Donate Menu

We came up with this idea several years ago recognizing that the best way to counter hate is to encourage people to stand up to hate, to be upstanders.

It is not enough to cry wolf when you personally are attacked. There needs to be broader public shame and aversion. This is especially true when we think about the rise in antisemitism today.

Jean-Paul Sartre said: "Antisemitism is not an opinion; it is a passion." — Anti-Semite and Jew (1944)

“You cannot reason someone out of a position they did not reason themselves into.” — Commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift (and echoed by Deborah Lipstadt in Antisemitism: Here and Now).

And then, as Jonathan Sacks said: "The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews." — Not in God’s Name

What we can do is…build a culture, a society where hate in all its forms has no purchase - where peer pressure and societal norms help shut down those that want to act out.

Jews are often known as the People of the Book. We talk in our tradition about Torat Chaim. A living Torah. It is also a Torah of life. Our tradition teaches the sanctity of life. We have shared on your tables a sourcesheet that highlights some of the Jewish texts and interpretations about saving a life.

Saving a life is a core tenet of our Jewish tradition. And the way we save the world is by standing up for others. Our job - the job of all of us here - is to share this and encourage others to do the same.

That’s why I want to launch our Heroes Against Hate program by recognizing someone who embodies this idea.

On the first night of Chanuka, two terrorists attacked a Chanuka lighting celebration, a gathering to share light. They brought darkness.

And in that darkness, Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian Muslim father of two, risked his life to disarm one of the attackers during the attack. Al-Ahmed, who served in Syria's security forces, intervened by hiding behind a parked car and wrestling the rifle from the shooter. He was shot multiple times as a result.

Though far away from our program tonight, he is a Hero Against Hate.

2025 Honorees

Public Leadership Upstander Award

Sheriff Michael Mastronardy has been working on cultural diversity issues since early in his career. As Sheriff his department partners with the prosecutor's office on the Hate has no home here initiative. In recent years he has travelled to Poland for a commemoration of the Nazi death march and to Israel soon after the 10/7 massacre.

With his leadership, and with his law enforcement partners, Ocean County is more secure. Thank you.

Organizational Upstander Award

Christ Episcopal Church serves the homeless and those in need through its food pantry. The church offers ministry and a safe space for individuals battling addiction, members of the LGBTQ community, and other at-risk populations.

Heroes don’t hide from problems - they address them in a forthright way. Even in the face of political pressure, the Church has been seeking to help the needy in our community and to address the stigma that often comes with that.

Christ Church provides a welcoming environment for all, fostering friendship, fellowship, and meaningful discussions for the surrounding community. 

Student Leadership Upstander Award in memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Danny Hoffman served as the Executive Student Body President, Founder of the Student Advisory Committee, and the Student Liasion to the Barnegat Board of Education at Barnegat High School. Across these positions, he regularly spoke up for groups of students rendered voiceless at a time when student input was vital. Danny advocated for positive reform and greater enrichment of the local special needs program, garnering media attention. Danny also fought against the countless repeals of inclusive policies and practices throughout the district whilst consulting student opinions via the Student Advisory Committee. He was also selected as a Youth "Changemaker" for the Garden State Equality Conference, and as a delegate for the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Summit. Danny was a founding member and the first Youth Director at Barnegat Pride. Danny is in his first-year at The Pennsylvania State University - University Park, studying Education & Public Policy and International Politics. At Penn State, Danny continues to serve as a Student Advocate for Lion Caucus, as a member of the First-Year Council, and as a Research Assistant in the College of Education. Danny hopes to, one day, fix systemic gaps and issues with accessibility in education, across the world.

Read about the Student Leadership Upstander Award in memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Send a tribute to our honorees

The Mensch Award

George Josephsen exemplifies what it means to live by the Rotary motto: “Service Above Self”. He is a devoted husband, father and grand-dad. He had a successful career running a well-respected insurance agency in Toms River. He became a Rotarian following in the tradition of his father. When people say someone is ‘an active Rotarian’ they are describing George! He has served the Rotary Club of Toms River (evening Club) for many years taking on everything from the most humble tasks (bringing the donuts and coffee for Scouting for Food or marking off the spaces for the street stalls for vendors at Sailfest) to the most significant (serving on the Board for many years as Executive Secretary). George is always the first one to offer to do the real work of any community service project (setting up and serving free refreshments at the Toms River Hallowe’en parade, serving food to persons experiencing homelessness at Supersoul Super Bowl or planning for the work of the Scholarship committee).
 
George is the definition of a mensch, and that is why the Jewish Federation is proud to honor him for being a mensch and a great community partner.  

Lifetime Achievement

 Annabel and Manny Lindenbaum. Annabel is our current (and past) Board Chair, who pushes us to do more in our community and have as much impact as possible. Manny is one of the most compelling presenters about how we need to embrace the lessons of the Holocaust to build a better world. 

Dear Annabel and Manny.
Mazal Tov on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming "Heroes Against Hate" celebration.
There is no more dynamic couple more worthy and deserving of this special recognition and honor.
Your fearless stand against hate and your tireless fight for justice have lit a path for others to follow.
This award is more than a recognition of your work — it’s a testament to the hope you’ve shared with the world and a powerful reminder that when leaders have the courage to speak out, change is unstoppable.
May this milestone remind you of the lives you’ve touched and inspire even greater victories ahead. Keep leading. Keep inspiring. The world is better because of both of you.
Drew

Keith's introduction:

The Wise Rabbi and the Three Questions

A wealthy man comes to a rabbi and says, “Rabbi, I have three questions before I make a donation to the Federation.”

The rabbi smiles. “Ask.”

The man says, “First: Why should I give? I worked hard for this money.”

The rabbi points to the window. “Do you see the world outside? When you were born, you came into it with nothing. When you leave, you’ll take nothing. Everything in between is on loan. Giving is how you pay the rent for your time here.”

The man nods slowly. “Second question: If I give, how much should I give?”

The rabbi says, “Enough that it feels like you gave. If it doesn’t pinch a little, it’s not generosity—it’s convenience.”

The man frowns. “Third question: If I give, what do I get in return?”

The rabbi leans in and says, “You get to be the kind of person your grandchildren brag about.”

The man writes a check.

Annabel and Manny are the kind of people their grandchildren brag about. Yes, they write checks - but it’s not about that.

It’s about seeing a wrong, seeing something that needs to be done, and then stepping in - with their whole body and heart and soul - and doing it. From Annabel’s leadership at the Jewish Federation and New Hope, from her time standing up for her principles as a teacher. To Manny’s sharing his story about the lessons of the Holocaust with schoolkids wherever and whenever, literally, and involvement in HIAS and many other organizations.

Annabel and Manny represent a lifetime of achievement and it is only fitting that we recognize them, say ad mesh v’esreem (until 120), and thank you!

Read Annabel's remarks on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award

Thank Our Honorees

Heroes Against Hate Honor Roll