Ben Porat Yosef sixth grade students had a visit with local politicians, Senator Robert Gordon and Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle, on Wednesday, April 26. Sen. Gordon and Asw. Huttle represent New Jersey Legislative Districts 38 and 37, respectively, which encompass the towns of almost all BPY families. The students were able to hear about the roles that Sen. Gordon and Asw. Huttle play in introducing bills and enacting laws to benefit the lives of their constituents. The students were encouraged to bring their ideas and thoughts to their local politicians and to participate in government. The assemblywoman and senator made sure to give examples of how the students could be involved, even at their current age, in shaping legislative agenda, and urged them to become future leaders and advocates for their communities. Teach NJS, a partnership of day schools, the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center and Jewish Federations were instrumental in coordinating the visit with the students. The organizations advocate increased state funding to all non-public schools in New Jersey and to achieve funding-parity with public schools.