In his first political engagement with the frum community since his primary victory, gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli visited the Rabbinical College of America campus on Erev Shabbos, July 11, meeting with Chabad Shluchim and addressing bochurim from the Yeshiva Summer Program.
The 90-minute session, hosted by Rabbi Mendy Herson, Dean of the Rabbinical College of America and Director of Chabad of New Jersey, focused on three areas of critical importance to Orthodox communities: chinuch, enhanced security for mosdos, and combating rising antisemitism.
“This visit displays true concern for the needs of New Jersey’s large Jewish community,” Rabbi Herson stated.
The meeting brought together Shluchim representing some of Chabad’s 72 centers across the state, from Teaneck to Toms River, Cherry Hill to Hoboken, marking the largest Jewish organizational presence in New Jersey.
During his visit, Ciattarelli addressed 288 talmidim participating in the Yeshiva Summer Program, students who have traveled from Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Russia and other countries as they transition into the yeshiva system. Rabbi Herson introduced the candidate by emphasizing the Torah perspective on civic engagement, quoting the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos: “Pray for the welfare of the government.”
“I chose to make my first visit with the Jewish community here at Chabad because of their extensive footprint across New Jersey, they’re in every corner of our state, serving Jews from all walks of life,” Ciattarelli told the assembled rabbonim. He also announced his upcoming trip to Eretz Yisroel.
Present at the meeting were Senator Anthony Bucco, whose family has maintained warm relations with the Rabbinical College spanning two generations; philanthropist Amir Hadar of the IAC; Rabbi Avi Richler, Chabad’s Political Affairs Liaison; and other prominent Shluchim from across the state.
The visit comes at a time when New Jersey’s Jewish communities face unprecedented security challenges, with the state’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness documenting over 450 incidents affecting Jews since 2022.
While the Rabbinical College and Chabad maintains a policy of not endorsing candidates, they noted that Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill has not yet reached out for a similar meeting, though they remain open to hosting all gubernatorial candidates.
The Rabbinical College of America, founded by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, serves as both the headquarters of Chabad of New Jersey and a major Torah center whose graduates lead communities as rabbonim and askanim worldwide.
