Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual. | | November 18, 2021 - 14 Kislev 5782 News from the Agudah:
- Earlier today a New York Supreme Court judge issued a decision and order that requires a school district to provide transportation to students in nonpublic schools even on days that the public schools are closed. See below for more details.
- Redistricting can be a complex and seemingly abstract topic. This is unfortunate because it is also extremely an important topic. The way maps are drawn affect a community for at least a decade, and often longer. To help ensure that the Orthodox community is taken into consideration during the redistricting process, Agudah officials have been active in the redistricting process. See below for a video of Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudah's New York director of government affairs, testifying at a hearing in New York, and for details about testimony given by Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, director of government affairs for Agudath Israel of Illinois, before the Chicago City Council.
- The Torah Projects Commission of Agudas Yisroel is excited to announce that Sugyos B'Daf Yomi is back This weeks shiur will be given by Rabbi Shlomo Cynamon, Rav, Khal Bnei Torah Kollel Dirshu; Maggid Shiur Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. See below for full schedule, more details, and how to access remotely.
- We are pleased to be able to share with you an update for the Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah, which is scheduled to take place January, 16-20, 2022 (Shevat 14 -18). See below to read the update.
- Bnos and Pirchei Newsletters: Download this week's Pirchei newsletters by clicking here for the Pirchei Pages, and here for the Pirchei Weekly. Download the Bnos newsletter for this Shabbos here.
| | Agudath Israel Hails Court Decision Requiring School Busing for Nonpublic School Students on Days their Schools are in Session | | A New York State Supreme Court judge today issued a decision and order that a school district must provide transportation to non-public school students on days that their schools are in session. The case, United Jewish Community of Blooming Grove v. Washingtonville Central School District and the New York State Education Department, challenged the school district's policy of only providing transportation to non-public school students on days that public schools are also open, a policy that was supported and defended by the New York State Education Department.
Judge Peter Lynch ruled that New York State Education Law Section 3635 (1), which states that "Sufficient transportation facilities...shall be provided by the school district for all the children residing within the school district to and from the school they legally attend" requires the school district to provide transportation to all nonpublic school students on all days when their nonpublic schools are open for instruction, regardless of whether the public schools are open, and ordered the school district to do so. He also ruled that the State Education Department's guidance document, which states that school districts are only required to provide non-public schools with transportation on days that public schools are open, is null and void as it violates New York State Education Law.
Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of New York Government Relations for Agudath Israel, hailed the Supreme Court decision. "This is a victory not just for the non-public schools in Washingtonville School District, but for all non-public schools and their students throughout the entire state. The Court has clearly stated in its decision that New York State Education Law requires school districts to provide transportation to non-public school students on all days when their schools are open. We congratulate the United Jewish Community of Blooming Grove and their attorneys for their successful effort to obtain this extremely significant court decision. We also acknowledge the perseverance of our friends Isaac Eckstein Board Chair, and Joel Stern, Board Representative in leading this effort." | | This Will Affect Our Community for the Next Ten Years: Rabbi Yeruchim Silber Testifies Before the New York State Redistricting Commission | | Yesterday, in testimony to the New York State Redistricting Commission, Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudah's New York Director of Government Relations laid out a strong case for proper representation of the Orthodox Jewish community in both Congress and in the State Legislature.
New York State law calls for consideration of "communities of interest" when drawing legislative districts. The Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn is certainly a community of interest with a common culture and religion, an abundance of kosher food stores and restaurants, countless charitable organizations serving virtually every human service need, and a network of yeshivas at which students are taught a dual curriculum of both Judaic and Secular studies. It is this education system, explained Rabbi Silber, that is largely responsible for the phenomenal growth of the Orthodox community in Brooklyn and elsewhere.
However, rather than being condensed within their own districts, the Orthodox community has been divided into at least five congressional and several assembly districts.
Through a spirited question and answer session with members of the commission, Rabbi Silber cited concrete examples of how districts should be apportioned and promised to provide the commission with detailed maps illustrating how those districts should be laid out. (See full video of testimony here).
