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J on the Go

Building Community, Enriching Lives

J on the Go is JCC of Northern NJ’s outreach initiative to engage families raising young Jewish children from prenatal to 3-4-years-old. It is a mobile set of experiences that reach families in communal spaces. The pop-up style of programming in public places such as parks, playgrounds, supermarkets, libraries and more, aims to bring Jewish moments to secular spaces creating Jewish community in every neighborhood across northern New Jersey.

OUR

MISSION

OUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

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At its core, community is all about friendship. That is why we place so much emphasis on building connections among our families. With our fabulous team of Parent Connectors and Welcome Hosts, we can help you gather with families in your local neighborhood, as well as connect with the Jewish community around our area.

Reach out and introduce yourself to us. We’ll match you with a Parent Connector or Welcome Host who will happily greet you and take you out for coffee (our treat!). After learning more about you and your family, we’ll help you connect with others with like-minded interests, kids with similar ages, and in your neighborhood.

Sign up for PJ Library. This free (yes, really) subscription to Jewish bedtime stories is a great way to cultivate a Jewish home. Each of your children may receive their own subscription to receive age-specific fun and friendly stories about Jewish holidays, values, traditions, and more.

Check out our upcoming gatherings and register for an event that looks good to you. We offer so many options that you’re bound to find something that works for your schedule. If not, let us know and we’ll see about additional opportunities to help you connect and have fun with other Jewish families.

FAQs

Why mobile?


Jews have always been a nomadic people (matzah baked in the desert sun, anyone?!). We’re the wandering tribe who travel around – this time around Bergen County!

What if I’m only Jew-ISH?

All Jewishness welcome here – even if your link to us is through your spouse. The real question is, “Are you fostering Jewish traditions in your home with your children?” If the answer is “yes”, join us! If the answer is “no but I wish I were (or more), join us!” Everything we do has a take-home element. Come celebrate Shabbat on Friday mornings and take home Shabbat candles to celebrate with your family at home. Join us for our annual Hanukkah party and take home Hanukkah candles. Hey, we love lighting candles around here!

Can I come alone?


Yes but you won’t be alone for long! We have Parent Connectors who keep an eye out for anyone new to greet you, welcome you, and help introduce you to others. When you arrive, you will receive a name tag with your first name and the town where you live. This helps you find other families who live near you. Exchange phone numbers and go on your own play date or stroller walk. Come alone…leave with a friend!

Is there a membership fee?


All of our programs are a la carte. Pick and choose what works for you and your family’s schedule. Friday mornings are tough? Come to a Moms Night Out instead! Can’t make it out during the week? Join us for on a monthly Sunday Family Fun Day! Low priced tickets keep our programs super accessible and many programs also offer a no-questions-asked free ticket. Our donors and funders help us to keep our programs low-cost and easily accessible for all. Become a donor today and help share the love of J on the Go with others. 

How can I show my love for J on the Go?

We love love!

Tag a photo of you and your family at our events on IG at @J_onthe_Go.

Email a testimonial at info@jccnnj.org

Donate today at www.jccnnj.org/donate

Testimonials

I loved the book club on Noa Tishby’s book. It was comforting to discuss sensitive subjects with people who felt the same way as me.
Alexis, Mom of two
My family loves the special events for kids like Noah’s Ark in the Park and the Passover Plagues Snake Show
Kerry, Mom of three
Thanks for connecting Jewish families!!
Anonymous, Mom of three
We love the playground meet ups. They are relaxed and give us a great opportunity to meet others families.
Samantha, Mom of one with another one on the way
Playdates in the park are our favorite! It is a fun, casual way to meet other families.
Sarah, Mom of one
A visit to the farm for Shavuot was great because kids that attend Jewish schools had off and it was something to do that was also related to the holiday.
Jennifer, Mom of two

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IMG_9789 - Erica Danziger
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IMG_9810 - Erica Danziger
IMG_9784 (1) - Erica Danziger
IMG_9814 - Erica Danziger
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IMG_9609 - Erica Danziger
Mini Mensch
Mini Mensch 2

Building Community Connections in Northern New Jersey

I moved to Bergen County right before the pandemic and had my second child at the height of COVID. As we started opening up again I felt as though I needed to find a community to raise my children in. I started attending some of the J on the Go outdoor events and slowly began meeting people who became friends. After a few months, I saw a position open to be a Parent Coordinator. I jumped at the chance to take on this role to plan and organize playdates, activities and moms nights out. For the past 10 months I've created an amazing community in the Pascack Valley of like minded moms and their families who want to bring our children up with Jewish holiday celebrations and activities.
JessicaPascack Valley Parent Coordinator 
Before I participated in these meetups, I was concerned about my ability to find meaningful relationships within the Jewish community having recently moved from the city. Once I started to attend these meetups, I felt more connected to my Jewish identity and had a chance to meet many families with the same values. Now that I’ve connected to this community of families, I attend shabbat circle every week, have hosted playdates and holiday gatherings and felt overall more connected to the community as a whole.
LinseyRamsey
Moving from the city to Hillsdale during COVID, I enrolled my daughter at the local temple nursery school. I found it difficult to make friends with the other moms as they all already seemed to know each other and were pretty cliquey. I met Jessica at a Tot Shabbat and instantly clicked with her. While I was nervous and shy to attend some of her events alone, she encouraged me to try out a moms night out. When I arrived she had not only saved me a seat but introduced me to several other moms who were friendly and open to meeting new people. Since that first event I've started coming to many events, both alone and with my family. So glad we found this amazing community.
AnonymousPascack Valley
Before I participated in these meetups, I was struggling to connect with other Jewish families and build community. When I started attending these meetups, I met Jewish families, made friends, and had a new element added to my social life. We also started regularly attending a tot Shabbat through the JCC and now my two year old asks every week when we are going to synagogue! These events have played a large role in connecting our family to local Jewish life and creating a nice sense of community for us.
DanielleRiver Vale
I moved to Bergen County from the city without knowing many people but wanting to be a part of the Jewish community. After some research and reach out, I attended a shabbat circle where I met a few families and instantly felt like even with COVID, these meet ups would be a great opportunity for me and my family. Once I saw the potential, I decided to become a parent connector to not only help connect young families in the community but to also continue my personal journey of meeting new families in the Jewish community. I have met over 50 families and hosted multiple meet ups, mom nights and playdates.
LisaMahwah/Ramsey/Upper Saddle River Parent Connector
Before I participated in these meetups, I didn’t have a lot of local Jewish friends. Once I started to attend the different meet up options, I was able to meet new friends and be more involved in the Jewish community through the mini mensch group, attending tot shabbats and other family meet ups. I feel like the meet ups really opened me up to so many friendships and Jewish opportunities around the community.
AlanaParamus
Having my first child during the pandemic was extraordinarily isolating. Moving to a new town, with a new baby boy, during a global pandemic meant that I made very few mom friends and felt extremely isolated. So when I became pregnant with my daughter, I promised myself I would put myself out there and go to everything I could with her so that we could have a true “mommy and me” experience. Finding the Mini Mensch group was a true blessing!! I found a tribe of like minded moms raising Jewish babies, but also moms who understood what I was going through and who could commiserate and laugh together as our babies grew. I am so grateful for the mini mensch group - not only for my daughter but for myself!
ArielleParent Coordinator, Mini Mensches
Mini Mensches has been such a great way to meet other Jewish moms in the area while playing and laughing along with our babies! It’s been so refreshing to be able to get out of the house and connect with other like minded moms and dads - plus, the socialization for our kids has been so special to see!
AnnaPascack Valley