab Holocaust Museum & Goodwin Education Center had over 300 people in attendance for their Annual March of Remembrance at the Katz JCC, Cherry Hill.
This is the Center's only community fundraiser throughout the year to continue its efforts of combatting antisemitism, bigotry, and prejudice through Holocaust education. Each participant walked in honor of someone who was killed in the Holocaust.
There was an in-person program also at the Katz JCC with guest speaker Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish student activist and lead plaintiff against Harvard University, alleging pervasive and systemic antisemitism.
The Aleph Home Care and Day Center of Southern New Jersey Adult Day Center program focuses on enhancing socialization, cognitive engagement, and creative expression for older adults - providing mental and social stimulation during the day - while giving their day-to-day caregivers the respite they need and deserve.
One area of focus is physical activity and movement. Carmela Silodor, Aleph Adult Day Center Activity Director, likes to come up with new and exciting ways to add movement into the day. Her newest addition was line dancing.
Check out the full video story here: https://bit.ly/4gYLSmo
On Monday, October 7, the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey (JFSNJ) held a Community Solidarity Gathering at Congregation Beth El Voorhees. Attendees were welcome by Rabbi Englander of Congregation Beth El and Sabrina Spector, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey - JCRC.
Clergy of local synagogues including cantors and rabbis led the evening in various prayers and messages of unity.
Israeli community member Meir Rozalis said some words about the hostages lost and the ones still being held captive in Gaza. The JCRC Shinshiniot shared a message of gratitude to the community for their endless support of Israel.
JFSNJ CEO Jennifer Dubrow Weiss and JFSNJ President Ed Rivkin delivered a message of hope and resilience in these trying times. Adi Rotches, community member and Kellman Brown Academy teacher, gave her thank you on behalf of Kibbutz Be'eri, where her family resides.
Chabad Lubavitch of Camden and Burlington Counties, NJ hosts Mega Challah Bake
The Mega Challah Bake was a gathering to honor all the lives lost on and since October 7th and to unite in solidarity and prayer for Israel.
The event was led by Dinie Mangel, Fraidy Loschak, Baily Kahan, and Mina Richler. There were over 800 women in attendance.
Fallen IDF commander Arnon Zamoraâs family was invited to say the blessing on the challah.
Event organizers asked all the women to hold up a candle to symbolize one positive commandment they will each do to remember the lives that have been taken from us. It was an incredibly powerful and uplifting event for all who attended.
