Debbie Marcus of Basking Ridge, New Jersey is no stranger to the pages of The Jewish Link, as she was featured as a SuperFan of the Month in January 2021. While nothing quite matches the fame, fortune and weighty responsibility of being selected as a SuperFan, Marcus recently set her sights on another role of prominence; along with running mates Larry Rascio and Erin Weber, she is campaigning to be elected to the Board of Education of Bernards Township.

Serving on the public school system’s board of education would give Marcus an unparalleled opportunity to apply her many talents in service of the community and to make a Kiddush Hashem. Yet, as it is uncommon for an observant Jew to serve on a public school’s board of education, The Jewish Link decided to check in with Marcus and seek her views on her prospective new role.

Marcus grew up in southern California and came east to attend Yale University, where she met her husband Alex. She’s worked in university deans and admissions offices and obtained a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Pennsylvania. She has taught a research methods class at Kean University in Union, New Jersey and was a township recreation basketball coach and Girl Scouts troop leader. She has worked on communications for successful local township political campaigns and part-time as a Jewish family connector for the local Jewish federation.

Alex is a physician and they have three children, Zach, Eliana and Judah. They attend services at Chabad of Basking Ridge. “It is a solid three-mile walk,” Debbie said, “but we’ve gotten used to it.” Marcus volunteers in a variety of roles at the Chabad. She is also a newly appointed member of the board of directors of the newly renamed Jewish Federation of West-Central Jersey (formerly the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties). She has long been involved in the public school system and has worked to familiarize educational leaders with Jewish needs. She is proud of her ongoing efforts to convince the local public schools to change the fall 2021 start date so it would not conflict with Rosh Hashanah, and to offer the PSAT on a weekday.

The Jewish Link (JL) recently interviewed Marcus by email for this story.

JL: How does your background as an observant Jew inform your volunteer work with the public school system?

Marcus: Initially all our kids were in public schools and I got involved for somewhat minor items, such as making sure there were no big events or tests on holidays since our district only has Yom Kippur off. (I’m currently gathering support to add Rosh Hashanah.) I also got involved in many PTO activities so I could help out and also make sure there was kosher food. Later, we switched some of our kids to Jewish day school and the curricular contrast was larger than I expected.

In public middle and high school, I found the pedagogy surrounding Israel and Judaic history to be quite misleading. For example, most of Israel was listed as “disputed territory” in maps students had to copy and memorize. Israel was often presented as an apartheid state. The Crusades were discussed as mainly only affecting Muslims. Palestinian “activists” were highlighted as peace seeking. Additionally, textbooks were reviewed and sometimes rejected once I pointed out antisemitic content, among other flaws.

Finally, there are many newer state curricular guidelines that conflict with Jewish values. Often there is also not enough transparency or school communications to avoid them if a family chooses to do so. Now that my children are done with public school, Judaism informs my continued commitment to helping the community’s kids continue to receive an effective educational experience.

JL: One of the news reports about your candidacy says that your slate will work on academic excellence, continued fiscal responsibility, and promote safety with well-maintained facilities, fields and safe school access. The report asked that your team intends to “ensure that parents have a say in their children’s education.” Can you elaborate on this? What does that mean in practical terms?

Marcus: Any decision that affects the education, safety and well-being of our children must be made at the local level, with full transparency between parents and the district. Parents should have complete awareness and input on their child’s education. They should not be surprised by some content or policies after the fact.

Recently, the state introduced many curricular and policy standards that open the possibility to override parental input and values. Generally speaking, the age appropriateness of gender exploration and increased sexualization within the newly implemented health curriculum, plus related policies such as biological boys in girls locker rooms and sports, have been the main areas of discussion.

This role of schools in “parenting” students’ lives is where parents want more information and transparency. Please note, these gender and other curricular policies are paid for by tax dollars and affect all New Jersey public schools. I encourage everyone to pay attention and vote for local district board members who represent your perspective (however you feel about it), even if your kids attend private schools.

JL: What response to your candidacy are you receiving as you campaign? Any interesting anecdotes?

Marcus: It’s been very refreshing to knock on doors and meet lots of neighbors. Generally people are glad to learn about what is going on and how their taxpayer money is being spent. I get the most interesting stories from the older residents. One shared that the street they live on was named after the daughter of the farmer whose house we live in. Tragically, that daughter was accidentally shot dead by her fiancé while they were out hunting. Another neighbor shared that his office near the local elementary school was where the local head of the KKK had lived many decades ago (!).

Those interested in helping Marcus’ campaign can visit securingkidseducation.com and click the Facebook and Instagram links to Follow and Like.

Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County Editor for The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected]