JCF Grants-in-Action #38: Two Trips, Basketball, and a Garden

Though summer is winding down, many JCF Grant-funded programs and services continue throughout Southern New Jersey.

Thank you to the many volunteers, participants, and professional leaders who coordinated or attended the following four initiatives that were funded all or in part by JCF Grants and have been completed over the past several months:

1.

The Center for Impact & Innovation (CII) of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey Hosts the "Civil Rights Journey"

CII Director Ronit Boyd at the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey shared the following recap from this impactful trip (lightly edited):

"In March 2025, an interfaith group of 40 members of Southern NJ embarked on a joint journey exploring the Civil Rights history of this county. They learned from those who bore witness, Rev. Wood, a colleague and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and they learned by experiences, including crossing the Selma bridge, visiting museums, having speakers, and daily reflections on what they have experienced. The trip was heavy and emotional. Being an interfaith group added to the emotions and the connections made were bonds that will be in place for a lifetime. One cannot experience such trauma without it leaving a mark.

"Participants came away asking for more, planning future events, and Rabbi Aaron Krupnick and Pastor Ray Bernard, the clergy who led the trip, are still meeting regularly and working to build bridges between the communities.

"We are grateful to JCF whose grant assisted in making this trip affordable for all participants."

2.

Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Offers "Hoops for Harmony: An Interfaith Basketball League"

JCRC Executive Director Sabrina Spector provided the following recap:

"JCRC partnered with the Katz JCC, Impact Live Church, and Cherry Hill Public Schools to bring together middle school kids to play basketball, have some dinner together, and create opportunities for dialogue, relationship building and development of understanding that can help break down barriers and build friendships across different faiths leading to better understanding as the players grow and mature."

In all, eight sessions were held, and while turnout by students was a little lighter than planned due to various scheduling conflicts, good basketball games and discussions took place, and even the referee was impressed, saying she wanted to learn more!

3.

JCRC Coordinates an "Interfaith Community Trip to Hindu Temple" 

Also provided by Sabrina Spector, "The JCRC partnered with the Indian Temple Association to bring an interfaith group of people to the BAPS Temple in Robbinsville, NJ. Over 50 people came together for a tour of the Temple as well as dialogue on how to continue to build our relationships.

"The trip was extremely well received with requests to do it again with other groups. Attendees made wonderful connections and were moved to do more programming together."

Group photos are at right.

4.

Temple Beth Sholom, Congregation Beth Tikvah, and Kellman Brown Academy Create a Collaborative Community Garden

Thanks to volunteer Sandee Chalik, here is an overview of the Collaborative Community Garden (lightly edited):

"A collaboration of Temple Beth Sholom, Congregation Beth Tikvah, and Kellman Brown Academy was formed to grow vegetables to supplement the Betsy and Peter Fischer Food Pantry (of Jewish Family & Children's Service) clients and to increase community collaboration between the three organizations. Beginning on 1/14/24 with the TBS mitzvah day, seeds were started by families and then tended by volunteers.

"The garden, which is within the KBA garden, required new beds to be constructed, topsoil and mulch, irrigation for water, as well as a new second garden gate to alleviate a fencing problem, and vegetable seedlings planted in May 2024. The garden was planted, tended and harvested by volunteers from Beth Tikvah, KBA and TBS. Each week, starting in late June the harvested vegetables were brought to the food pantry. Vegetable harvesting ended in October 2024.

"Data from the Food Pantry showed that the number of families that received produce increased from 25 in 2023 to 40 in 2024, in part, due to our contributions. The grant was extended in September, 2024 to cover preparation and planting for the 2025 season. Additional topsoil and compost was added to the beds to prepare them for the 2025 season. Sherri Quinterro, the KBA representative, suggested that TBS volunteers plant in the beds designated for KBA, since they were not able to plant all of them during the school year. 2025 Season: Planting was begun early in March and a successful crop of lettuce and peas were delivered to JFCS in May. More vegetables were planted in May, the garden has been mulched and harvesting, and deliveries to the JFCS Food Pantry are ongoing. We have also repaired the original gate by attaching a new latch. Discussions with volunteers include applying for a new grant for supplies for next year."

Pictures of the volunteers at work, a sign at the garden, and the first vegetable harvest and delivery to JFCS at right.

Interested in applying for JCF Grants?

Mark your calendars! The Fall 2025 JCF Grants Cycle is now OPEN for applications, please note the following two dates:

Thursday, September 4 at 9 a.m.:

JCF Grants Workshop for prospective applicants (hybrid meeting). RSVP to Mike Staff for full details.

Friday, October 24 at 4 p.m:

Deadline to apply, visit www.jcfsnj.org/grants to learn full details and to submit your application(s) via our new online form at tht bottom of the page.