Dear Federation Friends and Supporters, 

What do you like with your challah? Honey? Butter and salt? Extra credit for schmaltz. 

Here's something to chew on with your challah this week: How Jews can help promote racial justice for the Black community...    

There is much we can, and must, do to advocate for progress through Jewish communal, interfaith, and government relations.

Talk like that is cheap, of course, but conversation is necessary to pave our way to action.

Today is Juneteenth, the day marking African American emancipation in 1865. Learn more about Juneteenth below and join us this Tuesday, June 23, as Federation’s Seeing Human discussion series continues with leaders from the Jewish and Black communities. We will look at ways we joined forces in the Civil Rights Movement and how that history inspires today’s renewed commitment to support each other in tackling bias.

These conversations may not always be comfortable, but we must be impeccable with our word. Speaking for the Jewish community, we cannot promise what we cannot deliver – whether due to finite resources or concern about certain activists' stances on, or behavior toward, Jews and Israel. 

Let us broach the hard questions to build better outcomes. The alternative is merely tolerance -- an awfully low bar to set.

This week, FRIDAY LIGHT shines not just on multi-cultural justice, but on COVID-19 relief impact, a great career development opportunity for young adults, and one amazing Federation board member: Linda Benish.   

Wishing you a large serving of peace and good health with your challah this week -- and always, 
Susan Antman, Executive Director

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Friday Light is a weekly digest of community highlights from Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ.

This week's issue featured;

•  Introducing Seeing Human, a thought-provoking interfaith conversation series that works to combat bias, racism and hate
•  PJ Library books that help teach children about racial equality
• A very special thank you...to you, our supporters
• Career development for aspiring young professionals
• Board member spotlight: Linda Benish is working wonders from home