NJ Gov. Phil Murphy Visits Bahraini Synagogue, Strengthens Gulf Ties on Six-Day Trade Mission

In a visit rich with symbolism and diplomatic significance, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy donned a white yarmulke and stood reverently in front of the Ark of the Torah at the House of the Ten Commandments, Bahrain’s only synagogue, during a six-day trade mission to the Gulf region. As reported on Friday by The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), the visit called attention to Murphy’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, Jewish inclusion in the Arab world, and deepening ties between New Jersey and the Middle East.

Standing beneath Hebrew and Arabic depictions of the Ten Commandments, with a Torah scroll peeking out from a slightly ajar ark, and flanked by artistic reproductions of Marc Chagall’s stained-glass windows from Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, Murphy described the experience as “meaningful.” Above him, a wooden geometric lampshade symbolizing the eternal light added spiritual resonance to the moment.

“A meaningful visit to Bahrain’s synagogue with former ambassador to the United States Houda Nonoo,” Murphy wrote on April 29. “Incredibly special to hear about how Bahrain’s Jewish community contributes to the richness of Bahraini culture.”

According to the information provided in the JNS report, Nonoo—who made history as the first Jewish ambassador from an Arab country—praised the visit as a powerful affirmation of the enduring bonds between Bahrain’s Jewish community and the people of New Jersey. “His presence underscored a shared commitment to interfaith dialogue, mutual respect, and the enduring values of inclusion and coexistence,” Nonoo told JNS.

The synagogue visit followed Murphy’s participation in the International March of the Living in Poland, where he joined world leaders in commemorating the Holocaust. His arrival in Bahrain marked the beginning of a trade mission encompassing Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, designed to boost New Jersey’s international economic partnerships and foster cross-cultural collaboration.

As reported by JNS, the governor’s mission went far beyond ceremonial visits. It included concrete agreements to enhance trade, higher education collaboration, and economic development. On Wednesday, Murphy announced that New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority of the UAE, aimed at driving innovation in responsible gaming.

“New Jersey’s role as a national leader and international destination for gaming is strengthened by global partnerships that drive innovation,” Murphy stated. “This agreement will strengthen our international economy while prioritizing responsible gaming.”

The governor and First Lady Tammy Murphy also led a delegation of New Jersey business executives and academic leaders in Riyadh, where they sought to establish long-term collaborations in artificial intelligence, urban development, and emerging technologies.

The visit yielded significant academic developments. As the JNS report noted, Rutgers University and King Saud University entered a new partnership to cooperate in fields such as public policy, city planning, and business administration. The collaboration will include joint research projects, student exchanges, and faculty cooperation—aimed at leveraging the distinct resources and regional strengths of both institutions.

“New Jersey’s economic success hinges on our ability to forge new international relationships,” Murphy told JNS.

Murphy’s diplomatic outreach also extended to the United Arab Emirates, where Kean University and Rowan University formalized educational agreements with local institutions. In another significant announcement, JNS reported that Hotpack, a major UAE-based food-packaging company, is expected to invest $100 million in a new manufacturing facility in Edison, New Jersey, projected to create 200 new jobs.

In a notable move to deepen people-to-people ties, Murphy’s administration announced the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will launch an internship initiative for Bahraini students, offering them immersive professional experiences in the state. According to the JNS report, the program is designed to cultivate innovation, strengthen cultural ties, and enhance economic opportunities for both regions.

“We are proud to open new doors for New Jersey businesses and Bahraini students to grow our thriving economy,” Murphy said. “These experiences will benefit both of our regions and help Bahraini youth return home with meaningful insights.”

This multifaceted mission reflects New Jersey’s broader effort to position itself as a global economic and innovation hub, at a time when international partnerships are increasingly vital. As the JNS report explained, this trip is one of several such initiatives undertaken by Murphy in his final year in office—including a recent visit to Israel—all aimed at diversifying New Jersey’s economic alliances amid growing uncertainty in the global trade environment.

Murphy’s outreach comes against the backdrop of the Biden administration’s response to lingering effects of President Trump’s trade wars, which have contributed to economic contractions in early 2025. According to the information in the JNS report, Murphy’s regional diplomacy aims to counterbalance these headwinds by attracting international investment and expanding New Jersey’s influence abroad.

“Strengthening New Jersey’s ties with our Gulf Arab partners and around the world helps us continue to build a strong innovation economy,” Murphy stated.

While the trade mission achieved significant economic outcomes, it was Governor Murphy’s visit to the House of the Ten Commandments that carried profound symbolic weight. As the JNS report emphasized, his participation demonstrated solidarity not only with Bahrain’s small but vibrant Jewish community but also with the broader goals of religious coexistence, cultural understanding, and tolerance in the Arab world.

Former Ambassador Nonoo’s reflections, as was reported by JNS, captured the broader impact: “Bahrain and New Jersey share a commitment to interfaith dialogue, fostering mutual understanding between diverse communities across both regions.”

As Murphy continues to expand New Jersey’s global footprint, his mission stands as a compelling model of how economic engagement and moral diplomacy can go hand-in-hand—strengthening not only markets, but also values.

In an increasingly complex world, Governor Murphy’s six-day journey through the Gulf—offered a powerful reminder that economic partnerships, educational exchanges, and cultural respect are not separate endeavors, but threads of the same tapestry: building a future of shared prosperity and peace.

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