December 29, 2020 - 14 Teves 5781 News from the Agudah:
- A court victory for nonpublic school students! The Agudah welcomes a Supreme Court of Michigan decision reimbursing nonpublic schools for fulfilling state mandates. For more information see below.
- Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 30. We are pleased to announce a webinar in conjunction with Roth&Co. on the new Covid relief bill. The webinar will take place this Wednesday, December 30. For more information and how to register see below.
- The Kosher Vacation! We are excited to share the 2nd part of Ki Heim Chayeinu's new video series on Hagalah in conjunction with Daf Yomi's learning of the relevant sugyos. Today's video, made in conjunction with the Star-K, tells us how to make your BBQ grill kosher. To sign up for the series click here. See below for more information.
- The Iyunim B'hilchos Shabbos continues this week. See below for this weeks schedule.
| | Agudath Israel of America Welcomes Michigan Supreme Court Decision Upholding Nonpublic School Reimbursements | | In a split 3-3 decision issued yesterday, the Michigan Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a 2016 law reimbursing nonpublic schools for complying with state mandates. Agudath Israel had filed an amicus curiae ("Friend of the Court") brief in this case and had previously joined a brief together with other organizations in 2016 when the Michigan Supreme Court was asked for an advisory opinion, but declined. The Agudath Israel brief argued that the provision in the Michigan state constitution that prohibits state aid to nonpublic schools was adopted primarily due to anti-Catholic bigotry, and should be struck down. It also stated that nonpublic school reimbursements for mandated services are constitutional and that denying such benefits to religious schools would be a violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the US Constitution.
The three judges affirming the Court of Appeals ruling did not rule on the constitutionality of the state's constitutional amendment that bars aid to religious schools, but noted recent developments "may conceivably warrant consideration in a future case addressing the constitutionality of that amendment." They also referenced three recent United States Supreme Court cases including last month's Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v Cuomo, in which Agudath Israel of America was a plaintiff. The Michigan Legislature appropriated more than $5 million for the reimbursement program between 2016 to 2018, but the funding was held back by a court injunction pending a ruling. The court decision affirmed that Michigan nonpublic schools may receive reimbursements for mandates involving health and safety measures even when those funds are paid directly to the nonpublic school. The split decision means that the favorable Court of Appeals ruling stands and the case returns to the Court of Claims to decide if the Department of Education properly limited the program to non-educational services. "The overdue Supreme Court decision is great news for nonpublic schools in Michigan and the families they serve," said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, Agudath Israel's national director of state relations. "We hope this ruling is the first step to eventually overturning Michigan's ban on nonpublic school aid." The multi-year effort for nonpublic school reimbursement was led by the Michigan Catholic Conference and the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools, who were joined by Agudath Israel of America and others. The nation's first mandated services program was established by the New York State Legislature in 1974, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Rabbi Moshe Sherer of Agudath Israel of America and other nonpublic school advocates. | | Agudah Webinar on the New Covid Relief Bill | | Agudath Israel is pleased to announce that it will be co-hosting a webinar along with Roth & Co. on the new Covid relief bill. The webinar will be moderated by Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois; opening remarks will be given by Rabbi Abba Cohen, Vice President for Government Affairs, Washington Director and Counsel of Agudath Israel; Ahron Golding Esq. Tax Controversy Attorney at Roth&Co will be presenting. Topics to be covered include PPP Loans and forgiveness, round 2, extended paid and sick leave, employee retention credit, tax deductibility of PPP expenses, Federal unemployment benefit and the stimulus check. Click here to register for the webinar which will be held Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at 2 pm EST. | | Ki Heim Chayeinu Video Series on Hagalah: How to Kasher your BBQ Grill | | We are thrilled to share the 2nd part of Ki Heim Chayeinu's new video series on Hagalah in conjunction with Daf Yomi's learning of the relevant sugyos, made in conjunction with the Star K. You can click here to watch the video and sign up to receive the upcoming videos in the series. Click here for a PDF guide from the Star K on how to kasher your BBQ Grill properly. | | The shiurim will continue this week with the access information as follows: | | | | | | |
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