FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2010

Contact: Howie Beigelman, Orthodox Union
212-613-8311

Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald Visits Politz Day School In Cherry Hill
Budget Chairman tours local communal institution; speaks to middle school about public service

Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden) recently toured the Politz Day School in Cherry Hill, taking a tour of several lower school classrooms and addressing the entire middle school. Facilitated by the Orthodox Union (Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America), this was the first visit by the chair of the powerful Budget Committee to the school, a pillar of the South Jersey Jewish community.

“I always enjoy speaking with school children about the important role that leadership and public policy can play in their lives, and I enjoyed today’s visit with the students of the Politz Day School,” said Greenwald. “From the ranks of these young students will come the next generation of leaders, and that is why I have always been a strong advocate for education.”

After touring several elementary school classrooms and speaking with both teachers and students at each stop, the Assemblyman met with the entire middle school to discuss public service and leadership. He spoke of what drove him to serve in the Legislature and gave examples of some of the success at helping improve the lives of New Jerseyans, including passage of “Grace’s Law” that ensures hearing aids for school age children are covered by medical insurance. Assemblyman Greenwald urged the students to take up some form of public service and then took questions. The Assemblyman even responded to a timely question about the most efficient way to run the school’s student council elections. He shared how he entered public service and advocated that candidates to “go out, listen to the student’s needs and concerns and make it your business to help them achieve success.” Politz’s student council president, eighth grader Shimshon Dicker, said Assemblyman Greenwald’s message resonated with him as he tries to upgrade the level of service that the student councils provides to Politz students.

Rabbi Avraham Glustein, head of school stated:

“We are so appreciative that our own elected official, Assemblyman Greenwald, took the time to visit our school, meeting our students and staff and making a genuine effort to connect with everyone. His comments on leadership and on community service spoke directly to our school’s theme of chesed (kindness) and leadership.”

Howie Beigelman, OU Deputy Director of Public Policy stated:

“We’ve had an open door to Chairman Greenwald to discuss our community’s legislative issues and it was about time we showed him it’s a two way street. We’re glad to have arranged this first visit; we ‘re sure it won’t be the last.”

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald speaks with students at Politz Day School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey