(Courtesy of JCRC) The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey held another in a series of Legislative Advocacy Days on Wednesday, October 10, at the Bergen County Administration building. This time members of the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) met with the county executive and Bergen County freeholders, as well as representatives from the Bergen County Sheriff’s department, county prosecutor’s office, county clerk and other officials of Bergen County.

Jewish Federation CEO Jason Shames started the meeting by identifying a number of needs in Bergen County specifically affecting the poor and elderly that the Federation and Bergen County administration could work together more closely to improve. Among the areas affecting these vulnerable populations were affordable senior housing and improved public transportation.

The hour-long meeting included an exchange of ideas on ways to promote trade between Israel and New Jersey, stem the recent rise of anti-Semitic vandalism, curb the opioid crisis, and work together to increase voter turnout.

A key purpose of this meeting was to demonstrate to the county officials the importance of the Jewish Federation in the work it does reaching out and helping the entire community of all faiths and groups. Both Shames and JCRC Director Ariella Noveck spoke about how Jewish Federation reaches out to help where they are needed and wherever their resources can make a positive difference throughout northern New Jersey. This was the first of such meetings with officials of Bergen County. It is hoped this meeting will be the first of more exchanges of its kind.

To get involved and or to learn more, please contact Noveck at [email protected].