The Orthodox Forum of Edison/Highland Park invites the entire community to a talk by the Honorable Gary Schaer, deputy speaker, New Jersey State Assembly, on Motzei Shabbat, December 21, at 8:00 p.m. at Congregation Ohr Torah in Edison.

Assemblyman Schaer will discuss his personal political journey as the first and only Orthodox Jew to serve in the New Jersey State Legislature. He will also share his thoughts on a number of topics: the fight for state funding of education services for Jewish day school students and families, security of Jewish institutions in the age of terrorism and mass school shootings, the growth of anti-Semitism in New Jersey and the country as a whole, and how an Orthodox Jewish legislator deals with policies that conflict with personal religious beliefs.

Gary Schaer has served as a member of the Passaic City Council since 1994 and served as acting mayor in 2008 and chair of the budget committee, 2014-2017. He has been a member of the New Jersey General Assembly since 2006 and deputy speaker since 2012.

The Orthodox Forum program is free of charge. The Orthodox Forum gladly accepts season sponsorships, as well as program sponsorships. For more information, visit www.orthodoxjewishforum.org.