New Jersey Governor-elect Phil Murphy has appointed Maury Litwack, executive director of the Orthodox Union’s Teach Advocacy Network, and Chanie Jacobowitz, director of government affairs for Beth Medrash Govoha, as members of the incoming administration’s Education Transmission team.
“I am honored to join the governor-elect’s transition team,” said Litwack. “Phil Murphy’s commitment to all New Jersey school children is reflected in the education transition team’s diverse and qualified group, and I look forward to helping him craft a government that meets the needs of all children and families, including the needs of yeshiva and day school children across the state of New Jersey.”
Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin added, “Under Maury’s dynamic leadership, the Teach Advocacy Network has become a national force in state houses across the country, with state and local officials regularly working with us to address the needs of our yeshivas and day schools.
“Teach Advocacy Network, and its New Jersey chapter, Teach NJS, are a recognized voice in education policy; Maury’s appointment to Governor-elect Phil Murphy’s transition team reflects that.”
Litwack directs a state-by-state plan for political action and advocacy in the OU’s many communities around the country, with a principal focus on seeking greater government support for Jewish day schools and their families in order to address the acute education affordability challenge the Orthodox community is facing.
In his prior role as national deputy director, he helped lead the OU’s federal advocacy efforts on key issues while working to mobilize and teach communities the importance of active civic engagement.