Seven residents of Monmouth County have been appointed to the New Jersey-Israel Commission by Gov. Jon Corzine.

The all-volunteer commission provides assistance to Israeli companies that are planning to establish branches in New Jersey and facilitates strategic partnerships between companies in the state and the country.

“I’m proud that New Jersey will continue this longstanding tradition of encouraging international commerce with Israel,” said Corzine in a statement. “Israel represents an important partner in the further development of New Jersey’s technology, life sciences, and stem cell research industries,” said the governor, who traveled to the Jewish state on an economic development mission in January.

The leadership roles played by New Jersey and Israel in biotechnology and stem cell research and the abundance of scientists who work in both locations have served as natural jumping-off points to foster a two-way relationship, he added.

According to commission executive director Andrea Yonah, Israel is New Jersey’s 13th-largest export market. Some $430 million in goods were sent there in 2004, commission records show.

“As a state-sponsored commission, we are beholden to New Jersey’s taxpayers and constituents,” said Yonah. “We have always encouraged the commission members to interact with the state’s residents, and we encourage New Jersey’s residents to do the same.”

The members of the commission — comprising a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 100 members (eight are appointed from the state legislature) — “represent a variety of professional and community experiences that have successfully contributed to the commission’s achievements,” said Yonah. Their contributions have enabled the commission to explore a wide array of cultural, educational, scientific, technological, and telecommunications projects, Yonah said.

“We have worked with Israeli companies to establish a presence in the United States and to expand the marketplace. We believe New Jersey will continue to be a gateway to industrial development.”

The commission appointees are:

• Gerrie Bamira of Oakhurst, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County
  
  
• Jonathan Boguchwal of Manalapan, a research associate in the Democratic office of the State Senate
  
  
• Rabbi Yosef Carlebach of Ocean Township, religious leader of Congregation Sons of Israel in Ocean Township and the Chabad House Jewish Student Center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick
  
  
• Steven Clayton, a research assistant at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs
  
  
• Jerome Enis of Manalapan, a public relations professional with Herbert George Associates in Englishtown
  
  
• Anita Fray of Allentown, executive director of the NJ chapter of State of Israel Bonds
  
  
• Michael Levin of Manalapan, an attorney with Levin, Shea, and Pfeffer in Jackson