Fwd: News From Agudas Yisroel 26 Cheshvan 5784/November 10, 2023

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: The Agudah <news@agudah.org>
Date: Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 12:11 PM
Subject: News From Agudas Yisroel 26 Cheshvan 5784/November 10, 2023
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

Good Shabbos

November 10, 2023 - 26 Cheshvan 5784 Good Shabbos! In today's email update: Prioritizing security funding for schools in New York; Agudah of Illinois on the sunset of the Invest in Kids scholarship program; remember to register for this year's Agudah Convention; spotlighting Agudah Legal's work with a yeshiva in New Jersey; and Pirchei and Bnos newsletters.   Have a wonderful Shabbos! Did you get this email as a forward? You can subscribe to the Agudah's updates by clicking here. Agudath Israel of America Advocates for Doubling NY School Safety and Security Funding   In the last month, hate crimes in the United States have increased significantly, particularly those perpetrated against Jews. In New York City alone, 51 hate crimes were committed in one week this past month. Agudath Israel of America sees this as a serious concern in need of advocacy.    A key advocacy goal of Agudath Israel, at federal and state levels, has long been ensuring that our schools and community organizations receive much-needed security funding. During this troubling time, however, Agudah is prioritizing student safety.  Read more below, or by clicking here. Agudath Israel of Illinois Statement Regarding the Sunset of the Invest in Kids Act Agudath Israel of Illinois is deeply disappointed in the Illinois Legislature for failing to extend the Invest in Kids Act. With over 9,600 low-income children currently on scholarship, it was shocking that some elected officials were so callous as to allow the rug to be pulled from under these students. All this transpired despite recent statewide polling conducted by Impact Research that reaffirmed that a majority of Illinois voters strongly support this program.   What was launched in 2018 as a "pilot program" quickly became a popular and vital avenue to provide educational opportunities to low-income families, including hundreds from our Orthodox Jewish community. Along with our coalition partners, AIOI has worked tirelessly over the last year to remove the program's sunset provision, or at least to extend it. We have pursued every possible compromise to address concerns expressed by the Governor and the legislative leaders. Unfortunately, powerful special interest groups were prioritized over the welfare of children. Politics won and kids lost.  Read more below, or by clicking here. Spotlight on Agudah Legal The Springfield Yeshiva, located in North Plainfield, New Jersey, is planning to expand with the construction of a second building on their existing property. Aside from standard construction approval, they required a fencing variance and a parking waiver from the city's planning board. Initially the planning board denied them both the waiver and variance and voted against the expansion plan. Agudah's Legal Department wrote a letter to the planning board outlining significant RLUIPA* issues inherent in the denial and citing numerous other entities in the area who were not in compliance with the parking space regulations. After receiving the Agudah's letter, the planning board held an additional hearing and then re-voted on Springfield Yeshiva's requests. The second vote resulted in an approval for the plan, waiver, and variance so that the Yeshiva can begin construction. *RLUIPA - Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act - a statute that gives religious institutions additional protection against restrictive zoning requirements.  Click here for this weeks Pirchei newsletter. Click here for this weeks Bnos newsletter. Agudath Israel of America Advocates for Doubling NY School Safety and Security Funding, continued: The Nonpublic School Safety and Equipment (NPSE) Grant, established in 2016, reimburses nonpublic schools in New York for certain safety and security equipment. The Agudah has been a staunch supporter of NPSE since its inception and, together with its coalition partners, successfully advocated for the program's increase from $4.5 million to $45 million annually. In addition, Agudah's Department of Yeshiva Services, led by Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus and Rabbi Ami Bazov, guide hundreds of New York State yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs in the use of NPSE and other funding streams.     Given the current climate, Agudah and its partners are advocating for an increase in the NPSE program to $90 million.     Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris (D-Queens) and Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens) each circulated letters in their respective houses of government calling for Governor Kathy Hochul to increase the NPSE funding. The Agudah thanks Governor Hochul and the New York State Education Department for expediting the release of the current NPSE funds. At the current funding level of $120 per child, the much-needed funds are triple what they were in 2021.   Dozens of legislators in both houses have signed the letters in favor of increasing the NPSE funding, showing bipartisan support to keep New York schools safe, and encouraging Governor Hochul to double the NPSE annual budget from $45 to the proposed $90 million. Earlier this week, Senator Gianaris publicly affirmed his commitment to the NPSE increase at a press conference in Queens.    "The antisemitic crimes we are seeing today are unprecedented," said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, director of New York government relations. "We are grateful to Senator Gianaris and Assemblyman Hevesi for spearheading this initiative to keep our students safe."  Agudath Israel of Illinois Statement Regarding the Sunset of the Invest in Kids Act, continued: Despite our best faith efforts, the legislature refused to bring any bill to a vote. We are especially disappointed in those state lawmakers that represent portions of our Jewish community who refused to support our efforts, or were even obstructive. We do, however, wish to express our gratitude to the legislators who, despite political pressure, had the courage to publicly support our cause.    When the General Assembly reconvenes for the legislative spring session in January, we will renew our efforts to reinstate the tax credit so that children and families will not experience a significant disruption to their education. It may not get easier, but we won't give up. Our children are worth the fight.   May Hashem heed our tefillos - and may we share besuros tovos. View as Webpage

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