Caring Community

Repairing the world often begins at home. The Caring Community Committee at Temple Emanu-El assists Temple members in times of need. We are here for our families with home delivered meals, challahs on Fridays, shloshim (30-day period following burial) calls, rides, companionship, or just a listening ear.

If you are in need, or know of someone who is in need, please contact Rabbi Victor Appell at 908-232-6770.

Social Advocacy & Activism

We partner with organizations who are working to address anti-Semitism and hate crimes, advocate for civil rights, help ensure voting rights, fight for racial justice, support reproductive rights and other current critical social issues. We volunteer our time and educate our Temple members on how they can each play a role in making the world a better place for all.

Community Support

“Doing for others” is at the core of our Jewish beliefs. The Westfield Fun Club works with local refugee families in Union County and elsewhere in NJ to promote social, economic, and educational well-being, helping new families create a lasting foundation for success. We work to reinforce interfaith awareness and cooperation in our communities.

Food Insecurity

Food Insecurity is a significant societal issue, even right here in our own communities (in Union County, 7.3% of households experience hunger). The Temple Emanu-El community helps make a meaningful and positive impact by volunteering for and contributing to various initiatives and programs aimed at reducing hunger and helping those who need us the most.

Homelessness Support

Temple Emanu-El works with Family Promise, the nation’s leading organization working to prevent and end homelessness. Although we no longer physically host our guests (suspended due to COVID), our volunteers support them throughout the year in various ways including bi-annual fundraisers, providing meals throughout the year, as well as Mother’s/Father’s Day goodie bags and holiday gifts.

Environmental Initiatives

We encourage our congregation to recognize the inextricable link between human and environmental health and to serve as “Shomrei Adamah” or “Keepers of the Earth.” Temple Emanu-El members work to repair our natural world by organizing park clean-ups, working together to control invasive species, organizing shoe recycling programs, hosting educational events, and much more.