JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – It wasn’t too long ago that being caught in a photograph with Jackson resident Mordechai Burnstein was a political death warrant.
Heck, I attended a Christmas party charity event and took a photo with Burnstein years ago, and that photo was plastered all over the internet saying Shore News Network ‘sold out to the Orthodox’.
A simple photo of Burnstein told a thousand words. Similar things happened to Jackson Mayor Michael Reina and his opponent Marty Flemming. A photo with Burstein could sink your political ship. It told stories of selling out to people like Aaron Kotler, Richard Roberts, and the Orthodox Jewish political power base.
Now, the same people who were once criticizing and demonizing photos of Burnstein are lining up to be in pictures with him. Burnstein has become more than just a local celebrity; he has become a political kingmaker that everyone in Ocean County is now taking seriously, even Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore.
It was Burnstein who blocked Gilmore’s move to recertify his own political club in Toms River. That block will have a serious impact on the upcoming June primary election for mayor in Toms River.
A few years ago, Burnstein was fighting in the trenches on the front lines of the battle between the Orthodox Jewish community and the Ocean County Republican establishment, which wielded power over towns like Jackson, Toms River, and Lakewood.
At the time, he was just a young yeshiva student starting a new family in a new town.
In his hometown of Jackson, councilmembers were caught spying on people’s homes, enacting ordinances meant to curb the growth of the Jewish population and banning things like schools and eruvs.
He fought the law, but in this case, Burnstein won.
Not only did Burnstein win the battle for his religious cause against the township of Jackson, he went a few steps further. He orchestrated a takeover of the Jackson Republican Club and played a major role in blocking Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore from retaking control of the Toms River Republican Club. He even unseated longtime Republican members of the Ocean County Republican Committee.
That action allowed Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill to retain the party line in the upcoming election, a critical move in the future in Hill’s political survival as he faces a primary election fight in June.
Jackson Rabbi Mordechai Burnstein (second from left) with Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill (second from right), at this week’s Ocean County Federation of Republican Women.
Now, Burnstein and others who helped defeat the Jackson GOP are working behind the scenes to aid Hill in his upcoming battle against Councilman Daniel Rodrick in Toms River.
It’s not just municipal officials lining up behind Burnstein’s newfound power and influence, county officials and even state officials are recognizing the influence Burnstein wields in local elections.
Mordechai Burnstein (L) with Jackson Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (C) and Avi Schnall, former director of Agudath Israel of America (R).
If Burnstein and the Toms River Jewish Community Council play their cards right, they can help Mo Hill defeat Rodrick in June and easily push him into the winner’s circle in November. Then, the cycle will be complete. Jackson and Toms River will be firmly under the influence of the growing community.
Just a few years ago, Burnstein was a Yeshiva student that nobody in his own town really took seriously. Councilmembers disregarded his threats. Political leaders laughed off his requests for inclusion. In the end he won.
In the end, longtime Jackson Republican leaders Clara Glory and Todd Porter have been effectively sidelined, if not ousted by Burnstein.
Burnstein is now seen as the political leader of the Orthodox Jewish community outside of Lakewood and now, leaders across Ocean County are finally taking him seriously.
Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy (second from left) and Ocean County Commissioner Virginia Haines pose for a photo with Mordechai Burnstein (second from right).
Last week, Burstein was officially recognized by the Ocean County Federation of Republican Women for his contributions and influence within the Ocean County Republican party, something that was unthinkable just a few years ago.
Now, Burstein and his allies have their eyes set on the critical election in Toms River. They have been sort of ‘military advisors’ for the Toms River Jewish Community Council (VAAD) which has endorsed Mo Hill for mayor, guiding them through the process of how to defeat perceived anti-semitism in the town and to get Hill re-elected in June.
A get-out-of-the-vote message was put forth to the members of the Jewish Community to support Hill last week, urging unregistered voters to register in time for the election.
“In Jackson, we did it by going door to door,” Burnstein said. “We were able to do it by helping people register and get their mail-in ballots out. Toms River’s community numbers are lower, so it’s going to be a bit harder for them. They don’t have the numbers, but it’s possible.”
The Orthodox Jewish community opposes the campaign of Councilman Daniel Rodrick. He said the main issue is Rodrick’s refusal to allow more houses of worship in Toms River.
“We need them in Toms River, the DOJ settlement wasn’t enough,” Burnstein said. “It’s not practical for a lot of people in the town based on that map.”
Booky Kaluszyner, a political lobbyist for Mo Hill and a leader of the Toms River VAAD echoed the same sentiments as Burnstein in a recent Asbury Park Press article saying Rodrick’s refusal to play ball on removing limits on houses of worship in Toms River is why the community will not endorse his campaign.
For Burnstein, the fight’s not over. The problems plaguing Jackson and Toms River are now spreading into nearby towns such as Howell and Manchester, and in the future, it’s almost certain, Burnstein will have a say in those towns, too as they deal with the growing pains caused by the overgrowth of Lakewood and Orthodox Jewish residents seeking to go further out into the suburbs to live their own version of the American Dream.
Photos by Ocean County Federation of Women.