Turning Jewish Values into Action

Central to Judaism is the concept of Tzedakah, which includes not only charitable giving but giving of one’s time and efforts to strengthen the community. As a result, the presence of a Jewish community usually coincides with the development of philanthropic and social services agencies.

In 1937, the Jewish Welfare Board helped waves of immigrants and displaced persons resettle in the Princeton Mercer Bucks area. The Jewish Welfare Board became the Jewish Family and Children's Service, and is still a vital social services provider in central New Jersey.

Princeton was home to a Junior Hadassah, a Jewish volunteer women’s organization, by 1939 – many of its members were the daughters of Princeton merchants. With an engaged community and strong support for Jewish causes, the chapter was exceeding its annual fundraising goals by 1949.

Formed in 1944, the Princeton United Jewish Appeal (PUJA) channeled the philanthropic and advocacy energies of the community. With Albert Einstein serving as Honorary Chairman, the group focused on raising funds and awareness for the Jewish community impacted by World War II. The PUJA was soliciting funds to aid Holocaust survivors recently liberated from concentration camps before World War II had ended. In 1997, PUJA merged with the Federation of Greater Mercer Bucks. Although its name has changed, its mission to provide humanitarian, educational, and social service support remains constant.

During the postwar years, the rising number of Jews in Princeton helped grow membership in Princeton's chapter of B'nai B'rith Women and the local chapter of Hadassah.

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer was established in 1963 as part of the Trenton Federation. Today its mission is to provide a sustainable legacy for the Jewish community, both locally and globally, through endowments and resources.

The Jewish community’s religious institutions include Chabad, The Jewish Center, and a number of synagogues outside of the immediate Princeton area.

The endurance of these Jewish organizations’ missions and the ongoing dedication of the Princeton Jewish community to those missions is a testament not only to the community’s founding families, but also to the Jewish values that continue to guide us.