Matthew Feldman
1959 - 1966 Chairman
Visit the Matthew Feldman Nature Preserve!
Source: Campaign brochure published by Citizens for Feldman, Teaneck, N.J., 1973.
Matthew Feldman became a member of the Township Council of Teaneck in May 1958, in his first try for elective office. Less than a year later, his Council colleagues elevated him to the post of Mayor. When he sought reelection in 1962, he received 75 percent of the popular vote.
During his second term as mayor, he was a successful candidate for the State Senate in 1965.
During a 2-year term in the Senate, he was elevated to the post of Assistant Majority Leader.
He was chairman of the important Education Committee both years. As chairman, he led the fight for the establishment of the Department of Higher Education. During his tenure, the State Legislature made substantial increases in State Support for education at all levels.
As Assistant Majority Leader in 1967, he played a significant role in winning Passage of a far-reaching legislative program.
In 1968, he was elected Chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Committee. As chairman, he instituted numerous major party reforms, bringing young people and women into leadership Posts, He continued as party leader until 1973, when he, resigned the post to seek his party's nomination for the State Senate.
Numerous awards and honors have been conferred upon him by a wide range of civic, social, religious and fraternal organizations: 
- He was the recipient of the first Brotherhood Award given by the Bergen County Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
- The Bergen County Urban League gave him its first Service Award.
- He was named an outstanding public official by the Detective Crime Clinic of New York and New Jersey.
- In 1966 he was the recipient of the National Award of Merit of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.-the only New Jersey resident ever to receive that award.
- The Hackensack Chapter of Unico selected him as the Citizen of the Year in 1967.
- In 1967, he received the Voice of Democracy award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.--the only New Jersey resident ever to receive that award.
- The United Jewish Appeal has conferred its Humanitarian Service award
- In 1968, the New Jersey Psychologists Association presented him with a special award for his contributions to the field of mental health.
- On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the State of Israel, he received the Guardian Award from the State of Israel Bonds organization.
- In 1972, he was the recipient of the Tzedekah (social Justice) Award given by the Jewish Federation of Community Services of Bergen County.
- In 1973, the Bergen County YM-YWHA named him its Man of the Year.
He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Holy Name Hospital of Nursing, vice-president of the Bergen County Girl Scout Council, and vice president of the Jewish Hospital and Rehabilitation Center of New Jersey.
In 1973, he was the commencement speaker at the Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing.
He is a director of the Urban League of Bergen County and the Bergen County Health and Welfare Council and a member of the board of trustees of the New Jersey Council on Economic Education.
He is a life member of the Central Bergen County Patrolman's Benevolent Association, Local 86, and a past president of the Teaneck Jewish Community Center.
He is an honorary life member of the Teaneck Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and a member of the Council on Governmental Affairs of Fairleigh Dickinson University.
He is a member of the Bergen County Historical Association, American Legion Post 182, the Teaneck Lodge 247, F. & A.M., and the 369th Veterans Association.
He has been a resident of Teaneck for 26 years. During World War II, he served as a captain in the Army Air Corps. As a veteran, he rose to the post of commander of the New Jersey Department of the Jewish War Veterans.
He attended the University of North Carolina and Panzer College. He is vice-president of Fedway Associates, Inc. of Kearny, N.J.
He is married, with a son and two daughters and three grandchildren.
Editor's Note: Since this publication was issued, Senator Feldman remained active in his community as well as devoting himself to state-wide issues. He retired from the State Senate in January, 1994, and died April 11, 1994.
Other areas with info on Feldman:
Naming of the Feldman Nature Preserve (Suburbanite article, dated 1990)
