NJ Governor Jon Corzine signed 5 bills today in Passaic relating to religious accommodation for school and licensing exams, health care issues, workplace accommodation and a bill establishing April as Jewish Heritage month.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer, the prime mover behind the bill gets the most kudos. Other speakers and supporters included Senator Paul Sarlo, Senator Robert Gordon, Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman Neil Cohen and Governor Corzine. The governor quoted former Attorney General Robert Kennedy who said that “ultimately, America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.”

Representing the diverse spectrum of New Jersey, besides OU/IPA staff present, were representatives of Agudath Israel, the Federations of both MetroWest and Northern New Jersey, the NJ-Israel Commission, Jewish Family Services, the Greek Orthodox patriarchy, the NJ Catholic Conference, and the Turkish Muslim Association.
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