October 29, 2020 - 12 Cheshvan 5781 News from the Agudah:
- At 8:00 pm EDT tonight (in one-half hour!) Bnos is hosting a yom tefillah for all women and girls in honor of Rochel Imeinu's yahrtzeit. See below for details.
- Six organizations filed four briefs in the last few days in support of the Agudah's lawsuit on behalf of shuls in New York State red zones. See below for details and to read the briefs. (Yes, people do read legal briefs!)
- Tefillah is critical now, and the Agudah, in conjunction with Torah Umesorah, is hosting an across-the-country yom tefillah this coming Monday, the last day of BaHaB. See below for details.
- In other Bnos news, Bnos One on One is back for a new season - this is something that can make a difference in your daughter's life for many years to come. Sign up now, as either a Big Sister or Little Sister - information below.
- We're sorry! The interview we shared earlier this week with Rabbi Avi Schnall and Rabbi Abba Cohen from the Voice of Lakewood was missing the last page. Click here for the entire article. Thank you to all those who let us know about it!
| | TONIGHT: Join a Special Yom Tefillah in Honor of Rochel Imeinu's Yahrtzeit | | Klal Yisroel needs all our zechusim and this 11 Cheshvan, October 29, Bnos Agudas Yisroel is hosting a special call-in Yom Tefillah for women and girls. Call in at 8:00 pm EST to join thousands of others in tefillah, and be inspired by words of chizuk from Mrs. Dina Breindel Smith, author of The Power of Tefillah. The call in information is: 425-436-6277, login code 244274#.
| | Agudath Israel Welcomes Supporting Briefs Filed in its Lawsuit on Behalf of New York State Shuls | | In heartening news regarding its ongoing litigation on behalf of shuls in New York State, Agudath Israel of America announced today that four amicus curiae (friend of the court" briefs) have been filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit supporting Agudath Israel's position defending religious freedom. The Agudah's lawsuit filed on behalf of itself and several synagogues against Governor Cuomo's executive orders effectively closing houses of worship in predominantly Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in New York will be heard by the court next week. Generally, the briefs argued that the State of New York's targeting of the Orthodox Jewish community was unconstitutional. Some of the specific points also made by the amici include that religious minorities' rights may not be trampled even due to public health concerns, and that the Supreme Court decision of 1905 cited by some courts as a justification for disregarding religious rights during a pandemic does not apply. The briefs were filed by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty joined by the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty; the Muslim Public Affairs Council joined by the Religious Freedom Institute's Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team, and Asma Uddin, on behalf of the Islamic community; Torah Umesorah, the National Society of Hebrew Day Schools; and the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, said, "We thank all of the organizations and individuals who worked on these briefs in support of our case in the Second Circuit. Public health and religious worship are not mutually exclusive – we should be able to worship in ways which will be safe for everyone while respecting religious rights. The widespread support on behalf of religious liberty indicated by these briefs is gratifying and deeply appreciated." The briefs referenced are available for download here. Agudath Israel of America is an umbrella organization representing Orthodox Jews in North America. To see many of its statements encouraging masking, social distancing, and other public health measures, go to https://agudah.org/agudah-covid-response/. | | Agudas Yisroel and Torah Umesorah have joined at the behest of gedolim to call for a Yom Tefillah this Monday, November 2nd, the second Monday of BaHaB. The Yom Tefillah is a request for rachamei Shamayim at time of challenges to Klal Yisroel in ruchniyus and gashmiyus. Shuls are asked to add Avinu Malkeinu and Tehillim kapitlach 13, 20, 121, 130, and 142 after Shacharis (if they have not yet said Avinu Malkeinu in Bahab's selichos). Women are encouraged to add Avinu Malkeinu and Tehillim kapitlach 13, 20, 121, 130, and 142 to their daily tefillos. Mesivtos, Batei Medrash, and Bais Yaakov high schools are asked to add Avinu Malkeinu and Tehillim kapitlach 13, 20, 121, 130, and 142 after Shacharis. Tinokos shel beis raban: Per the direction of the Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Umesorah, Rebbeim and Moros should please introduce the saying of Tehillim by explaining to their classes the current need for tefillah, and then join together, via tele-conference, with children from across the nation to say Tehillim kapitlach 13, 20, 121, 130, and 142, followed by Acheinu kol beis Yisroel, using the below call-in numbers. There will be two sessions of the Tehillim to allow institutions in all time zones to participate. Call-In Numbers: 319-527-4510 774-298-9022 857-314-9244 Session #1 For Eastern and Central Time Zones 11:00 am Eastern Time (10:00 am Central Time) Session #2 For Mountain and Pacific Times 11:00 am Mountain Time (10:00 am Pacific Time) | | Once a Sister, Always a Sister | | The effects of one hour can last for a lifetime. Bnos One on One is an incredible program from Bnos Agudas Yisroel that pairs high school Big Sisters with middle school Little Sisters. Big Sisters meet with their 6th, 7th, or 8th grade Little Sisters for one hour a week to connect and have fun. The Bnos One on One program has been running for years, but this year it's seeing extraordinary growth. Cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Boston, and more are starting new chapters. And existing branches in Brooklyn, Five Towns, and Lakewood are expanding. Why the dramatic increase? "It's a perfect program for this year," explains Bnos advisor Miri S. "Our Bnos activities are restricted because of Corona. We're doing Bnos in a Box, but we knew we could do even MORE." Bnos One on One works well with social distancing. Each pair can interact according to their comfort level, whether by phone or in person, inside or outside. The Little Sisters love the attention, and the Big Sisters gain, too. "I was a Big Sister when I was in high school," adds Miri. "I remember how empowering it was to have my Little Sister look up to me as a role model. And when I see her now, we still have a special connection. Even though she's a junior in high school now, she's still my Little Sister." "Once a Sister, always a Sister," agrees Mrs. Chana Baila Hass, National Director of Bnos Agudath Israel. "We hear stories about Sisters keeping up their connection for years. One Little Sister is coming to her Big Sister's wedding in a gown, as part of the family. Another Little Sister, now in high school, goes to her now married Big Sister every Thursday night to help with her children." And it all starts with just one hour a week! Are you interested in being a Big Sister? Would you like to bring Bnos One on One to your city or neighborhood? Reach out to Mrs. Chana Baila Hass at cbhass@agudah.org or call 212-797-9000 ext. 330. | | | | | | |
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