Tamar Warburg is certainly in the right place at the right time—the Teaneck lawyer and mother of five has recently announced her candidacy for New Jersey State Assembly after a year of engaging politically on a local level ever since October 7, 2023. Warburg is running alongside Tenafly Councilman Dan Park on Mayor Steve Fulop’s Democratic slate, which currently consists of 20 candidates for State Assembly with more to come. If elected, Warburg would be the first Orthodox Jewish woman to take a seat in the 80-person legislative body.

“October 7 was the shock of our lives,” Warburg shared with The Jewish Link. The newly minted 37th legislative district candidate was never one for politics, but became quickly concerned with the state of the Jewish community in Teaneck. “It’s very humbling to learn that we absolutely need a safe and secure America; the events which unfolded after October 7 were quite troubling, so I knew it was time to put in the effort and step up for my community.”

Last year, Warburg ran for a seat on the Democratic Committee of Bergen County, which she described as a “very positive” experience. “My message was that we need a seat at the table … After that election, it was clear that we are a loud and proud community that wants to work together.” After the Jewish community won 17 seats for Teaneck on the County Committee, including Warburg, she was encouraged by the community’s ability to “flex some political muscle” through voting. “The goal was that we want elected officials as well as our neighbors to look at the numbers and realize that we do vote, and that they should pay attention to us and our concerns, and partner with us,” she shared.

Just a few short weeks after the race, Warburg and her husband, Yigal Gross, attended a town hall meeting at the Rodda Center with Mayor Fulop, the highly popular three-term mayor of Jersey City who is running for governor. “I was beyond impressed with [Fulop] … he was able to talk about every issue with so much confidence, and he is so genuine and solutions-oriented. He’s the real deal. I said to my husband then and there that we should host an event with Mayor Fulop in our home so that our friends and neighbors could get to know him a little better.”

Warburg and Gross worked with Fulop’s campaign team to organize a Q&A in their home, which Gross moderated. Warburg recalled being amazed that Fulop treats all questions as “fair game,” and refused to take a list of questions ahead of time. “It was all off the cuff. We got to hear his amazing personal story, and it was clear to me that he must be doing something right given how popular of a mayor he’s been to such a large and exceptionally diverse city.”

Both Warburg and Gross were inspired to join Fulop’s campaign after that evening, and several weeks later were informed that he was looking to choose someone from Teaneck to run for Assembly in District 37. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is amazing,’ and started planning a list of people who would be good candidates,” said Warburg. “Then the campaign advisor told me that they were actually thinking of me.

After weeks of considering the offer, Warburg came to the conclusion that Fulop’s offer was “not an offer to Tamar Warburg, but an offer to Teaneck and to the Jewish community.” Ultimately, she determined that the opportunity to have a voice in the State Assembly was being handed to her “on a silver platter,” and she should run with it. “I felt like this was a culmination of a year’s worth of efforts by the local community, and it just wasn’t my offer to refuse.”

Warburg feels that her transition into politics taps into her passion for community service and advocacy, in which she has been engaged for several years in a professional capacity. Five years ago, Warburg had the opportunity to take over as general counsel of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Metrowest, the legacy and endowment arm of the Jewish Federation. “It’s been a great way to use my professional skills to serve the community.”

Warburg’s “main event” is getting the State Assembly in the habit of being responsive to constituents, and making sure that those constituents are aware of what the Assembly can provide for them. “My number one issue is about making the Assembly relevant,” she shared. “I want our assembly members to be accountable to us.”

Part of Warburg’s strategy is to “reach across the aisle” by making it a point to meet up with people in person. “Teaneck needs to get off of Facebook and get together with each other. We have a lot in common, and there’s a lot that we can accomplish together. I’m hopeful that with a seat in Trenton, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to sit with people in other communities and do good work together.”

Warburg is currently working with her running mate, Tenafly Councilman Dan Park, on narrowing down specifics for their platform, but anticipates that the three main “buckets” will be “public safety, public health and public education.” Warburg listed her concerns as antisemitism and protecting residents from harassment and intimation, modifying the state’s early intervention system, and making sure the state’s public education is top-tier—while also finding ways to make yeshiva day school more affordable.

“I think my partnership with Councilman Park is very strategic,” said Warburg of her running mate, who is Korean-American. “Our communities get along very well; I’m very excited because there’s a positive relationship and I know we can work together from a legislative perspective. We have a lot in common and I think we have a lot to offer the diverse constituency of the district.” Warburg is also encouraged by Park’s experience as a councilman, demonstrating his commitment to Bergen County. “I really look forward to working with him.”

Warburg teased an upcoming Teaneck meet-and-greet with Mayor Fulop, which will be moderated by Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, set to take place on Monday, December 2. “It’s important for the community to get to know Mayor Fulop, and for him to get to know us. It’s notable that he’s making a concerted effort to be present in Teaneck. I encourage everyone to come and meet him, as well as speak with myself and Councilman Park. I think you’ll all be very inspired.”

For more information, please email Warburg at [email protected].

Channa Fischer is digital editor of The Jewish Link and the resident 20-something in the office. She resides in Washington Heights.