An estimated 200 attorneys from across the state of New Jersey gathered in Roseland last week to celebrate the installation of officers for JBAR, the new Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey.

“There are bar associations for everything, but there was no Jewish association and with the rise of antisemitism it is important to have representation and make policy now more than ever,” said Eliana Baer, a partner at Fox Rothschild and member of the JBAR board.

Avi Kelin, president-elect of JBAR and a partner at PEM Law LLC, said “we felt an obligation to do this after [the Hamas attacks of] Oct. 7 to make sure we have a voice in a way we didn’t before.”

A previous Jewish Bar Association was tried some years back, but supporters say now is the time to move forward once again with a group like this.

“It’s important at this time to show Jewish pride and bond together,” said board member Richard Kelin, a partner at Goldstein Kelin LLC.

Addressing the members after being formally installed as the organization’s president, Joseph Lemkin of Stark & Stark P.C. said that JBAR will provide guidance to younger Jewish attorneys, support the Jewish community, and to make “crystal clear” their “unwavering” support for the State of Israel.

Lemkin also stressed the need for JBAR’s members to “be there for our Jewish students” who are being subject to intimidation and harassment on campus.

The installation of officers for JBAR was held at offices of Chiesa Shahinian and Giantomasi and included a kosher buffet and klezmer music, in addition to plenty of networking.

Among those in attendance was attorney Miriam Zakarin of Treuhaft & Zakarin who said she was “very impressed by the turnout” and that it shows “just how much this was needed.”

A second event is already in the works for July. To learn more, email [email protected] or check them out on LinkedIn.