JCF Announces New Executive Director
The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer (JCFGM) has selected Amy Zacks of Princeton as its next executive director, effective November 18. She will succeed Linda Meisel, who announced her retirement earlier this year.
Zacks has been the foundation’s director of philanthropy since 2018. She has worked closely with fund holders and partners to inspire philanthropy and develop charitable resources. During her tenure, the assets of the foundation have grown from $11 million to nearly $20 million.
“Amy’s exemplary performance and dedication have significantly contributed to the Foundation’s success,” said Chip Loeb, president of the JCFGM board of trustees. “We believe she is the ideal person to partner with our leadership and guide us into the future. As much as I, and the rest of the board, will miss working with Linda, we are eager to begin this new chapter in our Foundation’s 60-year history of serving our community.”
Originally hired as the JCFGM legacy coordinator, Zacks has steered the communal Life & Legacy program to achieve 824 legacy promises, with $2.3 million in promises fulfilled and an additional $30 million projected in future gifts for the benefit of 24 community partners. These donations are critical to growing the legacy funds that will sustain local Jewish organizations into the next generation. In 2022, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, sponsor of the Life & Legacy program, presented Zacks with its Gail Littman Leadership Award, recognizing the achievements of a legacy coordinator within its North American network.
A frontline fundraiser for national nonprofits who served on the Women in Development board of trustees, Zacks has resided in Mercer County for more than 16 years. She and husband, Eran, are members and Promise Makers at The Jewish Center of Princeton, and they support charities through their Zacks Family Tzedakah Fund at JCFGM.
Nonprofit News: F.I.S.H. of Hopewell Valley Dissolves
Friends in Service Here (F.I.S.H.) of Hopewell Valley, the grassroots local meal delivery program, legally dissolved, effective September 30. The all-volunteer nonprofit organization served homebound seniors for more than 50 years throughout Hopewell Township.
As needs have changed, homebound seniors are more often requesting medically tailored meals, and Meals on Wheels of Mercer County (MOWMC) can provide these in addition to financial need-based pricing. F.I.S.H. wants to accommodate its patrons as best as possible, and this transition ensures the tradition of caring service will continue through MOWMC.
“As we close the chapter on an amazing run, we kindly thank Mike Rothwell and Catering Directors Sandy Gares and Diana Meskill at Pennington Quality Market for their incredible support of our program for decades. Additionally, we express tremendous gratitude for all our F.I.S.H. volunteers. These individuals are compassionate, dedicated and they embody the spirit of serving their community. They are neighbors helping neighbors, a truly rewarding experience they will preserve when delivering meals with MOWMC,” says Benita Wittenborn, F.I.S.H Co-Coordinator.
“We recognize how important F.I.S.H. has been to the Hopewell Pennington Community — neighbors helping neighbors by providing hot, delicious meals, as well as love and compassion to friends in need. MOWMC is honored to be entrusted to continue this remarkable legacy of caring” says Amy Flynn, MOWMC CEO.
To enroll in the meal delivery program or to volunteer to serve neighbors in need, call 609-695-3483.
For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsmercer.org.
Washington Crossing Park Receives Grant for Historic Landmark Update
The Washington Crossing Park Association of New Jersey has received a $75,000 National Park Service Semiquincentennial Grant to update the National Historic Landmark (NHL) Boundary for Washington’s Crossing.
Americans have the image of “Washington Crossing the Delaware” engraved into our national soul, thanks to the famous painting by Emmanuel Leutze. Some know that the site of the Crossing is marked by two State Parks: Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey, and Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania. However, few people are aware that the National Historic Landmark that marks this vitally important historic site is one of the few that straddle two states. This NHL update will occur in collaboration with the Pennsylvania sister park, which has received a similar grant.
The original 1961 NHL listing for both parks was incomplete. Thanks to this funding, the two parks will undertake a complete update to the current boundary delineation of this bi-state National Historic Landmark. This includes an analysis of existing NHL boundaries of both parks’ state and national register nominations, along with updating descriptions for all the Landmark’s cultural/historic resources to incorporate current research and present a more inclusive interpretation of the site.
This National Historic Landmark update is being supported in whole by a Semiquincentennial grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
The update will make the park eligible for much-needed future funding as it prepares for a restoration which will include a new Visitor Museum, new roadways and signage, and the installation of a stunning mural of Washington Crossing the Delaware, painted in 1921 by military artist George Matthew Harding.
The Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA), which is the officially recognized Friends organization of New Jersey’s Washington Crossing State Park, has also received funding to renovate the Park’s Nelson House, near the Delaware River.
