It's only been about four months since The Asbury Park Press and a group of public-spirited citizens launched the Unity Project, an initiative to improve understanding between the Orthodox and non-Orthodox in Lakewood and surrounding communities.

The project has accomplished a lot during that time, through sponsored events such as our recent Craft for Kindness, videotaped panel discussions, contributed op-eds on relevant topics and video interviews with people knowledgeable about the Orthodox religion and the sources of tension in Lakewood-area communities.

But it's clear much more needs to be done, and APP, the Unity Project's steering committee and citizen volunteers are committed to doing so in the weeks and months ahead.

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Vandalism and other anti-Semitic acts and rhetoric directed against the Orthodox continue unabated, as does the political rhetoric in Jackson and in Toms River, where the dominant issue in the upcoming Township Council election seems to be how best to prevent more Orthodox from moving into town. It's an ugly re-run of what took place in Jackson last fall.

Drawing from our experience over the past few months, we believe the merit of the Unity Project's concentration on two main strategies has been confirmed. First, working to educate the public by dispelling some of the myths and providing factual information about the Orthodox religion, its rituals and customs, and the various forms it takes. Second, by exploring ways to increase face-to-face contacts and interaction between the Orthodox and non-Orthodox.

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Moving forward, we will continue to employ those two strategies. We have developed a series of topics we will invite experts and ordinary citizens to weigh in on, in op-eds, video interviews and forums. The topics will include:

• What can be done to bridge the cultural and religious gaps between the Orthodox and non-Orthodox neighbors?

• What can be done to address the perceived and actual insularity of some members of the Orthodox community?

• What are some of the positive contributions the Orthodox have made to their communities?

• Is anti-growth sentiment in Lakewood's neighboring towns inherently anti-Semitic?

• What steps should Lakewood be taking to overcome some of the negative perceptions about its planning and zoning practices?

We also will be seeking contributions that address some of the anti-Orthodox stereotypes commonly found on social media relating to marriage, the role of women, welfare abuses, private school curriculum, Jewish law, etc.

We also will be inviting you, our readers, to contribute to the Unity Project, either by joining as a volunteer, or by contributing letters and op-eds relating to Orthodox-non-Orthodox relations. Share your positive stories about interactions with your Orthodox or non-Orthodox neighbors. Let us know what you are doing to make your Orthodox neighbors welcome and how they have reciprocated. Send us your ideas for increasing interaction and improving relations.

We also are looking for volunteers to serve on four Unity Project committees: education, events, social media and community engagement. If you are interested in joining one of the committees or contributing an op-ed, email us at UnityProject@gannettnj.com.

We also will reaching out to organizations with goals similar to our own, to collaborate in any way that will advance our shared objectives.

While we are dedicated to improving relations between the Orthodox and non-Orthodox, it will not come at the expense of APP continuing to provide hard-hitting journalism aimed at ferreting out corrupt and self-serving leadership in Lakewood and surrounding communities. In the end, we believe that will make it easier, not more difficult, to carry out the Unity Project's mission.

Randy Bergmann, a Westfield native and lifelong resident of New Jersey, has been covering the state as a reporter, editor and opinion page editor for four decades. Contact him at rbergmann@app.com or 732-643-4034.

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