On Monday, Ofakim Mayor Itzik Danino will arrive in New Jersey to sign a sister-city agreement with the Township of Middletown, establishing a formal partnership with the state’s 16th largest township, which lost 37 of its residents on September 11, 2001. The city of Ofakim in Israel’s northern Negev lies halfway between Gaza and Beersheva and for more than two decades, has been a beloved partnership community of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. On October 7, Ofakim lost 48 of its residents. How the mayors of these two municipalities met and forged a relationship is the story of a unique Federation-sponsored mission, and the power of being on the ground in Israel after the most devastating attack in its history.
This story begins in the early days after October 7, as Israel was still absorbing the shock and trauma of 1200 dead, hundreds more taken hostage and the start of a devastating war to eliminate the terrorist threat on Israel’s southern border that continues to this day.
Rising Antisemitism Sparks Action in New Jersey
On the streets of NYC and capitals around the world, anti-Israel activists—shockingly—were already laying blame at Israel’s doorstep for the atrocities committed by Hamas. Antisemitism in New Jersey towns was surging. In New Jersey high school classrooms, students and teachers were debating Israel’s prosecution of the war, with many accusing the Jewish state of committing war crimes. Masked protesters and tent encampments had now become a regular feature of campus life, including at Rutgers and other colleges and universities around the state.
Against this backdrop of turmoil, as town councils were debating ceasefire resolutions and New Jersey’s governor was being lobbied daily to either condemn Israel or issue statements of support, our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) decided to act, becoming one of the first and only Federations in the country to bring a delegation of state legislators and educators to Israel for just 48 hours on the ground. That was all the time needed to witness the devastation, speak to the broken families of hostages, and absorb the strength and resilience of the Israeli people.
What would come of this visit, which involved a significant investment of time and treasure on the part of Jewish Federation, was unclear. There was nothing we asked of the 15 participants, not in terms of legislation—we hoped they would sponsor or balanced educational programs in schools that were desperately needed. We knew only of the imperative to bring them to see the situation firsthand, urged them to ask tough questions and hopefully return with a more informed understanding of the complexities of the conflict.
Of all the many positive outcomes of this trip, perhaps the most important was the call I received days after we returned from Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, who joined our group of mostly GMW area legislators and educators.
Mayor Perry’s Bold Proposal
“I want to create a sister-city relationship with Ofakim,” he told me, following our visit to the city and meeting with its mayor, Itzik Danino. “Our two cities are sadly united by senseless violence and extremism. “I think this can serve as a strong beacon of hope, especially for Ofakim which is still recovering from that terrible day just a little over a year ago.”
On Monday, Mayors Perry and Danino will sign the sister-city agreement in the courtroom at Middletown’s Town Hall in the presence of state legislators, county officials, members of the NJ-Israel Commission, and Jewish Federation leaders. Prior to the signing, Mayor Danino and Rabbi Rob Tobin of Bnai Shalom in West Orange, will affix a mezuzah to the door of Mayor Perry’s conference room. The gesture is another act of kindness and show of respect for New Jersey’s Jewish community and Jewish tradition.
In terms of the sister-city agreement, the goal is to deepen the relationship between the two cities in various spheres of civic society: from economic partnerships and medical research to educational and cultural ties. Later in the week, Mayor Perry will host Mayor Danino for meetings with Middletown’s Chamber of Commerce, as well as administrators of the local hospital and university to start exploring areas of common interest and partnership.
The mayor will also meet with members of New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority and ChooseNJ, to explore investment opportunities in Ofakim’s growing agrotech industry and other areas of tech innovation.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening NJ-Israel Relations
At a time of tragedy and turmoil for Israel and the Jewish people, Mayor Perry’s initiative is a gift, and one of the greatest possible outcomes of JCRC’s legislators/educators Mission to Israel. Far greater even than any future economic benefits it may bring, is the message that will go out with the signing of the document: that despite the miles that separate the State of New Jersey and the State of Israel the values that serve as pillars of both societies, and the shared belief in democracy, civil liberties and the need to fight extremist threats to western civilization, make our countries strong and natural allies.
May the hope and promise of this new alliance inspire other towns across New Jersey to develop their own ties with the Jewish State, and may it serve to deepen and strengthen the US-Israel relationship.
Read more about our partnership with Ofakim in “Protecting Our Secure Resilient Future.”