On July 1 The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life (The Partnership) will merge with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ as a fully integrated department of Federation. Through this move, the two organizations are sending a unified message that we are one community, working together to foster the Jewish future.
In 2006, The Partnership was launched as subsidiary agency of Federation with the mission to advance and enhance Jewish educational experiences for the Greater MetroWest community with an initial focus on young people and their families. The Partnership’s program divisions, JTot, JKid and JTEEN, provide dozens of opportunities to engage the community, such as PJ Library, Iris Teen Tzedakah, and One Happy Camper NJ. The mission as well as the professional staffing of The Partnership will remain unchanged.
The merger between The Partnership and Federation will benefit both organizations in a number of ways. Together, they will have access to a broader constituent base, enabling them to reach a wider audience. The merger will also allow for more synergistic collaboration, enriching both organizations, increasing efficiency and maximizing resources, all with the final objective of increasing and deepening Jewish identity-building and Jewish community-building. And equally important, donors can feel good knowing that their dollars will have an even greater impact on families and youth in our community.
Once the merger takes place, a period of ongoing assessment and planning will help determine how to maximize the combined resources to meet the community’s ongoing and emerging needs to Bring Jewish Learning to Life.
“As we enter into this new ‘partnership,’ we look forward to blending the best practices and capabilities from both of our organizations,” says Federation CEO Dov Ben-Shimon. “At the heart of our shared vision is the opportunity to drive innovative new programming that provides our community with vibrant, much-needed and superior experiences that ensure the future of Jewish education and commitment to Jewish values.”
Partnership Executive Director Robert Lichtman says, “We are excited that The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life is returning to the Federation fold. Our two organizations have always collaborated, but now we will be able to provide an even greater coordinated approach to working with and bringing together the young families in our community, and supporting them along their Jewish journeys.”
