A4941

An Act establishing a Jewish Heritage Trail and supplementing P.L.1977, c.225 (C.34:1A-45 et seq.).

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. In addition to the powers and duties of the division as provided in section 9 of P.L.1977, c.225 (C.34:1A-53), the division, in conjunction with the owners or operators of Jewish heritage sites, local government officials or entities, and entities that identify and compile data on historical sites, shall identify a series of Jewish heritage sites to be part of a Jewish Heritage Trail. The purpose of the heritage trail shall be to highlight sites of significance to Jewish American history, heritage, and culture in this State. The division shall ensure that as many Jewish heritage sites in the State as practical are included in the Jewish Heritage Trail. In identifying specific Jewish heritage sites to be included in the Jewish Heritage Trail, special consideration shall be given to Jewish heritage sites that are in close geographic proximity to other Jewish heritage sites or thematically linked by surrounding arts, cultural, historical, entertainment, or other tourism destinations or exhibits of interest to tourists interested in Jewish heritage sites.

As used in this section:

"Jewish Heritage Trail" means a series of Jewish heritage sites identified by the division, which may be linked by geographic proximity and alignment, thematic consistency, and historical consistency.

“Jewish heritage site” means a location where items of political, military, artistic, cultural, or social history have been preserved due to their cultural heritage value. The locations shall relate to Jewish educators, journalists, scientists, physicians, lawyers, artists, or humanitarians who have contributed to the development or advancement of this State, the United States, or Jewish communities throughout the world.

2. a. The division shall develop and maintain an Internet website providing information concerning Jewish heritage sites in the State. The information on the website shall be searchable and available as a list and as an interactive map, and shall:

(1) specify the location of each Jewish heritage site and provide driving directions from the north, south, east, and west as well as directions by public transit where applicable;

(2) provide information about whether the Jewish heritage site offers guided tours, the frequency of tours, and hours during which tours are conducted;

(3) display photographs of the Jewish heritage site;

(4) inform visitors of whether the Jewish heritage site is part of the Jewish Heritage Trail developed pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); and

(5) provide contact information for each Jewish heritage site, including each site’s telephone number and Internet website address.

b. The division shall develop and publish on its website vacation itineraries based on the Jewish Heritage Trail developed pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), which shall identify for visitors surrounding attractions, restaurants, lodging, and other exhibits or places of entertainment in close proximity to the Jewish heritage sites on the Jewish Heritage Trail. The division may solicit information from the owners or operators of Jewish heritage sites, local government officials or entities, and entities that identify and compile data on historical sites in the development of vacation itineraries.

c. In addition to publishing the information required in subsections a. and b. of this section, the division may distribute the information by any other method it deems appropriate.

d. The director shall ensure that the Internet website is updated whenever a new Jewish heritage site is established. The division shall accept information or changes to the website from the owners or operators of Jewish heritage sites, local government officials or entities, and entities that identify and compile data on historical sites through an electronic submission form made available by the division on its Internet website.

3. An owner or operator of a Jewish heritage site may erect at the site a tourist-oriented sign identifying the location of the Jewish heritage site along the Jewish Heritage Trail developed pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

4. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill directs the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State to identify a series of Jewish heritage sites to be part of a Jewish Heritage Trail. The bill requires that the Jewish heritage sites along the Jewish Heritage Trail be geographically linked by relevant arts, cultural, historical, entertainment, or other tourism destinations. Under this bill, the division would develop and maintain an interactive Internet website providing information concerning Jewish heritage sites in the State. The division is required to update the website whenever the owners or operators of Jewish heritage sites, local government officials or entities, and entities that identify and compile data on historical sites notify the division of new Jewish heritage sites. The website would also provide vacation itineraries based on the Jewish Heritage Trail, which identify surrounding attractions, restaurants, lodging, and other exhibits or places of entertainment along the trail.

In addition, the bill permits the owner or operator of a Jewish heritage site to erect at the site a tourist-oriented sign identifying the location of the Jewish heritage site along the Jewish Heritage Trail.

In order to recognize the diverse contributions and achievements of Jewish Americans as well as to preserve and protect their compelling stories and unique culture for future generations, the State created a Jewish Heritage Trail Study Commission in 2003 to study the feasibility of developing a Jewish Heritage Trail across the State of New Jersey. The commission was supposed to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within one year following its initial organizational meeting. No members were appointed to the Jewish Heritage Trail Study Commission. The State eliminated the commission in 2010 before it issued a report on the feasibility of developing a Jewish Heritage Trail.