The New Jersey Jewish Business Federation sent a 10-person delegation to the nation’s capital last week to meet with legislators and other dignitaries to share information and promote the value and importance of their companies and the state’s Jewish community as a whole.
NJJBA Executive Director David Rosenberg said the delegation was able to directly air a range of opinions and concerns to the four members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation.
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer (5th-ranked Democrat)Number district);
- Congressman Tom Kean Jr. (Republican, 7th District)Number district);
- Congressman Andy Kim (Democrat, 3rd District)rd district);
- Congressman Chris Smith (Republican, 4th District)Number district.
“Many other Jewish groups are in Washington as well,” Rosenberg said, “but none are focused specifically on business. In the current climate, many of us face challenges from Israel haters and anti-Semites. Our lawmakers are now hearing that directly from the business people who are most affected.”
In addition to meeting face-to-face with lawmakers, the delegation met with senior members of the staff of Senator Cory Booker (DN.J.) and Representative Frank Pallone (D-6th).Number Bill Pascrill (Democrat, 9th District)Number District); Mickey Sherrill (D-11Number Jeff Van Drew (Republican, 2nd District)and district.
They also met with staff for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana).
“We had great meetings with representatives from Congress and key government agencies and were able to deliver and send messages of support back to Washington from our friends in the Jewish business community, our members and partners,” Rosenberg said.
“We also took the opportunity to express our concern about the growing threat of anti-Semitism, which has a serious impact on our operations and threatens Jewish students across the state.”
Part of the day was spent with officials from the Small Business Administration, which provides loans, disaster assistance, counseling, training and more to small businesses across the United States.
“It was great to meet with important SBA stakeholders, who support many of our NJJBA members in a variety of ways,” said Joseph Kraus, Chief Administrative Officer at Schiff Foods.
Nathan Herzog, a board member of the coalition and president of Bayonne-based Royal Wine Corp., said the visit made an impact.
“My trips to Washington with the NJJBA are always eye-opening. It’s important that our voices are heard in Congress. On every visit, we meet with important officials and staff and know the meetings are beneficial for both sides.”
Rosenberg said the trip was a success.
“We are proud to have so few Jewish-owned businesses in our state, employing more than 35,000 New Jerseyans of diverse backgrounds and faiths,” he said. “We believe it is crucial to visit Washington at least once a year, both to ensure that lawmakers recognize our important role in the state and national economy, and to express our thoughts and concerns on issues that affect Jewish people, our businesses and our families.”
