The Teach NJ Annual Legislative Dinner, which took place at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, included a one-hour program, with one New Jersey legislative leader speaking at the start, Deputy New Jersey Assembly Speaker, Assemblyman Gary Schaer—and another speaking at the conclusion, New Jersey Senate Democratic Conference Chair and Senate Education Committee Chair, Senator Vin Gopal.

Both legislators spoke movingly about the mission of Teach NJ and their commitment to helping the group advance its work. Schaer asserted that “our Jewish children deserve no more and no less than their public school compatriots” and added that “I will promise anything, and I will do anything, so our community is safe and secure, so we don’t have to worry about our schools’ safety.” Gopal stated: “We are in a bad time in America right now, where people are so angry. … I look to organizations like Teach NJ to help lead us out of it,” because of their strong commitment to help protect the safety and interests of children of different faiths.

The dinner also drew attention to the efforts of seven honorees, all articulate about the cause and passionate about its impact—Student of the Year Ayala Kramer; Keshet and Steven Starr of Hillside, Bellene and Yoni Gontownik of Englewood, and Jenna and Sam Goldstein of Teaneck.

Dinner attendees were extremely enthusiastic about Teach NJ.

Ilana Loskove of Englewood, a sophomore at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School in Teaneck, was one of a group of four students who accompanied their friend Ayala as she accepted her award. Loskove said: “I’m here to support Ayala, who does so much for Teach NJ, and because of the great work of Teach NJ, which does so much to support the STEM program at Ma’ayanot.”

David Feuerstein of Hillside praised Teach NJ for its efforts, during the pandemic, to work with lay leaders and elected officials to secure boxes of food to distribute to members of the Jewish community in need. The Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth served as the hub in that area for distributions. Feuerstein stated: “This was a phenomenal program that Teach NJ put together, which served over 100 families each week in our community alone.”

Phil and Marlene Rhodes of Teaneck shared: “We are strong supporters of the Schechter Day School, which struggles with affordability. We believe that some of the costs should be borne by the state, so we are advocates for the great work of Teach NJ.”

Rabbi Daniel Alter, head of school of the Moriah School in Englewood, said: “One of the biggest challenges facing young Orthodox families is the cost of day school tuition. Teach NJ is at the forefront of addressing this challenge. And we’ve already seen great return on investment for their efforts.”

“Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey and Teach NJ share many common goals, including advocating with elected officials on behalf of the Jewish community and Jewish education,” said Alana Burman, director of the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Committee. “For years, Federation has helped fund Teach NJ and collaborates on legislative advocacy. We are proud to call them one of our strategic partners.”

“RPRY is passionately devoted to supporting and participating in the activities of Teach NJ, because they are making a substantial difference on two of our yeshiva’s biggest existential challenges—how to keep our school safe and affordable,” said Tova Renna of Highland Park, president of RPRY in Edison. “Teach NJ is remarkably effective in garnering New Jersey state government support for nonpublic schools, and we are very grateful for all their work.”

Sam Passer, Miriam Breau and Yehuda Zinberg are three juniors from the Idea School in Tenafly, who attended the dinner together. Said Zinberg: “I attended the Teach NJ virtual mission and spoke with Assemblywoman Shama Haider. It was a really great experience.” Breau said: “I’ve spoken for Teach NJ in other schools and I really appreciate what they do on this issue.” Passer shared: “I came to the dinner tonight because I’m interested in politics, especially when it affects me.”

The enthusiasm about Teach NJ and its accomplishments was also readily evident in conversations with its leaders.

“When we first started Teach NJ, it was Sam Goldstein of Teaneck who raised his hand and offered to help,” said Maury Litwack, director of Teach Coalition. “It was his dad, Mark Goldstein, who served as president of the Flatbush Yeshiva at the time, who got involved when we started Teach NY. And it was Sam’s mother-in-law, Carol Lasik, who joined us a dozen years ago when we got started Teach FL. We see one family having a major impact in three states. What other organization can point to engaging an extended family in this way?”

Honorees Keshet and Steve Starr said: “We are motivated about the affordability of Jewish day schools, which can be an overwhelming concern. Teach NJ and the work they do to get funding is a critical part of the solution. And they are addressing the matter in a very concrete way.”

Teach Coalition, a project of the Orthodox Union, is a multi-state, grassroots movement devoted to advocating for nonpublic school funding and resources. Teach NJ, a division of Teach Coalition, was founded in 2015 to advocate for equitable government funding for New Jersey’s nonpublic schools.

To learn more about the work of Teach Coalition and Teach NJ, visit https://teachcoalition.org, https://teachcoalition.org/nj/.

By Harry Glazer