(Courtesy of Bris Avrohom) Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky, executive director of Bris Avrohom, Hillside, met with Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo to discuss topics concerning the Jewish community: freedom of religion, supporting Jewish institutions in Essex County, spreading the lights of Chanukah in his county, and helping inmates in any capacity with dignity.

Also discussed at the meeting was the need for security at Jewish institutions. Rabbi Kanelsky relayed to the county executive the famous story of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi and the Roman king, with the message that the mezuzah is the greatest protection possible, as it says regarding the mezuzah, “God will guard you when you come in and when you go out, now and forever.”

Rabbi Kanelsky presented the county executive with a mezuzah, who responded warmly to the gift, saying it will serve as a protection not just for him and his employees, but to the entire Essex County. He then asked that the mezuzah be placed on the doorpost of his private office.

Rabbi Avremy Kanelsky, director of the Jewish Information Stand at Newark Airport, also attended the meeting.

Rabbi Kanelsky concluded the visit by thanking the county executive for all his efforts on behalf of the Jewish community.