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Howell day school to close after 40 years

Jacob Kamaras

With its total enrollment down to 35 students amid the economic downturn and changing local demographics, the Jersey Shore Jewish Academy (JSJA) will close its doors in Howell.
Formerly Solomon Schechter Academy of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, the school changed its name to JSJA for the final year of its 40-year existence in an attempt to draw a more diverse student body outside of the Conservative movement. But that initiative, in addition to the offering of sizable tuition discounts and fundraising support from the Jewish federations of Ocean and Monmouth counties, couldn’t keep the school alive.
“The lack of effort is not what closed the school,” said Herbert Birman, JSJA’s board president.
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New setting, same goals on Super Sunday

Jacob Kamaras

From left to right:  Tova Ribler, Jacob Nozek, Salvin Ribler, and Max Nozek volunteer at JFOC Super Sunday!

Though the Jewish Federation of Ocean County’s Super Sunday had a different setting and season this year, the objective — making a difference for Jews locally, in Israel, and around the world — remained the same.
Unlike past Super Sundays during the winter at the Holiday Inn in Toms River, this year’s phone-a-thon, which raised $40,000, took place on April 25 at the Jersey Shore Jewish Academy (JSJA) in Howell. Volunteers also used their cell phones instead of landlines at the Super Sunday site.
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Federation-JSJA collaboration 'symbiotic'

Alexander Traum

For Dr. Ira Haimowitz, the Jersey Shore Jewish Academy in Howell has been more than just a passing footnote in his family’s history.
Since Haimowitz’s oldest daughter enrolled at the school, formerly known as the Solomon Schechter Academy of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, in 1995, three of his children have passed through the school and his youngest two are currently enrolled, in 1st and 7th grades, respectively.
Founded in 1970, the Jersey Shore Jewish Academy, a major recipient of funds from the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Calling the school-federation partnership “a wonderful symbiotic relationship,” Haimowitz said that the school “encourages all of our parents to become active with their federations.”
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Rather gives varied lecture for Schechter

Alexander Traum

In a wide-ranging talk that spanned from the Iranian nuclear threat to the American mid-term elections to the state of journalism today, veteran journalist Dan Rather delivered the keynote address at this year’s Hilda Lubcher and Ronald Ginsberg Memorial Lecture.
On May 16, Rather spoke at Congregation B’nai Israel in Toms River for the annual program that raises scholarship funds for the Jersey Shore Jewish Academy in Howell.
Starting with a “wide shot of the world as it exists today,” Rather spanned the globe to detail what he considered the underreported stories of the day.

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Beth Am Shalom Hebrew school education is a family effort

Alexander Traum

The dynamics among students, parents, and teachers is what makes Beth Am Shalom’s religious school a special place, according to Education Director Joshua Inzelbuch.
“It’s very important to keep Judaism alive and to have the parents participate,” he told The Jewish Journal.
The 100-student large kindergarten through 9th grade religious school of the Reform Lakewood synagogue focuses on Hebrew language, Israel studies, and Jewish history and values.
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Historical Society preserves county's past

Alexander Traum

Nathan Gerber, a Jewish immigrant from Russia, arrived in Ocean County in 1882. Upon first coming ashore, he worked as a peddler, but after only several years, in 1886, he opened a successful department store in Tuckerton, which eventually grew into several branches.

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The PJ Library

We all know the power of reading stories with young children.  These nuturing, joyous, and beneficial early learning experiences build the emotional and cognitive foundation for each child.  That is why the Jewish Federation of Ocean County is thrilled to launch The PJ Library.
Whether you're a parent, grandparent or friend of someone with children between the ages of 6 months to 5 1/2 year olds please share the news of this very special program. 

Click here to sign up!

JFOC Staff

The staff at the Jewish Federation of Ocean County are always ready to assist you!

JFOC - 732.363.0530

Danny Goldberg
Executive Director

April Castaldo                                                                      
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Barbara Gwertzman 
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JFCS - 732.363.8010 

Rita Sason, L.C.S.W.
Director

April Castaldo                                                                     
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Lakewood, NJ 08701

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