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When Jonathan Hornik, the Democratic mayor-elect of Marlboro, takes office on Jan. 1, he will bring with him his family's history of political service to the borough.

In his nonpolitical life, he will continue to be an active member of Monmouth County's Jewish community.

Hornik was elected to his first political office in November, ousting incumbent Republican Robert Kleinberg in a race that swung on character and development issues. Hornik's father, Saul Hornik, who died two years ago, was a three-term mayor of Marlboro from 1980 to 1991. As an elected official, the younger Hornik is aware of his civic responsibilities.

"I'm following in my father's footsteps, and I recognize my responsibilities to the residents of Marlboro," Hornik told NJ Jewish News. "This is separate from the Jewish causes that I support. I feel privileged to be in this position. My father was devoted to making Marlboro a better place to live for everyone. I also believe in this town and I will give it 100 percent of my community service efforts."

His involvement in the county's Jewish community dates back to his childhood. His father and mother, Nancy Hornik, who still lives in Marlboro, were among the founding members of the Marlboro Jewish Center/Congregation Ohev Shalom. (The Conservative synagogue's membership is now 800 families.)

Hornik's parents also were involved in many charitable causes within the local Jewish community and on behalf of Israel. Saul Hornik visited Israel numerous times during the 1990s and Jonathan Hornik's half-sister, Amit, age 17, lives north of Tel Aviv (she has dual U.S. and Israeli citizenship). As a result, the soon-to-be mayor learned about Judaism and the importance of the preservation of Israel at an early age, he said.

"Those ideals have always stayed with me," said Hornik, 37, "and when I visited Israel in 1990, I felt a special connection. I saw Jews praying at the Wall and could see the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic place of prayer, that was very close by. I also climbed to the top of Masada. In these holy places, I couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship and involvement in Judaism. Being in Israel strengthened my commitment to the Jewish religion and Jewish causes."

When he returned home, Hornik felt an even greater obligation to those causes. He is now a member of the board of directors of the American Friends of Beth Hatefutsoth: The Nahum Goldmann Museum of the Jewish Diaspora, an Israeli institution that traces the history of the Jewish people.

He also is a member of Volunteers for Israel, located in New York, which provides Diaspora Jews the opportunity to do civilian work on military bases and in health-care facilities in Israel.

Hornik is a supporter of State of Israel Bonds and takes part in activities sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County.

"The federation does a great job of raising awareness of Jewish heritage, culture, and support of Israel," Hornik said. "Their cultural and charitable programs, as well as their outreach services, inspire all of us to do more to support these causes."

Hornik graduated from the University of Delaware in 1992 and earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1995. He married his "high school sweetheart," Daryl, after he completed law school, and the couple has three children: Ethan, nine, Olivia, six, and Sofia, 10 months. The family attends Marlboro Jewish Center/Congregation Ohev Shalom. Hornik is general counsel for a private lending company in North Jersey.

He is well aware that being mayor of Marlboro will be a demanding position that will require time away from his personal life and his professional activities. However, he thinks the residents of the municipality will appreciate his desire to "give something back" to the community.

"I am passionate about my commitment to the town — I was born and raised here and I met my future wife when we attended Marlboro High School," said Hornik. "But I will still find the time to support causes within the Jewish community. I like being busy and involved, and I'm used to very long days. All the action keeps me going."