While big federation events can be inspiring, they might not be the most inviting setting for personal inquiry. The challenge facing the lay and professional leaders at the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey has been how to create more intimate opportunities for people to find out about the fund-raising organization.

The parlor meetings initiated this fall are one of their solutions. Once a month, volunteers will host small get-togethers in their homes, offering a small circle of friends and neighbors a chance to chat over coffee and ask their questions about federation's support for Jewish and Israeli causes, and — organizers hope — find a niche for involvement that suits them.

Karen and David Sanders, both of whom are involved in various capacities with federation, will host the first parlor meeting on Thursday, Oct. 25, at their home in Westfield. Jessica Mehlman, the federation's assistant director of financial resource development, will be there to answer questions.

"No matter how much federation does to publicize its work, I can't tell you how many people still don't know what it does or are misinformed about it," Karen Sanders said. "We thought this would be a great, informal, non-threatening way for them to find out about it."

She said that often when she suggests to friends that they come to federation activities, their first concern is that they will be asked for a donation. Not so this time.

"There's going to be no solicitation of funds, so they don't need to worry about that," she said. "We'll just have coffee and cake and conversation, and it might be a chance for new people to make friends."

Mehlman already had in mind for participation in the meeting a couple who recently moved to their neighborhood and hadn't yet had a chance to connect with the Jewish community.

"People respond to people," said Amy Cooper, the federation's associate executive vice president and director of financial resource development. "That's how it's always been, and we've been looking for ways to bring in people who aren't involved, or to encourage those who are to get more involved.

"Once people see what we do, they get interested. We do great work — we really make a difference," she said. "But people have such limited time available these days, we have to have a very sharp, focused message to get across to them. That's also why the Web site is so important, because people can access it when it suits them, if they're up at 3 a.m. or whenever."

Numbers are not the issue here as much as is making the telling connection. An upcoming Women's Campaign Opening Event on Tuesday, Oct. 16, featuring food maven Arthur Schwartz, is drawing an enthusiastic response, and large-scale annual events like Super Sunday or Leil Iyun, the Night of Jewish Learning, have had large turnouts.

But, Cooper said, such events can be intimidating for those new to the community.

Last year, the federation held focus groups in private homes and at the federation, with the aim of gathering views on its goals and its programming. The parlor gatherings, Cooper said, have no such agenda. "They'll be much more casual," she said. "People can come and enjoy themselves and share their ideas about federation — the positive and the negative things. The hosts can invite just two or three friends, and they may or may not decide to have a speaker."

The federation is also experimenting with other outreach programs. The PJ Library, launched in September with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, invites families with young children to sign on to receive monthly mailings of age-appropriate books and CDs that blend Jewish content with stories or song. It is also considering a welcome "basket" of gifts and information for newcomers to the Central area.

Those interested in hosting or attending a parlor meeting or who want more information about them can call Amy Cooper at 908-889-5335.