Updates and Events to Look for in the New Year

The following is a reprint of an article published in the September 2, 2026 issue of the Jewish Community Voice, titled, "Updates and events to look for in the new year":

As we approach Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays, the board and staff of Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) thank everyone who helps make our JCF strong and ensures our broader Jewish South Jersey community remains such a fantastic place.

We have several updates and save-the-dates to share with you:

• Matching Gift Opportunity Reminder: If you open and contribute to a new endowment fund with the JCF by Wednesday, Sept. 30 and designate the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey (JFSNJ) or any of its family of agencies as a beneficiary, you can earn a 5% matching contribution of up to $500, courtesy of the Allison & David Snyder Matching Incentive Endowment Fund. In short, this is a unique opportunity to create your own Jewish legacy to benefit any aspect of our Federation system that you love and boost your fund right from the start. Please reach out at dsnyder@jfedsnj.org to earn your matching grant before it’s too late!

• Calling All Local Jewish Professional and Lay Leaders: Our community’s future depends heavily on developing new endowment funds and securing after-lifetime gifts. To gain expert advice on achieving this goal for your organization, join JCF representatives from October 19 to October 21 at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s Life & Legacy Conference in Springfield, MA. The conference is free to attend, and the JCF may be able to assist with lodging and/or travel expenses. Contact JCF Assistant Director Mike Staff at mstaff@jfedsnj.org to learn more.

• Apply for Fall 2026 JCF Grants: This cycle’s deadline to request funding for new programs and services is Friday, Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. Nonprofits seeking up to $5,000 per application benefiting Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester county residents may apply, with a total of approximately $50,000 made available thanks to endowment funds managed by the JCF. A complimentary Grants Workshop will be held for prospective applicants on Thursday, September 3. Visit jcfsnj.org/grants to learn more and apply.

• Complimentary Legacy Thank You Event: On Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m., the JCF will host a free event for community members who have committed to a legacy gift through the Life & Legacy initiative or established an endowment fund with the JCF as a thank you for their philanthropy. The evening will include light bites and admission to the Katz JCC’s Festival of Arts, Books & Culture (ABC) event that evening featuring a “Third Generation Panel: Grandchildren Remember,” discussing harrowing stories of Holocaust Survivors. Learn more at jcfsnj.org/legacy-thank-you and RSVP (required) to mstaff@jfedsnj.org

• Complimentary Silver Circle Breakfast Event: If you are a Silver Circle Society member–which means you have generously and devotedly supported the Federation for 25 years or more–please join the JCF and Federation on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. for breakfast followed by free admission to the ABC event at 10 a.m., featuring local author Josh Cutler, who will speak about his book, “The Seventy Shuls.” Email dsnyder@jfedsnj.org to RSVP (required).

• Baruch Dayan Emet: On August 6, we lost an incredible JCF alum with the passing of Amy Deren Milgrim. Anybody who knew Amy will remember her warm smile, her keen intellect, and her tireless desire to help everybody she could. During her 10-year career with the JCF, Amy was instrumental in building relationships, instituting financial policies and procedures, helping launch Life & Legacy in SNJ, and much more, ultimately earning a promotion to executive director. We at the JCF send our deepest condolences to her entire family. May her memory be for a blessing.

Last but not least, from all of us at the JCF, we wish you Shanah Tovah, a happy, healthy, and sweet New Year ahead.