vital information: Fwd: News From Agudas Yisroel 1 Adar 5783/February 22, 2023

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Fwd: News From Agudas Yisroel 1 Adar 5783/February 22, 2023

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Agudath Israel of America <news@agudah.org>
Date: Wed, Feb 22, 2023, 5:54 PM
Subject: News From Agudas Yisroel 1 Adar 5783/February 22, 2023
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual.

February 22, 2022 - 1 Adar 5783

News from the Agudah:

In response to the alarming spike in crime in Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, on Sunday afternoon, the mayor of Chicago came to Agudath Israel of Illinois' office to speak with community leaders. See below for more.

Yahalom Chicago mothers had a busy day this Sunday with two meaningful events. See below to read more.

And, yesterday, the 8th graders in Yeshiva Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (Breuer's) came on a class trip to Agudas Yisroel's national offices. We were glad to host them and we appreciate that they posed for a photo! See below.

Public Safety Meeting with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot

Seated around the table from L-R: Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Deputy Mayor Elena Gottreich, Mr. Mitchell Rose, Mr. Shomshon Moskowitz, Mr. Simcha Frank, Rabbi Yaakov Robinson

L-R: Mr. Bruce Leon, Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Rabbi Ari Strulowitz, Rabbi Levi Mostofsky, Mr. Mordy Kaplan

In response to the alarming spike in crime in Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, on Sunday afternoon, the mayor of Chicago came to Agudath Israel of Illinois' (AIOI) office to speak with community leaders. Along with her team and the leadership of the police department, Mayor Lightfoot sought to address community concerns and discuss practical plans, exchange ideas, and offer additional resources.

Participants included Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Elena Gottreich, Chicago Police Department Deputy Chief Gabriella Shemash, Commander Joseph Brennan, Commander Michelene Alexa, and other police and administration official. The two-hour-long meeting was productive in facilitating a better mutual understanding of a complex issue and produced a number of ideas and resources that could potentially make the community safer.

"We are grateful that Mayor Lightfoot took the afternoon to meet, hear our concerns, and respond to them," said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, AIOI's director of government affairs. "This candid conversation did produce a number of actionable ideas and a new pipeline of resources the city will be providing to help make our neighborhoods safer. We are also grateful to our dedicated police department for working tirelessly to keep us safe every day of the week." AIOI anticipates sharing specific measures and programs as that information becomes available.

Yahalom Chicago Events

Yahalom Chicago had a busy day this past Sunday with two meaningful events. Over twenty mothers of children with special needs met at Blank Mason Candle Bar for a morning of relaxation, friendship and chizuk. After designing and creating beautiful candles, lunch was served with an inspiring guest speaker, Mrs Chani Chase, sharing insight and divrei chizuk. Mrs. Chase is a well-known mechaneches and kallah teacher. Sunday evening, Yahalom mothers were further inspired by Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner at the home of Hadassah Spector. Rebbetzin Feiner is the Rebbetzin of The White Shul, a worldwide lecturer and mother of a child with special needs. The mothers who attended felt connected and gained so much from Rebbetzin Feiner's personal anecdotes, uplifting perspectives and warm personality.

For additional information about Yahalom Chicago, please contact Fiona Kark: 773.279.8400 ext. 266 or email fkark@agudahil.org.