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JFS' Seymour Nussenbaum Reflects on Congressional Gold Medal

Seymour Nussenbaum displaying scrapbooks with mementos from his time at war. His scrapbooks were donated to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans via The Ghost Army Legacy Project.

Honoring the past and its impact on the future This month, we caught up with Seymour Nussenbaum (98), a JFS Kosher Meals on Wheels recipient and World War II Veteran, who spoke to us about a recent bill signed into law by President Biden. The bill will honor two top-secret World War II military units known collectively as the “Ghost Army." Almost 75 years after his service, Seymour and other surviving members of the Ghost Army will receive a Congressional Gold Medal for their role in conducting deceptive operations in Europe.

There was a time in Seymour's life when he would recount his military experience in a simple manner, “Anyone who would ask me what I did, I would say, I blew up tanks.” As a member of the Ghost Army, Seymour participated in classified assignments carrying out creative yet dangerous missions to deceive German troops and their operatives. Seymour worked on reprinting hand-made military station badges, moving decoy wooden soldiers, and painting and moving inflatable rubber tanks, which he describes were “like the balloons you see in the Macy’s Day Parade.” As part of an amazing legacy of war veterans whose artistic talents and courage helped save an estimated 40,000 lives, he still cannot grasp the "the immensity of what we did.” His humility and patriotism remain strong, though he notes he and other Jewish soldiers experienced anti-Semitism and were vigilant of their surroundings while abroad. Though there was a risk to be exposed as a Jewish American soldier, he shared one instance when he was proud to come together with other Jewish soldiers to celebrate Rosh Hashanah in a temple while in France. He was moved by the spirit of faith and the number of soldiers that came to worship despite the war's threat. Over the past three decades, Seymour continues to share his story and supports the initiatives of the Ghost Army Legacy Project. Honored and excited on hearing the news about the Congressional Gold Medal, he notes "it was a long journey for the Ghost Army Legacy Project and those who help support this legislation." These days, Seymour enjoys collecting stamps, writing, serving on the Board of the International Judaic Stamp Club and spending time with his family. When asked how his philosophy on life has changed since his experience in the war, Seymour states, "I didn't philosophize when I was young. I did what I had to do. Served as best as I can. Now...this world is going to take a lot of repair. Individuals think we live in a world built for them, but you are here, to build a world...for all to come together." Spending time with Seymour was a lesson on how honoring our past helps us build our future, together. To support JFS' Kosher Meals on Wheels (KMOW) which provides weekly meals to Seymour and other seniors, call 732-777-1940, email office@jfsmiddlesex.org or donate online.

Cultivating Kindness Through Giving

Local School students donate food to JFS Kosher Food Pantries Most children know that food is an important need to live an active, healthy life. But not all may understand that there are local families that cannot afford basic food items. Cultivating kindness and good will in our community begins with showing the next generation the importance of caring for ourselves, our families and our community. On February 17th, students from Yeshivat Netivot Montessori visited JFS' North Brunswick Kosher Food Pantry with donations collected by the entire school. Children of various ages came in with bags and bins of kosher food to be distributed to our community families in need. Netivot Montessori is an Orthodox yeshiva day school committed to "honoring the path of every child" and supporting their learning through engaging and exploratory environment. JFS sends a huge “thank you” to Netivot Montessori, their students and the families who contributed to this donation. We could not accomplish our goal of providing food for our community without the support, involvement and enthusiasm of organizations and individuals like you who support our pantries. To donate kosher food items, see our current 2022 Pantry Wish List or make a donation online toward our pantries. Thank you!

Students prepared cheerful notes and drawings to include in JFS' next food bags to distribute.

JFS staff prepare Kosher food bags for families to pick-up. Your donations support our efforts.

A message of care begins with, "Good Luck. Hope this food bring[s] you happiness..."

Join Our Team

JFS is seeking energetic, motivated clinical social workers to join our supportive multidisciplinary team providing counseling for children through senior adults; individual and family therapy.  JFS is hiring part-time drivers to help transport senior adults, including Holocaust survivors, to medical appointments and agency events, as well as to help with Kosher Meals on Wheels deliveries.

Please visit our employment opportunities page for more information; contact office@jfsmiddlesex.org for questions or to apply.

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JFS is grateful for the support of our community partners.

To contact JFS of Middlesex County: call: 732.777.1940 email: office@jfsmiddlesex.org visit: www.jfsmiddlesex.org

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