Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual. | | April 21, 2021 - 9 Iyar 5781 News from the Agudah:
- Florida continues to lead the nation in putting families and children first See below for the latest school choice update from the Sunshine State.
- The Community Vaccine Alliance in Chicago has led the way in community based vaccine drives, with 6,000 people vaccinated by 600 volunteers. See below to for an in-depth look from this week's edition of Mishpacha.
- Attention Missouri residents: Missouri continues to advance its Education Savings Account bill House Bill 349 which can go to the floor any day now. The bill would create the "Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. Agudah has been working with its Missouri and national coalition partners for many years trying to advance a private school choice bill. See below to take action.
- The Iyunim B'hilchos Shabbos will continue this week. See below for this week's schedule.
| | Agudah Welcomes the Passage of Major School Choice Bill in Florida House | | Rabbi Moshe Matz, executive director of Agudath Israel of Florida, with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Representative Randy Fine (R- Palm Bay). | | In a 79-36 vote, the Florida House overwhelmingly passed House Bill 7045 this morning. The legislation aims to consolidate Florida's scholarship programs for special needs students and expand the state's means-tested scholarship program to middle income families. "Florida continues to lead the nation in putting families and children first," said Rabbi Moshe Matz, executive director of Agudath Israel of Florida. "This bill, once it passes the Senate and is signed by Governor DeSantis, will transform the lives of Florida students and give more families the educational opportunities currently only available to some." Agudath Israel of Florida expresses its sincere appreciation to the bill sponsor, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Representative Randy Fine (R- Palm Bay), and to House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R – Palm Harbor) for their leadership on this issue. Most importantly, Agudah thanks the thousands of parents across the state who made their voices heard by calling, emailing, or visiting with legislators throughout the legislative process. Florida's school choice coalition is made up of many organizations including Step Up for Students, ExcelinEd, and the Foundation for Florida's Future, all of whom have played a critical role ensuring that this bill and the broader issue of parental choice continues to have broad-based support. Agudath Israel looks forward to working together with its governmental and organizational partners to see this bill to final passage and implementation. | | City of Big Shoulders Gets a Shot in the Arm: The Chicago Community Vaccine Alliance | | Click here or on the image below to read. | | Take Action: Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program | | The Missouri Senate will soon vote on legislation that includes education scholarship accounts that will allow parents to control the education funds earmarked for their children. The program will be open to students eligible to attend kindergarten and those attending school in Missouri for the first time, as well as children of active-duty military members and public school students struggling in their current educational setting. Known as the "Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program," the legislation provides tax credits for taxpayers who make contributions to educational scholarship organizations. These nonprofit organizations then offer scholarships to students for educational expenses including private school tuition. The total cumulative tax credits available statewide would be $100 million per year for the first year and would make over 15,000 scholarships available when it is fully funded. Many of us have experienced the benefits of private education, but not every family can afford it. Agudath Israel encourages you to contact your state Senator and request that they support the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. Let your state Senator hear from you today! WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- If you live in Missouri, click on this link to send a pre-composed message to your senator. If you can personalize the message, even better!
- Share this message with your family and friends that live in Missouri.
- Daven that legislators pass legislation that can assist parents to afford the educational environment of their choice.
Sincerely, Shlomo
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka Director of Government Affairs Agudath Israel of Illinois | | The shiurim will continue this week with the access information as follows: | | | | | | |
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