Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!
New voting rights were approved in the Garden State as we rung in the new year. NJ District 16 
On January 10th, Mercer County swore in its new County Executive, as 
It was a tumultuous 2023 at 
Whether you have recently moved to the Princeton area or you are a longtime resident looking for new opportunities and information, we are here to help you kick things off for 2024. There are some simple rules that you should know as a local resident, but also experiences that everyone can take advantage of for the first time!
Parking by your home seems like it should be a given, but in Princeton, it’s not always free or available. Street signs will alert you to the on-street parking rules, which could include 2-hour parking, using a pay station or meter. Parking permits are required for overnight parking on certain streets (primarily in the former borough). If you don’t have a driveway or parking area and you’re not sure if you live where there’s a permit required, best bet is to email the 
Once you have your parking and housing settled, it’s important to note that dogs in Princeton also require registration. Yes, a 
If you are active, or would like to be, 
If you are looking to pass along items you no longer use, for the benefit of someone else, now is a great time to do so. Spring gets the most cred as a time to clean out things in your home, but why not do it now, when you’d rather be indoors anyways? Whether you’ve recently moved, and you realize you’ve brought things you can’t fit or don’t need, or you are doing a purge of things you’ve had in your home a longtime, there are easy ways to give them a second life. For starters, you can check out Facebook groups such as Buy Nothing, or 
It is hard to believe there are just a few more weeks until the end of 2023. What a turbulent year it has been! But one of the nice things that happens as December arrives, is no matter what is weighing you down, there are things to cheer you up. Whether it’s watching the Palmer Square tree go up in lights or taking part in one of the local Chanukah celebrations, each family and community has traditions it hopes to pass down from generation to generation.
Traditions must begin somewhere, not all traditions are old. We are thankful that since March 2020, reading Princeton Perspectives has become a valued tradition for many to stay on top of important local news. With the War in Israel and Gaza and next year’s Presidential election topping most national headlines, we hardly hear mention of some of the big local stories that happened throughout 2023. We’ve covered a large variety of them for you and, as we take a look back, we will update you on how things have changed.
In the January issue, 
With mortgage rates so high, it’s been a difficult time for many to purchase a home. But Princeton is working on bridging that gap by offering even more housing opportunities for those on a limited budget. In March, in the issue 
With additional housing comes additional students, and Princeton is already struggling with overcrowding at all of its schools. The April issue of Princeton Perspectives shared many changes happening throughout the school system. In the issue 
If you’re driving to a school, or anywhere else in town, it is not unusual to see a construction area along nearly every route you take around Princeton. In the June issue, 
In late November, there was an extended ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, as both sides laid down their arms, hostages were released by Hamas, and prisoners released by Israel. We wrote about the local impacts of this war in the November issue 
There is nothing more traditional than the food and drink one has at special occasions, places or certain times of year. Religiously, fish is synonymous with Fridays during Lent, matzoh is a staple of Passover and one can be seen eating dates nightly during Ramadan. Culturally, there is usually turkey at a Thanksgiving feast and regionally, you expect some good collard greens if you travel down south.
While the Princeton area is home to some amazing bakeries, 56% of our readers prefer to bake their own holiday treats. After all, there is something to be said for the aromas lingering from the oven, and the joy of knowing that your creation brings smiles to your loved ones.
“The owner, Karen, (of 
If your mouth isn’t watering yet, keep reading. We have given you a taste, but there are more details to share about what people enjoy. Turns out, Princeton Perspectives’ readers are split when it comes to what treats top the list this time of year – 38% go for fruitcake (traditional for Christmas) while another 38% prefer sufganyot (traditional for Chanukah). Pie, something enjoyed by all, is a favorite for another 21% and the remainder enjoy a variety of holiday cookies!
But where do they go for these warm drinks? Some prefer area locations of 
Since October 7th, things have been different. Though there is a war taking place in the Middle East, it is having a major impact on many right here in the greater Princeton area. Over the past month+, there have been local gatherings of grief and solidarity with Israel, Pro-Palestinian rallies, teach-ins, and vigils to bring home the hostages. Very little has been covered by our local media, so we felt compelled to do so.
The working definition of antisemitism from the 
Locally, there has been some escalation this past month, but it doesn’t appear to be as heightened as seen elsewhere. On Route 18, near the Rutgers campus, a mix of Nazi ideology and Israeli hatred was drawn on the ground – a Nazi flag with a swastika in the middle coupled with graffiti that said F&%* Israel and death to the IDF. A local synagogue in Monroe was spraypainted with antisemitic graffiti last week. Local high school students have also seen an uptick in hurtful and harmful comments and actions. One area student was repeatedly asked by another what their number was, while the student rolled up their sleeve and pointed to the forearm – a reference to the numbers branded into the arms of those at concentration camps during the Holocaust. Another local student has had “dog whistle” shouted repeatedly, a term that appears to mean nothing but in fact is a way to communicate a noxious view some recognize without outright saying it for all to hear.
On October 28th and November 4th, Pro-Palestinian rallies were held along areas of Nassau Street in Princeton. The rallies themselves were not considered antisemitic. However, when antisemitic terms or tropes were displayed on signs or shouted from the crowd, messages of Jew hatred were spread. AJC has recently explained “when protesters chant ‘From the River to the Sea,’ they are rejecting Israel’s right to exist, by indicating that the entire land of Israel should be freed from Jews.” The ADL also considers this chant to be antisemitic, stating on its website “it is fundamentally a call for a Palestinian state extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, territory that includes the State of Israel, which would mean the dismantling of the Jewish state. It is an antisemitic charge denying the Jewish right to self-determination, including through the removal of Jews from their ancestral homeland.” Additionally, signs supporting the Hamas attack and people screaming directly at locals that they have “blood on their hands” caused concern and fear to some witnessing the rally.
“The University takes antisemitism and other forms of bias seriously. As on many campuses, Princeton has seen a heightened number of concerning incidents, interpersonal conflicts, and demonstrations since October 7. The University is working to respond to these painful, problematic situations and support the wellbeing of the campus community while maintaining the right of individuals to engage in protected speech,” shares Michael Hotchkiss, Princeton University Assistant VP for Communications. He further spoke of the issue many are discussing, which is where the line is drawn between free speech and hate speech. A recent PU walkout organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a group with chapters on over 200 campuses that has explicitly expressed support for Hamas or terrorism, included chants of “Long live the Intifada (a reference to the days of suicide bombers and mass shootings on the streets of Israel). “As President Eisgruber has written, ‘The freedom of speech allows not only for genteel conversation but also for harsh language, impassioned argument, and provocative rhetoric. Of course, it also permits all of us to criticize statements that we find offensive or irresponsible, even if that speech is fully protected from punishment or discipline.’”
There is also a sense of comfort and safety for other Jews in the community when people speak out against hate. In a statement at their October 23rd meeting, Princeton Council and Mayor made a statement about the Israel-Hamas war which included “we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand against antisemitism…” This statement was not made in a vacuum, according to Rabbi Merow, who says the mayor’s office, the Princeton Police department, local Presbyterian pastors and local Black ministers have reached out. Two other local ministers joined The Jewish Center congregation for services this past weekend.