YM-YWHA Joins Forces with the Metro YMCA of the Oranges

For over three decades the YM-YWHA of North Jersey, on Pike Drive, has been a community center for their Jewish and non-Jewish members. But with the crumbling economy and the looming threat of closing, the YMHA recently announced a deal with the Metro YMCAs of the Oranges in Essex County that will keep the YM-YWHA center open and provide the unique services to the community. 

Originally founded in Paterson in 1914, the moved to Wayne in 1976. Joyce Goldberg Fein, the interim executive director, said since that time, the YMHA has served the community with Jewish programs, holiday programs, programs for seniors and children, and summer programs, and thanks to this agreement, it will continue for years to come.“I believe this will be a financial benefit for everyone,” said Fein. 

According to Fein the Metro Y will officially take control of the YM-YWHA of Wayne on Sept. 1, the same month persons of the Jewish faith celebrate the New Year with Rosh Hashanah. She said she had not considered it, but it is nice think it is a new start for a new year. 

“We will have an open house in early September and invite the community to see what we are about,” said Fein. 

Fein explained that 18 months ago, a member of the board of trustees of the YM-YWHA had an acquaintance with a board member over at the Metro Y which led to several conversations and a deal was finally negotiated to take control. 

“The Metro Y will operate the day-to-day activities and run the regular programs we offer,” she said. “And we will continue to offer the Jewish celebrations and traditions the community has come to expect from us.” 

While the community center is based on the traditions of the culture of the Jewish community, she said the membership is half Jewish and half non-Jewish.“I think most members use our facility for the fitness center and fitness classes, the swimming pool, and the gymnasium for our basketball court,” said Fein. “We also have a wonderful nursery school and people come for our cultural arts programs.”
She added the teachers and instructors at the YM-YWHA are “thrilled that will be able to continue to offer our programs such as our summer day camp.” She said kids attending the summer day camp enjoy sports, classes in nature and cooking, as well as archery. She said the only difference is the food is kosher and every Friday the center celebrates a Shabbat. 

“I feel very optimistic with this partnership and we will continue running the Jewish community center here and by teaming up with the Metro Y of the Oranges we will continue to go forward,” said Fein.