October 30, 2025 - 8 Cheshvan, 5786 | | Agudah Takes Action in Advance of NYC Mayoral Campaign | | The upcoming New York City mayoral election has become one of the top headlines in the country — especially for an off-year race — despite being limited to one city. Unlike many national stories, this contest carries direct implications for the Jewish community. | | Across the city, Jewish communities representing a wide range of backgrounds have been intensifying their get-out-the-vote efforts. Agudath Israel of America has launched a multifaceted campaign, including voter registration drives, initiatives to assist students in Israel with absentee voting. Additionally, Agudah ran a public awareness effort featuring ads across Brooklyn and Queens. The message behind all of these efforts is simple and emphatic: Vote. | | | A recent letter issued by leading New York City rabbonim captured the sense of concern surrounding the race. "We, the undersigned rabbonim in New York City, watch the upcoming mayoral election with trepidation," the letter stated. It continued, "Any general obligation to vote has taken on new meaning in these times. Moreover, this race has garnered national attention, and its result is sure to have national electoral ripple effects."
In September, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America issued a letter invoking the words of Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l: "It is incumbent upon each Jewish citizen to participate in the democratic process which guards the freedoms we enjoy." The Moetzes added that this year's mayoral election "is of critical importance to hundreds of thousands of Jews who reside in the city, and may have ramifications throughout the United States and even across the globe. The stakes are extremely high." | | | Orthodox Jewish Turnout Could Potentially Play a Decisive Role in New Jersey Election
Although the New York City mayoral race is commanding much of the spotlight, other key contests are also on the horizon. New Jersey's gubernatorial race is shaping up to be highly competitive, with community turnout expected to play a potentially decisive role. While early voting turnout in Lakewood has already gained national attention it is important that our community keep up the momentum through election day by continuing to show up to the voting booth.
Virginia is also having elections for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and other state and local offices. | | | Early Voting in NY is open through November 2, find your polling location here.
For more information, visit https://agudah.org/vote/ny.
Early Voting in NJ is open through November 2, find your polling location here.
For more information, visit https://agudah.org/vote/new-jersey
Early Voting in VA is open through November 1, click here for more details. | | | | Agudah Closely Monitoring the Situation as Government Shutdown Threatens to Impact SNAP
As the federal government remains shut down, one emerging issue is the recent USDA announcement that SNAP benefits (food stamps) for November will be delayed. While benefits may be reinstated retroactively, it won't address the immediate needs of families to pay for groceries. Agudah offces across the country are in close communication with elected officials, community lay leaders and local charitable organizations about potential steps to mitigate the potential effects on SNAP benefits if the shutdown continues into November. | | Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Cotton's remarks at one of our recent leadership missions. | | | Senator Tom Cotton Blocks Proposal to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
Even with the government shut down, the Senate yesterday attempted to advance a measure that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. However, Senator Tom Cotton kept his word and once again blocked the proposal from moving forward. For decades, Agudah has consistently voiced concerns about the dangers of children walking to school in the dark and the impact permanent DST would have on religious observance. | | | Engaging Members of Congress in Their Home Districts | | With members of the US House of Representatives currently in their home districts due to the shutdown, Rabbi Yossie Charner, Agudah's director of congressional affairs arranged a meeting between Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), Mrs. Suri Botuck, Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of Missouri, Hillel Anton, EAO Director for Agudath Israel of Missouri, and community members at the Missouri Torah Institute. They discussed issues affecting the Orthodox Jewish community in her district. | | | In South Bend, Agudah organized a meeting with Senior staff of Senator Jim Banks to tour the Orthodox Jewish community. They visited the, Hebrew Orthodox Congregation, South Bend Hebrew Day School, Bais Yaakov, and Yeshiva. | | | | | Agudah Facilitates Re-approval of Cholov Yisroel Milk for WIC Eligibility in Missouri
Many Orthodox Jewish families benefit from WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), a federal program that provides "wholesome food [...] for income eligible women [...] infants and children up to five years old." A challenge many frum families face is obtaining Cholov Yisroel milk through WIC, as each state has its own list of approved foods.
The Agudah has worked and continues to work with appropriate state agencies across the country to ensure that frum families can receive Cholov Yisroel and other Kosher items of foods that they are entitled to.
Recently, Missouri removed Cholov Yisroel milk from their list of approved items. Mrs. Botuck, director of government affairs for Agudath Israel of Missouri, engaged with state officials to ensure that the product was swiftly reinstated. | | National Convening At the University of Notre Dame Focuses on Implementation of the New Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. | | Rabbi A.D. Motzen presenting at the closing plenary luncheon. | | | Last week school choice leaders and coalition partners came together at the University of Notre Dame to discuss strategies for successful implementation of the new federal scholarship tax credit law.
Several Agudah regional directors attended and presented throughout the two days.
| | | | What: Agudah will be hosting the first-ever Agudah National Action Summit — a groundbreaking two-day gathering bringing together community doers and leaders across Klal Yisroel.
The summit will feature specialized tracks for rabbonim, mental health professionals, leaders in the special needs field, shadchanim, legal professionals, kallah teachers, and community builders, and will feature a keynote dinner address from Gedolim.
Where: Marriott Newark Airport, NJ When: December 1–2
Register: Registration will be opening soon, for more details contact, 212-363-8941 or ActionSummit@agudah.org | |  | | What: Yarchei Kallah: Building on the extraordinary success of previous years, this upcoming Agudah Yarchei Kallah promises to be the most impactful and uplifting one yet. Attendees will once again have the unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in intensive limud haTorah, hear inspiring shiurim and divrei chizuk from gedolei Torah of Eretz Yisroel, and experience the spiritual elevation of learning in Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh.
Where: Yerushalayim When: Feb. 15 - 19 Register: Click here | | | | What: H3 National Business Halacha Summit Where: Lombard, IL When: Nov. 24-25 Register: Click here | | | | What: H3 Ohio Business Halacha Summit Where: Cleveland, OH When: Nov. 12 Register: Click here | | | | Thank you to all who thanked President Trump for bringing the hostages home. If you have not yet sent a message please join us in expressing our communal appreciation to President Trump and his administration by contacting the White House directly.
Organizational statements are important, but this deserves your personal voice as well.
Leave a message at the White House using the online form here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.
Unfortunately, due to the government shutdown the White House phone line is currently not taking messages. | | Feel free to personalize the following message template:
Dear President Trump,
As an Orthodox Jewish American I want to thank you and your administration for brokering the deal that brought back all the living hostages.
Please continue to insist that Hamas return every murdered hostage for a proper burial.
We hope and pray that the deal will also mean the end of Hamas, the end of the war, and the beginning of a lasting peace to the region.
We thank you for standing with the Israel in its time of need and for your commitment to remain involved as the chair of the Board of Peace that will oversee the next stages in Gaza. | | | | | | Click here for the Tween Light Chodesh Cheshvan newsletter. | | | | May Hashem heed our tefillos- and may we share besuros tovos. | | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment