In a community known for its exponential growth and vibrant Jewish life, Shlomo Schorr succeeded Avi Schnall in the role of legislative advocacy, quietly navigating the complexities of New Jersey’s political landscape. From his unique vantage point—shaped by years in the media, where he reported on and built relationships with the very people he now collaborates with—Rabbi Schorr offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep the wheels of progress turning for the state’s frum community.

In this candid conversation, Rabbi Schorr reflects on the high-stakes battles and subtle negotiations that have come to define his work at The Agudah’s New Jersey office. He recounts the profound impact of landmark cases, like the Jackson Township lawsuit, and the far-reaching effects of securing crucial legislation for busing and school lunch programs. Balancing advocacy with diplomacy, Rabbi Schorr’s experience in the press corps has proven invaluable, allowing him to bridge gaps with local officials and reporters across the state and temper the sometimes contentious narrative surrounding Jewish communal growth.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
“The Director of Legislative Affairs for Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey office.” Quite the title you’ve got there! You’ve been in this position for how long now?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
About a year and a half. I joined The Agudah in January 2023, and when Rabbi Schnall was elected to the Assembly and sworn in to office this past January, I was asked to help fill the role position he previously occupied.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
You’ve taken on a lot of responsibilities! How’s it been going so far?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
It’s been incredible. The support from everyone in the organization has been tremendous. Stepping into Avi’s shoes was no small task—he’s been doing this for ten years, and he’s built something remarkable. But he left behind a solid foundation and infrastructure, which has made the transition much smoother. Plus, having Rabbi AD Motzen, who is the National Director of Government Affairs, and the 11 other regional directors to collaborate with on a daily basis has been invaluable. And by working under Avi for the first twelve months since I joined the Agudah I have learnt a tremendous amount from, his experience, expertise and the knowledge which he’s gathered over the last decade. I am also fortunate enough to learn from many others here in town, who are both older and wiser than me.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
If I may say, and I don’t mean to sound patronizing, but as a fellow Lakewood resident, I’m truly proud of how seamlessly you’ve stepped into this role. I see the way you eloquently represent our community, whether speaking to the public, engaging with the press, or through your writing. Your ability to articulate the community’s message and advocate on their behalf is exceptional. The Agudah couldn’t have chosen a better person for this role. Lakewood, and really the entire New Jersey region, is fortunate to have someone like you representing us in the halls of Trenton. 

And speaking of Trenton, we were chatting last week, just before the passage of the state budget, where you were deeply involved. You almost ended up spending Shabbos at the State House. Can you talk about that for a moment? I bring it up not just for the sake of the story, but because it’s such a clear example of the dedication and commitment that a good representative like yourself brings to the table—and how it impacts your life, your schedule, and even your family. I’d love to hear more about that.

For the layperson, they might understand why Assemblymen Schaer and Schnall, as state legislators, would need to be there. But you’re not a politician—you’re a representative of a nonprofit, Agudath Israel. Why was it so crucial for someone like you to be so hands-on when the budget was being finalized?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
That’s a great question. As someone who works with many coalition partners to address our needs, we often team up with other groups. For example, we’ll partner with the Catholic community on funding for nonpublic schools, which includes various issues like nursing, technology, and school lunches. To effectively achieve our shared goals, we all need to be present.

There are 120 legislators, and we’re a relatively small team. We’re all engaging with different legislators, coordinating our efforts, and keeping everything aligned as the budget is finalized and changes are being made on the fly. To maintain a united front and ensure that we’re all on the same page, it’s essential that we’re all there, in person, to avoid any gaps or misunderstandings. So while Avi might be advocating for specific priorities, we’re fighting for a broad range of items that benefit our entire coalition. It’s a collaborative effort, and being present is crucial while all of this is unfolding in real time.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
So is this an annual thing that you deal with every year? Around May or June, right? Because of the July 1st deadline to pass the budget for the following fiscal year…

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
Exactly. For example, the fiscal year 2025 budget must be passed by July 1st, 2024, which marks the start of the 2025 fiscal year. It’s a one-year budget, and every year brings a new, but similar, process. The governor presents the budget in February, and from there it goes to the legislature. That’s where we step in, spending February through June fighting, advocating, and lobbying to ensure our priorities are included and properly funded.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
And how often do you find yourself going to Trenton and spending significant time at the State House?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
There are two main phases during the budget season. The first is when the governor is formulating and introducing his budget, usually around January and February. During that time, we meet with the governor’s office and the administration, as well as various departments, to ensure that the initial proposal includes our key items. But even if we don’t get everything we want at that stage, we then shift our focus to the legislature. From there, we meet with legislators to discuss what can be added to the governor’s budget, since they are the ones who ultimately pass it. They have the ability to include additional items, and we work hard to make sure our priorities are among them.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
I don’t think I’ve ever actually been inside the State House. When someone like you goes there, do you have a workspace or office space available?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
Actually, I don’t have an office there. Many lobbyists do have offices nearby, but there are some spaces within the State House where people can sit. 

