Growing up in New Jersey can make one feel a bit, well, small. New Jersey is a tiny state (fifth smallest in area), and it’s more of a thoroughfare to get from New York City to Philadelphia. I vividly remember as a kid on Disney World’s “Great Movie Ride,” the recreated slum scene from “The Public Enemy” where a cast member would joke, “What is this, New Jersey?” Time and again on Disney trips, I noticed that New Jersey was the butt of jokes on various rides. While I loved my home state, growing up in Bergen County, I couldn’t help but internalize the idea that others viewed us as somewhat “inferior.”

But after visiting the New Jersey Hall of Fame with my wife, Ahuva, I have gained a newfound pride in our small state that has shaped some of the most influential figures in American history.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame was established in 2005, after being approved by the New Jersey Senate, passed by the Assembly, and signed into law by the governor in September of that year. Less than three years later, in May 2008, the Inaugural Class of 15 Hall of Famers was introduced, featuring iconic figures such as inventor Thomas Edison, scientist Albert Einstein, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, singers Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen, and Yankees catcher Yogi Berra. Since then, more and more New Jersey legends have been inducted annually, celebrating the state’s rich history of talent and achievement. Nominees needed to have lived in New Jersey for at least five years and are selected through a three-phase process involving expert panel reviews, organizational input and public voting.

Originally, the New Jersey Hall of Fame operated as a “mobile museum” that toured the state, bringing its exhibits directly to the people. In 2017, a satellite exhibition was introduced at Newark Airport, featuring holograms, posters and a modest “Wall of Fame.” Finally, in June 2024, the Hall of Fame found a permanent home at the American Dream Mall, a 10,000-square-foot space built at a cost of $20 million. Located on Level 3, Court G, across from the Oreo Café, the museum now offers interactive exhibits that allow visitors to engage with and learn about Hall of Fame members in a fun and enlightening way.

After Ahuva and I took three escalators, we arrived at the Hall of Fame, a spacious circular room featuring vibrant yellow and black accents and multiple doorways leading to unique exhibits throughout the space. We were greeted by a friendly employee named Travis, who eagerly explained the various experiences the Hall of Fame had to offer. Travis suggested we begin with the Late Night Jersey TV Studio, an interactive exhibit where Ahuva and I could conduct simulated interviews with different Hall of Fame inductees.

To begin, we used a screen to choose which Hall of Famer we wanted to interview. Ahuva selected Danny DeVito (famous for playing The Penguin in “Batman Returns”), while I picked Jason Alexander (George Costanza from “Seinfeld”). The screen then prompted us to select questions we wanted to ask. From there, we entered a makeshift TV studio, complete with a green screen backdrop, a microphone and a professional interview setup. Across the table, a hologram of the celebrity appeared on a glass screen, making the experience feel lifelike. For the next few minutes, we conducted our interviews, asking the questions we had pre-selected, which appeared on a tablet at the table. The holograms were so convincing that, even knowing Jason Alexander wasn’t actually there, his realistic eye contact and conversational responses made me slightly nervous, as if I were in a real interview!

With our interviews complete, we returned to the main area and noticed a large map of New Jersey embedded in the floor. The map featured Hall of Fame members, and by hovering our hand over a specific name, a brief bio and list of their accomplishments would appear. Next, we headed to the karaoke stage to perform hit songs from New Jersey artists. Ahuva chose “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” a huge hit for Frankie Valli, who, coincidentally, we had seen live in concert the year before at BergenPAC in Englewood, still performing at 90 years old. I picked “Mony Mony” by Tommy James and the Shondells. The stage was complete with bright lights shining on us during our performances, creating a concert-like atmosphere. Ahuva opted for lip-syncing, but I took it seriously and sang my heart out. (Although, Ahuva was laughing at my singing the whole time, and even Travis came in with a big smile, so I don’t think I will be getting any casting calls soon.) What was really neat was that next to each of us, a hologram of the legendary artist appeared on stage and sang along, making it feel like we were actually performing a duet together!

Next, we experienced the thrilling simulator Fly Me to the Moon. A large screen in front of us brought the action to life, while headsets allowed us to control the volume for a more personalized experience. The ride reminded me of Soarin’ in EPCOT, but with sharper drops, more dramatic sound effects, and even bursts of water spraying towards us for added realism. We sat in a row of surprisingly comfortable black padded seats that vibrated and moved perfectly in sync with the film, fully immersing us in the adventure.

When the simulator began, we were transported to Thomas Edison’s estate, where he and Albert Einstein introduced themselves and shared their enhancements to Edison’s iconic Model T car. To our amazement, the car transformed into a rocket ship and launched us into outer space, with our seats simulating the exhilarating sensation of flight. We landed on the moon just in time to witness Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong’s historic first steps before continuing toward Earth. Along the way, we stopped at a satellite to meet New Jersey astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly, then safely crash-landed back on Earth to complete the thrilling journey.

Back on Earth, Ahuva and I entered the next room, where a film showcased various New Jersey Hall of Fame members. I found the movie inspiring, especially Bruce Springsteen’s 2008 induction speech, where he shared why he’s proud to be a New Jerseyan. He described New Jerseyans as tough, scrappy and hardworking, and his line “We, who bear the coolness of the forever uncool,” deeply resonated with me. After years of hearing jokes about New Jersey, his words felt like a badge of honor. The film also featured iconic moments from legends like Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra and Jack Nicholson, leaving me filled with pride to be a native of the Garden State.

After the video ended, we made our way to the gift shop, browsing New Jersey-themed merchandise before trying out the green-screen photo booth. Ahuva and I picked Whitney Houston as our celebrity, striking our best attempt to mimic her glamorous pose. When we went to pick up the photo, the cashier burst out laughing from our ridiculous pose, making the moment even more memorable.

For the final exhibit, located just outside the main Hall of Fame area in the middle of the mall, we got to try on a virtual reality headset for an immersive tour. Seated in a replica of Bon Jovi’s classic Chevelle, we selected former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Joe Piscopo as our guide. He took us on a virtual journey through his hometown, his favorite beaches on Long Beach Island, and finally along the Hudson River, where we enjoyed a stunning nighttime view of the New York City skyline. While I have tried virtual reality before, it was usually animated, but this time it featured real footage, which made the experience extra captivating. From the passing cars and swaying trees to the breathtaking finale of New York’s glittering skyscrapers, it felt so realistic and left me in awe.

Whether you’re from New Jersey or not, the New Jersey Hall of Fame is a must-visit and deserves a spot on your bucket list. Even Ahuva, who hails from Maryland and came in convinced her state was better than New Jersey (it isn’t), had an amazing time. The exhibits were incredibly diverse and engaging, and just experiencing the Fly Me to the Moon simulator and the VR tour made the trip worthwhile.

And who knows? Maybe someday you’ll be in the Hall of Fame, too.

Learn more about the New Jersey Hall of Fame at https://njhalloffame.org

Zachary Greenberg has been an avid reader of The Jewish Link since 2015 and a member of the staff since February 2022. Zachary is currently looking for a new full-time role in a business or data-related field. Beyond writing for The Link, he works part-time as director of the Keter Torah teen minyan for boys and as the TABC track coach. Zachary recently watched “Gladiator II” in theaters. His favorite snack is jello (hence the nickname Zack-Snack-Pack). Please email him at [email protected] if you have any suggestions. Be sure to follow his Instagram page @FunZacktivities for more content.