2025 Rachel Coalition holds program to support anti-domestic-abuse agenda
The Rachel Coalition, the domestic violence division of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ, welcomed 144 supporters, volunteers, and advocates at the Mountain Ridge Country Club for its annual community gathering. The October 28 program was sponsored by the Florin Education Series. Established through the generosity of longtime JFS supporters Thelma and Richard Florin, the series raises awareness about domestic violence in Essex and Morris counties and beyond.
Volunteers assembled emergency kits for victims of domestic violence and their children. Jordana Horn Gordon, a journalist, podcaster, and activist, led a discussion about the realities facing survivors and the vital services Rachel Coalition provides.
The other panelists included Nicole Morella, co-executive director of the NJ Coalition to End Domestic Violence; Aaron Turner, the chief philanthropic officer of the Community Foundation of New Jersey; Marianne McCrone, clinical director of the Rachel Coalition and JFS’s child and adolescent services; and Rachel Coalition’s legal program coordinator, Tara Halpern.
Speakers highlighted the urgency of strengthening community awareness, expanding access to resources, and supporting survivors with trauma-informed care, advocacy, and legal assistance.
While the gathering marked a strong moment of community engagement and education, it also told guests that the Rachel Coalition is facing a $175,000 reduction in government funding, placing essential domestic violence services at risk. The organization emphasized the need for increased community support to ensure uninterrupted crisis intervention, counseling, legal representation, and emergency resources for survivors and their families.
The Rachel Coalition thanks all attendees, volunteers, corporate partners, benefactors, and community leaders who made the event possible.
Wendy and Stephen Weinstein of North Caldwell and Amy and Ira Steinberg of Caldwell were the venue liaisons. Lynn Gruber of Short Hills, Ronnie Senior of West Orange, and Debby Stein of Denville were the event co-chairs. Corporate sponsors included Sunrise Shoprite of West Caldwell and Parsippany, BNE Real Estate Group, Paul Miller Porsche, Shufro Rose, the Preferred Client Group, Lereah Financial Group, Crystal Plaza, Online Computers, Goodwin Proctor, Matt Libien/Wells Fargo Advisers, and Jerry Rose Events.
To support the Rachel Coalition’s domestic violence services or for information, go to www.jfsmetrowest.org.