Jake was born and raised in the Massachusetts Fourth Congressional District he now represents, the son of a surgeon and a scientist. They taught him the values of curiosity and integrity. He and his older brother and sister grew up in the Jewish faith tradition and attended the Newton Public Schools. His 2nd-grade teacher saw he loved to read and gave him books on United States history. He was hooked.
The public school teachers in Newton prepared Jake to succeed at Harvard and MIT—and to be a lifelong reader and learner. Every kid deserves teachers like Mrs. Rosengard and Mrs. Green. But we can’t recruit and retain life-changing teachers unless we pay them more. When the Newton City Council debated a pay raise for elected officials, Jake voted No (one of only two out of 24) because Newton teachers were not guaranteed a pay raise, too.
In addition to standing with teachers on pay, Jake has been an effective advocate for early education in his hometown, helping to bring about full-day Kindergarten and calling for expanded pre-K offerings. Excellent public education is the best way to ensure equal opportunity. And the evidence is compelling: the earlier we nurture young minds, the more positive difference we can make.