[COMMUNICATED] This coming Tuesday, November 8th is Election Day. We can make a huge difference in our future by taking a few moments to vote. Voting will protect our Kehilla’s needs and ensure that our priorities are met. While many issues that come up in the course of each year, we specifically focus on 3 major priorities – and have been investing major time in those.  They are:

• Continuing to Fight to keep taxes down: This is a multifaceted fight that involves numerous initiatives on many levels. Our #1 priority has always been to protect our citizens of any unnecessary tax burdens.
• Addressing Traffic: While many traffic patterns are being studied, our main focus is currently on widening Route 9. In our opinion, Lakewood doesn’t need ban-aid traffic solutions. Our representatives are working aggressively with State, County and local officials to make this a priority.
• Fixing the School Funding Formula: The State Public School Funding is badly broken and only getting worse. At the heart of it; as our community grows we don’t get more state aid. We have doubled the number of children in the district over the past 7 years – and not received one dollar of additional aid. A special committee has been working with the State to formulate an acceptable revision in the formula that doesn’t exclude Lakewood. 

The Vaad and Igud HaMosdos – jointly and together – urge the entire registered Kehilla of Lakewood to vote B’achdus L’Toyesles HaZibur for the entire Recommended slate so that we can advance the Kehilla’s interests.

After hearing from the public at large, and carefully weighing the issues, this cross-section of the Kehilla’s most respected אסקנים  and מחנכים have endorsed candidates who are committed to provide for the Kehilla’s urgent needs, including our precious children, in a way that would be expected in our community of בני תורה וחסד . These recommended candidates have a strong commitment to these principles, and a parallel commitment to provide for fiscal responsibility and restraint in all their activities.

Recommendations: 

President: The long-standing policy of the Vaad has been not to make any recommendations for this position.

House of Representative: Congressman Chris Smith is a longtime friend of the community. He is always available, ready and able and represents the community on many levels. His incredible history speaks for itself and he is therefore deserving of our wholehearted support.

Sheriff: Sheriff Michael Mastronardy is another friend. Always tuned in to the needs of our community and protection we can count on. He too is deserving our support for re-election

County Freeholders: We endorse John Kelly and Virginia Haines for reelection to the Board of Freeholders.  The republicans have been serving for many years and has proven themselves to be true friends of the Kehilla. Please note that the County is the primary address for the social services that help needy yechidim and mishpochos (WIC, HUD certification, Food Stamps, HEAP, NJ Family Care; as well as overseeing the County Medical Examiner’s office and the County’s Emergency Management services that protect our Kehilla.

Township Committee: We strongly recommend the re-election of Albert (Aisik) Akerman for Lakewood Township Committee. A dedicated Askon who has selflessly served the Kehilla. His ears are open to all – Yechidim, Shuls, Mosdos Hachinuch and Chesed organizations. He deserves our full support and sincere Hakoras Hatov.

Lakewood School Board: There has been much recent turmoil in the District, especially regarding bussing and Special Ed. Services. We must have a School Board that is able to steer the district through its problems while ensuring that the children’s chinuch is not compromised. The State has severely underfunded Lakewood (with a faulty funding formula) that does not recognize the size and growth of our school-age children. While Lakewood’s school age population has increased by 11,000 children in the past 4 years, the District has not received one additional dollar of state aid! A strong, united and professional board that runs its own affairs with professionalism and competence – without being overridden by the State – is essential to move forward.  

We owe tremendous Hakoras Hatov to Barry Iann and Isaac Zlatkin who, together with the board, work tirelessly on behalf of the success of our children. They, together with Moshe Newhouse deserve our support for the 3 year term. Please note that the one and two year positions will require a write-in. For the 2 year term, please write in Moshe Kuperwasser and for the one year term please write in Moshe Raitzik.

Public Questions: Although the Vaad usually does not get involved in the questions on the ballot, question #3 will definitely impact our tax burden and we therefore recommend that you vote NO on that question. Question #2 would allow the new gas tax revenue to be used for road projects such as Route 9. We strongly suggest you vote YES on this question.  

It is crucial that this complete slate be elected in an overwhelming fashion.  

Polls are open Tuesday from 6am to 8pm. For voting status or where to vote, please call the Board of Elections at

732-929-2167. For any individual voter issues please contact the Vaad Hotline 732 961-1161. Thank you,