Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey today announced the launch of CARMA (Center to Combat Antisemitism and Reinforce Multicultural Acceptance) aimed at reducing antisemitism and identity-based hate across communities, schools, and workplaces in Monmouth and Middlesex counties and beyond. 

This initiative was conceived to meet a universal need here at home by providing education, a helpline, and other support and resources for schools and their students, municipalities, and private sector companies in the region. 

CARMA resources are immediately available to the education community including educators, administrators, students, and families, with plans to extend its reach to other sectors, including municipalities and private businesses, in the coming months. 

“CARMA’s mission is rooted in the belief that education and dialogue are the most powerful tools in combating hate,” said Dr. Stacy Gallin, CARMA’s Director and Founding Director of the Ferencz Institute for Ethics, Human Rights and the Holocaust. “By equipping individuals with local solutions for addressing often nuanced issues head-on, we can create lasting change in our communities.”   

CARMA, which grew out of the Center to Combat Antisemitism (CCA), a partnership between Marlboro Jewish Center and the Ferencz Institute, was developed in direct response to an alarming rise in antisemitism in Monmouth and Middlesex counties, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. With need sharply rising, CCA joined with Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, which had been doing similar work, to scale CCA’s reach and impact across Monmouth and Middlesex and beyond.

CARMA provides a robust and proven suite of solutions that includes trainings, workshops and individual support, community liaison services, professional development, and a helpline.   

Prior to its official launch, CARMA already made strides within local communities and at the state level, collaborating with school districts to offer education and training on antisemitism, addressing specific incidents, and working with New Jersey state officials on plans to integrate antisemitism education into the curriculum. A specialized program was developed for incoming college freshmen to prepare them for potential challenges as they transition into campus life. 

With its official launch, CARMA is set to broaden its school-focused programming in response to ongoing challenges. Upcoming initiatives include teacher training, community courses on antisemitism, and new partnerships with local colleges to prepare students for potential hate incidents on campus.  

"Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey is deeply committed to distilling and developing broad approaches to combating hate for the specific needs of our local community of Monmouth County, Greater Middlesex County, and surrounding region," said Susan Antman, Executive Director. "We remain focused on ways to support the growing need for local solutions tackling historic increases in antisemitism and promoting an inclusive environment for all."
 
For more information about CARMA please visit carmacenter.org or contact CARMA at 732-588-1860 or info@carmacenter.org.