[Photos below.] Several of New Jersey’s most prominent public servants received awards on Sunday from Agudath Israel of New Jersey in recognition of the work that they do and their support of issues of importance to the Jewish community of New Jersey. The 2nd Annual Legislative Breakfast Sponsored by Agudath Israel of New Jersey was held in Somerset, NJ. Invited leaders who spoke at the event about matters of interest to the Jewish community included Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Robert Menendez, State Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney, State Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr., Assembly Minority Whip Jon Bramnik, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, Lakewood Committeeman R’ Menashe Miller.
Among these speakers, guests heard from Senator Lautenberg about his personal experiences traveling extensively in Israel. Senator Menendez emphasized the importance of supporting Israel as a strategic and moral ally of the United States, and he received a standing ovation from all present in gratitude for his pro-Israel speech on the Senate floor earlier this summer.
State Senator Kean spoke of his grandfather, Congressman Robert Kean, who was a staunch supporter of the State of Israel, and of his own desire to see funding made available for children to attend non-public schools under Senate Bill 1607, of which he is the co-prime sponsor.
Of particular note, state Senator Sweeney addressed the importance of funding for Jewish days schools and yeshivos. While recognizing and supporting the vital role of strong public schools, he pointed out that it is imperative to fund education for every child, and that he would support legislation such as S-1607 (which would provide tax credits for companies that provide tuition scholarships to children in certain municipalities) and other solutions.
“Groups like Agudath Israel…help create a strong voice for Jewish residents living in New Jersey,” Senator Sweeney said, “and provide invaluable input in major decisions concerning the direction of the State.”
Senator Sweeney also extolled the virtues of bipartisan efforts to achieve results that could ease the community’s burden during difficult economic times.
“Agudah is pleased to have established such strong bonds of friendship with our elected representatives in Washington DC, Trenton and across the state,” said Josh Pruzansky, director of Agudath Israel of New Jersey. “It is a tribute to their leadership that they recognize the needs of all of the communities they represent.”
Also receiving awards were individuals and organizations including Project Ezrah of Bergen County; Dr. Jonas Waizer and David Waizer of Edison-Highland Park; Boruch and Yaakov Wenger, publishers of the Lakewood Shopper; and Yaacov Brisman of Passaic.
More than 260 community leaders and other officials, including District 18 Assemblyman Peter Barnes, gathered for the event at the Regency Jewish Heritage Home for the Aged in Somerset.
For photos of the event, see below:
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