About 150 community members gathered at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun Sunday night for a forum by the Bergen County Jewish Action Committee (BCJAC), Teaneck Township Council members and other township municipal officials. The spotlight on civic engagement was front and center, piloted by Councilwoman Karen Orgen, flanked by longtime township government leader, former deputy mayor and current Teaneck Planning Board member Yitz Stern. A former assistant district attorney/criminal prosecutor and current English teacher at one of the day schools spoke representing the BCJAC.

The forum was opened and closed by Rabbi Elliot Schrier of Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, recognizing the county and local dignitaries in attendance, extolling Rabbi Fridman for “… his wisdom and engagement in civic leadership,” and quipped before ending the evening that, “Not everyone listens to their rabbi…but just get out and get involved!”

Orgen cited Councilwoman Hillary Zaer-Goldberg for her initiative and vigor in the recent Teaneck Council Resolution in support of Israel, receiving a (well-deserved) round of applause; and to Tracy Zur, Bergen County commissioner. Zur spoke candidly from her seat in the audience, emphasizing the option and flexible opportunities for early voting, and the importance of having our communal voice heard via the abundance of individual votes we can cast as essential civic engagement. The loudest memo, amongst many others from this forum was: “Get out and vote!”

This year’s election includes the selection of members to the Teaneck Board of Education. The BCJAC member pointed out a chilling reality observed recently during a BOE meeting. She reported that board members tried to censor reports of the atrocities committed by Hamas, and did not condemn them. Stunningly, these BOE members did not interrupt negative comments about Israel by some attending in person and on Zoom as they shouted about Israel being “an apartheid, genocidal state.”

“What happens in the Middle East never stays in the Middle East,” the BCJAC representative observed, adding, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” and urging everyone to make their voices heard in the voting booth. A QR code was circulated making it easy to find out what civic opportunities are available.

Yitz Stern also hammered the voting gavel, calling it the easiest way to be civically engaged, but not the only way. Teaneck Township has numerous boards and committees, and any adult resident can serve. For example, there are statutory boards and advisory boards. The library, chamber of commerce and planning boards are statutory. Some boards are by application, some by appointment and others are by election, as in the Board of Education. He also clarified that the zoning board primarily focuses on what is not permitted, while the planning board focuses on what is permitted. There are also numerous committees, all of which can be reviewed on the township website, www.teanecknj.gov. Stern’s advice: “Go to a board meeting and check it out.”

Describing Teaneck as a “turn-key community,” both Orgen and Stern described how different life was in Teaneck 50 years ago. “No mikvah, one pizza shop, a few schools and a few shuls.” Now, says Stern, “there are block associations, WhatsApp groups, that post notices and people come.” One member of the audience asked Orgen about best tactics, to which the councilwoman quickly responded to send her an email and she would share details. Another audience member talked about the importance of being present to view board meetings on Zoom, noting, “The more people watching, the better they behave.”

Orgen noted that 55% of the tax in Teaneck is allocated for education, and that this election includes filling seats on the BOE. Former Teaneck Councilman Keith Kaplan extemporaneously reported some startling facts to the group about the spending records of the BOE, of which most people are unaware. For example, the board underspent their security and busing budgets, each by over $1 million. However, the regulation is that budget surpluses, or “fund balance” can be used by the board at their discretion. It was confirmed by the board that the fund balance money was used for renovations and capital expenditures totaling over $5 million, despite the voice of concerned parents in the district expressing dismay about the reduction in security.

So if you think that your vote on members of the Board of Education doesn’t matter, think again.

From the audience, Solomon added: “This is not a time to sleep.We have been stung. We’re used to having a voice and we fell asleep a little. Vote! Be prideful and be nice to everyone in the community.”

Also in attendance was Republican candidate for New Jersey State Senate Dr. Dierdre Paul, professor in the Department of Education at Montclair State University, and author of four books.

Early voting is currently underway at multiple locations in Bergen County, the most local being the Rodda Center, located at the south end of Votee Park. Hours are: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and ending this Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

As an extra incentive, this Sunday, Teach NJ has organized “The Great Big Vote,” a day of music, entertainment and fun activities for the whole family at the south end of Votee Park, The event runs from 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Virtually all of the day schools are co-sponsoring the event.

If you’re unsure of whom to vote for, there’s still time to do research or seek the perspective of council members or others in the township government for updates on the candidates and the issues.

For additional information on what you can do or how to participate, you can reach out to: [email protected]