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Today, the Orthodox Union (Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America), the world’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization hosted a meeting between Governor Jon S. Corzine of New Jersey and Orthodox Jewish leaders representing communities in several counties, including Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth and Passaic. Representatives from the OU’s 52 member synagogues in the Garden State and New Jersey Jewish day school leadership attended; as well, several student leaders from Rutgers (New Brunswick) and Princeton were also present.
Chief among the concerns raised was government aid to Jewish day schools. While the Governor reiterated he does not support tax credits or other direct tuition related aid, he stated several areas where he believed he could work with the nonpublic school community. Among these he said is restoring technology grants to nonpublic schools – which were cut under the recent budget – in the lame duck legislative session this year.
In addition, when representatives from day schools raised the issue of their security costs, the Governor responded that he was supportive of finding funds to assist in safeguarding vulnerable Jewish institutions, including day schools. Given the threats to Jewish institutions, including recent hate crimes in the Edison/Highland Park area and a recent bomb threat on Congregation Brothers of Israel in Long Branch (an OU member synagogue), the needs are all too real and the costs are ever escalating. The OU’s longtime advocacy for Federal UASI grants to assist nonprofits in their security needs are critical in this context; however, they do not cover personnel costs but rather fund physical target hardening improvements to deter attacks. The Governor also promised to look at other areas where he believed funding of nonpublic schools would present no constitutional barrier including special education as well as textbooks, nursing and busing, all of which were raised by participants.
Howie Beigelman, OU Deputy Director of Public Policy stated:
“We appreciate the Governor’s time and his candor. While there are areas of disagreement, there are also several areas we can work together with him. With the economy as it is and the geopolitical situation what it is, we are grateful of his commitment to restore technology grants and his willingness to work with us on security funds. As well, his renewed commitment to enacting a charitable donation is a simple, noncontroversial way to help all nonprofits and any would be donors.”
During the hour long meeting, Governor Corzine repeated his commitment to enacting a charitable donation tax deduction. As New Jersey is one of only a handful of states that does not have such a deduction, particularly in this economic environment, such a donation would assist cash strapped nonprofits of all types (e.g. synagogues, day schools, hospitals, museums and universities) to raise needed funds.
Finally, the Governor was thanked for enacting several pieces of religious liberty legislation in 2008. The laws require accommodation of religious needs of employees, students, and patients. The prime sponsor in the Assembly was Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36, Passaic) who attended today’s meeting. Governor Corzine stated these accommodations are “real” and that he was proud to work with Assemblyman Schaer and others on enacting those laws.
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9 Responses
WHo wants this democrat to win again!!!if he loses it will be a big blow to the anti israel obama administration.
any shock here that the left leaning OU would have corzy over??? no way!
1 man w/a hat & jacket impressive for the OU. Corzine looks more Orthodox than any one else at the meeting!
The largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization is the Agudah, you can’t claim to be who your not.
3, You are VERY incorrect! If you walked into the Kashrus offices of the OU, you would see VERY chashuva Rabonim of all types – including Shtreimlach! Aside for Rabbi Genack Shlita (who incidentally has been m’chaber many sforim of his own and I would put him up against anyone of your choosing!!), most everyone else was from the “outreach” parts of the OU. Gloybt tzi Gut, they are there for k’lal yisroel!
Frumyid613- see the Netziv’s hakdamah to Bereishis and see if the comment you made is “Yashar”
#3, because the people were not wearing hats and jackets they are not orthodox? I was at the meeting and I can gurantee you that “your” interests were represented (unless you don’t send your kids to yeshiva in which case perhaps they were not). Why is it that when anyone other than someone with a hat or jacket tries to do something for the Jewish community they get criticized for not “representing our interests”. You are very short cited and hopefully there are only a few misguided people that think like you do. The OU represents more frum Jews around the world than any other Orthodox organization and you should write them asking mechila for being mevazeh this great organization in public.
It’s good to have a good rapport with any of the candidates, but Corzine is HORRIBLE and I suspect Christie will be too.
#5, dont you think it is a bit shallow to judge someone’s frumkite and character by clothing? Sometimes the most chashuva looking person IS the most chashuva. Other times they are not. Sometimes the least looking chashuva person is actually a gem; sometimes they are not. So where does that leave us?