JFOC Winter JPages

Winter 2025
Welcome Home!
We pray for the freedom of all the hostages.
ROMI GONEN
EMILY DAMARI
DORON STEINBRECHER
ARBEL YEHUD
GADI MOZES
DANIELLA GILBOA
KARINA ARIEV
NAAMA LEVY
AGAM BERGER
LIRI ALBAG
OR LEVY
OHAD BEN AMI
ELI SHARABI
Inside JPages | Israel Impact p.4 | JVU Class p. 5 | Heroes Against Hate p.6

JOIN THE
LEGACY SOCIETY
A key element of our Jewish tradition is sharing our customs and values from one generation
to the next. The Jewish Federation of Ocean County is your local partner in ensuring that your
commitment to the Jewish people is implemented in the smartest and most effective way.
Your will is a way to be sure that all of your property will go to family, relatives, friends and
organizations you care about most. If you do not have a will, now is a good time to set one up.
Please consider leaving a bequest to the Jewish Federation of Ocean County. This is an important
way to ensure ongoing support for our Jewish community and that your values continue to be
honored in the future
Should you have any questions, please contact keith@ocjf.org for more info and to discuss options.
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A Message from Our Managing Director
It's the start of a new calendar year. Yet, our world faces many of the same
challenges and some new ones. That is certainly true of our Jewish world - from
the growing needs of those in need in Ocean County…i.e., survivors and seniors,
to poor and elderly Jews struggling to make ends meet around the world, to the
needs of those recovering from October 7th in Israel, and to combatting hate and
antisemitism at home.
Our Jewish Federation is focused on how we can help in smart ways – we don't
waste a lot of time or $$ – and the support from members of our Ocean County
Community is leveraged to have the most impact.
Here's what's on our minds right now:
• The needs of Holocaust survivors keep growing as they get older. Thanks to
support from the Claims Conference, we can meet many of those needs - but
we also need to raise funds to match this support. This year, we have $135,000
to raise. Your contribution towards that goal gets matched and multiplied - so
please contribute. www.jewishoceancounty.org/holocaustfund
• In Israel, in many ways it is still October 8 - we are waiting for all hostages to
come home. Those who have returned, as well as their families and the families
of those still missing or killed, are dealing with trauma we can't imagine. All of
Israel is in the midst of PTSD. We are doing what we can to help - and ask you
to do your part. Help us continue our grants to organizations helping Israel
recover. www.jewishoceancounty.org/israelemergency
In addition to these targeted opportunities to make a difference, your support
of our annual campaign enables us to do this and more. So, please consider an
annual contribution as well!
ICONIC HIGHLIGHTS
Our icons highlight some of the different aspects of our efforts to serve our
community and help Jews around the world. Be an iconic part of JFOC and help
our efforts - we appreciate your time, help, and financial support!
We want to thank our Board
members for all their contributions
to our community.
JEWISH FEDERATION OF OCEAN COUNTY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Yvette Atkins (New)
Michael Berman
Helen Cocuzza
Cyndy Friedman
Richard Gaines (Past President)
Fran Gimpel
Peter Kitay
Lorna Klein (Exec Committee)
Avi Kotler (New)
Alan Krupnick
Pamela Ligorski
Annabel Lindenbaum (Chair)
Larry Mandel
Shelly Newman (Secretary)
David Rosen (Treasurer)
Lauren Rosen (Past President)
Randi Rozovsky (Past President)
Barbara Schulman (Past President)
Anise Singer
Mona Sternbach
JEWISH FEDERATION OF OCEAN COUNTY STAFF
Keith Krivitzky
Managing Director
Sharron Greenberg
Development & Program Manager
Rita Sason
Director of JFCS
Laurie Salka
JFCS Holocaust Survivor
Services Coordinator
Beth Gottesman
Administrative Assistant
Drew Staffenberg
Strategic Consultant
Part of our effort to combat
hate of all kinds is recognizing
our community's upstanders.
We had a full ballroom at
our Community of Caring
celebration to honor our Heroes Against Hate.
Highlights are on pages 6 and 7.
JFCS had an amazing 2024;
see a summary of their work on
page 13.
Exciting news - our PJ Library
program is growing bigger and
older! See what that means on
page 14.
Information on our first round
of Israel Emergency grants
in 2025 and pictures and
updates from previous grants
on page 4. There is still so
much recovery ahead.
Our ongoing partnership
with One Ocean County is
highlighted on page 19 with
pictures from the Super
Soul party. Next up, will be
sponsoring their Pass It Over On Passover
program (along with other local and global
food insecurity grants). Want to help with
this food drive, please reach out to Avi via
text 732-806-0261 or email at avkotler@
gmail.com.
JFOC MISSION STATEMENT
• To further the welfare of the Jewish
community in Ocean County, Israel and
around the world.
• To plan for the philanthropic, social, cultural
and educational advancement of the Ocean
County Jewish Community.
• To foster cooperation among Ocean County
Jewish organizations, committees and
individuals.
Contact the Jewish Federation of
Ocean County at 732-363-0530
or federation@ocjf.org.
Winter 2025 3

