Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual. | | October 27, 2021 - 21 Cheshvan 5782 News from the Agudah:
- In response to a proposed mandate for women to register with the Selective Service System Agudath Israel released a statement asking Congress to carefully consider the issue and its religious liberty consequences. See below to read the full statement.
- Yesterday, Michigan legislators voted to join 18 other states which have either created or expanded school choice programs in 2021. See below for the Agudah's statement commending the legislature for passing, and urging the governor to sign these bills, that would empower parents to make the educational decisions that work best for their children.
- In honor of Meseches Rosh Hashanah, the Daf Yomi Commission of Agudas Yisroel is excited to present a series of community shiurim, featuring a fascinating presentation 'Avenues of the Sky'. Tonight's shiur will be in Boro Park. See below for more details and schedule.
- Agudah of Illinois continues to do great work. See below for some updates on their activities.
- This is a little off the beaten path, but we wanted to share a story with you from Rabbi Naftali Miller, national director of development, and we think you'll enjoy it! Click here to watch.
- Yarchei Kallah will continue this week on the topic of Iyunim B'hilchos Shabbos. See below for this week's schedule and how to join.
| | Statement on Proposed Mandate for Women to Register with the Selective Service System | | Agudath Israel of America is a national Orthodox Jewish organization. We offer this statement to express concern regarding the provision within the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which will require all Americans, including women, to register with the Selective Service System. The registration framework will be utilized in the event that the draft is reinstated and there is need to mobilize the armed forces for military conflict or national emergency.
Over the years, many concerns have been raised in regard to manpower, management and morale of the military in the event that women would be required to serve alongside men in service to their country. Those concerns are real. However, the concern we wish to highlight in this statement relates to how the draft registration requirement will infringe upon the religious liberty of women who have religious objection to such military service.
While an in-depth survey of religious traditions relating to women's participation in warfare and defense is beyond the scope of this statement, it is clear that a generalized requirement for women to register for the draft for the purpose of serving in some unknown military capacity in the future would be highly objectionable to many religiously observant women. Indeed, it is likely that large numbers of these women will not so register.
Agudath Israel respectfully requests that this issue, and these consequences, be considered carefully. There is much at stake here and fundamental freedoms may be lost. That should be cause for concern among all who cherish religious liberty. | | Agudath Israel Lauds Legislative Passage of Michigan $500 Million Scholarship Program | | Michigan legislators voted yesterday to join 18 other states which have either created or expanded school choice programs in 2021. The series of bills passed by the Michigan House and Senate would empower parents to make the educational decisions that work best for their children.
The program provides eligible children with Student Opportunity Scholarship accounts that can be used for educational expenses, including private school tuition. Families earning 200% of the income threshold to receive reduced-price lunch (approximately $98,000 for a family of four) will receive nearly $5,000 per student while lower income students, foster children, and children with disabilities will receive close to $8,000.
The funding for the accounts will be generated by donations to nonprofit scholarship organizations which would then create scholarship accounts for eligible students. The contributors will receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit in return for their donation. While more than twenty states have tax-credit scholarship programs and eight states have education savings accounts, Michigan would become the third state (all enacted this year) to use a hybrid model that would fund such accounts via tax credits.
"The coronavirus pandemic has helped policymakers realize that parents need immediate additional educational options," said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, national director of state relations for Agudath Israel of America. "Michigan's Student Opportunity Scholarship program will incentivize philanthropic support of education and empower parents, ultimately leading to greater educational accountability."
Agudath Israel commends Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, Speaker Jason Wentworth, and the bill sponsors (Senators Lana Theis and Tom Barrett, Representatives Bryan Posthumus and Phil Green) for their leadership and commitment to Michigan families.
Agudath Israel urges Governor Whitmer to sign this common-sense bill into law. | | The Daf Yomi commission of Agudas Yisroel is excited to present a series of community shiurim on the occasion of Daf Yomi's learning of Meseches Rosh Hashanah. The shiurim will feature a fascinating audio-visual presentation 'Avenues of the Sky' which covers the positioning of the constellations, moon, and planet sightings, using the North Star as a navigation tool, solar and lunar eclipses, and understanding the paths of the Sun.
The series, will be presented live and in person by Rabbi Shea Hertz Ostreicher, Director, Avenues of the Sky-Torah Planetarium Institute.
Series Schedule:
Wednesday, October 27: 8:00 PM ET, Agudah of 18th Ave, 5413 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11204
Thursday, October 28: 5:40 PM ET, Kollel Mechanchem Daf Yomi, Lakewood Commons Shul
Sunday, October 31: 9:30 AM ET, Agudath Israel of Long Island, 1121 Sage St, Far Rockaway, NY Following 8:30 Maariv, Passaic Clifton Community Kollel, 411 Main Ave, Clifton, NJ
Thursday, November 4: 9:00 PM ET, Ohel Simcha, 141-41 72nd Ave. Flushing, NY | | Agudah of Illinois, School Leaders, Work Together on Scholarship Tax Credit (STC) Program
Working in a collaborative fashion is critical to the success of any communal effort and to that end, Agudah of Illinois hosted all professional and lay and professional school leaders on Tuesday, October 12, to share developments and discuss how to best serve our students. The agenda included legislative developments and Agudah of Illinois' efforts, along with coalition partners, to pass a bill that makes program enhancements, and exploring strategies to ensure that every family can access the benefits of the program. | | The $25 Million Question
Since its inception in 2018, Illinois' Invest in Kids Act has been a lifeline for hundreds of Chicago's Jewish families who struggle to afford school tuition providing over $40 million in scholarships to attend Jewish day schools and yeshivos. The program is funded by donors who can claim a state tax credit equal to 75% of their donation. Agudah of Illinois has worked to educate individuals, business owners and financial professionals to encourage broader participation and has helped facilitate an increase in both donors and donations. Nearly $20 million was donated in 2020, doubling the previous annual total. Once again, Agudah of Illinois is working with schools, community leaders, businesses and individuals to surpass last year's numbers and meet the community's growing demand. To achieve these goals, Agudah of Illinois is launching a new website, hosting seminars, and working with scholarship organizations to accommodate the needs and preferences of the donors schools and most importantly, the students. | | Kesher Enters 3rd Year
Despite the pandemic, Agudath Israel's KESHER Mentoring Program was able to get in a very effective 6 months of mentoring for over 20 girls. The programming allows Jr. High School girls to bond with a post-Seminary mentor through weekly visits, which may include a trip for a Slurpee, the playing of a game or even a pleasant walk in the park. Yet, the attention these girls receive from the mentors is exactly what they need to improve their self-image and better enable them to handle heretofore difficult situations both at home and at school. Under the coordination of Mrs. Frumit Roberts, KESHER coordinates mentors through the guidance of the Menaheles and Student Advisor of JDBY to insure a positive 'shidduch' between mentor and student. At present, KESHER has 19 mentors, but is looking for more as the demand far exceeds the supply. For more information, please contact Mrs. Roberts at 1frumit@gmail.com. | | The shiurim will continue next week with the access information as follows: | | | | | | |
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