by Robert Wiener
NJJN Staff Writer

May 7, 2009

United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ announced April 30 that 13 positions — a mix of professional and administrative staff — were eliminated in response to the economic downturn and the expected shortfall to the UJA Annual Campaign.

The staff reductions, through layoffs and not filling open positions, is the latest move in an effort begun by the umbrella philanthropy on Jan. 1 to reduce its operating budget over a period of 18 months by more than $1.15 million.

Those efforts also included voluntary senior management salary reductions of 5 percent, work furloughs, fewer fund-raising events and programs, reductions in conferences and travel, elimination of consulting arrangements, and cost-cutting measures in UJC MetroWest’s Israel office.

In addition, UJC MetroWest announced last week the creation of a regional Community Relations Committee, which will combine its public advocacy arm with the CRC of the UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey (see related article). UJC officials say the regional CRC and other program service cutbacks will result in reductions of $100,000. 

“This has been a very difficult and painful time, but a necessary step to maintain fiscal responsibility and deal with the realities of the current environment,” said UJC MetroWest executive vice president Max Kleinman. “Many talented and dedicated UJC employees have become victims of this challenging economic climate. We are deeply saddened by the need to take these measures. We are offering outplacement services through Jewish Vocational Service.”

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