Israel Impact!
While we celebrate the joy of the return of some hostages, Israel has a long recovery ahead. We’re
proud to have started off 2025 with renewed grants to these organizations:
• JDC – The global Jewish humanitarian organization has deployed emergency services to help Israelis.
• Jewish Agency – The Jewish Agency's Fund for Victims of Terror has been providing immediate, critical
financial aid to victims and their families.
• ORT (Kfar Silver) – A youth village near Ashkelon, including students displaced from Ukraine.
• Koby Mandell Foundation – This program helps families of those killed in terror attacks and has several
programs especially for kids.
• Shutaf Crossroads – Programs for children with disabilities.
• Lev Otef (GANAT) – This program provides ongoing activities to the evacuees in cities across Israel.
• Lone Soldier Center in honor of Michael Levin – Provides an extended family and help meets the needs of
lone soldiers and supports the families of those killed in this conflict.
• Counseling Center for Women – Private and group psychotherapy for women during the war.
• Derech Eretz – A very effective mechina/prep program to youth at risk and on the periphery.
Pitchon–Lev ZDVO Rehab Lev Echad
AN UPDATE ON KIBBUTZ NIRIM
The Nirim community has been living in Beersheva. The
community has started organizing events with children to get
them used to living in Nirim again. While some kibbutzim are
leaving burnt houses and rebuilding elsewhere, Nirim is not.
Thirty new houses for young people and young families will
replace the houses destroyed on October 7. The rebuilding is
expected to take eight months.
Adele Raemer prepares to move back to Kibbutz Nirim.
Visit the slide show of reports from many of our grantees on our website at
www.jewishoceancounty.org/impact and continue to support our Israel Emergency fund at
www.jewishoceancounty.org/israelemergency.
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Winter 2025 5

