Our Vision

JCC MetroWest’s vision is to be the premier Jewish social, recreational, cultural and educational center that serves the entire MetroWest community and inspires every individual to explore the boundless potential of Judaism. We will be a welcoming Jewish neighborhood that links every Jew to the home, the community, and the rest of the Jewish world.

Our Mission

• Enhance the mind, body and spirit of every individual at every age and stage of life through cutting-edge programs, quality services and state-of-the-art facilities.
• Infuse Jewish values, culture and joy throughout our community.
• Create Jewish experiences and build lasting Jewish memories.
• Nurture commitment to Jewish learning and life choices.
• Represent an entry-point into a community that accepts and respects diversity among Jews as well as people of all races, creeds, nationalities, abilities and disabilities.
• Strengthen ties to Jewish institutions synagogues, Israel and Klal Yisrael.

General Contacts

Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC Ross Family Campus
760 Northfield Avenue West Orange, NJ 07052
Tel: 973-530-3400 Fax: 973-736-6871

Lautenberg Family JCC Aidekman Family Campus
901 Route 10 East Whippany, NJ 07981
Tel: 973-428-9300 Fax: 973-428-6068

Media Contacts

Catherine Kolbeck
Director of Marketing
973-530-3910
ckolbeck@jccmetrowest.org

Melissa M. Allen
Director Marketing/Public Relations
973-530-3488
mallen@jccmetrowest.org

Janet Rubin
Public Relations Consultant
973-530-3449
jrubin@jccmetrowest.org

Our Businesses

Our programs and services include:

• State-of-the Art Fitness Center
• Aquatics - full-size swimming pools 
• Nursery, Pre-school and Kindergarten
• Summer Camps including our ACA Accredited Camp Deeny Riback
• School vacation programs
• Special needs activities
• Social and singles events
• Rimon - Jewish education classes and workshops
• MetroWest Jewish Health and Healing Center

Quick Facts

• JCC MetroWest currently serves the 10th largest Jewish community in North America.
• Our two facilities serve an area covering 400 square miles, bordering New York City to the east in Essex County and extending to the outlying suburbs of Morris County to the west.
• JCC MetroWest’s classes, theater, events and community-wide festivals reach approximately 50,000 individuals per year. 
• Our programs include infant/toddler full day care, pre-nursery & nursery school, kindergarten, aquatics, sports & wellness, sports leagues, School of the Arts (fine arts, music, dance), theater, after school care, leadership development, school vacation programs, senior centers, summer camps, Jewish celebrations, enrichment classes, special needs activities, college programs, singles programs, couples programs, skill development, MetroWest Jewish Health & Healing Center (mind • body • spirit), Hebrew classes, and more.
• JCC MetroWest was first established 128 years ago when the Jewish community of Newark organized the Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA) in Newark’s Library Hall. By 1881, the group moved into a three-story brick building on Plane Street renamed “Hebrew Hall.” It housed a gymnasium, bowling alley, dance hall/auditorium, and bar.
• In 1922, construction began on a new building and in 1924 the High Street “Y” opened its doors. Many of our older members still remember the “Y” with fond memories.
• With Newark’s changing demographics, the High Street “Y” closed in 1954. After a series of temporary residences, a new building on Chancellor Avenue was completed in 1959, serving the Jewish community of Newark as well as the growing suburban populations in Irvington and Hillside.
• The Jewish exodus from Newark to the suburbs continued and the Chancellor Avenue building was sold in 1969. Meanwhile, on Northfield Avenue in West Orange, the YM-YWHA of Essex County opened its doors in 1967.
• 1987 saw the first renovation of the West Orange facility, and an expanded gymnasium and early childhood classrooms were added.
• In 1992, the Lautenberg Family JCC of Greater Morris was opened in Whippany. It houses the first Jewish Day Care program sponsored by the local Jewish community.
• 2001 saw the For All Generations…Our Time is Now Capital Campaign initiated to raise funds for the expansion and renovation of the West Orange Facility. 
• September 2003 the West Orange facility’s name changed from the JCC of Metropolitan NJ to the Leon and Toby Cooperman JCC, Ross Family Campus. 
• The renovation and expansion of the Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC will include anew parking garage and the addition of 50,000 square feet of space with a new Fitness Center, and Early Childhood Center, program space, an atrium, and a kosher café. There will be interior renovations to areas such as the racquetball courts, art gallery, and Robbins Hall as well as improvements to the heating and ventilation system. 
• JCC MetroWest’s vision is to be the premier Jewish social, recreational, cultural, and educational center serving the entire MetroWest community and inspiring every individual to explore the boundless potential of Judaism.