I’m proud to welcome Ilyse Shainbrown as our new Gottesman Fellow: Jewish Cultural and Educational Liaison to Newark, an entirely new position that will create something of lasting and meaningful impact in the community.

One of the most exciting things about this position is that we get to start from scratch. We’re going to design something completely new based on the amazing history of our Greater MetroWest community. Ilyse’s job will be to create and coordinate impactful and inspiring programs to commemorate, celebrate, and educate students and adults in Newark about the city’s rich Jewish heritage. This two-year pilot program will work with new and existing Federation resources to…

1. Make sure that Holocaust and genocide education are taught broadly in the Newark Public Schools. We’ll use the existing, sophisticated Shoah (Holocaust) education resources already available and work with educators and administrators in Newark public schools to bring this education to as many students as possible. The schools will use our Federation Holocaust Council curriculum as well as resources from other organizations.
    
2. Bring Israel education and outreach to the Newark Public Schools. With the help of our Global Connections department and Community Relations Committee, Ilyse will develop programs that teach modern-day Israel to Newark Public School students.
    
3. Set up a “Tikkun Olam” Social Action Program. Working with Federation’s Young Leadership and Outreach and Engagement departments, Ilyse will create meaningful social action programs that will bring members of the Greater MetroWest Jewish community into Newark.
    
4. Build connections with Jewish university students. We’ll develop programming to engage Jewish students at Rutgers and Seton Hall Law Schools and NJIT in Newark.
    
5. Establish and coordinate a Jewish Heritage Month. In collaboration with our Jewish Historical Society, Ilyse will create a month of extensive programming to leverage the expected establishment of the high-profile Philip Roth Library, to be established at the Newark Public Library.
    

We’re incredibly grateful to the Paula and Jerry Gottesman Family Supporting Foundation of our Jewish Community Foundation for its vision and leadership in setting up this amazing fellowship – and I’m looking forward to bringing you updates on our success in the near future.

 

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