Ariel Ifrah receiving the Student Upstander award.
Our annual meeting is a Community of Caring celebration,
but we don’t just celebrate our work, we recognize
community members who are upstanders and celebrate these
Heroes Against Hate. We hope our work and their efforts
inspire more upstanders.
See more pictures and videos from the evening at
www.jewishoceancounty.org/communitycaring.
Dr. Henry Jackson receiving the Individual Upstander award.
Father Michael receiving the Organization Upstander award.
Reisa Sweet receiving the Individual Upstander award.
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Note from a Hero —
It was an incredible honor to stand alongside my fellow
Heroes Against Hate and receive the Student Upstander
award at the event hosted by the Jewish Federation of
Ocean County. This recognition is not just a reflection of
my efforts but a reminder of how important it is to stand
up against hate and work toward a more compassionate
and united community.
I’m deeply grateful to the Federation for their dedication
to fostering understanding and supporting those who fight
for justice. It’s my hope that together, we can continue
building bridges, strengthening our communities, and
creating a world where kindness and respect prevail.
Ariel Ifrah
Jewish Federation names Student Upstander
Award in honor of Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Recipients will get $1000 for a nonprofit of their choice.
We have all seen the hate directed at Israel and targeting the Jewish
community since October 7th.
We are also acutely aware that there are 100 hostages still missing. This is
a gaping hole in Israeli society and among many who are connected to the
Jewish people.
Our Federation supported Bring Hersh Home, an effort to save Hersh
Goldberg-Polin, as well as the Hostages and Families Forum in Israel. Sadly,
Hersh was killed at the end of the summer (2024) along with 5 other hostages.
As President Herzog of Israel said at his funeral: “There is no door in the world
that your beloved family hasn't opened for you…no prayer, no cry for help. They
walked to the end of the world to try to release him.”
“Now our broken heart is in smithereens,” he said.
Jon, Hersh's father, spoke about how Hersh “was my rav, my teacher, my
companion,” challenging him to think beyond himself in every way. He moved
his family to activism for the right of African migrants and other issues. He was
always confident and self-assured, curious, inquisitive. Jon said that Hersh
always sought ways to make the world around you better. He talked about
how Hersh always tried to understand every point of view on every issue, from
eating animals, to Israeli settlement policies and more.
Avi Kotler with the Jewish Federation of Ocean
County Community of Caring Committee receiving
the Individual Upstander award.
In his message at the funeral, Jon spoke about Hersh saying: “May his memory
be a revolution.” He said that Hersh kept asking: “Will the decisions I made today
lead to a better future for all of us?' And you would tell any decision maker who
cannot answer that question with an emphatic yes to step aside.”
At a vigil in New York for Hersh, Arik Einstein sang the song: “Ani Ve'ata
Neshane Et Ha'olam,” which means “You and I Will Change the World.” That
was a perfect song for Hersh.
JFOC Chair Annabel Lindenbaum and Chief Gregory
Meyer receiving the Public Service Upstander
award.
Donations In Honor of Heroes
Hersh's mom, Rachel, said at the funeral: “You charmed everyone you ever talked
to, old or young. You promoted justice and peace in a way a only a young pure,
wide-eyed idealist, can. You never raised your voice to me in your life. You treated
me respectfully always, even when you chose a different path,” she recalled.
Hersh's parents embody the qualities of leadership that we so sorely need in
our world today. They are role models for all of us.
As is Hersh, who embodies the kind of spirit and values we hope to see in
upstanders and Heroes Against Hate.
That is why we are naming our Student/Young Leadership Upstander award
in honor of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Additionally, we are making an additional
donation to the Bring Hersh Home fund, which is still doing important work.
May his memory be for a revolution.
Following our Community of Caring celebration, JFOC made donations to the nonprofit organizations chosen by our
honorees. We were proud to make donations in their honor to: Catholic Charities, Rutgers Chabad, Ocean Harbor House,
Men of Purpose, Love Your Neighbor Association of Ocean County, St. Junipero Serra Parish, and Keshet. We again thank
our Heroes Against Hate for these wonderful suggestions: Chief Gregory Meyer, Dr. Henry Jackson, Ariel Ifrah, Avi Kotler,
Father Michael Lorensten, Reisa Sweet, our lifetime achievement honoree Rabbi Stephen Gold.
Winter Fall 2020 2025 11 7

Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Rabbi Stephen Gold
Contributors:
Congratulations
Rabbi Gold on a
well deserved
honor.
Wayne and Rose
Friedland
Congratulations Rabbi Gold
for your Lifetime Achievement
Award! It is very well deserved.
— Sam & Cynthia
Congratulations on a well
deserved honor.
— Marci & David Spero
Mazel tov Rabbi Gold and all
the heroes!
— Nate, Belkoff Goldstein
Funeral ChapeL
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Congratulations
to all the honorees
and a special
congratulations
to Rabbi Gold!
Annabel & Manny
Lindenbaum
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Contributors:
Law Office of Michael Berman
Mazel tov to all the honorees!
— Rabbi Robert & Susan Rubin
So proud of you Ariel Ifrah!
— Bubbie and Zadie
Thank you for honoring these heroes!
— Kathy Hess
In honor of all heroes
— Sara Askin
Congratulations to the Honoree —
Ariel Ifrah — We are so proud!
— Moshe, Ilanit, Amit & Asaf Bero
“…to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk
humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
Winter 2025 9

Let’s Connect!
It’s more than just an event name. Get involved and lend a hand —
the Jewish Federation of Ocean County needs you!
Join us to plan our
Let’s Connect program.
20
25
Decide the components of
the new Cultural Festival
this fall.
Heroes Against Hate
Find us Heroes Against Hate
to honor and organize our December
Community of Caring celebration.
Help us create great events that bring our community together!
Bring your interests, expertise, and/or passion. Let’s Connect
via email to sharron@ocjf.org or call 732-363-0530.
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Winter 2025 11

Thank You to Our Sponsors!
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JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICE
OUR 2024 IMPACT
JFCS has continued providing group and individual counseling and
home care services for eligible Holocaust survivors.
64
Survivors in Active Case Management
183
Mental Health Service Hours
to Caregivers
178,510
Personal Care & Housekeeping
Hours
84
Requests for Financial Assistance
for Medical Necessities
644
Mental Health Service
Hours to Seniors
4
Eligible Survivors were
assisted in obtaining a
Telephone Emergency
Response System
Thank you to our funders: Ocean County Senior
Services, Claims Conference, Kavod and Blue Card.
Help us meet our 2025 match of $135,000
for Holocaust Survivor services:
www.jewishoceancounty.org/holocaustfund.
Winter 2025 13