There is a cafeteria where many lobbyists meet and work, although they don’t serve food there anymore—it’s more of a workspace now. You can set up a laptop, make calls, and handle things of that sort.

And speaking of Trenton, I find myself there quite often. In fact, I’ve been there twice in one day recently. This is something that makes our situation in New Jersey quite unique compared to other Jewish communities across the country. For instance, Albany is a long trip from New York City, where the frum community is based, and Springfield is hours away from Chicago. I consider myself lucky that I can drive to Trenton for a committee meeting in the morning, be back for lunch, and sometimes even head back later for a vote. It’s usually around a 45-minute drive, depending on where you’re coming from. If you’re in Lakewood or Jackson, it can vary slightly—maybe 30 to 45 minutes.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
Outside of the budget, what are the issues you’re currently advocating for on behalf of the community? What are the hot-button topics right now?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
There are many issues that are always included in the budget, and then there are new ones that come up each year, bills we want to get passed now. The Jewish community in New Jersey has a significant presence, with 75,000 children in nonpublic and yeshiva schools throughout the state—over 50,000 of them in Lakewood alone. And then you have other sizable communities around Passaic, Deal, Edison, Highland Park, Teaneck, Englewood and many, many more. Then there are smaller communities like Cherry Hill, Morristown, and beyond. I have a list of about 25 municipalities throughout the state with at least some Jewish community presence..

So, because of the number of children in these communities, anything related to nonpublic schools is always a big focus. We’re constantly looking for ways to make things easier or secure more funding to help parents. Tuition is a significant topic—many people talk about school choice and tuition relief, and we certainly hope to achieve something significant related to that here in New Jersey.

But, as I see it, I would also add that tuition relief isn’t just about directly lowering tuition costs. If we can secure funding in other areas, it can still relieve the financial burden on families. Whether it’s for busing, school lunches, or supplies, any savings, even if not labeled as “tuition relief,” still come out of the same pocket. So, while the state hasn’t funded direct tuition relief yet, we try to achieve financial relief in other ways that impact the family’s overall expenses.

And I would note that, partly because of the success we have when it comes to obtaining funding for many school related programs, tuition in Lakewood area schools are significantly lower than in many other Jewish communities.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
Do you feel that tuition relief isn’t a realistic ask at this time? I imagine you get asked this question all the time: “So, Rabbi Schorr, when is tuition relief coming to New Jersey residents?”

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
There’s no doubt that tuition is the number one concern for Jewish parents, not just in New Jersey, but across the country. We’ve seen some success in other states, but here in New Jersey, it’s a multi-year plan that we just kicked into high gear this past year. We hope that, be’ezras Hashem, we’ll see some progress on this front. How significant and how soon? That remains to be seen, but we’re optimistic.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
Is there a chance that even if they don’t pass a full voucher system, we might see some sort of compromise, like a tax credit or a similar measure?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
Absolutely. The focus here is more on a tax credit, which is different from a voucher. A tax credit is something that many politicians, including Democrats in the state, have been more open to discussing.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
And just to clarify, a tax credit means that when you file your taxes at the end of the year, it directly reduces your taxable income by the amount of tuition paid?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
Not exactly. That’s a different version. What we’re trying to achieve in New Jersey is a system where an individual or corporation could make a charitable donation, and that donation would then grant a tax credit—typically 75 to 85% of the donated amount—on their tax bill. This donation would go directly towards a scholarship foundation set up to provide tuition grants.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
So I guess time will tell if that comes to fruition. I know Assemblyman Schnall has been getting these questions as well. With the financial realities facing frum families today, we keep saying it—it’s never been more expensive to raise a frum family, whether it’s housing prices, groceries, tuition, insurance, and everything else.

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
Across the board, things are getting tougher. So if we can provide any form of meaningful assistance, it would be incredibly helpful right now.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
There are so many communities on the periphery, where Jews are moving in, and they’ve faced various incidents and expressions of antisemitism. People are understandably hesitant about the expansion of communities and what they perceive as overdevelopment. I’m sure these issues come to your desk often. From your standpoint, how do you address this in a politically sensitive way—balancing legislative work while also engaging with the local residents to make them more accepting of the frum community’s growth?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
That’s an excellent question, and it’s something I deal with regularly. I get calls about it almost weekly from places like Manchester, Jackson, Howell, Brick, and Toms River—basically all the municipalities surrounding Lakewood. There are a few things to consider here. Sometimes, it’s simply a lack of understanding on the part of local officials. That’s relatively easy to address because they’re not looking to be antagonistic; they just don’t know or are a bit apprehensive. So, I make it a point to sit down with them, and lately, I’ve started meeting with zoning and planning board officials who may have little to no familiarity with the Jewish community. They might have seen some stories in the media and feel uncertain or scared what may happen in their quiet town.

