Project Overview

The Toms River Compassion Project is an art project involving Toms River area students in grades 2-8.

Teachers of participating classes will receive a supply of 9-inch-by-12-inch art panels for their class to draw or paint their idea of compassion. This initial project will end in late Spring of 2015 and the winning art submission will win $1000 for the class the student represents. This is a donation from Rotem Dental Care for getting involved in a community enhancement event encompassing children, their parents and their teachers.

The project aspires to teach the practice of compassion through the use of art which is believed to transcend all differences, social and otherwise.

The inspiration for Compassionate Toms River on a local level is none other than Dr. Ronen Rotem of Rotem Dental Care. Dr. Rotem, himself inspired by the efforts of Richard Davidson, PhD – a University of Wisconsin-Madison psychology and psychiatry professor, believes the scientific study of Dr. Davidson that found that those who practice compassion have measurably healthier brains, and generally, a happier outlook on life.

In his own quiet way Dr. Rotem, who practices adult dentistry, generously donates his time, his energy, and his money to educate children and parents, and especially helps the needy, with a tremendous focus on the families of children who have cancer. All of his projects aspire to help others!

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS): Replaced all the back-to-school supplies BBBS were going to donate but had been wiped out by Sandy (2013)

Ocean County Hunger Relief: Hosted two Casino Night fundraisers (2007 – 2008) that netted thousands of dollars for this organization.

Ocean of Love Fundraisers – Since 2004, Dr. Rotem has consistently raised money to help families who children have cancer

Boat cruises, dinner, Chinese auction (2004, 2005, 2006)
Smiles for Life, teeth whitening campaign (2005 – 2014)

Dental Health Month Events

Presented dental health and good practices program to elementary children (2006, 2008 – 2009, 2010)

Letter to the Editor about good dental care (2004, 2005, 2007)

Community Awareness – H.S. Essay Contest

What the President should do to improve education (Followed up with reception at Dr. Rotem’s dental offices and checks totally $2,000 to ten contest winners (2009)

What Governor Chris Christie should do to improve education in N.J. (2010)

Halloween Candy Buy-back Contest (2004-2014)

Troops received Halloween candy
Teacher whose class brought in the most candy receives $300.00 for use in his or her classroom
Child/student who brought in most candy wins $50.00 gift card
Anyone who donates Halloween candy receives up to $10.00

Hire a Hero Job Fair (2011) at the PNC Reception Center, Holmdel

For six months (Nov. 2011 to May 2012), Dr. Rotem donated 5 percent of all procees of all dental work (excluding initial visit x-rays and cleaning) to the National Guard State Readiness Council of New Jersey (www. nationalguardsfrc.org).

The purpose of this organization is to help the families of our hometown heroes who are deployed and have had to leave jobs or businesses behind leaving little financial support for their families.

Included workshops and support services to help veterans returning from duty overseas and who are faced with a poor job market

Smile of Your Life Dental Makeover Contest (2009-2010)

Awards and Special Recognition

NJBiz – 2007 Health Care Hero

Ocean of Love Dinner recognizes Dr. Rotem for his outstanding contributions (2009)

The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) leadership recently inducted Toms River dentist Dr. Ronen Rotem into the 87th Dental Squadron, an honorary command program, which recognizes him as a community leader in Ocean County (2013)