PJ Monthly Classes
Hebrew Circle Time
Join PJ Library and Tkiya for a
once-a-month free and engaging
Tuesday morning Hebrew Circle
Time Zoom class for babies,
toddlers, preschoolers, and their
grownups at 11:00 am.
We're Growing Our PJ Library Program!
Older PJ Library Readers Get to Choose
Their Own Books!
PJ Our Way is the next chapter of PJ Library, where kids
ages 9-12 get to choose their own middle-grade book each
month on a kid-safe website. The selection includes fantasy,
historical fiction, mysteries, biographies, graphic novels,
and more. They can also get helpful book recommendations
from other kids, write their own reviews, take polls, and earn
all kinds of achievement badges.
The site even has a "parent mode" with PJ Our Way book
summaries, notes on each book’s themes and Jewish
values, reviews from other parents, and even prompts for
conversations with your child about what they’re reading.
Whether your family already has a PJ Library subscription or
not, sign up at www.pjourway.org.
Tot Shabbat
Join PJ Library and Tkiya for a
once-a-month free and engaging
Friday morning Zoom class for
babies, toddlers, preschoolers,
and their grownups at 11:00 am
Living Our Values: Jewish
Parenting with PJ Library
Join us for a meaningful and
interactive virtual event series
designed to help parents
raising Jewish children explore
and integrate their values
into everyday family life.
We will facilitate interactive
conversations with parents from
all over North America (and
beyond!) to connect, learn, and
grow together as you navigate the
journey of raising children with
strong Jewish identities.
Information and registration can
be found on our PJ page – www.
jewishoceancounty.org/pj-library.
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Dennis and Shelly Newman
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
HONORING HEROES
AGAINST HATE
Mohel Elliott Bauer & Gass, P.A.
Certified Public Accountants
Robert S. Mohel
Robert D. Elliott
Gerwin K. Bauer, Jr.
Eli Gass
8 Executive Drive, Suite 1
Toms River, NJ 08755
732-363-6500
You deserve more than a
generic eulogy – custom services
provided.
Jewish
Lifecycle
Events
Funerals and Unveilings
Rabbi Bob Mark
Rabbibob18@gmailcom,
cell: 973-449-9117
Hundreds of Satisfied Families
Winter 2025 15

Israel
Bonds
Breakfast
Congregation B’nai Israel
Toms River, New Jersey
Sunday, March 23
10:00 am
Cost: $10 per person
Breakfast will be served.
Breakfast is sponsored by the
Jewish Federation of Ocean County.
GUEST OF HONOR
DR. JOEL KURTZ
client.support@israelbonds.com
888.519.4111
Israel Bonds App
Scan
to Register
GUEST SPEAKER
AMBASSADOR
YORAM ETTINGER
Bonds can be purchased anytime but it is important to list
Toms River Breakfast as the synagogue affiiation so that
the program is credited with the sale of the bonds.
If one wishes to purchase a Mazel Tov bond it must be
purchased online. This bond has a max of $2,500 per
person but can be purchased for different people (husband
and wife for example) on the sane day. You can then do the
same thing the next day if one wants to purchase and obtain
the fantastic rate of 6.15% an unbeatable rate. To purchase
a bond visit www.Israelbonds.com
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MAIMONIDES
SOCIETY
JOIN OCEAN COUNTY'S MAIMONIDES SOCIETY
OR TURN TO ONE OF OUR LOCAL DOCS!
Named for Rabbi Moses ben Maimon
(also known as Maimonides or Rambam,
perhaps the most famous Jewish physician
of all time) the Jewish Federation of Ocean
County Maimonides Society is the place
for physicians, surgeons, dentists and
other healthcare professionals – people
dedicated to healing the sick and
committed to the notion of tikkun olam
(repairing the world).
MEMBERSHIP:
$180 – Membership with JFOC's physician directory listing
$360 – Membership and 1/8 page ad in Ocean JPages
$540 – Membership and 1/4 page ad in Ocean JPages
$1000 Maimonides Honor Society – Entire practice listed in the
JFOC's physician directory and 1/2 page ad in Ocean JPages
www.jewishoceancounty.org/maimonides
Winter 2025 17

