Through partner agencies, Federation provides direct services to the entire community.  Local programs support a wide range of help to the elderly, youth and families including meals on wheels, home health care, educational and camp scholarships, transportation needs, social integration, rehabilitation, cultural awareness and counseling as well as other emergency services.

Federation’s Community Relations Committee (CRC) works with elected officials to advocate on behalf on issues of importance to the Jewish community as well as to look for local, state and federal funding sources for Federation programs, such as NORCs.  Additionally, Federation works with inter-faith and inter-ethnic partners to address common issues of concern.

Our two overseas partner agencies -- the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and The Jewish American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) -- enable Federation to support people around the world dealing with hunger, homelessness, aging, illness, anti-Semitism and danger.  In Israel, Federation supports aliyah (immigration) and absorption, education, healthcare and crisis intervention, as well as victims of terrorist attacks and families of those killed in such attacks.

Federation also responds quickly and effectively to communities anywhere in crises.  For example, as part of an international coordinated fundraising system, Federation was able to respond immediately to the Tsunami relief effort in December 2005, raising more than $50,000 for its victims.  We raised nearly $60,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina in September 2006.

Among Federation’s other tasks are:

• Evaluating local, national and international beneficiary agencies who receive dollars from its annual campaign to assist and strengthen them in servicing the interests of the community.

• Raising funds and receiving gifts, bequests or other means of cash for the support of overseas, national and local Jewish philanthropic agencies and programs. 

Federation’s annual campaign raised $5.5 million in 2005.  Local beneficiaries include:

• The Central New Jersey Home for the Aged in Somerset
• The Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains
• The Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth
• Jewish Family Service, with locations throughout the area
• NJ MultiCare Center of Workmen’s Circle in Elizabeth
• Solomon Schecter Day School of Essex and Union County
• YM/YWHA of Union County
• The Hillel at Rutgers University in New Brunswick