SPARTA, N.J. – Assemblyman Michael Inganamort hosted Jewish leaders from across his district in the state’s northwestern corner for a conversation on rising antisemitism on college campuses earlier this month.
Inganamort recently returned from a 42-hour visit to Israel, where he met with military leaders at the Gaza border; families in two of the villages in southern Israel that were hardest hit during the Oct. 7 attack; and family members of hostages and wounded Israeli troops.
“Having seen firsthand the devastation wrought by Hamas and the resilience of the Jewish people, I felt compelled to bring those learnings home and build bridges with our district’s Jewish faith leaders,” said Inganamort (R-Sussex). “We all want the same thing: to not only be treated with dignity and respect, but also have a sense of safety in our community and schools.”
Rabbis from Chabad of Sussex County, Chabad of Chester-Mendham, and Temple Shalom in Roxbury, as well as board members from the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest, participated in the conversation at Inganamort’s Sparta district office. Morris County Commissioner Deborah Smith and Hopatcong Councilwoman Jennifer Johnson also joined to share their perspectives in county and local government.
“I was deeply touched by Assemblyman Inganamort’s commitment to combating antisemitism in New Jersey,” said Rabbi Inna Serebro-Litvak of Temple Shalom. “He made sure to give each person who was present an opportunity to share their thoughts, and I know this will be the beginning of a very beneficial partnership.”
Inganamort is an original cosponsor of AR86, which supports Israel as it defends itself against the terrorist attacks by Hamas.
“I am thankful to Assemblyman Inganamort for calling this important meeting and especially for making his special trip to Israel,” said Rabbi Mendel Dubov, co-director of Chabad of Sussex County. “In view of what we are seeing in schools and college campuses, I emphasized the crucial need for solutions that address the root cause rather than symptoms.”
