Candidate Chris Christie meets Jewish leaders
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At the Sept. 23 meeting with Republican gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie, second from right, are, from left, Max Kleinman, executive vice president, United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ; Roy Tanzman, president of the NJ State Association of Jewish Federations; Gary Aidekman, president of UJC MetroWest; and Steve Klinghoffer, former UJC MetroWest president.
Photo by Ron Kaplan
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September 30, 2009
Republican Party gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie, former U.S. attorney for New Jersey, was the keynote speaker at the Sept. 23 meeting of the government relations committee of the NJ State Association of Jewish Federations. The Christie campaign had requested a meeting with association leaders to learn of the issues of concern to the Jewish federation family of agencies throughout the state.
The meeting took place at the Aidekman Family Jewish Community Campus in Whippany.
“As the governmental affairs arm of the state’s 13 constituent Jewish federations, the State Association was anxious to share with U.S. Attorney Christie our community service priorities,” said State Association president Roy Tanzman in a release.
The committee has similarly hosted Sens. Barbara Buono and Joseph Vitale and the chairs of the two major political parties, Assemblymen Jay Webber and Joseph Cryan. As candidate for reelection, Gov. Jon Corzine has also been invited to meet with association representatives.
Max Kleinman, executive vice president of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, advised Christie that nonprofit organizations are facing extraordinary challenges stemming from the economic downturn and strict regulation. “Building the capacity of nonprofit organizations, such as our federations and affiliated agencies, is an essential part of maintaining a strong quality of life,” Kleinman said.
According to the State Association release, Christie said he supports its recommendation that legislation be enacted permitting participation in the state purchasing contract. Christie said he favors tax incentives for charitable giving to nonprofits, charities, and nonpublic schools, but that considerations of the state economy and budget would be factors in such incentives.
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