Elizabeth–The Jewish Educational Center hosted Assemblyman Gary Schaer, an Orthodox Jew who represents Passaic, NJ and serves as Deputy Speaker and the Budget Chairman. His visit was coordinated between the JEC and Agudath Israel of NJ to discuss the security needs of private schools in New Jersey.

Assemblyman Schaer is responsible for introducing and ultimately passing last year’s resolution to fund private schools with security dollars, $25 per child, “[It’s a] small amount, but definitely something,” said Rabbi Avi Schnall, Director for the NJ Office of Agudath Israel of America.

Assemblyman Schaer was joined by fellow Assemblymen Jamel Holley and Anette Quijano and discussed his recent introduction of a new resolution to dramatically increase the amount of funding for each school.

Also present were Dr. George Corwell and Mary McElroy of the Catholic Conference, who also represent the non-public sector and who shared insights into their community’s struggle with issues pertaining to nursing, transportation and security.

“Governor Christie’s proposed budget for nursing and technology for this year have been significantly reduced and security funds have been entirely eliminated,” said Rabbi Schnall.

“We strongly encourage all members of the community appeal to the Governor to restore the Nonpublic nursing and technology funds to their original amount and, to impress upon him how vital security funding is for the safety of our children and that it be put back in to the budget. We are all citizens of the state and all our children deserve to be safe.”

Both the Agudath Israel and the OU will continue their efforts on behalf of the children attending day schools in the State of New Jersey and plans are underway to hold similar gathering in schools across the state in the coming weeks and months.