This article appeared in the October 25, 2013 Jewish Advocate

Community Open House to showcase CJP North Shore offerings

By Susie Davidson
Special to the Advocate

Nearly four months ago, Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) and the Jewish Federation of the North Shore (JFNS), which oversaw 23 cities and towns north of Boston, merged to become a single organization dedicated to providing programs and resources for a vibrant Jewish community. As a united Federation, CJP will continue to offer long-established, top-quality and ever-evolving programming and services to Jews in Greater Boston and the North Shore.

Now, it's time to help community members learn about these offerings at a large-scale event. At CJP's Community OpenHouse Sunday at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore in Marblehead, opportunities to connect to Jewish life will be on full display for attendees to discover and explore.

The afternoon event, which will run from 3-5 p.m., will include music by children's performer Vanessa Trien; directed designing and testing of one's own parachute and sails; demonstrations by Jake, the "Balloon Kid"; face painting; and giveaways and door prizes that include movie tickets, CDs and more. Kosher snacks and drinks will be provided. CJPPresident Barry Shrage will be in attendance to speak with people and answer any questions about programming offered on the North Shore and in Greater Boston.

“The Community Open House is a family-friendly celebration of the North Shore and CJP becoming one united federation,” said Kimberlee Schumacher, Senior Director of Strategy and Integration for the North Shore at Combined Jewish Philanthropies. “It’s an opportunity for people to come together and discover the many ways they can connect to CJP and to Jewish life," she added, while conveying that there will be something for everyone. “Attendees can explore the wide variety of programs and events offered on the North Shore and in Greater Boston. They will be able to meet and hear from CJPPresident Barry Shrage, and connect with other staff and volunteers. There are also a lot of family activities planned," she said.

Information tables at the Open House will provide resources on CJP initiatives such as Women’s Philanthropy; Families with Young Children; and other signature CJP programs such as JewishBoston.com, which features a full list of community events on the North Shore and Greater Boston; Jewish Learning; Programming for Interfaith Couples and Families; the CJPLeadership Development Institute, which assists synagogues and agencies with leadership and Board development; Welcome Baby!, available in Peabody, which partners with Jewish Family & Children's Service to assist families that have had or adopted a child in the past six months; the Families with Young Children Synagogue Engagement Initiative; Israel programs; and professional networks.

One Happy Camper, which is offered in partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp, provides $1,000 grants to first-time campers at Jewish overnight camps. The grants are given regardless of need.

Tuition grants to middle-income families with a first-time student attending Cohen Hillel Academy are also provided by theCJP Discover Day School program (applications for the 2014-2015 school year will be available in January, 2014). Cohen Hillel Academy is also a participant in partnership with CJP, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE), and the AVI CHAI Foundation in the Generations Boston Day School Endowment Initiative, which provides assistance to Jewish day schools in future sustainability planning.

In addition to these programs, Temple Beth Shalom and Temple Ner Tamid in Peabody are joining together to provide Families with Young Children Outreach programming. The synagogues are offering parenting assistance, events, stroller walks, and educational opportunities. The JCC in Marblehead will also be offering fall programming that has thus far included a Rosh Hashanah Farm Day and Shabbat Under the Stars.

“The Community Open House, a one-time event celebrating the merger, is a fun, informal way to meet new people, find out about CJP programs and events on the North Shore and in Greater Boston, and learn about how to get involved," said Schumacher. "It’s an opportunity to share ideas and thoughts and see what the merger is all about. Drop by for a half hour or stay for the entire time."

Schumacher said the Open House is the first community event held since the creation of the united federation. She cited programs and events that have just begun or are beginning in the next month, which include Me’ah, an intensive Jewish education experience for adult learners of all backgrounds, launched Oct. 2 at Cohen Hillel Academy as a collaboration of area synagogues. (Due to high demand, a second class was opened.) The program is a partnership between CJP and Hebrew College.

Another successful and acclaimed CJP program, Parenting Through a Jewish Lens, links parents with experts who help them to explore Jewish values that strengthen family life, as well as parental roles and responsibilities. It will be offered in Peabody on Sundays beginning Nov. 3 from 10:15-11:45 a.m., also in partnership with Hebrew College.

A Women’s Philanthropy's inaugural North Shore event, “North Shore Uncorked: An Evening of Wine, Cheese and Friendship,” will be held on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Salem Old Town Hall. And on Dec. 15, Families with Young Children will host a Family Fun Fest: An Exploration of Jewish Education, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Peabody. This event will feature a performance by Josh & the Jamtones, which attendees can groove to as they check out local Jewish education options.

Attendees can sign up for all upcoming events at Sunday's Community Open House.

According to the CJP North Shore home page, CJP is “committed to maintaining the identity of the North Shore community, while promoting a welcoming and inclusive Greater Boston Jewish federation for everyone.” Previous JFNS programming will continue to be supported, and residents of the North Shore will also be welcomed and encouraged to attend Greater Boston events and activities. The united focus will be on providing services and fostering Jewish interaction in a mutually instructive and developmental manner.

“In addition to the geographic proximity of the two federations, CJP and JFNS share a strong commitment to meeting the needs of Jewish people in Massachusetts, in Israel and overseas,” the page states. “By consolidating and sharing resources, such as programming and fundraising, the new, more robust federation will be better positioned to serve the Jewish community as a whole.”

At the time of the merge, Shep Remis, a life member of the JFNS Board of Trustees and chair of the merger task force expressed excitement about the merge and how it would bode for the future. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the Jewish community on the North Shore, who will continue to enjoy local programming, while benefiting from the expanded resources and services that a combined organization can provide,” he said.

“This merger will harness the energy and spirit of two organizations which help people in need locally and around the globe, and will bring them together as one stronger whole,” added CJP President Barry Shrage as the merge was announced. “As we strive to create an ever-more-vibrant Jewish community in Greater Boston,,” he said, “we look forward to the North Shore bringing its own identity and values to benefit our combined federation.”

The merge also involves the integration of personnel. Two North Shore officials will serve on the CJP Board of Directors, with two additional North Shore representatives serving as Board Observers for three years. CJP committees and commissions will also now include North Shore appointees such as Schumacher, who formerly served as JFNS' Interim Executive Director. A North Shore Advisory Committee (NSAC) of CJP, chaired by Amanda Clayman with Remis as honorary chair, will make allocation recommendations to CJP’s Commission on Strategic Priorities. According to the CJPNorth Shore webpage, NSAC's decisionmaking will involve the identification of pertinent needs, feedback from members of the community, and suggested volunteer opportunities.

The comprehensive needs of the Jewish community, as articulated on its website, remain CJP's driving force: "Rooted in compassion and justice and driven by innovation, we care for the vulnerable, forge strong connections with Israel and above all, inspire the next generation to embrace Jewish life and learning."

Pre-registration is recommended for the CJP Open House on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3-5 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore, 4 Community Rd., Marblehead. For information or special accommodations, please visit cjp.org/openhouse and click on registration page, email Brandy at brandyb@cjp.org, or call the CJP North Shore Office at 617-457-8500.