On Sunday evening, more than 225 Teaneck residents gathered at Mojo’s Restaurant for the “Stronger Together” event, hosted by Councilwoman Hillary Goldberg alongside a bipartisan group of community leaders, including former Councilman Alan Sohn, Rabbi Hayyim and Maxine Angel, former Board of Education Trustee Gerald Reiner and Desiree Reiner, Yigal and Tamar Gross, and Board of Adjustment member Michael Klatzky. Representing a wide range of backgrounds—Democrats and Republicans, Hispanic, Orthodox, Conservative and Christian, and spanning all ages—the hosts exemplified a commitment to unity through a respectful diversity of opinions. While they may differ on various issues, they all agreed on the leaders they believe should guide Teaneck’s future.
Held in Mojo’s spacious and stylish new event area, the gathering provided a welcoming atmosphere for the community to meet and support Township Council candidate Mayor Michael Pagan and Board of Education candidate Jenni Levy.
Councilwoman Goldberg opened the evening by expressing gratitude to the hosts and attendees, emphasizing the importance of every vote among Teaneck’s 32,000 registered voters. “Every single vote counts,” she reminded the crowd, urging everyone to cast all three votes in the council race to elect leaders who will stand up for Teaneck’s future.
Goldberg first endorsed Mayor Michael Pagan, commending him as a dedicated public servant and loyal ally to the Jewish community. She recounted his recent trip to Israel, where he connected with survivors and hostages’ families, witnessing firsthand the resilience of those impacted. Goldberg praised Pagan for his courage in confronting rising bias and antisemitism in Teaneck, noting his recent recognition as the “End Jew Hate Hero of the Week” and his ongoing support for all residents.
Goldberg also endorsed Karen Orgen and Mark Schwartz, describing both as seasoned leaders with deep roots in the community. She praised Schwartz’s thoughtful approach and Orgen’s dedication, highlighting how their wealth of experience makes them invaluable advocates for Teaneck. Together with Pagan, Orgen and Schwartz form a well-balanced team with a shared vision for inclusive growth and progress in Teaneck.
For the Board of Education, Goldberg endorsed Jenni Levy, citing her dual experience as a lawyer and educator. She commended Levy’s commitment to transparency, support for students with special needs, and dedication to smaller class sizes. Goldberg described Levy as a principled and forward-thinking leader, whose focus on accessible education and community partnerships will benefit every child in Teaneck.
Speakers included the candidates themselves, as well as Sohn and Gross, each sharing their perspectives on the significance of this election and the vision they hold for Teaneck.
The event underscored the community’s shared dedication to Teaneck’s future, with a clear message that unity is about coming together through respectful diversity of opinion. Held in Mojo’s versatile event space, the gathering demonstrated the venue’s role as a central hub for the town’s key events and discussions.
With early voting underway at the Rodda Center until Sunday and Election Day approaching, the evening concluded with a renewed sense of unity, reinforcing the importance of community involvement and dedicated leadership in Teaneck.
