More than 50 attendees representing 20,000 students and synagogue congregants in New Jersey participated yesterday in an interactive presentation from Michael Dailey of the United States Department of Homeland Security as part of a day-long seminar discussing enhanced security techniques.           

The recently appointed New Jersey Director of the Office of Homeland Security Edward Dickson greeted everyone and offered the resources of his office to any institution that would request it.           

Rabbi Steven Burg, Managing Director of the OU, and Maury Litwack, OU National Director of Political Affairs, also offered greetings to the participants.           

Josh Pruzansky, OU New Jersey Director of Political Affairs and Public Policy, who organized the event said, “We need to take advantage of the opportunities presented to our community to learn how to best protect our students, our congregants and our buildings. We thank the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security Director Edward Dickson, Chief of Staff Dennis Quinn, Deputy Director Drew Liebb and Confidential Assistant to the Deputy Director Dave Leonardis for coordinating this seminar, and for all they do to protect citizens of the State of New Jersey.”           

Following the Homeland Security portion of the seminar, there was a presentation by the New Jersey Department of Health on protecting the food served in day schools and synagogues.           

There was also a presentation by the New Jersey Department of Education on school security requirements.           

The OU’s New Jersey IPA office looks forward to continue coordinating events with government agencies and communal representatives to foster better understanding and cooperation. TLS.

From left: Maury Litwack, OU National Director of Political Affairs; Edward Dickson, New Jersey Director of the Office of Homeland Security; Rabbi Steven Burg, OU Managing Director; and
Josh Pruzansky, OU New Jersey Director of Political Affairs and Public Policy.