United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ (UJC) is dedicated to building and strengthening Jewish community by ensuring the mental, spiritual, and physical well-being of Jewish locally, in Israel, around the world.

Rooted in the concept of areyvut, Jewish mutual responsibility, UJC stands at the center of a network of 20 local partner agencies to help meet the educational, vocational, recreational, and social needs of the MetroWest Jewish community and beyond.

Encompassing Essex, Morris, Sussex, and north Union counties, UJC is the largest Jewish federation in New Jersey, serving approximately 100,000 people through its United Jewish Appeal Campaign of MetroWest NJ. As the center of Jewish philanthropy in MetroWest, it raises and allocates the funds that are needed to respond to the diversity of Jewish needs on an ongoing basis and in emergent situations.

Among the many programs that UJC supports are expanded services for the unemployed; support of families in crisis; supportive services for seniors; strengthening Jewish identity; programs and services for people with special needs and their families; making Jewish education affordable; Jewish camping; Israel education and advocacy; leadership development; and Birthright Israel.

UJC program departments include:

• Community Relations Committee
• Legow Family Israel Program Center
• Women’s Philanthropy
• MetroWest Rabbinic Cabinet
• Joint Chaplaincy Committee
• Young Leadership Division
• Business Professionals Network

UJC has special relationships with seven overseas communities -- six in Israel, and one in Ukraine: Rishon LeZion; Ra'anana; Ofakim/Merchavim; Kibbutz Erez; Gush Etzion; Horfesh; and Cherkassy, Ukraine. Through its partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and ORT, UJC assists Israel and 60 countries around the world, including the former Soviet Union.

The Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest NJ (JCF) acts as the center of the MetroWest community’s endowment and planned giving efforts, servicing the charitable aims and interests of JCF donors by gathering, investing, and distributing charitable funds on their behalf and encouraging allocation of these monies to enhance and ensure the continuity of charitable institutions. While JCF offers special encouragement for planned giving and the use of endowments for United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ (UJC) and its beneficiary agencies, it also welcomes the opportunity to be of service to recognized charities of every kind: religious, educational, and secular in content and regional, national, and international in scope.

For more than half a century, JCF has partnered with philanthropists in MetroWest to create a vibrant and purposeful community both locally and abroad, one that benefits from the generosity of its donors combined with sound financial management. During FY 2010, JCF distributed more than $19 million to over 900 charitable organizations. Over the past decade, more than $130 million has been distributed in JCF grants.

The Lester Society, founded in 1993, recognizes those individuals who have created endowments of $100,000 or more in support of UJC's Annual UJA Campaign of MetroWest NJ (UJA). At present, the Lester Society is composed of more than 300 individuals and couples whose commitments total nearly $100 million. Last year these commitments yielded over $750,000 for UJA. These commitments are crucial to the fulfillment of a vibrant Jewish community in MetroWest for generations to come.

In all of its endeavors, JCF works to fulfill the cherished Jewish precepts of tzedaka and tikkun olam, taking an active part in the ongoing process of creating a more perfect world for all people.

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey is a collaborative philanthropy whose members are dedicated to empowering women and girls through education, advocacy, and strategic grant making.

The foundation brings together women of all ages and backgrounds, united by their Jewish values and their passion for creating a world in which women and girls grow up in healthy, supportive environments, with equal opportunity for economic, religious, social, and political achievements.

Membership dues create an endowment, the earnings from which are granted to organizations for projects that advance the status of women and girls, ensuring that they have the opportunity to realize their full potential.

The United Jewish Appeal (UJA) of MetroWest NJ Campaign is the annual fundraising arm of UJC MetroWest.

Every year, the UJA MetroWest Campaign provides the unrestricted funding that must be available to answer any need that arises, in MetroWest or anywhere in the worldwide Jewish community. And every year, the UJA Campaign supplies the funding to help Jewish community, by supporting a wealth of programs that strengthen Jewish identity and guarantee Jewish continuity.

UJA creates the safety net for the Jewish community, and builds the foundation for the future of the Jewish community, by pumping much-needed dollars into our 20 partner agencies in MetroWest and our three overseas partner agencies.

There are many different ways to become involved with UJA MetroWest. All offer educational and networking opportunities, as well as the satisfaction of being part of a vibrant community working to meet urgent human needs. Men and women under age 45 can participate in the Young Leadership Division. Women of all ages in Women’s Philanthropy Business and Professional Network offers opportunities to meet with professional colleagues. People able to make annual gifts of $10,000 or more participate in exciting Major Gifts events and take their place among the foremost community leaders. Country Club members enjoy camaraderie with their peers during events throughout the year. See our work in action on UJA Missions to Israel and other parts of the world.

The Young Leadership Division is for men and women under age 45 who welcome the opportunity to meet new people, network, support Israel, and involve their families in Jewish life locally and around the world. It is your chance to explore your Jewish world and develop yourself and your community. No matter what your interests or background, you will find that the Young Leadership Division is a great place to discover, network, and have fun while nourishing a vibrant Jewish future.

•Enjoy social, educational, and fund-raising events for couples, families, and singles.

•Acquire new skills through leadership development programs.

• Come on a mission to Israel or to an interesting Jewish community abroad.

•Volunteer at social action programs.

• Network with business contacts and friends.

• See your local Jewish agencies at work on a UJC mini-mission.