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New Jersey-Israel Commission
New Jersey Department of State
Winter 2025 Newsletter
| The mission of the New Jersey-Israel Commission is to foster economic, scientific, educational and cultural ties with the State of Israel, one of New Jersey's most important trading partners. Please find our latest newsletter below. |
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Lt. Governor Way and NJIC Open Black History Month with 'Symphony' in Newark
February
The NJ Israel Commission sponsored the Award Winning Anti-Bias Music Event, opening Black History Month with the City of Newark, NJ, in partnership with the Newark Board of Education.
Symphony of Brotherhood, initiated and produced by Grammy Award Winning Violinist (and NJ Israel Commission member) Miri Ben-Ari, features a renowned Gospel Choir blending Gospel and Hip-Hop music in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For the first time in New Jersey, the program included student campaigns, activism, and participation from 18 high schools, with 1,500 local students in attendance. It was our honor to host Lt. Governor Way, who delivered opening remarks.
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Commission Briefing with Israel's Ministry of Tourism
January
The Director of Israel's Tourism Bureau in North America joined the New Jersey Israel Commission for an exclusive webinar covering important topics of relevance. Director Martin covered technical issues such as restarting and increasing the number of flights to TLV from EWR, the importance of outreach to diverse religious and cultural communities, and Tel Aviv as a prime destination for corporate tourism. Commission members, for whom limited travel options between EWR and TLV since 10/7/2023 is an ongoing issue that greatly concerns our constituents, had an opportunity to ask questions and understand the complicated processes behind supporting and restarting air travel routes.
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New Jersey State Police Menorah Lighting
December
New Jersey-Israel Commission leaders joined the NJSP to celebrate Hanukah.
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Governor Murphy announcement on United Airlines resuming non-stop flights to Israel
January
Soon after a meeting between Governor Murphy and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, United Airlines confirmed that they would be resuming service between EWR and TLV. Governor Murphy welcomed this development in a public statement.
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Press Conference IHRA
January
NJIC joined legislators and community leaders at a press conference promoting awareness about the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and why it is important for the state to adopt it. Several members and friends of our commission spoke out in favor.
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Ofakim Sister City Pact
January
The Mayor and Economic Development team of Ofakim, Israel visited NJ to sign a sister-city agreement with Middletown, and have additional meetings about economic opportunities in our state. NJ Israel Commission brought NJEDA and Choose NJ to Jewish Federation MetroWest HQ in Whippany to brainstorm areas for collaboration and get a better understanding of how our local ecosystem can support Ofakim's agrotech and foodtech innovation cluster. Ofakim was one of the Israeli communities that was greatly affected by the October 7th invasion, having lost more than 50 residents in the terrorist attack.
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Israeli Insuretech Delegation Visits NJ
December
NJ Israel Commission, in partnership with the Government of Israel Economic Mission to North America, hosted a delegation of Israeli startups in the field of insuretech, for pitches and meetings showcasing relevant opportunities in New Jersey. Joined by our friends at NJEDA and Choose NJ, the Israeli companies had a chance to learn about incentive programs and our vibrant tech and insurance ecosystem. The startups pitched and networked with representatives from NJ Fast and Prudential, and some had follow up calls with NJ Israel Commission members to discuss running tech companies in New Jersey.
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New Jersey-Israel Commission Winter Membership Meeting
December
Kayco hosted our annual December meeting at their headquarters in Bayonne. Ensconced in their luxurious event space, we wrapped up 2024 and looked forward to 2025. Guest speakers included Assemblyman Avi Schnall, Andrea Yonah of the BIRD Foundation, and a contingent from NJSP's Jewish Trooper's Association. Highlights from the year included two BIRD Foundation Awards to companies in NJ (South Jersey Transportation Authority and Mondelez), and a group effort on behalf of several Commission members that brought 2025 Symphony of Brotherhood into NJ public schools. Thanks to commission member Nathan Herzog for hosting us.
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Rutgers Jewish Film Festival
November
NJIC participated in this year's film festival, sponsoring the Israeli film RUNNING ON SAND, about an Eritrean refugee living in Israel whose home is raided by immigration officers. During an attempt to escape deportation at the airport, he is mistaken for a talented Nigerian soccer player. "Anchored by a diverse ensemble cast, Running On Sand is a charming antidote to our polarizing times."
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AI Meetup at UVeye in Teaneck
November
NJ Israel Commission helped organize a meetup focusing on the NJ"s strong AI ecosystem at the offices of UVeye, a fast-growing Israeli startup serving the auto industry that has made their home in New Jersey. The event was attended by several commission members, and featured speakers from NJEDA, and several AI-experts of NJ/Israeli extraction.
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NJ League of Municipalities Atlantic City
November
NJIC sponsored the annual NJ Jewish Business Alliance gathering at the League of Municipalities Summit in Atlantic City. The session attracted hundreds of decision makers, business leaders, and public officials from across our state, who share our values of building bridges with Israel and protecting the local community.
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Israeli BioTech Delegation visits New Jersey
November
A delegation of Israeli Biotech Innovation companies visited New Jersey after the holidays, for a series of meetings in and around New Jersey. The group met with several investors and industry players from our area, including BioNJ, Choose, NJEDA, GSK, Merck, McKinsey, and Israel Biotech Forum. The delegation was hosted for meetings at Teva, as well. Thanks to NJIC members and friends from past and present who supported the activity.
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NJIC Fall Commission Meeting at Morven Museum and Garden
September
More than 50 NJIC members and friends attended our second meeting of 2024, at the historic Morven House and Museum in Princeton. We welcomed Assemblyman Schaer, Israeli Deputy Consul General Tsach Saar, a senior contingent from the Israeli Border Police, and the Jewish Troopers Association. Finally, a briefing from Birthright NJ and a student representative from Princeton University's Jewish community rounded out a successful event.
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New Jersey is committed to engaging with incredible Israeli companies, technologies and organizations. Companies or other entities wishing to engage with the New Jersey-Israel Commission are encouraged to contact us and complete our business contact form so we may best assist you. | | | | |
