Throughout his years as a Paramus councilman and state legislator Sen. Joseph Lagana (D-Dist. 38) has tirelessly fought hate and intolerance, an issue of rising concern to the Jewish community as rates of anti-Semitism continue to skyrocket across the state and country.
“Sen. Joseph Lagana has time and again proven himself to be a true leader in the New Jersey Legislature on issues concerning the Jewish community, combating anti-Semitism, and working across the board to build a more tolerant society,” said Eastern Director Michael Cohen of the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC).
The center will honor Lagana Aug. 30 at its Fifth Annual Heroes for Tolerance Dinner in the backyard of the Englewood home of Gabriel and Polly Bousbib.
“During these unprecedented times, we need to highlight special individuals such as Senator Lagana who are dedicated to bringing people together to combat hate in all of its forms,” Cohen told The Jewish Link. “Senator Lagana has worked tirelessly to ensure that all communities can better understand each other and collectively work toward each achieving their communal aspirations. The Simon Wiesenthal Center is proud to recognize such an exemplary individual and public servant.”
The dinner will follow all health and safety protocols recommended by appropriate officials during the coronavirus pandemic, he said, noting SWC is “very serious about making as certain as possible that the event continues to exemplify the center’s high standards in every conceivable manner. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our program’s participants.”
The program will also honor New York State Police and PBA chaplain David Heskiel and Michael Pock and Matthew Dikovics of the Springfield-based Nassau Consulting Group.
Heskiel is clergy liaison to the NYPD and longtime board member of many local Jewish organizations whose work has brought communities together to fight hate and anti-Semitism and increased understanding among law enforcement of cultural sensitivities.
Pock and Dikovics are former senior staffers for the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg and have a long history of public service and highlighting the importance of combating anti-Semitism and hate for those at the highest levels of New Jersey government.
Featured speaker at the event will be Rabbi Aaron Kotler, president and CEO of Bais Medrash Gohova in Lakewood.
In a phone interview with The Jewish Link, Lagana said it was especially meaningful to be honored by the SWC “because of what it stands for. To have my name linked with the Wiesenthal Center is an honor beyond my expectations.”
Lagana said as an elected official he has always made it a point to be sensitive to the needs of his ethnically and religiously diverse constituency.
He has taken up many issues of importance to the Jewish community in his Bergen and Passaic county district, including a number of issues of particular significance to the Orthodox such as providing funding for security, technology and health services for non-public schools.
A bill that Lagana helped to sponsor providing $11.3 million, doubling school security appropriations for non-public schools, was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy in January 2019. Among the sponsors in the Assembly was Gary Schaer (D-Dist. 36), who Lagana described as “a close friend” with whom he has partnered on initiatives important to the Orthodox community. Previously, non-public schools were allotted $75 per child while public schools received $150.
“I have many non-public schools in my district, including many yeshivas,” said Lagana. “This is a big deal because of the rise of hate crimes in America and around the world since 2016 against Jewish schools. This the least we could do here. It’s a sad commentary on the world that we have to put these protocols in place to protect children.”
He noted that when meeting with Orthodox constituents in communities such as Bergenfield, Fair Lawn and Paramus, he takes their concerns to heart that their children’s schools receive adequate funding in return for their tax dollars.
Lagana is proud of sponsoring legislation tightening safety measures on school buses following the death two years ago of a Paramus student and teacher after a school bus driver made an illegal turn on Route 80.
“I think it’s a very important for an elected official to be a voice for all communities,” said Lagana, who began his political career in 2012 on the Paramus Council and was elected to the Assembly in 2013.
In 2018 he was appointed to fill a Senate vacancy left when Sen. Robert Gordon resigned to become a commissioner on the state board of public utilities.
“I represent a diverse community and it’s important to make sure everyone’s voice is heard whether it’s religiously or culturally,” said Lagana. “The Jewish community has been very proactive and has welcomed me with open arms. They come to my office to talk about simple things, their lives and legislation. On holidays they say, ‘Come and offer a blessing’ or tell me they’d like to break bread or invite me to speak at some event. It’s very gratifying to have a very engaged group who look to elected figures for leadership and give us a lot of deference and respect.”
For tickets, go to wiesenthal.com/heroes2020. Prices are: benefactor, $5000; sponsor, $2500; friend, $1000; and general, $500.
By Debra Rubin
