Main Event looks back in praise, ahead in hope

by Elaine Durbach

May 16, 2012

Fashion, food, and laughter filled the Crystal Plaza reception rooms on Wednesday evening, May 9, but there was also a undercurrent of bittersweet emotion. The Main Event, the major fund-raiser of the Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey, was probably the last official get-together the group will hold before joining forces with the women of MetroWest. Read More

Local leaders receive Women’s Philanthropy award

by Elaine Durbach

May 9, 2012

Two close friends, Freida Posnock of the Jewish Federation of Central NJ and Wendie Ploscowe of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, have been named as Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award winners by their respective communities. Read More

Family service offers insights on Asperger’s

by Elaine Durbach

May 9, 2012

When Pam Milazzo lists the burdens that can come with parenting a child with learning disabilities — like sleepless nights, marital strain, or career sacrifices — she knows whereof she speaks: When he was in grade school, her son was diagnosed as autistic, and she and her husband were told he would never live a normal, independent life. Now 22, he is living in a home of his own and taking community college courses. And while every child is different and the ideal methods and treatments vary for each one, she said, in most cases there are ways to curtail those stresses. With the right approach, she said, “you can enjoy your time with your kid.” Read More

Central JCC head leaving to take Baltimore post

by Elaine Durbach

May 9, 2012

Barak Hermann, the executive director of the JCC of Central New Jersey, has announced that he is leaving, after five years in the position, to take on the presidency of the JCC of Greater Baltimore — which occupies two centers — and an off-site camp. Read More

Event goes from darkness to light — and lots of it

by Elaine Durbach

May 2, 2012

In true Israeli style, the Central community marked the country’s 64th birthday April 25 in an event that transitioned from somber memorial to party mode. The double event, hosted by the YM-YWHA of Union County, was cosponsored by the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey with funding from Sam and Gladys Halpern and Clara Kramer. It drew in one of the largest crowds ever, according to the organizers — well over 200 people. Read More

Celebrating past success, Main Event will look ahead

by Elaine Durbach

April 25, 2012

Organizers for this year’s Main Event aim to celebrate the past and inspire their guests with the prospect of a very different future. Held May 9 at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, the biggest annual campaign event organized by the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey’s Women’s Philanthropy will be the last of its kind. Read More

Kean ceremony honors survivors’ contributions

by Elaine Durbach

April 25, 2012

Children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors shared their stories at a Kean University commemoration on April 18, in an event that focused on the survivors’ contributions to Jewish life in Union County and beyond. Read More

Teen leaders ‘graduate’ with day of good deeds

‘Come A.L.I.V.E.’ benefits array of community agencies

by Elaine Durbach

April 25, 2012

For the teenage leaders of the April 22 day of service in the Central community, there was a poignant note to the generally upbeat event. As the 100 or so youngsters went about their various tasks — from crocheting hats for Israeli babies and baking cookies for the hungry, to clearing a weed-clogged stream in Roselle — some were also saying their goodbyes. Read More

Cantor to be feted for 25 years at Westfield temple

by Elaine Durbach

April 25, 2012

When Cantor Martha Novick took up her post at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield in 1987, she was part of a pioneering and controversial wave of women entering the cantorial field. Now, 25 years later, she has seen her reputation spread far beyond the walls of the synagogue as an innovator in the field of liturgical music, and a leading member of the cantorial profession in the United States. Read More