New Jersey and Israel:
Sharing a long and strong relationahip

The New Jersey-Israel Commission was established in 1989 to implement the goals of the Sister State Agreement - to promote the development of trade, culture and educational exchanges; encourage the development of capital investment and joint business ventures; and foster a spirit of cooperation between the citizens of the State of Israel and the State of New Jersey.

 

Commission History

In 1988, under Governor Thomas H. Kean, a Sister State Agreement was signed between the State of Israel and the State of New Jersey.

The New Jersey-Israel Commission was established in 1989 to implement the goals of this agreement - to promote the development of trade, culture and educational exchanges; encourage the development of capital investment and joint business ventures; and foster a spirit of cooperation between the citizens of the State of Israel and the State of New Jersey. The executive order has been extended by each subsequent governor and most recently under Governor Jon S. Corzine by E.O. #49 of January 1, 2007.

The Governor appoints the lay members of the Commission, which is organized into committees focusing on three key areas of interest: Economic Development, Education, and Culture & Tourism. There are currently 77 public members (limit 100). Eight members of the Legislature are appointed by the Governor; four from the State Senate and four from the State Legislature. The Governor appointed and reappointed members in January, 2007.

The New Jersey-Israel Commission was placed under the purview of the Department of State in July, 2007. Prior to this, the Commission came under the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Development & Tourism Commission (which is now the New Jersey Commerce Commission).

 

Executive Orders

Executive Orders Establishing the New Jersey-Israel Commission

The original executive order establishing the New Jersey-Israel Commission was issued as Executive Order #208 under Governor Thomas H. Kean. This was extended by Governor Florio with EO #35 and #90, by Governor Whitman in EO #37 and #70, and was extended by Governor McGreevey with EO #12. Governor Jon S. Corzine extended the executive order with Executive Order #49 on January 2, 2007.

Executive Order #208, Governor Thomas H. Kean

Executive Order #35, Governor James J. Florio

Executive Order #90, Governor James J. Florio

Executive Order #37, Governor Christine Todd Whitman

Executive Order #70, Governor Christine Todd Whitman

Executive Order #12, Governor James E. McGreevey

Executive Order #49, Governor Jon S. Corzine

Senate Bill No.2240
SENATE, No. 2240 Introduced October 16, 2008

 

Commission Prioritites

The New Jersey – Israel Commission’s mission is to foster economic, scientific, educational and cultural ties with the State of Israel, one of the Garden State’s most important trading partners.

The Governor appoints the public members of the Commission, which has three committees that focus on three key areas of interest: economic development, education, and culture & tourism.

Ecomonic Development
The economic development committee identifies opportunities for increased economic development between New Jersey and Israel, including joint business ventures and capital investment.

Economic Committee - Mark Levenson, Chair

Education
The Commission facilitates supports and encourages collaborative research projects, University to University Exchanges, and educational programming beneficial for schools, universities, and the general community.

Education Committee - Dr. Marlene Herman, Chair

Culture
The Commission actively supports art exhibits, film festivals, and cultural missions on the state and local level, group events, and other tourism exchange programs to build awareness and understanding between the citizens of Israel and New Jersey.

Culture Committee - Jerry Enis, Chair

 

New Jersey and Israel - Extraordinary Relationship

 

• New Jersey and Israel Sister States since 1988
• New Jersey-Israel Commission created in 1989 to foster the relationship
• Israel - New Jersey's 10th leading trade partner
• New Jersey exports total nearly $14 Billion since 1991
• In 2009
  *More than $89 million in optic, photo, medical and surgical instruments
  *More than $232 million in aircraft, spacecraft and parts
  *Approx $112 million in industrial machinery and computers
  *More than $86 million in electrical equipment, appliances, components
• More than 700 New Jersey companies doing business with Israel
• 65 Israeli companies maintain operations in New Jersey
• 18 New Jersey companies maintain operations in Israel
• Hundreds of cultural exchanges in the arts and humanities between New Jersey and Israeli institutions and artists including NJPAC, The State Theatre, McCarter Theatre, The Newark Museum and others
• More than $10 million in approved joint venture funding in high-tech sectors such as life sciences and telecommunications link New Jersey firms like Schering Plough, Telcordia and Johnson&Johnson with Israeli partners
• $30 million invested by New Jersey in State of Israel Bonds
• Scores of cooperative efforts between New Jersey and Israeli researchers will result in scientific breakthroughs and development of cutting-edge technologies
• Academic collaboration between researchers at Princeton University, Tel Aviv University, Rutgers University, The Technion, NJIT, Haifa University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Weizman Institute, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Hebrew University
• Joint agricultural research will lead to increased quality and quantity of produce
• Hadassah Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson share experiences in areas of public health, trauma surgery, terrorism and domestic security