Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Fwd: News From Agudas Yisroel - 2 Tamuz 5780/June 24, 2020


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Agudath Israel of America <news@agudah.org>
Date: Wed, Jun 24, 2020, 1:35 PM
Subject: News From Agudas Yisroel - 2 Tamuz 5780/June 24, 2020
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>


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June 24, 2020 - 2 Tamuz 5780
News from the Agudah:

  • Agudath Israel welcomes the Department of Justice's letter to Mayor de Blasio highlighting the constitutional inequities that are going on in NYC. See below for more details.

  • Camp Agudah Day Camp is expanding to meet this summer's need! See below for information on how to register your son for the most amazing summer in Ruach Country!

  • Weaving is one of the melachos of Shabbos that is harder for people to grasp without visual aids. Tonight at 6:00 pm EDT, a special feature video is going live that will make the melachah of weaving, and it's related melachos, clear to all. The video will be available after 6:00 pm, as well.

  • Today's Agudah Live: The Secret Sauce Behind Free Lunches (and will it continue)? Join Rabbi Yitz Frank and Yaacov Brisman, Esq., for a school's-eye view of a topic that is of vital importance to thousands and thousands of people in our community. See below for details.

  • We are so sorry! Yesterday's link to Rabbi Yeruchim Silber's (Yiddish) interview about the recent TRO filed in regards to sleep away camps was incorrect. You can listen to the interview at this link.

  • Rabbanim and Mental Health Professionals are invited to a special webinar tomorrow with Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein about mental health issues and halachah. Registration required, see below for more details.

  • The Iyunim B'Hilchos Shabbos program continued today with a hachanah shiur at 11:00 am EDT, a shiur from Rabbi Michoel Frank on sechirus v'kablanus akum b'Shabbos. See below for the information about tomorrow's schedule with Rabbi Chaim Meir Roth.

  • The Agudah hosted a webinar on unemployment benefits yesterday - see below for details for accessing a recording, in case you missed it.
Agudath Israel Welcomes DOJ Letter to Mayor de Blasio Highlighting Constitutional Inequities in NYC
This past Friday the U.S Department of Justice issued a letter to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expressing concern over the double standard seen in New York City in regards to freedom of religion.  
 
The letter, signed by Eric S. Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, cautioned the Mayor regarding his actions in restricting religious gatherings due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19, while at the same time encouraging mass demonstrations with no social distancing. The Assistant Attorney General admonished the Mayor for the inequity of his favoring freedom of assembly over freedom of religion. 
 
Mr. Dreiband highlighted several scenarios where the Mayor overlooked state guidelines infractions when it came to the protests that took place after the murder of George Floyd. In contrast, the Mayor was quick to threaten severe repercussions for religious communities that violated state guidelines.
 
Mr. Dreiband writes, "In light of your support for and participation in recent protests in New York City, the message to the public from New York City's government appears to favor certain secular gatherings and disfavor religious gatherings." The letter stresses that both the right to peacefully assemble and freedom of religion are equally protected in the first amendment of the U.S Constitution.  
 
The letter acknowledged the Mayor's right to decide how to protect his city and commended him for his efforts in stopping the spread of COVID-19. However, the Department of Justice wanted to ensure that the Mayor was cognizant of the apparent double standard that has been emerging in New York City in recent weeks and to inform him that the Department was displeased with this violation of the First Amendment.  
 
Agudath Israel of America appreciates the Department of Justice's acknowledgement of this issue and for calling out the incongruous behavior of Mayor de Blasio. 
 
Agudath Israel has been advocating for religious freedoms throughout the pandemic. Over the past few weeks, Agudath Israel has been heavily involved in two lawsuits protesting New York State's violation of First Amendment rights, one to prevent the closure of overnight camps and the other to protest the continued restrictions on houses of worship.
 
According to Rabbi Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel, "Religious freedom is one of the rights granted to us in this great country and is the reason the Jewish community – and every religious community – can thrive here today. We hope that our government leaders will acknowledge this fact and ensure that religious freedoms are fully and properly protected."
Camp Agudah is Proud to Celebrate 10 years of Camp Agudah Day Camp 
This year allow your son to experience a summer of a lifetime in Ruach Country. Camp Agudah Day Camp is returning for its 10th year of fun, excitement, and growth.
 
Camp Agudah Day Camp runs as a full-day program, with breakfast, lunch, and supper served. This year the grades will be expanded, with campers from 1st to 7th grade. For only $2,800 you can give your son a summer that is promised to be unforgettable.
 
Apply today! Email applications@campagudah.org or call 212-797-817.

Tonight: Watch Maasei Oreg, a Video Presentation on the Shabbos Melachos of Sewing and Weaving
The Daf Yomi Commission of Agudas Yisroel is delighted to present a timely and fascinating video titled "Masei Oreg" highlighting the melachos of Shabbos dealing with weaving and sewing. This video will capture the interest of the entire family and will introduce a brand new appreciation for these melachos.
 
The video will become available for viewing beginning 6:00 pm EDT, on Wednesday, June 24th, 2020, at www.torahanytime.com/AgudahTorah. In addition, the Daf Yomi Commission is pleased to say that the video's presenter, Rabbi Meir Simcha Cohen from Gateshead, UK, is available for private Zoom Q&A sessions for daf yomi shiurim, shuls or other groups. Please be in touch with dafyomi@agudah.org to schedule.
Agudah Live Today: Free School Lunches
Mental Health Professionals and Rabbanim:
A Special Meeting With Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein
Agudath Israel of America's Torah Projects Commission is delighted to announce a unique webinar discussing the intersection of Mental Health and Yiddishkeit. We are pleased that the webinar's presenter is Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein, Av Beis Din of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak, Rosh Kollel of Kollel Bais Dovid in Holon, and the Rav of Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak. The webinar will be followed by a special Q&A session geared toward Rabbonim and Mental Health Professionals.
 
The Shiur is open to all Rabbanim and Mental Health Professionals will iy"h take place via webinar on Thursday, June 25, at 2:00 PM EDT (9:00 PM Israel). The presentation will be given in Yiddish with simultaneous Hebrew/English translation. 

Rabbanim who wish to register should click this link.

Mental Health Professionals who wish to register should click this link.

Iyunim B'hilchos Shabbos Program
The Zoom access link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83528677424 and the call in number is 1-646-558-8656, access code: 835-286-77424.
Recording: What Employers, Employees, and the Self-Employed Should Consider as Businesses Reopen
Click here to watch the recording of this wide-ranging and informative webinar about unemployment benefits, or call 718-298-2077, press 9 followed by 116023.

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