And as you see yeshivas and Jewish communities open up across the state in areas where there previously were none, they often face similar reactions. We advocate for smart planning and development that respects how all communities live. Jews, like everyone else, want to live in safe neighborhoods without traffic accidents or issues that can affect their peacefulness and quality of life.

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
Jews also want a good quality of life when they move to these neighborhoods. We advocate for smart planning in these areas. For example, you may have heard about the recently concluded lawsuit against Jackson Township, which we won in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice. One of the key points was that there should be a reasonable amount of acreage required for a shul, mikvah, and other areas of Jewish observance. We can’t have unreasonable demands like requiring ten acres or even five acres just to build a shul—that’s simply not feasible.

At the same time, we’re not saying that it should be built on a quarter of an acre, either. The idea is to find a reasonable middle ground—maybe two acres, two and a half, or one and a half, depending on the zoning area. That was a significant part of our lawsuit, and I think it’s something everyone can appreciate—a smart, balanced approach that respects religious practices while avoiding discrimination.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
You have work experience in the media as a writer. You’ve worked for the press. Unfortunately, a lot of the hostility we see toward the community is actually fueled by the media, which can sow antisemitism among a population that might not otherwise have those sentiments. People read what they read, and often believe it, even when it’s at best a misrepresentation and at worst outright falsehoods about the frum community. Given your background, having worked with some of these writers and understanding the media from the inside, have you been able to use that experience to make inroads, perhaps helping them to better understand our perspective—without naming any particular publication, of course?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
That’s a great question. Absolutely. New Jersey has a relatively small press corps, influenced in parts by the Philly and New York City media markets, but it remains its own entity. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know most of the reporters who cover state-level news and many of those in the larger cities who focus on our area. I’ve had opportunities to discuss and explain some of our issues, and I’ve seen quite a few of them come a long way since I first met them five, six, or seven years ago. No question about that.

Even before I joined The Agudah, I have often got questions from reporters who had no previous exposure to the Orthodox way of life. They’d ask about “languages” or other unfamiliar aspects of our community. I’ve worked with many of them over the years, some more than others. Generally, most of them want to get the story right—they’re not out to be antagonistic. However, there are always a few who seem set in their ways, and I’ve learned that with some, it’s just not worth trying to engage. Fortunately, many of those have left the industry, particularly as the media landscape has contracted in recent years.

Most reporters, I find, are quite open to working with us. I know many of them personally now and see them regularly at the State House. They often reach out to me for background on stories. And, importantly, there are times when a story never makes it to print because we were able to discourage them or explain why it wasn’t really newsworthy, and then suggest a different angle or story. Reporters have quotas to fill, and they’re not necessarily out to attack us. They’re often just following assignments. If I can help redirect their focus to something less inflammatory, that’s a tactic that has proven successful to varying degrees over the years.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
Have you noticed a shift in how the media treats Lakewood—or really, the greater frum community of central Jersey? Are we getting a fairer shake than in the past?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
I pay very close attention to these stories, and I know almost every reporter in the state personally. I track how each one writes, and over the years, I’ve noticed that some of them have definitely come around. It’s not just me, of course. There are many people in our community and across the state who are working on this. It’s very much a team effort. Others in our community engage with the media, build relationships, and explain things in a positive, approachable way. I do think there’s been a shift.

Part of that shift, like I mentioned, is that some of the more antagonistic reporters are no longer employed in this area. Those individuals who were consistently writing negative articles are simply not around anymore. So, naturally, we’re seeing fewer of those types of stories as well.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
In closing, is there any final story or anecdote that comes to mind where you’ve seen Agudath Israel of America and its services really make a profound impact on the New Jersey community?

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
Certainly. The Jackson lawsuit, which The Agudah brought in conjunction with the Department of Justice, is a major one. It’s something that will shape the future for Jackson. Jackson has over 15,000 Orthodox Jewish residents and growing faster than Lakewood right now percentage wise. It’s one of the largest frum communities in the country outside of New York, and it’s continuing to grow rapidly. But beyond that, there are other impactful initiatives. Just a few months ago, there was the busing bill, which allows for more flexible busing options for children in the communities surrounding Lakewood. This will enable thousands of children in Jackson, Toms River, and even Lakewood schools to have better busing services, which will significantly affect many families.

There’s also the lunch bill. A perfect example of a bill that without our efforts, this would never have happened. We managed to expand the eligibility for free lunches to income-eligible children in nonpublic schools, raising the income threshold and including our schools as well. This expansion will have a substantial impact on families across the state.

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger:
Rabbi Schorr, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. You’ve been a dignified voice, and we’re incredibly proud—not just at The Agudah, but throughout the frum community—to have you representing us with such respect and dignity. You’ve earned well-deserved respect, and we thank you for everything you’ve done. We wish you continued hatzlacha in all your endeavors.

Rabbi Shlomo Schorr:
Thank you so much. Our success is a shared success, and having a great team makes it all possible. Working together as a klal and the support we get from the tzibbur allows us to achieve many more accomplishments, be’ezras Hashem.

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