Last week, New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way visited Israel with a delegation of 10 other Secretaries of State from across the United States, as part of American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange.

“I was honored to travel to Israel representing New Jersey, where we are home to more than half a million people of Jewish descent and have the fourth highest Israeli population in the nation,” said Secretary Way. “New Jersey and Israel are similar in size, population, and diversity, and we often face similar challenges. This week was an incredible opportunity to learn more about our shared experiences and common values, strengthening relationships between our state and the people of Israel.”

During the weeklong visit, the delegation met with government, business, academic, community, and faith leaders to learn more the Middle East’s only democracy. Secretary Way and her colleagues learned about Israeli elections and ongoing domestic and foreign policy challenges. They gained insight into U.S.-Israel relations and strengthened ties between election and security officials serving our two nations. “Israel is a global leader in cybersecurity,” said Secretary Way. “My colleagues and I appreciated the opportunity to discuss mutual challenges in protecting our elections and share strategies and best practices with our Israeli peers.”

During the delegation’s visit to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Secretary Way honored the 6 million Jews who were killed during the Holocaust and reflected upon the need to continue fighting anti-Semitism today, especially in light of the horrific attack in Jersey City earlier this month. “As our delegation laid a wreath at Yad Vashem to honor the victims of the Holocaust, I was also remembering the victims of the attack in Jersey City,” said Secretary Way. “This visit underscored the importance of promising ‘Never Again,’ and committing together to fight against anti-semitism and hatred in all forms.”