Agudath Israel of New Jersey is pleased with the decision of the Edison School Board to change the date of their School Construction Bond Referendum from September 30, the first day of Rosh Hashana, to December 9, 2008, at their upcoming meeting this Thursday, August 21.

We would like to thank the following New Jersey State organizations for partnering with us in advocating for the date change that will allow the Jewish community to celebrate the holiday of Rosh Hashana and to vote on this referendum at the polling station rather than through absentee ballots:

Anti – Defamation League,  American Jewish Committee, Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, Kehilla of Raritan Valley, State Association of Jewish Federations, and the Orthodox Union.

We would also like to thank Governor Jon Corzine and following Legislators for their leadership role in helping resolve this issue: Senator Barbara Buono,  Assemblyman Peter Barnes, Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, Assemblyman Gary Schaer and Mayor Jun Choi.

“It is astonishing that in 2008, conducting an election of any sort on the Jewish High Holiday of Rosh Hashana would even be considered, especially in a town with such a large Jewish population” said Josh Pruzansky, Executive Director of Agudath Israel of New Jersey. “I am glad that the Edison School Board recognized the objection and reconsidered their decision” he said.

Agudath Israel of New Jersey looks forward to future legislation in both the New Jersey Senate and Assembly that will prevent special elections from taking place on any Major Religious Holidays.

(YWN Desk – NYC)