How We Care: Providing an Accessible and Inclusive Jewish Community

by Jody Caplan, Vice President, Community Engagement

One of my favorite Purim memories is of spending time at JESPY House with Women’s Philanthropy friends and JESPY clients packing mishloach manot, Purim gift baskets. Together, we recalled our favorite Hamentaschen flavors and Purim costumes, heard a dramatic retelling of the Purim story, and worked side-by-side decorating and filling bags of treats to share with friends. We learned that JESPY House is a beneficiary of Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ that enables adults with learning and developmental disabilities to lead independent lives. But on that March morning, we were all volunteers fulfilling a Purim mitzvah and building Jewish community.

That’s what we do. We Care. We Build. We Save. Here in Greater MetroWest, that manifests itself in building a caring and accessible Jewish community. On the heels of Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month, we are focusing this e-newsletter on the Federation-supported agencies and programs that improve and enrich the lives of individuals with learning and developmental disabilities. Specifically, we are highlighting the many ways we provide Jewish education, experiences, identity, and community to local children and offer growth, opportunity, and companionship to adults.

We are also introducing a new feature we are calling Words Worth Repeating. We are fortunate to live in a community so full of educational programs and inspirational speakers that we cannot possibly attend every event. Going forward, we will share remarks prepared by women in Greater MetroWest who have great stories to tell. This newsletter includes a speech that Marcia Wiener of Scotch Plains gave last year to Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, highlighting the programs that help her child with autism learn, grow, and participate within our Jewish community.

We hope you will be both touched and proud to know how your gift to Women’s Campaign makes a difference to area families. If you or anyone you know might benefit from such services, please contact Rebecca Wanatick at (973) 929-3129 for more information.

B’Shalom,

Jody Hurwitz Caplan