Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Fwd: News From Agudas Yisroel 11 Tishrei 5781/September 29, 2020


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Agudath Israel of America <news@agudah.org>
Date: Tue, Sep 29, 2020, 4:46 PM
Subject: News From Agudas Yisroel 11 Tishrei 5781/September 29, 2020
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>


Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual.
September 29, 2020 - 11 Tishrei 5781
News from the Agudah:

  • Stopping the spread of COVID-19 has been one of Agudath Israel's top priorities since the outbreak of the pandemic. Click here to read an informative article by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel and Avi Schick about the measures the frum community can take to stop the spread of COVID-19 as well as the role of the government in this endeavor.

  • The New Jersey office of the Agudah has big news to share about the budget signed into law by Governor Murphy today, and how it impacts New Jersey mosdos. See below.

  • Are you ready to give and gain? Do you want to be a Big Sister in Bnos One on One? Would you like to join or start a Bnos chapter in your neighborhood? One of the focuses of Bnos Agudath Israel's Aseres Yemei Teshuvah Program, Giving is Gaining, was the importance of contributing to the Klal. See below for a summary of the program as well as more information about how your daughters can get involved in Bnos' essential Klal work.

  • Agudas Yisroel of Peterson Park in Chicago is continuing its series of shiurim by Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst on halacha l'maaseh on sugyos from Daf Yomi. The shiur will be tonight and the topic will be Hilchos Yom Tov: using the oven "sabbath mode" on Yom Tov. The shiur is at 8:30 pm EDT, and the call in number is (518) 425-1725. 

  • The Yerach Ha'eysonim Yarchei Kallah program for hilchos Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkos will not be taking place this week. However, there is a special program planned for Chol Hamoed so be sure to keep an eye out for the schedule.

  • Lastly, keep an eye out for the latest Ki Heim Chayeinu video - coming soon to your inbox! The B'dibur Echad video series will continue after Sukkos.

Good News For New Jersey Non-Public Schools:
Agudath Israel's New Jersey Office's Statement on 2021 NJ Budget
Earlier today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the official state budget for 2021. This year's budget has been derailed by the pandemic, forcing the legislature to postpone the process and borrow significant funds to bridge the gap between falling revenues and rising expenses.

Although there were deep cuts to many departments and agencies, the overall budget is a positive one for our community, said Rabbi Avi Schnall, director of Agudath Israel's New Jersey Office. Rabbi Schnall pointed to three key areas pertaining to nonpublic school funding where there have been considerable increases in funding.

The state's Nonpublic School Security Program was increased from $150 to $175 per student, making New Jersey's per-student allocation the highest in the nation. Additionally, as medical-related expenses are expected to surge this year, the State increased Nonpublic Nursing Services Aid from $97 to $102 per student, a modest $5 per-student increase.

Most notably, for the first time in seven years, the Nonpublic Auxiliary Services Aid (Special Education) was increased by $2.1 million, from $31 to $33 million. This increase is particularly important: The overall allocation for nonpublic special education funding in New Jersey has remained static for the past seven years, even as the number of eligible students grew. The discrepancy between the stagnant total allocation and increasing number of needy students resulted in a substantial decrease in the amount each student received.

Due to concerns over the dwindling funds voiced by educators and parents alike, the New Jersey Office of Agudath Israel engaged in a multi-year campaign to get the allocation increased for every child to receive their fair share. In the last year, under the aegis of the Agudah, scores of parents took part in a letter-writing campaign to their representatives asking them to appropriate additional funds. Rabbi Schnall testified in the Senate at the final public hearing on the budget before the pandemic, asking legislators to increase the allocation as necessary. Rabbi Schnall saw his efforts finally bear fruit when the legislature inserted the additional funding.

Aside the benefit of students receiving more robust services, Rabbi Schnall noted other positive outcomes of the additional funding. "We have been advocating for this for years now, and although there is still some way to go until we get to where we need to be, the fact that for the first time in seven years the funding has increased instead of remaining flat means we finally broke the ice," said Rabbi Schnall. "Moreover, if we were able to get a $2.1 million increase in a year that the State was facing a multi-billion dollar loss in revenue, it gives us hope that in a normal year, we'll be able to get the funding back to where it needs to be."

The Agudah is grateful to Assemblyman Gary Schaer of Passaic for his vital work in facilitating these increases and for his nonstop work on behalf of our community. In addition, we appreciate the continued friendship of Governor Phil Murphy and his administration who continue to demonstrate that all of New Jersey's student's deserve a quality education.
Bnos: Get Involved
וְכָל מִי שֶׁעוֹסְקִים בְּצָרְכֵי צִבּוּר בֶּאֱמוּנָה

Healing. Forgiveness. Bracha. Hatzlacha.

"How do we get them?" asked Rebbetzin Toby Teller to the hundreds of girls listening to Bnos Agudas Yisroel's "Giving is Gaining" teleconference program.

"By giving our time and energy to the klal, the community," she answered.

Rebbetzin Teller was just one of four top mechanchos from around the country who shared their wisdom during Bnos' Aseres Y'mei Teshuvah Program.

Monday night featured Mrs. Yael Kaisman from Lakewood. Tuesday had Rebbetzin Teller from Chicago. Mrs. Shuli Benguigui from Miami spoke on Wednesday night. And Mrs. Nechama Denebo of L.A. wrapped up the program on Thursday.

All the speakers focused on the benefits of contributing to the klal. The girls heard that when you make yourself part of the klal, you can tap into the zechuyos, merits, of the klal.

They learned that even small actions and commitments could make a big difference. That's especially true when it comes to Bnos. A high-school leader or Big Sister may influence and reach a younger girl in a way that an adult teacher cannot.

The message must have sunk in because many girls signed up for Bnos programs for the coming year.

"Thank you for all the girls who volunteered," says Mrs. Chana Baila Hass, National Director of Bnos Agudath Israel. "But we still have lots of girls waiting for Bnos One on One Big Sisters or a Bnos leader for their chapter."

"Don't underestimate yourself," Mrs. Hass emphasizes. "There's something for everyone to do, and even a small job has a huge impact and zechus."

Are you ready to give and gain? Do you want to be a Big Sister in Bnos One on One? Would you like to join or start a Bnos chapter in your neighborhood?

Call Bnos at 212-797-9000 ext. 330 or email Mrs. Hass at cbhass@agudah.org.

Bnos is looking forward to an incredible 5781 season, and you can be an integral part of it!
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