Agudath Israel of New Jersey (AINJ) held its Inaugural Legislative Breakfast on Sunday morning, September 7, 2008.   Over 200 people attended, resulting in a standing-room only crowd.  Participants attended from Jewish communities located throughout New Jersey.

AINJ Executive Director Josh Pruzansky began the morning ceremonies by describing how AINJ has grown tremendously over the past several months, working with officials at all levels of government. Most notably, Mr. Pruzansky related AINJ’s most recent success: organizing a coalition of Jewish communal organizations to oppose the Edison school construction bond referendum election date, scheduled to take place on Rosh HaShanah.  This coalition worked successfully with the school board to change the election date.  AINJ will continue to partner with various state assemblymen and senators to ensure that a similar situation will not adversely affect any religious group in the future.

Mr. Pruzansky also spoke about two issues about which AINJ is currently collaborating with legislators: securing educational funding for special needs children in yeshiva day schools and the passage of the Urban Enterprise Zone Jobs Scholarship Act that will assist needy families with corporate scholarship funding for their child’s yeshiva education.

The AINJ Honorary Chairman, and a partner in many legislative efforts, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, presented a total of six awards.  Assemblyman Schaer also serves as a distinguished Mayor of Passaic and is the only Orthodox Jewish Legislator in Trenton.  Award recipients included United States Senator Frank Lautenberg, NJ State Senator Jennifer Beck, NJ State Senator Barbara Buono, NJ State Senator Ray Lesniak, and Deputy Mayor Meir Lichtenstien. Mr. Dan Gaby, Executive Director of E3, Educational Excellence for Everyone, was recognized with the Educational Leadership Award for his advocacy efforts to provide the children of New Jersey with the best educational opportunities possible.

Upon accepting their awards, each recipient renewed his or her commitment to continuing their efforts on behalf of the Jewish communities of New Jersey and to collaborating further with AINJ.

Mr. Pruzansky concluded by stating that this event served as only first of many opportunities for AINJ to pay tribute, on behalf of the Jewish community of New Jersey, to outstanding public servants.

(YWN Desk – NYC)