Jewish Federations of New Jersey (JFNJ) praised the New Jersey State Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 signed into law by Governor Murphy today, commending leadership in Trenton for prioritizing budget matters that are of importance to New Jersey's Jewish community.

“On behalf of our community’s Holocaust survivors and elderly, our nonpublic school students, people with disabilities or learning differences, those whose basic needs are supported through the social safety net, faith-based nonprofit organizations threatened by hate-based violence, and every member of the Jewish and other faith communities, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey thanks Governor Murphy and our NJ State legislators for working with us to understand and respond to the pressing needs addressed through the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget,” said Susan Antman, Executive Director of Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey. “These resources will allow us to more effectively and purposefully serve the community across Monmouth and Greater Middlesex counties.”   

Earlier this year, Jewish Federations championed advocacy efforts to codify the New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program, ensuring that legislation to make the program permanent was signed into law. With incidents of antisemitism, hate, and bigotry on the rise, more funding is needed to protect high-risk nonprofits and religious institutions from threats to their safety and security. Jewish Federations have worked closely with state partners to ensure the evolution and growth of this program through the years to meet the changing threats and needs. Today’s budget builds on this effort by providing $5 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, an 81% increase in funding from the previous year’s budget. 

The FY ’23 budget also commits $205 per pupil in nonpublic schools specifically earmarked for security funding. This increase in funding recognizes that the dangers of antisemitism and other hate-motivated violence are still prevalent and have gone unabated while enabling nonpublic schools to take concrete steps to better protect their facilities, students, and staff from potential threats and attacks. The increase from the previous year's budget brings funding to the highest level in the state’s history.

Additionally, the needs of students across our state are also addressed in the FY ’23 budget through funding that increases accessibility to nonpublic schools and support programs for students. Increased investments in nonpublic school compensatory education will help accommodate students in need of basic remediation while addressing the increased costs of these services. The FY ’23 budget increases per-pupil transportation funding to $1022 while per-pupil nonpublic compensatory education increases to $1,055 marking the first increase in nonpublic compensatory education since the 2007-08 school year.

New Jersey's FY '23 budget also increases funding for New Jersey's Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP) by over 30% to $525,000. This program provides critical care services to the over 1,000 Holocaust survivors who call New Jersey home. This funding will allow for increased delivery of vital services to an aging population whose health and wellness challenges have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jewish Federations of New Jersey is the coordinating voice of New Jersey's leading Jewish Federations on matters of importance to New Jersey's Jewish Community. 

Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey's Jewish Community Relations Council builds relationships and advocates for Jewish interests throughout the Jewish community and beyond. To get involved, please contact Dan Rozett, Manager of Community Relations and Israel Engagement.