Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey is distributing 300 Emergency Bags to local Jewish organizations and synagogues across Monmouth and Greater Middlesex counties as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen community readiness, resilience, and response in the face of disasters, emergencies, and evacuations.

Funded through a grant from the New Jersey State Budget, the Emergency Bags provide local Jewish institutions with simple but essential supplies that can help support individuals during an emergency. More than 100 Jewish organizations throughout the region will receive the bags, with larger organizations and those serving significant youth populations receiving additional supplies based on need and availability.

Each Emergency Bag contains practical resources that can be critical during an emergency, including toiletries, shelf-stable water, first aid kits, tourniquets, multitools, and other essential supplies. Recipients will also receive Bleeding Control Kits provided through the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, as well as NARCAN® provided through the State Police and Operation RISE.

“Preparedness is not something that begins when an emergency happens — it begins long before, with proactive planning, decision-making, and ensuring that the right resources are already in place,” said Susan Antman, Federation’s Executive Director. “We cannot always predict when a crisis will occur, but we can take meaningful steps now to be better prepared to respond when one does. By providing these emergency bags, we are helping local Jewish institutions build that readiness and giving them important resources they may need in a critical moment.”

The initiative reflects Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey Security Initiatives’ ongoing commitment to community safety and security, resilience, and crisis preparedness. While no community can anticipate every emergency, proactive preparation can help organizations respond more effectively, protect those in their care, and reduce the impact of a crisis.

The Emergency Bag distribution is one part of a broader effort to encourage Jewish organizations to prepare now rather than wait for an emergency to happen. Having supplies readily available, identifying response procedures, and thinking through potential scenarios in advance can help organizations act more quickly and confidently when circumstances demand it.

“Preparedness is ultimately about giving our community the ability to act,” Amy Keller, Director of Security Initiatives said. “Taking steps today can help organizations be more capable, more resilient, and better positioned to protect their communities.”

For more information about Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey and its programs, visit jewishheartnj.org or email info@jewishheartnj.org.

About Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey

Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey is a nonprofit that brings together people, partners, and resources to help those in need and strengthen Jewish life locally in Monmouth and Greater Middlesex counties, in Israel, and overseas.