November 19, 2025 - 28 Cheshvan, 5786 | | Agudath Israel Commends the Trump Administration for New Tariff Exemptions on Matzah and Arba Minim | | | On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that includes, among other items, an exemption to the reciprocal tariffs on "bread...used for religious purposes" (e.g., Matzah) and on the Arba Minim – the plant species used by Jews during the holiday of Sukkos.
As the overwhelming majority of these products come from Israel and other foreign countries, tariffs would have threatened access and increased costs of religious observance. This accommodation builds upon the precedent of other exemptions to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for certain religious items and is consistent with the Trump administration's focus on protecting religious freedom.
"Thank you to the Trump administration for once again accommodating religious practices by exempting the Arba Minim and Matzah from reciprocal tariffs and making it easier for Jewish families to celebrate their holidays," said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel's national director of government affairs. "We appreciate that the White House took the matter seriously when we and others brought up these issues and worked with the relevant agencies to find a solution." | | | ExcelinEd Education Summit in New Orleans Focuses on the New Federal Scholarship Credit
Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel's national director of government affairs, and Rabbi Avi Schnall, Agudah's director of federal education affairs attended the ExcelinEd National Summit on Education in New Orleans. Multiple sessions and countless hallway discussions focused on ensuring the best possible rules and implementation of the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit and strategies to encourage all states to opt in. Agudath Israel got a shoutout at one of the sessions for its key role in this effort. Rabbi Yitz Frank director of Agudath Israel of Ohio attended as well. | | | | | The Agudah National Action Summit: Speaker Lineup Released | | Click here or on the image above to view the current speaker lineup. | | | We are excited to share the speaker lineup for the inaugural Agudah National Action Summit. The Summit will draw community leaders, rabbanim, educators, askanim, and professionals from across the country for an event that will address the most urgent and complex issues facing the Jewish world today.
Featuring a slate of distinct professional and communal specialized tracks, the Summit ensures that every participant can gain relevant insights tailored to their area of influence.
Each track will feature expert-led panels, interactive workshops, and real-world case discussions. The sessions will spotlight collaboration between communities, sharing of successful models, and open conversations that inspire both thought and action. | | | | A grand gala dinner, a highlight of the event, will feature uplifting keynote addresses from gedolei Torah. The dinner will celebrate those who dedicate their lives to building and strengthening Torah communities, offering words of chizuk and direction to propel their efforts forward.
The tracks are filling up and space is limited so secure your spot today. For more information, visit AgudahAction.com, email actionsummit@agudah.org, or call 212-363-8941. | | National H3 Business Halachah Summit Returns for 2025 | | | Building on the momentum of past events, the National H3 Business Halachah Summit returns this year on Monday and Tuesday, November 24 and 25, 2025, at the Westin in Lombard, IL.
The H3 Summit has become the go to event for business professionals seeking to gain clarity from prominent Poskim, Rabbanim, and Business Leaders.
Attendees will explore pressing halachic issues such as partnership agreements, ribbis, mediation, inheritance and estate planning, Shabbos observance in the workplace, tzedakah and maaser obligations, and employer–employee responsibilities.
The H3 Summit offers not only practical halachic guidance, but also inspiration and networking opportunities, solidifying its role as an essential gathering for Bnei Torah in business. Register today at H3Summit.org | | | Keynote speakers will include:
- Dayan Aharon Dovid Dunner
- Rabbi Doniel Asher Kleinman
Click here to see the full schedule. | | | Inaugural H3 Ohio Summit: A Resounding Success | | | The excitement surrounding the H3 initiative was on full display at the inaugural H3 Ohio Business Halacha Summit, attended by over 350 businessmen and rabbanim from across Ohio on November 12th at the Cleveland Marriott at Key Tower.
In keeping with the mission of the H3 platform participants were treated to a full day of immersive learning. The program opened with Divrei Brachah from Rav Ahron Dovid Goldberg, Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, and a powerful keynote by Harav Noach Isaac Oelbaum and continued with sessions on: Kickbacks and JV's in Halacha with Rabbi Ari Marburger; Halacha and Hadracha for Today's Workspace with Rabbi Alexander Charlop and Rabbi Chaim Mayer Roth; Being a Good Employer and Employee with Harav Boruch Hirschfeld and Rabbi Chaim Mayer Roth; Demystifying Bais Din, featuring Rabbi Shmuel Spitz and members of the Cleveland Bais Din Dayanim. | | | A standout segment, "Asking for a Friend: Common Challenges, Real Solutions" featured candid Q&A moderated by Rabbi Yaakov Robinson, offering practical and often eye-opening guidance from Harav Oelbaum, Rabbi Marburger, and Rabbi Spitz. Participants also enjoyed a Lunch Address by R' Itche Rosenbaum, offering timely and uplifting guidance for today's business landscape.
The day wrapped up with a closing keynote given by Rabbi Joey Haber and a post-summit networking event, enabling continued conversations and new professional relationships, underscoring the enduring value of these gatherings for the business community's growth and integrity. | | Six Takeaways From the 2025 NYC Mayoral Election | | In recent Ami Magazine Op-Ed, Rabbi Ephraim Gurell and Mr. Avrohom Weinstock distill six, key takeaways and insights from the 2025 New York City mayoral election.
The analysis encapsulates lessons learned from the campaign and the broader implications for our community's advocacy work going forward. Takeaway #6 is the bottom line...
Click here to read. | |  | New York City GOTV By the Numbers | Click here to see a snapshot highlighting the scope of Agudah's get-out-the-vote efforts across the city reflecting the dedication, and hard work that helped drive meaningful civic participation citywide. | | | | Agudath Israel of Illinois hosted congressional candidate State Senator Laura Fine for a roundtable discussion with Orthodox Jewish community leaders. The meeting provided an opportunity to engage with Senator Fine on several key issues affecting the Jewish community, including support for Israel, addressing the rise of antisemitism, and advancing educational priorities, including the federal Scholarship Tax Credit.
The discussion was open and productive, with Senator Fine responding to various questions and concerns. "Every election cycle presents an opportunity to engage candidates and make sure our community's priorities are clearly understood," said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, AIOI's Director of Government Affairs. "It is just as vital that we, in turn, learn where each candidate stands on the issues that most affect our community." | | | | | Last Wednesday, Agudath Israel of Illinois hosted its first Mobile DMV event in partnership with the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. More than 50 individuals who reserved appointments received Real IDs and other DMV-related assistance in the Antonia Spitzer Jewish Library in AIOI's office. Thank you to Senator Ram Villivalam and Representative Kevin Olickal, who stopped by to greet attendees, and for their offices' partnership with the event.
AIOI looks forward to offering additional Mobile DMV events in the future and will keep the community informed as new dates are scheduled. Thank you to Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and his staff, as well as the legislators and their staff, who made this event possible! | | | Yarchei Kallah 5786 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 | | | | | | | | Click here for this week's Pirchei Weekly.
Click here for the Tween Light Chodesh Kislev newsletter. | | | | | | |
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