We've been hearing a resounding desire from community members to find ways to help others. We are currently looking for volunteers who are willing to pick up essential items and drop them off to our community members who are most at risk, as well as those who would like to make friendly phone calls to home-bound seniors. Sign up below to help with these and other tasks. More opportunities will be coming to connect those in need with those who want to help and are willing and able to lend a helping hand (even virtually).

Help Distribute Vital Relief Supplies to our Community

Our Jewish Federation has teamed up with IsraAID, an Israeli-based humanitarian aid agency that responds to emergency crises around the world, to ensure the provision of vital supplies to the most vulnerable communities. As part of our COVID-19 response, we are seeking volunteers to sort, assemble and distribute food packages at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside. Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 60, be able to lift 25 pounds, be a U.S. citizen, have health insurance, and have access to a car. Register today and make a difference!

Showing Our Gratitude for Front-Line Workers

Did you know that our local Jewish community has more than 625 front-line workers? They are the healthcare professionals, home health aides, direct support professionals, Meals on Wheels drivers, and more, who ensure that the clients of our partner agencies continue to get the life-saving support they need during the COVID-19 crisis!

Federation is providing each essential worker with a gift card as a symbol of our gratitude. Here are some ways you can help show how much they’re appreciated:

1. Post your message of appreciation on our community Gratitude Wall! Each of the front-line workers will receive a printed thank you card and a gift card as a symbol of our appreciation, and we will direct them to visit the Gratitude Wall to read your well wishes.
    
2. Have your kids create a card or poster and drop it off or send it to one our Federation partner agencies (Please address all cards with ATTN: Gratitude Project)
   • Daughters of Israel, 1155 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052
   • Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD), 270 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052
   • JESPY House, 102 Prospect St., South Orange, NJ 07079
   • Jewish Community Housing Corporation (JCHC), 760 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052
   • Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Central NJ, 655 Westfield Ave., Elizabeth, NJ 07208
   • Jewish Family Service (JFS) of MetroWest NJ, 256 Columbia Tpk., Florham Park, NJ 07932
      

commUNITY Mitzvah Day at Home

Here are some ways you and your family can do mitzvot from home on commUNITY Mitzvah Day and any time! And please sign up to be on our I’m Interested in Helping support list to be notified when there’s a need you can fill.

1. Phone a friend. Reach out to a homebound senior. If you’re going to a grocery store or pharmacy, phone them before and ask if they need anything. Or just cheer them up with a friendly call or FaceTime session.
2. Send a note to a senior. Most nursing facilities are restricting visitors. Take out the art supplies and create a greeting card or write a friendly letter to a senior to cheer them up! If you don’t know someone personally, you can send it to Daughters of Israel (a Greater MetroWest nursing home) and they will distribute: 1155 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, Attn: Eve Goldberg
3. Create activity kits. Kids are home from school and many parents are struggling to keep them occupied while trying to work from home. Put together activity kits including items like puzzle books, coloring books, crayons, etc. and drop it off for a neighborhood child.
4. Play Mitzvah Bingo! Turn doing mitzvot into a fun game for kids. Every time they complete a mitzvah on the Bingo Card, they can mark it off. If they get five in a row, they win! Check out this Bingo Board or create your own!
5. Let us know if you want to help! Sign up to be on our I'm Interested in Helping support list on this page be notified when there’s a need you can fill.
    

Please take a photo and share on your Facebook or Instagram and tag us @jfedgmw to show us how you're helping out. #IamGMW #MitzvahMoments.