January 17, 2022 - 15 Shevat 5782 News from the Agudah:
- New Jersey: Many of us in New Jersey communities were in danger of Hatzolah's services being curtailed. We're happy that they weren't, but it was a close thing. Read about it below.
- New York: Budget season is upon us, and it will stretch for a few months, but with Hashem's help we're seeing some advocacy wins. The process is complex and only starting - see below to see what Governor Hochul's proposed budget contains - it's a boost for our Yeshivos.
- Washington, D.C.: You may have heard that the government is giving out free at-home Covid-19 tests. You can order them here. What you probably didn't hear is that the Agudah explained to the White House that many in our communities don't have readily available web access for religious reasons. We are pleased to share that the White House understood our concerns, and will be making available a phone number where these test kits can be ordered without being online. In their words: "To ensure equity and access for all Americans, the Administration will also launch a call line to help those unable to access the website to place orders." We are grateful for their efforts and understanding. The phone number is not operational yet - we will let you know as soon as it is.
- Yerushalayim: After a Covid-19 hiatus, the Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah is scheduled for a month from now. We're looking forward to a few days of toras Eretz Yisroel - see below for registration details.
- Thank you to the many who joined us at last night's webinars! And a reminder to all that Am Echad, an affiliate of the Agudah, is mounting a campaign to get 150,000 signatures to the Israeli government in support of keeping the Kosel's kedushah. Sign here, if you haven't already, and please share with friends and family!
- Yarchei Kallah will continue this week on Iyunim B'hilchos Shabbos. See below for this weeks schedule and how to join.
| | New Jersey office of Agudath Israel Applauds Signing of Bill Allowing Hatzolah to Continue to Operate | | This morning, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed A-6132/S-4235, also known as the "Hatzolah Bill." The bill allows for volunteer paramedics to respond to calls and start treatment on a patient before the arrival of a second paramedic. Additionally, these paramedics are no longer required to wear uniforms. Until now, New Jersey state law had prohibited a paramedic from beginning to administer treatment before the arrival of a second paramedic, or if the paramedic was not wearing a uniform. Until now, Hatzolah in New Jersey operated under a waiver from the New Jersey Department of Health which exempted them from these requirements. This waiver was set to expire in the coming weeks, and its renewal was uncertain, jeopardizing Hatzolah's ability to respond to emergency situations.
Over the past weeks, Deputy Assembly Speaker Gary Schaer, along with Assemblyman Greenwald, Assemblyman Conaway, Senator Gopal, and Senator Singer, sponsored legislation that would remedy this situation by permanently allowing volunteer paramedics to respond to calls and treat patients without the arrival of a second paramedic and without uniforms. The legislation passed both chambers of the New Jersey legislature unanimously and was signed into law today, by Governor Murphy.
"In just the last few weeks, we saw just how critical this legislation is," said Rabbi Avi Schnall, director of Agudah's New Jersey office. Rabbi Schnall thanked Deputy Speaker Schaer and Senator Singer for working swiftly to propose the legislation and shepherd it through the lawmaking process before the end of the legislative season, to ensure Hatzolah can continue to operate uninterruptedly. "We are extraordinarily grateful to Deputy Speaker Schaer and Senator Singer for taking the initiative on this bill, and for acting with the urgency it required to get it signed into law," said Rabbi Schnall, adding, "It is not every day that we can call a bill 'lifesaving.' This bill is just that." | | Governor Hochul's Proposed Budget Includes Significant Wins for Yeshivos | | Today, New York Governor Kathy Hochul released the executive budget for Fiscal Year 2023. The $216 billion dollar budget includes several positive proposals for New York state yeshivos and nonpublic schools. The budget allocates $295 million for nonpublic schools, an increase of 18%.
This includes:
- $193 million for mandated services.
- $45 million for health and safety projects. This is triple last year's $15 million allocated for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) program. In addition to enhancing the security of our children at schools, an increasing concern today, the program will expand to include additional allowable expenses, such as critical repair and maintenance of school facilities.
- Authorizing any unmet federal Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) to be used to reimburse schools for allowable pandemic related costs through the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund (GEERS), so that these federally allocated funds can still be used by nonpublic schools.
- $55 million for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction.
- $25 million for Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant
The unprecedented quantitative and qualitative expansion of the NPSE program and the commitment to retain the significant amount of remaining EANS funds for nonpublic school use were two primary requests by Agudath Israel and its coalition partners to the Governor's office this legislative session. Mr. Shlomo Werdiger, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Mr. Chaskel Bennett, Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, and Rabbi Avrohom Weinstock personally met with the Governor on these two issues, and members of that group, with the addition of Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus, similarly met later with NYS Budget Director Robert Mujica. Agudath Israel is grateful that the Governor was receptive to these requests, and appreciates her support to our community.
Note that this is only a proposed budget and, of course, it must be negotiated with the State Senate and State Assembly. The final budget is scheduled for passage before April 1st.
May we merit siyata diShmaya in the final enacted budget. | | Hundreds expected to Return to the Bais Medrash at Agudah's 2022 Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah | | With the advent of the opening of Eretz Yisrael to tourists from around the world, the Torah community is just weeks away from a golden opportunity to take to the skies, as Agudas Yisroel's annual Yarchei Kallah is set to unfold in Yerushalayim.
Run by the Agudah's Torah Projects Commission, this year's Yarchei Kallah will take place February 20th to 24th /19 – 23 Adar I at the Ramada Jerusalem hotel and will delve into the intricacies of Hilchos Krias HaTorah V'Haftora, building on concepts recently covered in Daf Yomi. A list of Sugya mareh mekomos is available here.
As in recent years, the program is planned to begin on Sunday with a pre Yarchei Kallah program. We are planning a possible visit to klaf and atzei chaim factories as well as a Pesichas Yarchei Kallah event in the presence of Gedolei Eretz Yisrael. Monday morning the sidrei Yarchei Kallah will begin with multiple shiurim, presentations and night programming featuring many Gedolei Torah in Eretz Yisrael, including senior Roshei Yeshiva and Poskim. A separate women's program will have participants visiting mekomos hekedoshim and other significant locations as well as multiple shiurim given by prominent speakers.
The Agudas Yisroel Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah program has grown exponentially over the years from its humble beginnings as a show of support for those living in Eretz Yisroel during the first intifada. In addition to growing in size with every passing year, the demographics have changed as well, with the program attracting participants from across the globe, a younger audience and even multi-generational groups, with fathers, sons and even grandsons flocking to the Yarchei Kallah Bais Medrash, to share the experience of immersing themselves in the sugya d'kallah.
Now is your opportunity to join those that have already signed up for the 2022 Yarchei Kallah. Registration is continuing at a fast pace at aiayk.org/yarcheikallah2022 or by phone 212.797.7380. Coming on the heels of the COVID 19 lockdowns, excitement is running high for this year's program. Klal Yisrael is experiencing an unprecedented thirst for Torah and the Agudah is confident that those who invest just a few days in the Yarchei Kallah will see a lifetime of dividends as they enjoy an unparalleled opportunity for chizuk and limud haTorah at the Agudah Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah. | | The shiurim will continue this week with the access information as follows: | | | | | | |
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