August 21, 2008
Relevancy” is a constant of any community organization that values longevity, viability, and continued member participation. I was first installed as president of the NJ State Association of Jewish Federations in July 2007, when the association was celebrating its 25th anniversary. Time and again since its founding, the State Association demonstrated relevance serving as the government affairs voice for the state’s 12 Jewish federations.
As I enter my second year as its president, the “relevancy” of the State Association to the Jewish community is as important as it was when the partnership was first established. I greet my second and final year, as I did my first, with a commitment to maintain this relevancy for the benefit of the next generation of the Jewish federations it serves.
Making the community’s case for Israel, survivors, and those who ‘age in place.’
A prime responsibility of the State Association is advocacy for the social welfare agenda of the state’s Jewish community, and working with the federations to achieve these agenda goals. The State Association has initiated discussions with Commissioner Heather Howard and her team of eldercare managers from the Department of Health and Senior Services seeking a permanent state funding source for natural occurring retirement communities, or NORCs, the federations’ aging-in-place programs. During the past few years nine NORC projects have received federal funding. However, some of these programs have run out of funds and are no longer in operation or have been forced to find other federation resources to keep the program serving our seniors, often in scaled-down versions.
By building bridges with lawmakers and those who determine public policy, the State Association ensures that the federations have a voice in legislation, regulations, and public services programming. The Statehouse in Trenton was the destination of 65 Jewish community leaders, both lay and professional, in a State Association-sponsored mission on May 12 to meet policy-makers in the governor’s office and the Legislature. We were able to share with these decision-makers our immediate priority, supplemental funding for Holocaust survivors, and our long-term goal, a permanent funding source for NORCs.
In the end, the effort to secure an allocation in the 2009 state budget specifically for services for NJ’s Holocaust survivors was not successful. In order to cut spending, no additional monies were allocated for programs sponsored by members of the Legislature. The State Association request was one of those programs. We will continue to seek the funds for our Holocaust survivors through other avenues.
The State Association also promotes statewide support of the relationship between New Jersey’s citizens and government and the people and government of Israel. Gov. Jon Corzine accepted our invitation to serve as the honorary chairman of the State Committee for Israel@60. The committee, made up of more than 200 members, is an initiative of the State Association designed to highlight support in New Jersey for the State of Israel as it marks six decades of independence. Joining Corzine as honorary chairs or vice chairs are five former NJ governors, two current and two former U.S. senators, all 13 NJ members of the House of Representatives, two retired chief justices of the NJ Supreme Court, and almost two thirds of the state Legislature. The support of these leaders underscores the vitality of the extraordinary relationship between New Jersey and Israel.
The State Association played a significant role in promoting the signing of a proclamation by Corzine celebrating Israel@60. The governor also officiated in the opening ceremonies of an exhibit highlighting the relationship between Israel and NJ’s governors. The exhibit was created by the NJ-Israel Commission in cooperation with the State Association.
Building on these recent efforts, the State Association retains a commitment to strengthening the organization, enhancing its profile, and securing the ongoing support of member federations.
Roy Tanzman is president of the NJ State Association of Jewish Federations. He is a partner in the law firm Wilentz, Goldman & Spritzer.
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