vital information: Fwd: What's New This Week

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Fwd: What's New This Week

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Agudah <info@agudahil.org>
Date: Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 4:46 PM
Subject: What's New This Week
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

TUES, JAN 14, 2025 | 14 TEVES 5785

This newsletter contains flyers and information about the following topics:

Government and Legal

Illinois Kosher Bill Update

Halacha and Torah

Shovavim shiurim information

Agudath Israel Yarchei Kallah 5785

Family and Children

Yahalom Sisters Ice Skating Event

This is the last week of Bnos Motzei Shabbos Gym. Save the dates for midwinter ice skating and Song Spectacular!

Library midwinter break schedule

Q: I came downstairs on Shabbos morning and saw my child playing with the fruit I planned on serving for dessert. I asked him whether he had washed negel vasser, and he answered that he had not. I remember hearing that food touched before washing negel vasser is assur? Is that true?

A: Rabbi Gershon Schaffel responds:

Although it is true that one should not touch food before washing negel vasser, the food does not become prohibited. If the food can be washed, it should be washed three times (מ"ב סי' ד' ס"ק י"ד.) This practice applies even if the fruit or vegetable is peeled before eating (אשי ישראל פ"ב הע' כ"ה בשם הגר"ח קניבסקי זצ"ל).

Illinois Kosher Bill Update

Last week, Agudath Israel of Illinois successfully championed a bill which will require schools, correctional facilities, and state hospitals provide kosher and halal food options upon request, ensuring that individuals with religious dietary needs have access to meals that align with their faith. What next? The bill will head to the Governor's desk for signing. While the Kosher Food Act will become enforceable immediately once the bill in signed into law, the program is subject to an appropriation, meaning that the state must first allocate funding for the program before public school districts are required to accommodate requests. The bill's backstory was briefly covered in a segment on WBBM Radio. Click below to hear a recording of the segment which includes interview soundbites from Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, AIOI's director of government affairs.

Click here to listen to the recording of the interview with Rabbi Shlomo Soroka and WBBM Newsradio

Shovavim Shuirim -

Starting This Motzei Shabbos

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Agudath Israel Yarchei Kallah

Agudah's Yarchei Kallah in Yerushalayim is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Torah learning, with shiurim from renowned gedolei Torah, alongside chizuk and a powerful program that will enrich and inspire you.

The Yarchei Kallah will take place from Sunday thru Thursday, February 16 to February 20, 2025.

Take advantage of this incredible learning opportunity in the holy city of Yerushalayim. Space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot today.

Click here to register now

Yahalom Sisters Ice Skating Event

This past Sunday, Yahalom Chicago treated sisters of children with special needs to an ice skating event. Starting off with pizza, an ice-breaker and then skating on a private rink, the girls connected with other sisters of different ages, attending different schools and living in different neighborhoods. The girls and volunteers all had an amazing time and are looking forward to the next sister's event.