On Sunday, Binyamin and Gail Rieder of New Milford hosted a brunch event for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) at their home. Menendez has been a public servant for three decades and was formerly chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

More than 98 attendees joined the event in support of the Senator’s re-election campaign. Bob Menendez was the second Democrat in the Senate to vote against the Iran deal in 2015, which he viewed as a significant mistake by the Obama administration that would clear Iran’s path for nuclear weapons development. During the event, he expressed cautious optimism on working with President Trump to bolster U.S.-Israel relations, touting his support of some of the new administration’s appointees.

Among those who attended were officials from Bergenfield, New Milford, Teaneck and other local towns. Former Congressman Steve Rothman and freshman Congressman Josh Gottheimer also attended to show their support for the senator.

Host Gail Rieder’s parents are Stephen and Roslyn Flatow, whose daughter Alisa was killed in Israel by a terrorist attack in 1995. The Alisa M. Flatow Yeshiva High School was named in her honor, and the Alisa Flatow Memorial Scholarship provides funds for students who wish to pursue traditional Jewish studies. They also attended and were acknowledged by the senator in his remarks.

Robert Menendez will be running for re-election in 2018.