| Save the Date: September 4, 2007 |
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| Written by HudsonJewish | |
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Hudson Jewish Community Forum Meets September 4, 7:15PM at Bayonne JCC  Photo Credit: James Douglas, Jersey Journal Members of the Hudson Jewish Community Forum meet at Congregation Mount Sinai of Jersey City Heights, May 14, 2007. August 15, 2007 HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY: The Hudson Jewish Community Forum, a diverse group of individuals committed to the revival of Jewish life in the greater Hudson County area, will hold its third meeting on Tuesday, September 4, at 7:15 PM sharp at the Jewish Community Center, 1050 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne 07002. The previous Forum meeting on June 14 drew 70 lay leaders, rabbis and concerned residents for a lively discussion on the future of the Jewish community in Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne, North Bergen and neighboring towns.Also known by the name of its website, “HudsonJewish.org,” the Hudson Jewish Community Forum was founded in April of this year by Jersey City resident Adam S. Weiss, 41. “In only four months, we’ve progressed from a small group of concerned congregants to a full-fledged force for community revitalization,” Weiss noted. “For the first time in decades, more than a dozen local synagogues and other Jewish institutions are cooperating enthusiastically to address common issues such as reaching out to newcomers, long-term strategic planning and education,” he continued. Weiss, an executive recruiter and former consultant with McKinsey & Co., Inc., credits the community for rising to the challenge. “In all my years as a management consultant, I have never worked with a more dedicated team of volunteers or with a population more keenly aware of the opportunities before it,” he said. Under the auspices of the Hudson Jewish Community Forum, a Working Group consisting of volunteers from throughout the region developed and implemented a joint marketing program in preparation for the 2007 Jewish High Holidays of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. With funds provided by local Jewish organizations and individuals the group is raising the profile of the Jewish community among newcomers drawn to the area by attractive real estate values and proximity to New York City. “With so many new Jews in town—from young professionals to new families to empty nesters—it made perfect sense for us to organize a community-wide advertising campaign,” says volunteer Dr. Neil Davis, 32, a pathology fellow and resident of Jersey City. “By publishing a map of local synagogues in the local newspapers and placing our distinctive Hebrew/English logo in the PATH trains, Light Rail cars and ferry terminals right before the High Holidays, we will reach the people who need to learn about local Jewish resources at exactly the moment they need them,” he continued. Hudson County, which faces Manhattan along the Hudson River, was once home to over 30,000 Jews. The area is experiencing a new wave of Jewish immigration following decades of suburban flight. Former New Jersey State Assemblyman David Kronick, a long-time North Bergen resident, community activist and social observer commented, “It’s inspiring to see a new generation of community-spirited people making an impact. The Hudson Jewish Community Forum gives Jewish people a great way to contribute to the revival of the Hudson County ‘Gold Coast’ whatever their religious backgrounds or interests may be.” Joshua Parkhurst, 36, a lawyer, HudsonJewish.org volunteer and President of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, echoed Kronick’s sentiment, stating, “Concerned citizens can make a difference by speaking out on issues that affect them. HudsonJewish.org is a way for concerned Jews to make a difference in the Jewish community.” “My husband and I thought about settling in several communities,” says Working Group volunteer and Bayonne resident Michelle Levine, 40. “Hudson County made perfect sense for us geographically, economically and Jewishly. It’s nice to see that other people are also making the same choice,” she continued. Jersey City resident and Working Group volunteer Jessica Mandelbaum, 28, agrees: “When my husband and I moved to Hudson County two years ago, we knew we wanted to contribute to the community. Joining in the HudsonJewish.org effort is one of the ways we are doing that.” The September 4th Forum meeting agenda will feature: (1) discussion of how to welcome newcomers for the High Holidays; (2) preliminary results of the HudsonJewish.org marketing campaign; (3) development of a long-term planning agenda; and (4) “open microphone” for raising community concerns. Additional details are available on the HudsonJewish.org website. For more information contact Adam Weiss, organizer of the Hudson Jewish Community Forum, at 973-420-7907 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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