I spoke the other day at a diner breakfast. I’m still doing these public breakfasts because I get to meet with lots of new people, we chat for a bit, we talk about the community, and more. After all, we live in the diner capital of the U.S., so we may as well celebrate what we have. If you’re interested in joining me, contact my colleague Susan Solomon at (973) 929-3123 or ssolomon@jfedgmw.org and we’ll figure out a time and location: I’m aiming to visit diners in each of the five counties we serve.

If you’re in this community and you care about who we are as a Jewish community, we should meet. I should learn from you about what you think, and you should hear from me.

At this particular meeting someone asked me, “So how do I get more involved?”

Good question. And the answer is  ̶  there are so many ways.

Check out all the amazing volunteer opportunities at our Center for Volunteerism home page. Here you can connect with the many service agencies in our community that can use your help today. And mark your calendar for the Challah Bake on February 9. It’s the perfect chance to come together as a community to do good for those in need. More details on this to come.

The Community Relations Committee (CRC) offers lots of opportunities to step up and engage in the issues facing our community here and in Israel. On the calendar now is a screening of the film Joachim Prinz: I Shall Not Be Silent about the renowned activist rabbi, followed by a discussion with Senator Cory Booker on October 11. Our Holocaust Council provides speaker and film series. And our about-to-be-restructured Israel Center will offer you a variety of ways to get involved with our Israel partnership communities.

There are numerous opportunities to serve, learn, participate, and be inspired through our Women's Philanthropy, Men’s, Young Leadership, and Business Professionals divisions. Women’s Philanthropy will be celebrating its 80^th year at its amazing CHOICES event on October 29. The Young Leadership Division will be ringing in the holiday season with its Latke Vodka: Party with a Purpose event on December 5. Not to mention the endless possibilities for teens and young adults to become involved. Stay tuned for information on a special website portal just for teens coming soon.

And hold the date for Super Sunday… on November 22. In 52 days we’ll have the most exciting and memorable Super Sunday our community has had in years. More details to come shortly.

As always, you can support our work through the Annual UJA Campaign, so we can help care, build, and save Jewish lives at home, in Israel and around the world.

The best way to learn how you can get more involved is to stay connected and learn about all the goings-on at Federation. You can sign up  to receive our weekly eUpdate and monthly SpeakEZ enewsletter. Click here to get this somewhat-regular blog sent to you by email. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter as a start.

Of course, feel free to call us and we’ll talk. Or come to breakfast.

 

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