In a meeting designed to share concerns of the state’s Jewish community, U.S. Senator Cory Booker met, yesterday, with leaders of the state’s various Jewish Federations and the NJ State Association of Jewish Federations (NJSAJF). 

Gordon Haas, State Association president, cited the senator’s record of support for many of the deep interests of the community stating, “time and again Senator Booker has made himself available to listen to the varied voices in our community. His accessibility to us is important and the Jewish community has many questions as to the NJ-Israel relationship, our individual freedoms and, among others, the availability of the resources and support in Washington as to the services and programs we provide to the most vulnerable.”

“The exchange with Senator Booker was very encouraging,” noted Jacob Toporek, executive director of the State Association. “The senator spoke in strong terms about maintaining Israel’s security, preserving the charitable deduction as the resource lifeline for nonprofits such as our federations and their affiliated agencies and protecting Medicaid, which reimburses our institutions $6 billion annually for the services we provide,” Toporek added.

“We also welcomed the senator’s deep concern as to the rise in anti-Semitism and incidents and crimes of hate. Senator Booker acknowledged to our meeting participants that becoming a leading voice in speaking out against intolerance and for civil discourse and mutual respect will be a major focus of his tenure in the Senate,” stated Haas.

 

Photo:
Front Row – l to r: Roger Jacobs, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (NJSAJF Board); Eric Lavitsky, Jewish Federation of Somerset Hunterdon Warren (NJSAJF Board); Linda Scherzer, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (CRC Director); Leslie Dannin Rosenthal, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (President); Jayne Petak, Jewish Federation of Northern NJ (President); Leonard Posnock, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (NJSAJF Board)

Back Row – l to r: Keith Krivitzky, Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ (CEO); Jacob Toporek, NJSAJF (Executive Director); Dov Ben-Shimon, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (CEO); Rochelle Newman, Jewish Federation of Ocean County (NJSAJF Board); Senator Cory Booker; Annabel Lindenbaum, Jewish Federation of Ocean County (NJSAJF Board); Gordon Haas, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (NJSAJF President); Roy Tanzman, Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ (NJSAJF Former President); David Snyder, Jewish Federation of Southern NJ (CRC Director); Herb Klein, Jewish Federation of Clifton Passaic NJ (NJSAJF Board); Jason Shames, Jewish Federation of Northern NJ (CEO); Lori Fein, Jewish Federation of Northern NJ (JCRC Director); Stephanie Goldman, Jewish Federation of Northern NJ (Incoming President); Toby Shylit Mack, Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ (NJSAJF Board)