Manalapan man named to New Jersey-Israel Commission

by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

His deeply rooted belief in the spirit of the local Jewish community has led Jonathan Boguchwal to a position on the New Jersey-Israel Commission.

Boguchwal, 25, of Manalapan, was appointed to the 124-person commission last month by acting Gov. Richard Codey.

Boguchwal said he hopes to expand the relationship between the state and Israel in the areas of cultural, economic, and educational development.

“This appointment is a source of enormous pride to me,” Boguchwal said. “I am part of an all-encompassing clearinghouse between New Jersey and Israel in terms of stimulating an exchange in trade, culture, and education. Israel is New Jersey’s fourth-largest trading partner; there is real opportunity here.”

The commission, part of the state Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission, was established in 1989 by former Gov. James Florio to foster increased economic and cultural relations with Israel.

The commission was reestablished in 2002 by former Gov. James McGreevey. All terms, including Boguchwal’s, will expire in January 2007, when the commission will likely be established again, according to commission executive director Andrea Yonah. All commission members serve at the pleasure of the governor, she added.

“Our state and Israel enjoy a strong trading and economic partnership,” Yonah said. “We are glad to have Jon on the team. We will meet shortly to determine his interests and to decide where he can best serve the commission, and we look forward to his input.”

And Boguchwal is ready to go to work. A lifelong affection for Israel and its importance to Jews throughout the world will propel him to help build on the relationship between Israel and New Jersey, which has been strengthened by the longstanding activism of the state’s substantial Jewish community, he said.

His own involvement in the local Jewish community is also longstanding. Boguchwal attended Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County in Marlboro for eight years and graduated from Manalapan High School in 1998. He also attended Camp Ramah in upstate New York for eight years and is a member of the Ramah Berkshires Alumni Association.

At Rutgers University he received an undergraduate degree in communications in 2002 and a graduate degree in public affairs and politics in 2003.

His interest in public policy led to a job as research associate for the state Senate Democratic Office. He has worked for Codey in his capacity as state Senate president since 2004 and currently researches legislation for the majority caucus.

In October 2005, Boguchwal asked Codey to consider him for a position on a state board or commission. He told the acting governor of his interest in Jewish affairs and by December, Codey had offered him a post on the NJIC.

The commission members have a “core belief in Israel and what it means to Jews” along with a love of New Jersey that can be combined for the betterment of both locales, he added.

He said New Jersey’s and Israel’s leadership roles in biotechnology and stem cell research, and the abundance of scientists who work in both locations, are natural jumping-off points for a two-way relationship. More than 40 Israeli companies of various types have branches in New Jersey, which has resulted in jobs for more than 1,000 people, according to commission records. In addition, Israel is the state’s 13th-largest export market; $430 million in goods were sent there in 2004, commission records show.

“This is a perfect example of how the state can make money from a partnership with Israel,” he said. “This is an exciting prospect that will benefit all concerned.”

Boguchwal would also like to promote the connection between the younger generations of Jews here and in Israel. Cultural exchange programs can reveal the many similarities between them, he said.

“Israel is really very ‘Western’ in many ways,” Boguchwal explained. “Young Jews here and in Israel like the same music, wear the same fashions, participate in sports activities, and watch the same films. They are interested in pursuing their education and their careers. You can create strong bonds based on this, but we need to understand and be aware of all these facts.”

Jill Huber can be reached at jhuber@njjewishnews.com.

Print this story