Saturday, August 13, 2022

Fwd: News From Agudas Yisroel 15 Av 5782/August 12, 2022


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From: Agudath Israel of America <news@agudah.org>
Date: Fri, Aug 12, 2022, 12:53 PM
Subject: News From Agudas Yisroel 15 Av 5782/August 12, 2022
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>


Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual.
August 12, 2022 - 15 Av 5782
News from the Agudah:

  • Over 300 men and women gathered for the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Business Halacha Conference in Baltimore. See below for more details and pictures.

  • In a trip to Chicago on behalf of the Vaad Hatzalah, Chavrei Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler and Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Svei, along with Rabbi Sholom Kamenetsky and the Novominsker Rebbe, met with many children from the Chicago community. See below for pictures.

  • Agudath Israel of Illinois made a number of recommendations to the rules that will govern the newly funded state nonprofit security grant program. See below for more details.

  • Bnos Agudas Yisroel held two initiatives this summer to connect girls with seniors. See below to read more.

  • Bnos and Pirchei Newsletters: Download this week's Pirchei Weekly by clicking here. Download the Bnos newsletter for this Shabbos here.
Inaugural Mid-Atlantic Business Halacha Conference Draws Hundreds Seeking to Improve the Level of Halacha and Hashkafa in their Business Operations
Photo Credits: Agudath Israel/ Jeff Cohn Photography
Click here to see more pictures.
Over 300 men and women gathered at the Pikesville DoubleTree Hotel for the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Business Halacha Conference in Baltimore. The conference was a first-of-its-kind large-scale opportunity for working people in and around Maryland to gather to network, and, more importantly, receive inspiration and practical guidance from leading rabbonim on the areas of business halacha in today's workplace.  

The packed schedule included keynote addresses, individual sessions, and panels covering a wide range of topics - from business management on Shabbos, to interest, to loshon hara. Additionally, there were special sessions for men and for women about gender-related practices in the workplace.  

Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Washington, kicked off the conference, setting the tone with the opening keynote. Rabbi Lopiansky stated that rather than just being an opportunity to review some relevant piskei halacha, the conference would serve as an opportunity for attendees to develop a new layer of avodas Hashem. Through the integration of Torah into day-to-day business life, Rabbi Lopiansky explained, one makes one's Torah learning part and parcel of one's life, elevating one's very reality.

In a session titled "My co-worker was wondering…" Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer, President of the Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore and Rav of Shearith Israel Congregation, and Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky answered challenging questions submitted by the attendees on a variety of workplace – and klal-oriented topics.

Howard Tzvi Friedman, former president and chairman of AIPAC, Ronnie Wilheim, president of the long term care division at CommuniCare Health Services, and Duvy Gross, founder of Regency Nursing and president of Regency Global Acquisitions, emphasized, in a panel on how business leaders can impact the Klal, the importance that caring plays in helping the Klal: "The most important thing that you need is not an organization and resources, but to care."  

The event closed with an evening keynote session that featured speeches from Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Rosh Yeshivas Ner Yisrael, Baltimore and Naftali Horowitz, managing director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Rabbi Frand spoke extensively about the importance of honesty and the evils of dishonesty. He stressed the need to represent Hashem in the workplace by conducting oneself according to the highest standards and the damage one can do by being dishonest. Naftali Horowitz spoke about emunah, and not letting 'the way things are supposed to work' limit us. He also stressed the importance of helping others achieve success.  

"It was amazing to see so many people take off a day to come together for the purpose of learning halacha and receiving chizuk to enhance the standards of their business practices," said Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, executive director of Agudath Israel of Maryland. "We look forward to providing the community with other opportunities of raising the level of mitzvah observance in the years to come." 

"The Agudah's Business Halachah Conferences are a great service to the Frum business community," said one attendee. "Giving an opportunity for those in business to hear from the leading poskim and gedolim of today at the same time as being able to network with each other is a service that is not offered anywhere else." 

It was an honor to participate in this event that brings spirituality, ruchnios, into our daily business practices," said Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky. "Ensuring that our businesses are run in accordance with halacha is of the upmost importance to our communities."  
Photos: Chicago Children Meet with Visiting Roshei Yeshiva
Click here to see more pictures.
In a trip to Chicago on behalf of the Vaad Hatzalah, Chavrei Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler and Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Svei, along with Rabbi Sholom Kamenetsky and the Novominsker Rebbe, met with many children from the Chicago community.
Illinois State Security Grant Program Developments
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka with Representative Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) Chief Sponsor of House Bill 4438, a funding appropriation bill for the Illinois nonprofit security grant program. 
In early August, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) shared a preliminary draft of the rules that will govern the newly funded state nonprofit security grant program, seeking input from stakeholders. On Friday, Agudath Israel of Illinois reviewed the draft and made a number of recommendations. AIOA's comments were also incorporated into the feedback of the Safeguard Illinois Communities Coalition, a statewide alliance of organizations facilitated by the JUF. Among AIOI's recommendations were to simplify the process, allow for budget adjustments, provide more accessibility and flexibility in using funding for security personnel, training, and equipment, and other suggestions to ensure this program best addresses the limitations of the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). IEMA anticipates filing the proposed rules (First Notice) in the near future and all entities will then have the opportunity to submit comments. AIOI will provide updates on when the application will open and other developments as information becomes available. 
Breaking Through the Stigma
Sometimes the most important lessons happen outside of school.

Summer is a time for long, lazy days, camp ruach, and ice-pops by the pool. We all need a break, but the extra time can also be an opportunity.

"Summer is the perfect time to educate our girls about visiting a senior," says Mrs. Chana Baila Hass, national director of Bnos Agudas Yisroel. "We work with camps and individuals to break through the stigma and show girls what an enriching experience it can be."

Bnos just ran two initiatives to connect girls with seniors:

1. Nine Days Nursing Home Visits – This classic Bnos Bikur Cholim (BBC) program was back and bigger than ever this year. Twenty camps participated, visiting residents in fifteen nursing homes. Girls can be nervous about going, so Bnos sent each camp a guide on how to prepare their girls. "Nothing replaces a child's smile to brighten a senior's day," says Mrs. Hass.

2. Doroseinu – For girls who couldn't visit in person, Bnos offered a different opportunity: Adopt-A-Bubby. Girls brought joy to seniors through letter writing or phone calls. Any girl who reached out to a bubby at least once during the Nine Days could send in her name for a Bnos raffle.

Bnos got close to 100 calls for this program! One NY camp adopted a bubby and then took a whole bunk for a visit. A backyard camp in Eretz Yisroel adopted fifteen bubbies and had its campers write letters.

"It's so important for girls to connect with the older generation," Mrs. Hass explains. "Many seniors are lonely and need more human interactions. And the girls learn to see past the frail exterior to a person who led a productive, interesting life."

Would you like to adopt a bubby? Do you know a senior who could use a phone call or a visit? Call Bnos at 212 797 9000 ext. 330 or email bnos@agudah.org.
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