If you were looking for signs of the reach and impact of the New Jersey Jewish Business Alliance (NJJBA) at their 10th Annual Legislative and Business Luncheon, they were readily evident.
Held on August 6 at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, the NJJBA luncheon was supported by prominent corporate sponsors such as United Airlines, Royal Wine Corp., the law firm of Sills Cummis & Gross, and Complete Care (a network of skilled nursing facilities in seven states), with additional support from Valley Bank, Catchmaster, Fabuwood Cabinetry, Hackensack Meridian Health, Glass Gardens ShopRites, and Bern & Associates LLC.
Jewish radio host Nachum Segal served as master of ceremonies at a luncheon which featured a variety of star attractions, including two U.S. members of Congress from New Jersey, Congressman Tom Kean and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, and a stage full of other municipal and state elected officials; and two prominent industry leaders who received awards of recognition, Ilan Kaufthal, chairman of East Wind Advisors; and Kevin O’Toole, chairman of the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey. Former New Jersey governor, Jim McGreevey, and two declared candidates for governor of New Jersey in 2025, Rep. Jack Ciattarell and Sean Spiller, were also in attendance, along with dozens of other noted members of the media, academia, nonprofits, and businesses big, medium and small.
The luncheon featured a keynote address on campus antisemitism by Dr. Alan Kadish, the president of Touro University. “Some people thought that antisemitism was gone,” he said. “But antisemitism has been around for a couple of thousand years, and it never disappeared—it just became socially unacceptable for a while.” He asserted that college professors, along with high school and elementary school teachers, have advanced the idea that Israel and Jews are part of the oppressor class. “But we’ve been labeled oppressors without much thought to context or history.”
Kadish shared: “Since October 7, Touro has established the Safe Campus scholarship for undergraduate students who wish to transfer from colleges where they have encountered antisemitism, reducing their tuition by 25%. In addition, a cohort of students transferred to graduate programs.” He estimated that hundreds of students have taken advantage of Touro’s new transfer policies.
The NJJBA luncheon spoke volumes of the ties the NJJBA has established in the 10 years since it was founded and held its first luncheon.
NJJBA Executive Director David Rosenberg told The Jewish Link that the luncheon is the organization’s “main event of the year,” and that it has grown “dramatically” since its inception. He stated that the NJJBA luncheon enables participants to network with peers across the state, to hear from prominent political leaders, and to show their appreciation to business and governmental leaders who have demonstrated support for the Jewish community.
The strongest testimonial to the value of the luncheon and the esteem of NJJBA was the enthusiasm for the event expressed by attendees. Mark Siegel, MBA, executive director of The School for Children With Hidden Intelligence, in Lakewood, stated that he’s made a point to attend the annual luncheon for the past several years. He said: “This is an extremely high-quality event that gives you the privilege to interact with many highly intelligent leaders. And it’s an extraordinary networking opportunity.”
Mayor Brad Cohen of East Brunswick shared that he came to the luncheon with his Economic Development Director Rob Zuckerman “to support Jewish businesses in all parts of the state, to support David Rosenberg, and to encourage businesses to consider moving to East Brunswick.”
Assemblyman John Dimaio (R-23rd district), the Republican Minority Leader in the New Jersey State Assembly, told The Jewish Link that it was the second year he was attending the luncheon. He said, “The NJJBA is a very important group in New Jersey. Any group that is creating jobs is very important to us. They are working with people who are investing capital, to build businesses in the real New Jersey economy.”
Monica Slater Stokes, managing director of corporate and government affairs at United Airlines, stated: “Our involvement with the NJJBA is a real solid partnership for us at United Airlines. We provide service to Tel Aviv and that is a very important market to us. The NJJBA and David Rosenberg are very valuable collaborators with us and we appreciate the opportunities the luncheon offers.” Stokes attended the luncheon with three colleagues at United Airlines—Alice Peroti, Blenda Pinto and Asmita Gharat.
Michael Edwards, senior vice president for transportation of Assured Partners in Cranford, a trucking insurance company, recalled that nearly 10 years ago, he was introduced to David Rosenberg by a common friend, Jim Burns, an attorney. “I’ve connected with NJJBA ever since.” He has been participating in the luncheon for a number of years and is now serving on a NJJBA advisory committee for new members.
Harry Glazer is The Middlesex County Editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected] and he absolutely loves reader feedback.
