The Central Jersey Woodworkers Association (CJWA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) community organization founded for the purpose of providing a resource to the community for the promotion of woodworking and woodworking education at all levels of experience, sharing of information about woodworking techniques, tools, and sources for supplies, and facilitating the exchange of ideas with fellow woodworkers.
Past speakers have included professional furniture makers, including Frank Klausz, Jere Osgood, Frank Pollaro, Mario Rodriguez, Peter Tischler and Geoffrey Noden, woodworking tool experts including Tom Lie-Nielsen and Graham Blackburn, semi-pros, boat builders, custom furniture craftsman, finishers, and more. Various hands-on comparisons of equipment have been offered and there are periodic group purchases of equipment, wood, tools, and supplies.
The origin of the Central Jersey Woodworking Club dates back to the year 1995 in Monmouth County. That fall, Mike Zaslav, a passionate woodworking enthusiast, who took courses on his personal time to advance his skills, decided to reach out to others in an effort to establish a group to share knowledge and techniques of the craft, and to act as a support network for area artisans. This was a time when the Internet was first being made to the public via the World Wide Web, and there was little to no information posted as we know today on woodworking methods. After ads were placed for a group meeting at work, and on the online website rec.woodworking, approximately 20 people showed up at the meeting room in the Monmouth County Library. It wasn’t until the spring of 1996 though, with a regular meeting place available at the Holmdel Library, that the club was established, and monthly meetings were held. These first meetings featured club members presenting their craft and also guest speakers.
Our meetings are similar today, and we have since grown in membership. In December of 2013, we became a designated 503(c)(3) non-profit organization. Although we now live in a time where we can access an overwhelming amount of information through the World Wide Web, we still find that comradery, and the sharing of accurate woodworking information is as important as ever. We have broadened our mission to include charity work and provide community service through various activities and online tool auctions.
Below is pictures of a local newsprint arts guide “The Collector” dated Spring 1996, with a feature article on our new woodworking club.
CJWA Officers 2021:
Robert Emmons, President
Rob Hess, Vice President
Marc Gaertner, Meeting Program Chair
Doug Poray, Treasurer
Jim Braun - Librarian / Media Technology
Matt Geene, Secretary / Media Technology
Seminars
Hand Plane Seminar May 2019. We learned how to sharpen the iron, tune-up, and use the hand plane. Lead instructor was Brian Holcombe.
Finishing Seminar with Mike Mascelli, Novmeber 16. Mike proved to be a knowledgeable and skilled presenter!
Turning Seminar November 2022
Community Service
Jackson Forestry Day
Club Members help children build various projects.
The Woodworking Show
CJWA maintains a presence at the NJ Woodworking Show. Visit us at our booth to find out about the club, who we are and what we do. We frequently offer educational seminars at this annaul event.
Group Builds
Under the leadership of our experienced club mentors, small groups assemble to learn and build.
Location and Directions:
We meet at the Old Brick Reformed Church, 490 Route 520, Marlboro, NJ, in the Church Parish Hall, located behind the church itself. The church is located on Route 520 approximately one-quarter of a mile east from the Route 520 & Route 79 intersection. New members and guests are always welcome!
From the Garden State Parkway, exit at #109 and proceed West on Route 520/Newman Springs Road into Marlboro (approximately 6 miles). The large Old Brick Church will be on your right, just past the Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital (Marlboro Center for Human Development).
From Route 18, take the exit for Route 79 North. Proceed North on Route 79 for approximately 2 miles to the Route 520 / Newman Springs Road intersection (there is a WaWa and an Amoco gas station on the corner). Make a right hand turn at the light onto Route 520 East and go 1/4 mile; the church is on the left.
Membership:
We always welcome new members to our club. As a member you will enjoy the all of the benefits described above with the additonal perks found on our members only area; discounts for lumber, tools and hardware, access to our book and multimedia library, group builds, and educational seminars.
Your first visit is free. If you come back again (and we hope you do) membership dues are $50 a year, prorated for the number of meetings left in the calendar year if you join in the middle of the year. Family memberships are also available. Membership renewals occur in January.
Membership forms can be completed at any meeting, or you can download a membership form and bring to a meeting or mail in with check to:
Doug Poray
Central Jersey Woodworkers Association
617 Bennetts Mills Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
For users of Zelle, here is the information for submitting payments electronically.
Membership benefits include access to the Members Area of our website and to our library of woodworking books, tapes and DVD’s. Members in good standing may borrow these items on a month to month basis.
Our club also has a collection of tools that members may borrow on a month to month basis:
- Drill Doctor
- Jet Mini Lathe
- Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
- Veneer Vacuum Press
- Band Saw
- more items listed in members area
If you are a member and interested in using one of these tools, please contact Marc Gaertner.