FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2010

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

Ike Leggett dialogues with Orthodox Jewish leadership

Orthodox Union facilitates meeting with powerful County Executive & synagogue, school & communal leadership; discusses education, energy & security issues

The powerful chief executive of Maryland’s most populous county met this week with Orthodox synagogue rabbis, school executives and community leaders to discuss issues of concern. Facilitated by the Orthodox Union, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, the meeting took place at the Kemp Mill Synagogue, an OU member congregation.

Chief among the topics discussed was education, as well as energy efficiency and public safety. Mr. Leggett detailed his support for all residents of the county, including those in nonpublic schools as well as synagogues or other nonprofits that provide critical services. Noting that if all nonpublic schools closed their doors and all those students became the charge of the county, they have neither the space nor finances for such an influx, Mr. Leggett pledged to work with the community on finding practical solutions. As well, citing the new utility tax increase, he also committed to working on finding solutions for nonprofits to better manage energy conservation, an area the Orthodox Union has successfully advocated for at the federal level. Finally, the County Executive forcefully condemned hate crimes, including a recent attack on a synagogue in Olney, and reiterated his commitment to keeping everyone in the County safe, and to having local law enforcement partner with communal institutions.

Howie Beigelman, OU Deputy Director of Public Policy stated:

“Government at the local level often has the most direct bearing on families, communities & institutions. We appreciate the County Executive’s outreach to our leaders and his candid, direct conversation and his commitment to follow through towards workable solutions for the entire county.”

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett with synagogue, school and communal leadership in Silver Spring, MD

(l-r) Maury Litwack, Deputy Director of OU IPA; Ike Leggett¸ Montgomery County Executive; Jennifer Zuckerman, Director of Development for MJBHA; and Daphna Raskas, President of MJBHA