Shmuel “Sam” Ellenbogen was sworn in this week as Ocean County’s first Orthodox Jewish commissioner, marking a historic milestone for representation in a county undergoing rapid demographic change.
Ellenbogen took the oath of office at the Ocean County Administration Building, with the ceremony administered by Francis R. Hodgson Jr., the assignment judge of the Ocean County Superior Court. His swearing-in formally seats him on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, the county’s governing body responsible for infrastructure, public services, and overall administration for nearly 650,000 residents.
Ellenbogen and Ray Gormley, who ran alongside each other, replace outgoing commissioners John P. Kelly and Virginia Haines, both of whom opted not to seek re-election. Gormley, a former Little Egg Harbor Township committeeman, was also sworn in this week and now serves as the sole commissioner representing southern Ocean County.
A longtime resident of Toms River, Ellenbogen is well known in local civic and communal circles. He is a founding leader of the Toms River Jewish Community Council, established in 2018 to foster communication and cooperation between the area’s growing Orthodox Jewish population and the broader community. The organization has been involved in safety initiatives, interfaith outreach, and community engagement efforts that have drawn attention beyond the Orthodox community.
Ellenbogen also brings prior government experience to the county board. In 2021, he was appointed to the Ocean County Utilities Authority, where he later served as treasurer and helped oversee major infrastructure projects during a period of population growth and expanded development. He continues to serve on the authority. In addition, Ellenbogen remains a commissioner with the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority, where he has been involved in local water and sewer oversight.