by Zach Levine and Lori Silberman Brauner
NJJN Staff

July 21, 2009

They may be in slightly closer quarters, but staffers from the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County and their counterparts at its former satellite office in Manalapan are getting used to each other’s company.

In a cost-cutting move, the federation has consolidated its two offices, leaving its office at the Ruth Hyman JCC in Deal to merge with its smaller Manalapan office.

The Manalapan office, located in the Galleria Mall on Route 9, has now gone from housing two federation staffers to eight; it will also continue to host two staffers from the JCC of Western Monmouth County.

“This is strictly just an effort to save money,” explained federation executive director Howard Gases, adding that he believes the two offices merging together will increase efficiency with all the employees under the same roof.

Federation lay leaders, for their part, do not see any drawbacks to the move. “You’re better off spending money on programs” than on “fancy offices,” said federation board chair Robert St. Lifer of Colts Neck. “A lot of our donors appreciate that.”

And, as president Elise Feldman pointed out, the federation will continue to hold meetings and community functions in Deal even as it no longer has an office there. “The support they are getting is the same,” the Farmingdale resident said. “The operation of the back office is very different than a presence.”

Gases noted that although the economic downturn forced necessary changes like the consolidation, the organization is still thriving as a unit.

In fact, said Miriam Kaplan, the federation’s director of leadership development and campaign associate, the move “has been good because now we’re all united. It’s easier when you can work as one big group.”

As for the new digs, she said, they are “not at all” crowded. “They really restructured the office perfectly.”

Shelley Feingold, the JCC of Western Monmouth’s operations and outreach director, said the adjustment has been smooth. “It’s delightful; I like having more people around.” She added, “We all work for the same cause; we all work for the Jewish community.”

Federation campaign director Evan Levitt also emphasized the positive aspect of the office consolidation. “I think it’s a good move because it allows the community to see that we’re not two organizations,” he said. “When we had two offices, people perceived that federation was in fact dividing the county into two.”

Gases noted that last year the federation worked with a budget of $2.3 million, but projects this year’s campaign will raise about $1.85 million.

Despite the projected gap, he said, the organization will continue to fund its beneficiary agencies, such as the two JCC facilities, three area Jewish day schools, and Jewish Family & Children’s Service, and continue its numerous programs — including running Birthright Israel trips and the PJ Library for Jewish children.

“We do not intend to stop servicing these groups,” he said. “Wherever there are Jewish people in Monmouth County, we intend to help out.”

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