Metro New Jersey (973) 379-7844
NewJersey@ajc.org
Allyson Gall, NJ Area Director
Ferne Hassan, Assistant Director
Sari Klinghoffer, Assistant Director
John Rosen, Development Director
Kenneth G. Peskin, Chapter President
Upcoming Events
Sunday, April 6, 2008 – Stamp Out Hate Teen Conference
1:00pm – 5:00pm at Montclair Art Museum, Montclair, NJ
Conference for Middle School & High School students dealing with issues of tolerance.
Monday, April 7, 2008 – Metro NJ Campaign Kickoff Event
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Place: TBA
Training and motivation for Metro Campaign Solicitors. David Bernstein from AJC is speaker.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 – Community Wide Forum on Jewish Continuity
7:15pm Coffee & 7:30pm Program at Temple Emanu-El, Westfield
Community wide forum.
May 21, 2008 – President’s Circle Reception
6:30 – 9:30pm – Place: TBD
Annual cocktail reception for President’s level contributors to the Metro NJ campaign.
June 26, 2008 – Annual Meeting for the Metro NJ Chapter
6:30-9:30pm – Place: Mountain Ridge Country Club, West Caldwell
Honoring Beth Furman & Roger Manshel
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 – AJC Learned Hand Dinner honoring Jerry Glassman
6:30pm – 9:30pm at East Brunswick Hilton, East Brunswick, NJ
AJC NJ dinner honoring Jerry Glassman with the annual Learned Hand Award.
Who We Are
The Metropolitan New Jersey Chapter, founded in 1946, has over 2000 members and supporters who reside in Essex, Morris, Union, Bergen, Hudson and Sussex counties.
The Chapter sponsors numerous educational programs for members and the general community that reflect the depth of AJC's national and international agenda. Members actively participate in lectures, discussions and study groups which focus on such issues as the global war on terrorism, Israel, immigration and the balance between civil rights and national security.
Among the Chapter's highly successful projects are those dedicated to improving interfaith relations and Holocaust education/prejudice reduction programs for students in public and private schools.
Each year, the Chapter honors a local corporate leader with AJC's Institute of Human Relations Award.
Internationally, we work to advance human rights, combat terrorism and aid in the quest for a peaceful Middle East.
Chapter Programs
1. "Through the Eyes of a Friend"
More than 90,000 New Jersey preteens and teenagers from public, private and parochial schools have experienced the Holocaust education/prejudice reduction program entitled, "Through the Eyes of a Friend." Each year 10,000 students learn about the Holocaust and are encouraged to look at their personal experiences with prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. The American Jewish Committee introduced this compelling program into New Jersey and serves as the promoter and booking agent in the state for this unique combination of live theater and video that draws the audience into the life of Anne Frank. Any group interested in "Through the Eyes of a Friend" can call, fax or e-mail the AJC New Jersey office for information on booking the program. AJC also books programs on the struggle for civil rights of African-Americans, the internment of Japanese-Americans in WW II, and the story of Cesar Chavez and migrant farmworkers.
2. The Stamp Out Hate Coalition
 AJC spearheaded New Jersey's Stamp Out Hate Campaign in 1992 by bringing together 24 ethnic, racial and religious groups to work together to help eradicate prejudice through a wide range of education initiatives and public awareness programming. Since that time, the Stamp Out Hate Coalition partners, led by the AJC, have sponsored a statewide billboard campaign, distributed thousands of Stamp Out Hate buttons to schoolchildren, responded together to incidents of bias and coordinated an annual Stamp Out Hate Sabbath for New Jersey religious institutions. AJC is leading the Coalition in sponsoring an Annual Interfaith Teen Conference during which teens and some parents explore one of our interactive programs on civil rights and issues of prejudice. To obtain a free button, please email koplins@ajc.org
3. Catholic-Jewish Relations
The AJC New Jersey Chapter reaches out annually to the Catholic community in three major ways. An evening Discussion series, a Catholic/Jewish Educators Conference, and a community-wide Forum featuring nationally recognized Catholic and Jewish leaders who speak on issues of current concern to both faith communities. Past speakers have included Colette Avital, Consul General of Israel; Cardinal Theodore McCarrick; Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore, Rabbi A. James Rudin, AJC's former national interreligious affairs director. In 2004, AJC produced a resource booklet on Passion Plays that was distributed to 1500 Jewish and Christian clergy, seminarians and journalists. In 2005 AJC and The Archdiocese of Newark will sponsor a community-wide concert of children's choirs.
4. Hoffman Essay Competition
The chapter sponsors an annual essay competition for high school students in the Metropolitan New Jersey area. Students submit essays dealing with intergroup relations. An AJC committee does the initial screening and a panel of judges selects the three winners.
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