Please share this information with family or friends who do not have email or internet access.
If you, a family member, or friend would like to receive emails from the Agudah email reception@agudah.org. | | June 17, 2020 - 25 Sivan 5780 News from the Agudah:
- Tune into Agudah Live today at 3:00 pm EDT! Join Rabbi Shai Markowitz and Rabbi Avi Schnall as they discuss Camp. What's Next? with Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of NY Government Relations, Agudath Israel of America, and Rabbi Shlomo Pfeiffer, Director of Camp Romimu. See below for the call in information.
- Agudath Israel welcomed the announcement from the Federal Emergency and Management Agency (FEMA) that houses of worship can create accounts on the agency's Grants Portal, and that they're hosting a series of "how-to" webinars to instruct local community leaders on how to navigate the portal system. See below for more information.
- This Thursday, June 18th, Agudath Israel's PCS division will be having a remote open house for their for their software and web development program. See below for more details.
- Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudah's Director of NY Government Relations, was interviewed in the Hamodia regarding the closure of New York sleep away camps and how he has advocated for their opening. Click here to read the interview.
- Attention NY residents: please see below for an important message regarding voting on Primary Day on June 23rd.
- The Yarchei Kallah on Inyanei Brachos continued today with a a shiur from Rabbi Meir Tzvi Spitzer on Bracha Al Hanes and there will be a chazarah shiur at 8:00 pm EDT. See below for the Zoom and call in information.
- Lastly, did you see the latest Ki Heim Chayeinu video? Click here to watch it.
| | Today at 3:00 pm EDT, join Rabbi Shai Markowitz and Rabbi Avi Schnall as they discuss Camp. What's Next? with Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of NY Government Relations, Agudath Israel of America, and Rabbi Shlomo Pfeiffer, Director of Camp Romimu.
Call in at 718-298-2077 access code 52 if you're in the US, or 647-797-0056 access code 52 if you're in Canada. | | FEMA Enhances Participation of Houses of Worship in Disaster Aid | | The Federal Emergency and Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that houses of worship can create accounts on the agency's Grants Portal, and that it is hosting a series of "how-to" webinars to instruct local community leaders on how to navigate the portal system. FEMA will also be conducting overview webinars on the application process for COVID -19 assistance.
The portals will allow houses of worship, in the midst of a disaster, to upload critical documents and make them aware of when federal declarations are made in their areas. The agency noted that pre-registration is valuable because in the upheaval of a disaster, when a facility is damaged, it can be difficult to collect the information and documentation needed to pursue a claim and request public assistance.
Agudath Israel of America welcomed the announcement. "We are particularly pleased," said Rabbi Abba Cohen, the organization's Vice President for Government Affairs and Washington Director, "because it is another concrete step in providing houses of worship the full measure of participation in federal disaster relief."
Agudath Israel had been among a small number of groups that were in the forefront of a years-long successful effort to reverse FEMA's policy of denying houses of worship disaster aid. Since early 2019, however, the eligibility of houses of worship has been fully enshrined in policy by the Trump Administration and in statute by Congress.
The FEMA Public Assistance Program is the agency's largest grant program. Under it, supplemental assistance is provided to state and local governments, as well as to eligible private nonprofit organizations – including houses of worship – to reimburse communities responding to and recovering from major disasters. The agency announcement states that "the program provides funding for emergency assistance to save lives and protect property and assists with funding for permanently restoring community infrastructure affected by a federally declared incident."
"It is a vitally important program for our shuls, schools and other charitable institutions, and every community should engage with FEMA to take full advantage of the portal services and webinar opportunities," observed Rabbi Cohen. "It could make a real difference in times of disaster, chas v'chalilah." | | This Thursday: Virtual Open House for PCS Software Development Course Rated #1 Best Job by U.S News & World Report | | Agudath Israel's PCS Division is proud to begin a new semester in their software and web development course. Certification by PCS goes a long way, with benefits that hone the skills needed to enter the workforce.
Incoming students can graduate with a qualified bachelor's degree in 15 months. With classes for men and women, and options for live and remote classes, this program is open to a wide range of students. PCS also works to guarantee their graduates success, by placing a lot of focus on job and internship placement.
Don't miss out; join their remote open house and learn about this fantastic program, this Thursday, June 18th at 7:30 PM. For zoom or phone conference information, email nj@nj.pcsjobs.org or call 732-905-9700 x 610.
| | Public Service Message for NY Residents | | Tuesday June 23rd is Primary Day across New York State. There will be primaries for Congressional, State Senate and Assembly seats as well as delegates to the presidential nominating conventions. Early voting period is from June 13th to June 21st.
This year there will be a major change in how New Yorkers vote. Under an executive order, to help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered, eligible voters may apply to vote by Absentee Ballot. With the coronavirus pandemic and absentee balloting, it is unclear how turnout will be this year. It is thus of crucial importance that our community vote in large numbers to ensure our votes have an impact. Now, more than ever, as we begin emerging from the pandemic, it is crucial that our voices be heard in big numbers. Events of the last few months have impacted us in a major way. Government officials must know that our community has a voice and is willing to use it to stand up for our rights. Decisions at the highest level of government are often based upon which communities make their voices heard. And so we implore you to make sure each and every one of us makes time to vote, whether by early day of or absentee. If you vote absentee, please make sure to mail your ballot by June 23rd. If you are voting in person please click here to find your poll site The future of our communities, our children, our yeshivas, and the freedom to practice our way of life may be at stake. | | | | | | |
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