vital information: Fwd: News From Agudas Yisroel 10 Adar 5783/March 3, 2023

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Agudath Israel of America <news@agudah.org>
Date: Fri, Mar 3, 2023, 1:32 PM
Subject: News From Agudas Yisroel 10 Adar 5783/March 3, 2023
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

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

March 3, 2023 - 10 Adar 5783

News from the Agudah:

New York Times crusade on Orthodox yeshiva continues: This week the New York Times put out yet another article disparaging our yeshiva system. See below for Agudas Yisroel's response.

The Midwest Agudas Yisroel Council of Synagogue Rabbonim is pleased to present Safah Berurah: The Halachos of of the Month of Adar and Purim. See below for more information and for a downloadable PDF.

Agudath Israel of America, in conjunction with several other organizations, has released a joint statement on Purim and sensitivity. See the statement below, and download the PDF here.

Bnos and Pirchei newsletters: Click here to download this week's Bnos newsletter. To download this week's special Purim edition Pirchei newsletter, click here.

The Sugyos B'Daf Yomi shiur series this week will be given by Rabbi Shlomo Cynamon, Rav, Khal Bnei Torah; Maggid Shiur, Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. See below for more details.

Facts Are Irrelevant: Rebutting the New York Times' Unrelenting Crusade Against New York Yeshivas

The New York Times continues its unabashedly relentless crusade of othering yeshivas as backward and abusive. Today, the New York Times described how legislation is being advanced in Albany to counter the phenomenon whereby "many Hasidic schools made regular use of corporal punishment to keep students in line during hours of grueling religious lessons."

The New York Times credits its reporting for effecting this legislation.

In fact, the referenced New York Times report stated that "Over the past five years, the New York City Police Department has investigated more than a dozen claims of child abuse at the schools."

As KnowUs noted when this report first emerged:

The Times found more than a dozen unsubstantiated claims, in unaffiliated schools, serving tens of thousands of students each year, over five years.

While even one incident of abuse is one too many, in the spirit of "substantial equivalence," how does this figure compare to reports of abuse in New York City public schools over the same period? According to a recent Times Union investigation:

"From January 2016 through June 2021, the New York City Department of Education's Office of Special Investigations received 16,671 complaints alleging corporal punishment, state records show." (Emphasis added.)

Still more embarrassing for the Times, this morning, Senator Julia Salazar, the sponsor of the bill referenced by the Times, took to Twitter, addressing the Times:

"To be clear: We introduced this bill because the law should *explicitly* ban corporal punishment in all schools. The use of physical or violent methods to ostensibly discipline students has happened in many schools. I haven't seen any evidence of it being a pattern in yeshivas."

One of Senator Salazar's co-sponsors on the bill, Senator Andrew Gounardes publicly echoed these remarks.

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein added:

"Correct, Senator. No corporal punishment at ANY school. As a yeshiva parent/former student, I'm not familiar with the use of corporal punishment at yeshivas, nor would I tolerate it. Sadly, @nytimes needs to continue its onslaught against Orthodox Jews & prop up their mudslinging."

KnowUs, a division of Agudath Israel of America, calls on city, state, and federal legislators and people of good faith to call out the Times' patently disingenuous reporting. The interminable, hateful demonizing of the Orthodox Jewish community in New York must stop.

The Halachos of the Month of Adar and Purim

The Midwest Agudas Yisroel Council of Synagogue Rabbonim is pleased to present a sefer that discusses the halachos of the month of Adar and Purim.

The sefer, Safah Berurah: The Halachos of of the Month of Adar and Purim, was compiled and written by Rabbi Yaakov Robinson, executive director of the Midwest Agudas Yisroel Council of Synagogue Rabbanim, and reviewed by Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan, Agudas Yisroel of Illinois.

Click here to download a printable PDF.

Joint Organizational Statement on Purim and Sensitivity

This Purim, let's ensure that, while celebrating the most joyous Yomtov, we exercise sensitivity towards our community and neighbors. It is very important to note the following as a way of generating Kiddush Hashem:

Do NOT use costumes that involve "blackface" (the practice of coloring the entire face in black/brown makeup):Throughout history white actors would use blackface while wearing torn clothing to mimic and mock Black slaves. This in part is why blackface is so painful to many in our community and our neighbors, especially in the African American community.
Hanging of Haman: For many years, the KKK and other racist groups, who murdered and lynched minorities, used a noose or a hanging doll to threaten and intimidate. Our fellow community members and neighbors often do not know Haman's history and it's extremely painful and insensitive in their view.
It is important to also choose costumes that do not stereotype any community group. Keep in mind that our community would also be offended if we were to be stereotyped should anyone use antisemitic tropes in choosing their costumes during holidays like Halloween.

Please take time to explain the severity of these practices to your children and the harm even one such incident could generate. Let's celebrate a joyful Purim, without inflicting pain upon our community and neighbors. This is a wonderful way of generating a Kiddush Hashem on Purim.