New Jersey’s Orthodox Jewish Communities Unite Behind Republican Gubernatorial Candidate
In a historic move for New Jersey politics, Orthodox Jewish leaders across Ocean County have formed an unprecedented coalition to endorse Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor. This alliance, representing communities in Lakewood, Jackson, Toms River, Howell, and Manchester, marks the first time these influential faith-based communities have united so comprehensively behind a single candidate. As reported by The Lakewood Scoop, this collective endorsement represents a significant shift in how these communities approach political engagement. The Lakewood Vaad (community council) collaborated extensively with counterparts in neighboring towns to ensure alignment in their endorsements, emphasizing that while the process took longer than usual, the delay served a meaningful purpose: creating unity across municipal boundaries. Community leaders stressed that this election season focuses on collaboration, shared priorities, and most importantly, voter turnout.
“While the process took a little longer than usual, this time it was for a meaningful reason – for the first time, we worked to ensure that all towns are united and on the same page,” community organizers explained to The Lakewood Scoop. The emphasis on “Achdus” – the Hebrew word for unity – reflects a strategic decision to amplify the community’s political influence through collective action. Leaders made it clear that this coordination wasn’t merely symbolic but practical, designed to ensure every community’s voice contributes to “one strong collective statement.” This approach recognizes the growing demographic strength of Orthodox Jewish communities in Ocean County, which have become increasingly influential in state politics over recent years. The coordinated endorsement reflects a sophisticated political strategy that transcends local concerns while still acknowledging the distinct priorities of each town.
The coalition’s message to community members emphasizes the critical importance of voter participation, with leaders plainly stating, “This election will be decided by turnout.” Documentation obtained by The Lakewood Scoop reveals consistent messaging across different communities, including letters sent to Howell residents urging every eligible voter to cast their ballot. These communications specifically name Ciattarelli while noting that the endorsement is made “TOGETHER WITH OUR FRIENDS IN NEIGHBORING TOWNS,” reinforcing the cross-community nature of the support. The letters also include recommendations for various state and local offices, presenting voters with a comprehensive slate of candidates who, in the coalition’s assessment, “have shown care and friendship toward our community.” The consistent messaging across different towns represents a coordinated effort to maximize impact at the polls.
The Lakewood Vaad’s endorsement letter provides particular insight into the values driving this political decision. It describes voting not merely as a civic duty but as an expression of gratitude toward officials who have supported community priorities—especially education funding, transportation infrastructure, and religious liberty. The letter also acknowledges the Vaad’s established process of consulting rabbinic leadership and community representatives before making endorsements, highlighting that these decisions reflect collective wisdom rather than individual preferences. After expressing appreciation to former President Donald Trump for his support of Israel and efforts against antisemitism, the letter formally endorses Ciattarelli, citing his positions on schooling, infrastructure, and taxation as aligning with community interests. The emphasis on education is particularly significant, as access to educational resources remains a top priority for these communities.
The unified endorsement reflects broader political calculations as Ciattarelli attempts to flip New Jersey from Democratic to Republican control in his race against Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill. For Orthodox communities, the endorsement represents a strategic choice based on specific policy considerations rather than rigid partisan loyalty. While these communities have sometimes supported Republicans in the past, what makes this endorsement remarkable is not the choice of candidate but the unprecedented coordination across multiple towns to amplify their collective impact. Community leaders have been explicit that their endorsements stem from careful consideration of which candidates have demonstrated support for their communities’ specific needs and values, particularly around religious liberty, educational choice, and community safety. By presenting a unified front, these communities aim to maximize their influence in a state where elections can be decided by relatively narrow margins.
The coalition’s emphasis on turnout underscores a sophisticated understanding of electoral politics—recognizing that endorsements matter only to the extent they translate into actual votes. “Our voice is only as strong as the number of people who actually vote,” reads one community letter, distilling complex political strategy into a simple call to action. The Vaad’s closing message to community members reinforces this pragmatic approach: “Remember, your vote is your voice. Make it count for our community’s continued strength and influence.” This focus on practical political engagement represents an evolution in how these communities approach civic participation. Rather than simply stating preferences, leaders have created infrastructure to maximize turnout through coordination, clear messaging, and unprecedented unity across town boundaries. Whether this strategy succeeds in helping Ciattarelli win the governorship remains to be seen, but it has already established a new model for how faith communities can organize politically while maintaining their distinct identities and values.
