Panel Reflects on Jewish Heritage, Political Challenges

It was a brisk, yet bright Sunday morning in Freehold for friends, family and local residents attending a panel discussion at the Jewish Heritage Museum.

Leading the panel, titled “Jewish Women in Politics,” was moderator Loretta Rosen. Rosen introduced three notable women in the political arena invited to share their Jewish heritage and experiences of being a woman in government service.  The event was held in commemoration of Women’s History Month, observed nationally during the month of March. 

State Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, Freeholder Amy Mallet and Freehold Township Committeewoman Barbara McMorrow shared stories of their family background and gave audience members insight on the importance of family values in working through the challenges of politics. 

Handlin noted that the woman on the panel shared a common history, along with other things.

“None of us has had a bat mitzvah,” Handlin said, referring to the Jewish rite of passage in which girls are recognized and honored as adults. Handlin says she and her colleagues were raised in a time when women had less privilege. A woman reading from the Torah was even a new idea, said Handlin. 

“As women, we are doing a fine job at making our mark on history,” said Mallet.   

Mallet was recognized at the panel discussion for one accomplishment of particular significance to the Jewish museum. As a Monmouth County freeholder, Mallet worked to have directional signs posted for the Jewish Heritage Museum, which is located in the back of a shopping center on West Main Street, past the Freehold Raceway Mall.

The panel also discussed the challenges of being a Jewish woman in the political arena. Each agreed that more public participation, higher ethical standards and heightened awareness of cultural diversity needed to be achieved. 

Light refreshments were served during the event, and audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions near the end of the discussion.      

Special mention was made towards Geraldine A. Ferraro, an important political figure who became the first woman to receive nomination for office at the federal level. Ferraro died Saturday in Massachusetts at the age of 75.