Annapolis, MD - January 10, 2019 - As I joined the throngs of politicians and visitors in the lobby of the Maryland State House on the opening day of the annual 90-day session of the Maryland General Assembly, it struck me how suitable a venue it was for the swearing in of Maryland State Delegate Dalya Attar.

As I marveled at the large ionic columns, marble lined chambers, and regal carpeting of the oldest U.S. state capitol in continuous legislative use, dating to 1772 -- where General George Washington resigned his commission as the Continental Army’s commander -- I thought of Dalya and how she, too, was making U.S. history. Although, she is part of the freshman class that boasts the legislature’s largest group of female lawmakers to ever serve in the State House, her biggest claim to fame is being the first elected Jewish Orthodox female to serve in the Maryland legislature and, I believe, the highest ranking elected Jewish Orthodox female in United States history.

After the ceremony, Maryland State Delegate Attar, shared with BaltimoreJewishLife.com, “As I take the oath of office today, I cannot help but reflect on where this journey has started and the exciting road ahead. The work starts today, and I cannot be more proud to be fighting for the constituents of the 41st District. We would not have gotten here without the amazing outpouring of support our community showed for my campaign and vision. Together, we can make Baltimore City and the State of Maryland safer and more prosperous for generations to come.”

Baltimore City’s District 5 Councilman, Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer remarked, “I look forward to working closely with Dalya to bring fresh ideas and real solutions to the issues affecting our constituents on both the city and state levels.”

Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, director of Agudath Israel of Maryland and the Orthodox Jewish community’s lobbyist in Annapolis concluded, “I greatly look forward to working with Delegate Attar. Having someone serve in the State Legislature who was raised in our community, attended our schools, davens in our shuls, is something quite rare and very exciting.”

Above Photo Courtesy Fox News