WHIPPANY, NJ — Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey has awarded $152,246 in competitive grants to six nonprofit organizations that work to transform the lives of women and girls and to build social capital. Since 2007, JWFNJ has funded approximately 60 organizations in New Jersey and Israel, awarding more than $775,000. JWFNJ board members are also pleased to announce the appointment of Livingston’s Stacey Rubinstein as the foundation’s new director.
“This is a very exciting time for the members of the Jewish Women’s Foundation,” JWFNJ Co-chairwoman Penina Barr said. “As we begin our 11th year, the women of JWFNJ continue their efforts to make a sustainable difference in the lives of women and girls by funding innovative programs. We are particularly delighted to welcome our new director, Stacey Rubinstein, under whose leadership we anticipate expanding our impact and engagement within the community as women philanthropists and agents of change.”
“As one of the founding board members, it is very rewarding for me to be rejoining Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey in a professional capacity,” Rubinstein said. “I welcome this opportunity to lead the organization while also working to build on its successes and be in the forefront of efforts to empower, educate and invest in women and girls.”
The 2018-2019 grants awarded are as follows:
- For women’s health, $30,000 to Community FoodBank of New Jersey, located in Hillside, for diaper and feminine hygiene distribution;
- For empowering women, $30,000 to Grameen America, located in Newark, for empowering women entrepreneurs through microlending;
- For leadership development and equity, $30,000 to Jazz House Kids, located in Montclair, for CHiCA Power, a program for young women in jazz;
- For legal immigration and citizenship, $20,246 to OASIS-A Haven for Women, located in Paterson, for the Oasis Citizenship and Cultural Integration Project; and
- For combating gender-based violence, $12,000 to Partners for Women and Justice, located in Montclair, for its Pre-Trial Safety Project; and $30,000 to Sanar Wellness Institute, located in Newark, for its Trauma-Informed Aftercare Toolkit.
In addition to the 2018-2019 grants, JWFNJ is also participating in a collaborative funding effort in Israel through Jewish Women’s Funding Network. The funding effort is focused on advancing direct employment and improving labor rights and conditions for women in caretaking and service professions in Israel.
Rubinstein brings to the role of director a broad depth of leadership experience as a nonprofit professional focusing on community engagement, leadership development and strategic planning; she is co-founder and current board President of Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Prior to joining JWFNJ, she was director of nonprofit partners for Kiindly.com and a consultant for KrasnePlows, which works with nonprofits to strengthen mission fulfillment and maximize impact. Her volunteer work in the nonprofit arena has also included roles at Livingston’s Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse, United Way of Northern New Jersey, Morristown Medical Center and Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.
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