New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Gerwal�s Tuesday afternoon resignation announcement had Garden State Jewish leaders praising him for three and a half years of distinguished service.

In his tenure in Trenton, Grewal proved himself as a crusader against bias incidents statewide, standing up against discrimination in the greater Lakewood area on more than one occasion. Grewal was instrumental in negotiating a settlement in Mahwah regarding discriminatory ordinances that banned eruvs and prevented Jewish visitors from frequenting area parks. He took a commanding role in the investigation of the Jersey City massacre and emerged as a supportive voice in the wake of the horrific tragedy.

Beth Medrash Govoha president and CEO Rabbi Aaron Kotler hailed Grewal as a trailblazer.

�He was a first in that he battled exclusionary municipal laws in north Jersey, a first in that he battled exclusionary laws in south Jersey, a first in that he took on the major social media companies for fostering hate speech, a first in that he wore his distinctive religious garb with pride,� said Rabbi Kotler. �His tenure as attorney general has made life easier for all good people in New Jersey.�

Rabbi Avi Richler, executive director of Chabad of Gloucester County, called Grewal a good friend to the Jewish community.

�It was obvious that he cared a lot and we thank him for his service, in particular for his open-door policy that facilitated dialogue with the different segments of the Jewish population,� said Rabbi Richler.

New Jersey State Chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman lauded Grewal for standing up for the religious rights of all Garden State residents.

�As the top cop in New Jersey, Attorney General Grewal was not only an exemplary leader, but he also treated communities of all faiths with sensitivity and respect,� observed Rabbi Friedman. �We are grateful for his efforts over these past years and wish him well in all his future endeavors.�

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)