Attorney General Stops at Yeshiva

By COLlive reporter

The Attorney General of New Jersey John Hoffmann led a delegation to visit the campus of the Rabbinical College of America (RCA) located in Morristown, and was impressed by the sight of learning.

Flanked by Homeland Security Director Chris Rodriguez and Deputy Director Steve Gutkin, as well as their staff, Hoffmann watched students peering over the Gemara at the Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim division.

“You gentleman here are what I call the wise leaders of New Jersey,” he later commented to Rabbi Moshe Herson, Dean of the institute and Head Shliach of New Jersey. Fascinated by the learning, he approached some students and discussed legal concepts being studied.

Hoffmann was welcomed by Rabbi Mendy Herson, Associate Dean and Director of Chabad of Somerset, Hunterdon and Union Counties, Rabbi Avi Richler, Legislative Director for RCA and Director of Chabad of Gloucester County, and Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, Director of Chabad of Monroe.

The visit was part of an ongoing community outreach effort of the Attorney General’s office and a recent initiative by Chabad of New Jersey to communicate with law enforcement about the security needs for the 52 Chabad Houses located in the state.

During a sit-down meeting following the tour of the Yeshiva and the campus, the Attorney General took an interest in the Chabad model and the Rebbe‘s mission to bring goodness and kindness to the Jewish community and general community as well.

Hoffmann noted that he has traveled the world exploring multiple cultures and religions and was always interested in seeing faith being a foundation for goodness.

“I feel it is up to you to promote a culture of community and understanding in your communities,” Hoffmann said. “While it is not always easy to have these conversations, it is relationships such as these that allow law enforcement to bring communities together in our efforts to make New Jersey the safest place to live.”

Rabbi Moshe Herson noted that “with the High Holidays approaching, it is important that our communities are aware that there is a strong line of communication between the Chabad leadership in New Jersey and law enforcement.”

He emphasized the need to be “proactive in providing the safest possible environment for the many Chabad Houses in New Jersey. These meetings serve to build these important relationships and trust.”