Silverstein, Botwinick Essex Representatives to New Jersey-Israel Commission

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has announced the appointment of Rabbi Alan Silverstein of Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex and the reappointment of Gary R. Botwinick as Essex County representatives to the New Jersey-Israel Commission, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The commission, part of the New Jersey Department of State, was established in 1989. Its goal is to help promote the development of trade, culture and educational exchanges, as well as the development of capital investment and joint business ventures between the state and Israel and encourage a spirit of cooperation, according to the New Jersey Department of State website.

New Jersey and Israel signed a Sister State Agreement in 1988 under former Gov. Thomas H. Kean. The commission was established in 1989 to implement the goals of the agreement.

Members appointed to the commission include:

• Dr. Luba Sindler, West Orange
• Marvin Goldklang, Livingston
• Sheila Goldklang, Livingston
• Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, West Orange
• Shane C. Berger, Bloomfield 

Members reappointed to the commission include:

• Mark S. Levenson, Esq., West Orange
• Howard Cohen, CPA, Livingston
• Max L. Kleinmann, Livingston
• David Lentz, Esq., Livingston
• Norman Samuels, PhD., West Orange.

The relationship and shared cultural, economic and educational engagements between residents, businesses and institutions included Christie’s April 2012 trip to Israel with a delegation of business and religious leaders from across the state, Christie press spokesman Sean Conner said Monday, Feb. 4.

During his trip, Christie met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres and visited prospective companies to forge new partnerships, Conner said.

Today, more than 700 New Jersey companies are doing business with Israel and 28 Israeli companies have affiliates in New Jersey, he added.

Read more about the New Jersey-Israel Commission.