The JEC community was out in full force at this weekend’s OU Community Fair in New York City.

The fair, which attracted hundreds of Jewish families, couples and singles, reflecting a broad range of hashkafic backgrounds and professions, featured dozens of communities, among them the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, New Jersey.

The Federation’s Day School Initiative, managed by West Orange’s Rebecca Hindin, hosted the four Jewish day schools affiliated with the organization, including the Jewish Educational Center. The orthodox communities that comprise the catchment area were also present, with the Elizabeth/Hillside community garnering a lot of attention with its enthusiasm, plethora of volunteers and probably also the kosher Dunkin Donuts (Elizabeth was the home of the first kosher Dunkin Donuts in the country, under the hechsher of Rav Teitz).

JEC principals, administrators and parent volunteers donned the MetroWest purple T-shirts and handed out balloons as they mingled with guests at the fair and initiated conversations with the numerous passersby. There were many young families and even newlyweds who were attracted to the area’s affordable housing, the many Jewish and kosher amenities available and the one-stop opportunity for education in the JEC, which begins with its new pre-nursery program for 2 1/2 year olds and goes through the 12th grade in the RTMA and Bruriah divisions, respectively.

Judging from the reactions seen, people also very much appreciated hearing about the JEC’s Tuition Max tuition cap for middle income families and an array of other financial incentives for new and beginning families. Guests were also provided with brochures, viewbooks, personal conversations with principals and other administrators and of course warm invitations to visit the school.

Added value was the fact that the JEC is actively engaged with the federation’s initiative and the strength in numbers presented by the united community.