Fwd: News from Agudas Yisroel 8 Cheshvan 5784/October 23, 2023

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: The Agudah <news@agudah.org>
Date: Mon, Oct 23, 2023, 5:49 PM
Subject: News from Agudas Yisroel 8 Cheshvan 5784/October 23, 2023
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

A Behind the Scenes Update

October 23, 2023 - 8 Cheshvan 5784 Today is the yahrtzeit of legendary founder of World Agudath Israel, Moreinu Yaakov Rosenheim. T'hei nishmaso tzerurah b'tzror ha'chaim – yehi zichro boruch. In today's email: A behind-the-scenes video from Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld on some of the Agudah's activities the last day or two; resolution of a long-standing issue of antisemitism in Airmont, NY; please help families in Eretz Yisroel by donating to the Agudah's relief fund; join the Siyum on Seder Nashim this Sunday; and share Cheshvan's Tween Light newsletter with your daughters! Did you get this email as a forward? You can subscribe to the Agudah's updates by clicking here. Click here for a behind-the-scenes update about some of the Agudah's latest activities over the last week, shared in a video message from Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld, our office of State Relations. Agudath Israel of America Hails Resolution of Airmont Lawsuit Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a consent decree has been agreed upon with the Village of Airmont, New York, thereby ending a lawsuit filed by Orthodox Jewish residents and synagogues alleging religious discrimination against the village. Agudath Israel of America is hailing the agreement.  The 2020 lawsuit called out the Airmont Board of Trustees for creating various zoning ordinances that deliberately and unlawfully placed restraints undermining freedom of worship in the village. The lawsuit alleged that the zoning code violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).  Click here or see below to continue reading. There will never be peace for these families In a matter of moments, the lives of innocent families in Eretz Yisroel were forever altered. All those permanently injured, displaced,  and deeply impacted by this tragedy — fathers, mothers, and children — now face a shattered future. As they grapple with the weight of their day-to-day expenses — mouths to feed and bills to pay — they will need more than just a government stipend. For these families, there is no going back to the way things were before. But we can try to help them move forward.  Help kickstart the Agudah's emergency fund for families victimized by the horrific attacks in Eretz Yisroel. Let us provide immediate and long term assistance for them. Go to Charidy.com/agudahrelief On Sunday, 14 Cheshvan, October 29, we will be celebrating the Siyum on Seder Nashim, and the 100th anniversary of Rav Meir Shapiro's Daf Yomi. Click below to join! Click here for the Bnos Tweenlight Cheshvan Newsletter. Agudath Israel of America Hails Resolution of Airmont Lawsuit; continued... Reversing the discriminatory provisions, the consent decree abolishes restrictions on the amount of space a private home can allot for worship, whom homeowners can invite into their homes to pray, and an application process designed to deny Orthodox Jews the right to build houses of worship.  Agudath Israel has long fought the religious intolerance and the denial of freedom of worship in Airmont. Thirty years ago, Agudath Israel filed an amicus curiae brief in a lawsuit filed by Jewish residents of the village. More recently, the organization advocated on behalf of the residents' religious rights in meetings at the Justice Department -- first, to former Attorney General William Barr in 2019, and, more recently, to Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke during Agudath Israel's National Leadership Mission in March 2023.  Agudath Israel's Washington Office played a leading role in the crafting and passage of RLUIPA, the basis upon which the ordinances were found unlawful.  "This is the end of many years of discrimination by the 'Preserve Airmont' administration and CUPON against Orthodox Jewish institutions and residents in the Village of Airmont," said Mr. Yehuda Zorger, Airmont resident and community activist.   "We applaud and thank the Justice Department for its determination to combat the ongoing religious intolerance against our community," said Rabbi Shragi Greenbaum, director of Agudath Israel's Rockland County, New York Office. "The effect of the Department action here will reverberate to other jurisdictions and faith communities around the country."  View as Webpage

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