In Every Generation
Leo Ferguson
“The only real way out of the Mitzrayim of our fears is solidarity.
Only by forging deep connections and sharing struggle with other
communities will we create lasting allies who will walk with us
into the promised land of our collective liberation. That is true
Jewish freedom — true and lasting safety.”
Vlada Nedak
Last year I wrote a haggadah in Ukranian, “For Our
Freedom”, so we shouldn’t have to celebrate in the Russian
language of our oppressors.
Rabbi David Amar
Congregation Ahavat Olam
106 Windeler Road, Howell, NJ 07731
As we gather around our Seder tables this year, dipping bitter
herbs and retelling the story of our exodus from Egypt, we are
reminded that Passover is not just about history—it is about
the present. The Haggadah commands us: “In every generation,
one must see themselves as if they left Egypt.” This is not a
suggestion—it is a call to action.
More of what Federation
has been doing to make
an impact...
FOR THOSE IN NEED
Super Bowl Sunday there was a game to watch
and it was best done with community! The Super
Soul Party (organized by One Ocean County) was
held again this year at Urban Air Adventure Park;
so kids got to bounce on trampolines. There was
good food to eat and food to take with you from
Fulfill. The coalition of partners that helped make
this happen included Chabad of Toms River,
Rotary of Toms River, and Men of Purpose. This
year 140 guests turned out and lots of volunteers.
Guests received a total of $700 in Wawa gift
cards. Federation is proud to sponsor this
event helping those in need with food, clothing,
toiletries, haircuts, and camaraderie.
This year, our collective memory of liberation feels more
urgent than ever. As we recount how God led us from slavery
to freedom, we cannot ignore the pain of those who are not
yet free—our brothers and sisters still held captive in Gaza.
Their suffering is an open wound in our hearts, a reminder that
our story of the exodus is not finished until every one of them
is home.
Freedom is at the core of Judaism. It is the essence of our
covenant, the foundation of our journey from slaves to a
nation standing at Sinai. Yet, freedom is not merely a past
event; it is an ongoing responsibility. We must work to secure
it, protect it, and tell its story. Just as our ancestors emerged
from bondage to become Am Yisrael, a people with a purpose,
we must ensure that our freedom today is not taken for
granted.
Volunteers at the Super Soul Party held again this
year at Urban Air Adventure Park.
Passover teaches us that telling our story preserves freedom:
“And you shall tell your child on that day...” The command
to remember keeps us strong. If we do not tell the story of
our redemption, we risk losing sight of what it means to be
free. Today, as we pray for the return of the hostages, for the
security of Israel, and for a world where no people suffer under
oppression, we recommit ourselves to this sacred duty.
May this Passover be one of renewed faith, unwavering hope,
and urgent action. May we soon rejoice in the return of our
captives, and may the words of the Haggadah ring true in our
time: “Now we are free.” Chag Pesach Sameach.
140 Guests turned out this year for the Super Soul Party.
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Jewish Federation of Ocean County sponsors both SCN, our national partner, and
JFED Security, our regional partner, in providing security resources.
Winter 2025 19

Winter 2025
As One, We Inspire: Just as the Four Questions spark
curiosity at the Seder table, we’re fueling a passion
for Jewish learning. By investing in PJ Library and
community initiatives, we inspire the next generation
to form a lasting connection and deep sense of
belonging within our global community.
As One, We Protect: The story of Exodus reminds
us that we must actively resist prejudice to secure
a brighter future. As we support Israel and combat
hatred in our own communities, we stand united
against antisemitism and bigotry. Together, we
empower our children to confront intolerance
and build a world where everyone feels safe and
respected.
As One, We Connect: As we celebrate our people’s
liberation, we’re reminded that our connections
extend far beyond the Seder table. We are bound
by a global community that transcends borders and
comes together in times of need. From providing
safe haven to refugees in Ukraine to supporting
Israel’s recovery, we showcase the strength and unity
of our global Jewish family.
As One, We Build: Inspired by our ancestors’
journey from slavery to freedom, we’re committed
to building a brighter future for all. We envision a
world where compassion and empathy fl ourish and
hate has no place. Whether it’s caring for Holocaust
survivors, ensuring our neighbors feel loved and
cared for, or supporting mental health initiatives,
we guide the next generation to become forces for
good, just as Moses led the Israelites to freedom.
www.jewishoceancounty.org