I want to begin by thanking our community leaders for their recent State Assembly endorsements, which they made explicitly as individuals, separate from their institutional affiliations. Their statement was measured, respectful and focused solely on unity and shared values. At a time of rising antisemitism, community leaders—including our rabbis, educators, elected officials, and Jewish advocacy organizations—not only have the right, but also the responsibility, to speak out in defense of our community’s safety.
I have no personal connection to either candidate. My vote is not based on loyalty to any family or social circle — it’s based on public records, political alliances, and a clear assessment of which candidates stand unequivocally with our community’s needs.
Incumbents Shama Haider and Ellen Park have been consistently dismissive of our concerns throughout their time in the assembly. For this reason, our community’s priority in this election should be to focus on preventing the re-election of Haider and Park. If we become divided by infighting, we risk undermining our efforts before they even begin.
While Tamar Warburg may be a member of the community with good intentions, her political allegiances should give voters serious pause. She is running alongside Steve Fulop, who rejected the IHRA definition of antisemitism and was praised by CAIR. One of his senior advisors, Sadaf Jaffer, publicly called for a ceasefire just one month after the Oct. 7 massacre. Fulop also supports Andy Kim, who voted to restrict arms to Israel — while New Jersey resident Edan Alexander remains a hostage in Gaza.
At a recent meet-and-greet, Warburg’s running mate, Dan Park, stated that “not one penny” of government funding should go to nonpublic schools — a position that directly threatens every family who sends their children to yeshiva.
Only one slate clearly aligns with the safety, values and interests of our community: Yitz Stern and Rosemary Hernandez Carroll.
In this climate, it is both rational and necessary for the Jewish community to reject slates tied to individuals who are out of touch or insensitive to the realities we face. Our votes must reflect not just our values, but our vigilance — and our refusal to stay silent.
