Education tops the list of issues at legislator forum
By Kristin Erekson
The Jewish Advocate
Strengthening the educational system is proving to be at the top of the agenda for many Jewish legislators across the U.S.
At an Aug. 8 reception hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, more than a dozen local leaders and members of the National Association of Jewish Legislators (NAJL) convened to discuss governmental issues as well as the need to conduct a historical analysis of Jews in American politics. The lawmakers were in Boston as part of the National conference of State Legislators.
In an interview with the Advocate, Kansas Rep. Lana Gordon (R-Topeka) expressed the need for obtaining more funding for education in public schools. And a key concern among Gordon's Jewish constituents - roughly consisting of 150 families - also center on education, particularly the need to create a strong curriculum about the Holocaust.
"Understanding and tolerance are important [issues] for my Jewish constituents," Gordon added.
Arizona Rep. Lena Saradnik (D-Oro Valley) echoed Gordon's beliefs on improving schooling, saying that her southwestern state ranks 49th in education spending. One of the biggest legislative items to be tackled by the Arizona Legislature is boosting teachers' pay. Saradnik said the starting salary for first year teachers recently increased to $44,000, and the Legislature alos gave more funds for classroom education.
But even the Jewish community in Arizona believes there is still more work to be done, Saradnik added.
"Anytime I'm with a [Jewish] group, the concern is always education," said Saradnik, who noted that Arizona is one of the fastest growing states in the nation.
For Florida Senator Nan H. Rich (D-Weston), addressing the problem of "extremely overcrowded schools" is a priority. Rich said that Florida is one of the lowest-funded states for public education and currently ranks 50th in the nation for college and university funding.
"Premiums [in Florida] are extremely high, as is property tax, said Rich, who is currently working to boost Holocaust education as well as increasing municipalities' interests in investing in Israeli bonds. "It's really difficult to fund education and human services with that tax."
While education appears to be a No. 1 priority for lawmakers across the U.S., Massachusetts Rep. Ruth B. Balswer (D-Newton) is focusing her efforts on social justice, the quality of social services and responding to the healthcare crisis.
Said Balser: "My community generally cares about social justice and protecting the quality of public services - especially access to healthcare and making sure the most vulnerable members of society have their needs met."
In a speech during the reception at the JCRC's headquarters, Jeffrey M. Wice, director of NAJL, commended the efforts of the state's Jewish legislators, saying that they are needed to "rejuvenate and revitalize" the NAJL.
Reaching out to small Jewish communities - such as those in Alaska, Texas and Kansas - is not easy, Wice said, which is why everyone needs to team up to help.
Added Wice: "There is a need for Jewish legislators to be able to communicate with other legislators on Jewish issues [surrounding] Darfur, divestment and hate crimes."
