by Roy Tanzman

June 23, 2009

At a time when resources are shrinking and coordinated efforts can prove useful in finding a way through tough economic times, the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations has stayed in touch with the needs of the Jewish community. What matters to the community matters to us, the governmental arm of the federations.

At the urging of New Jersey’s 12 constituent federations, the State Association has responded to the downturn in the economy and the effects it has had on the federations and their beneficiary agencies. Starting with the bringing together of federation executives and directors of Jewish Family Service agencies, the State Association has organized forums for discussion, exploration, and information-gathering and provided opportunities to share approaches, best practices, ideas, and concerns.

On the federal level, the State Association, with the support of federation community relations committees and professionals, has helped national United Jewish Communities secure funding for a number of programs vital to easing the burden of the economic downturn.

The federal 2009 budget included $200 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Congress extended from seven years to nine the period that elderly and disabled individuals can receive supplemental Social Security Insurance benefits. The SSI extension was a joint priority of UJC and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society to restore benefits to 8,000 refugees from the former Soviet Union.

Through the federal stimulus package, UJC and state federations secured a long-sought increase of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid reimbursement to the various states. Medicaid reimbursement represents a significant source of funding for the critical health-care services our Jewish federations provide. The State Association also worked to secure funding for senior aging-in-place programs and homeland security grants.

The State House Annex in Trenton was the setting for an Economic Impact Workshop in February. It brought together representatives from various state departments and community service providers. Workshop participants were advised about mortgage and housing assistance, food banks and hunger issues, energy lifelines, job training and unemployment help, senior services, and the ”211” informational network.

Two training programs were sponsored by the State Association in cooperation with the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. The north/central New Jersey training took place in Livingston, supported by the efforts of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ and JFS of MetroWest. The Cherry Hill training was supported by the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and Samost Family and Children’s Service of Southern New Jersey. Each session had more that 40 participants and included Jewish community, governmental, private business, and interfaith community-based organizations.

The State Association led a coalition of faith-based, education, and community advocates in securing the quick enactment of legislation lifting restrictions on endowment funds. Previously, such funds were frozen if their value had fallen below what it had been at the time of the fund’s establishment. As the economy took its toll on foundation assets, our federations and agencies reminded lawmakers that nonprofits rely on income from endowments to pay for needed services and programs.

Affordable Jewish education has become a matter of concern for many in the community. The State Association supported efforts by New Jersey’s nonpublic schools to restore almost $7 million in technology funding cuts in the Department of Education’s proposed 2010 budget. Jewish day school principals and representatives participated in a State Association-sponsored conversation to assess needs, share problems, and discuss possible solutions regarding the affordability of Jewish education. Since many of the schools are federation beneficiary agencies, it is important to find ways the federations and day schools can work together to alleviate the pressures brought about by the economic downturn. The meeting included presentations on joint pricing and purchasing, group health insurance, and self-insurance.

At the request of an administrator of a JCC child care program, modified child-care and unemployment criteria were secured in a program that allows children to be cared for if both parents work. However, guidelines provided that if one or both spouses in a couple lose their jobs, and no position is found in one month, continued family eligibility is denied. The State Association approached state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Dist. 18) to intervene with Department of Human Services commissioner Jennifer Velez. She, in turn, accommodated our community concerns and increased the period to a more reasonable and equitable 90 days.

Serving as a contributing participant and adviser, the State Association supported efforts initiated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County to reach out to community residents in an interfaith anti-hunger project. The Middlesex federation and the State Association partnered with the Diocese of Metuchen and its Catholic Charities agency, Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County, local elected officials and freeholders, United Way of Central New Jersey, Middlesex County food programs, the Muslim Society of Middlesex, and the Anti-Hunger Coalition of New Jersey.

The State Association forged a memorandum of understanding with Rutgers University concerning its Study in Israel program. We helped enact a state law allowing local officials flexibility in rescheduling elections that fall on days of religious observance. And we advocated for the law that established the New Jersey-Israel Commission as a permanent state agency.

By being prepared to intercede and foster discussion and problem-solving on a statewide level, the State Association is fulfilling a goal established by the federations themselves —that is, to meet community needs and concerns and proceed accordingly.

Roy Tanzman is president of the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations.

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