Rabbi Silber also pointed to the inequity in Rockland County, where the Town of Ramapo, which contains most of the Orthodox communities of Greater Monsey, yet is divided into three Assembly districts, the only town in the entire state so divided.
The New York State Redistricting Commission, comprised equally of Democrats and Republicans, was formed as a result of a constitutional amendment passed by the voters of New York State in 2014 and is charged with drawing new legislative lines based on the results of the 2020 census. The commission must submit maps to the legislature no later that February 28th. The legislature can either accept the commission maps or substitute with lines of their own. | | Don't Separate Us: Rabbi Shlomo Soroka Testifies on Redistricting in Chicago | | Redistricting can be a complex and seemingly abstract topic. This is unfortunate because it is also an extremely important topic. The way maps are drawn affect a community for at least a decade, and often longer.
Earlier this week, Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Agudath Israel of Illinois' director of government affairs, testified before the Chicago City Council on the city's redistricting process. He explained that currently the Orthodox Jewish community of West Rogers Park and Peterson Park is primarily concentrated in one ward, but at risk of being split, which would dilute the political voice of the Orthodox community. The Orthodox Jewish community is a "community of interest" that is unfortunately is often overlooked in this process, despite its unique needs.
Soroka spoke to the history of the Orthodox Jewish community in Chicago and explained how an independent educational system is imperative for the survival and growth of Orthodox Jewry. He also explained that with antisemitism on the rise, security is a major concern for Orthodox Jews who are easily identifiable, and therefore more vulnerable. There's also a general lack of awareness and understanding regarding the Orthodox community. It is therefore of vital importance that their elected representatives understand and appreciate their cultural sensitivities and their need for certain accommodations.
Rabbi Soroka concluded his testimony by asking the body to take the needs of the Orthodox Jewish community into consideration while in this process, saying, "We need representation that understands our history, culture, needs, and values to be effective champions. Carving up the community will dilute our political voice and will harm our ability to continue to grow and thrive." | | Schedule:
Motzei Shabbos, Parshas Vayishlach, November 20, at 7:45 PM EST: Rabbi Shlomo Cynamon, Rav, Khal Bnei Torah Kollel Dirshu; Maggid Shiur Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.
Motzei Shabbos, Parshas Veyeshev, November 27: Rabbi Eli Baruch Shulman, Rav, Young Israel of Midwood; Michaber Sefer Yismach Av
Motzei Shabbos, Parshas Vayigash, December 4: Rabbi Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshivah, Yeshivas Mir
Motzei Shabbos, Parshas Vayichi, December 11: Rabbi Betzalel Busel, Rosh Yeshivah, Yeshivah Torah Temimah
Location:
Khal Bnei Torah/Kollel Dirshu Flatbush, Rabbi Shlomo Cynamon, Mara D'asra, Avenue K and Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn NY.
Virtual Information:
| | Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah Update | | A message from the Torah Projects Commission of Agudas Yisroel:
To our Chaverim past and Future Yarchei Kallah Participants As many of you have heard we have IYH scheduled our Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah for January 16-20 (Shevat 14 -18).Please read the information and links below carefully.
Sugya D'Kallah and Program This year's Sugya D'Kallah is Inynaei Krias Hatorah and Haftorah. As you know, we seek to learn Inyanim which combine both Lomdus and Halacha Limayseh. This topic richly fulfills this goal. Click Here for a preliminary list of Mareh Mekomos for those who wish to begin familiarizing themselves with the Sugya and will update on a periodic basis. We hope to schedule our usual Hachanah Shiurim and will try to use our Web -Based capability to allow a broader participation than in the past. Of course, we plan to schedule our usual list of Gedolei Marbitzei Torah and Poskim. As always are looking for new ways to innovate and refresh our offerings.
Entry Into Eretz Yisroel
As you may know, Israel has officially opened up and there is a process for entry. We are diligently working on making all the necessary arrangements on our end to facilitate all the details in regard to registration. We hope to open Yarchei Kallah registration soon. Please Click Here for detailed instructions on obtaining entry to Eretz Yisroel. The responsibility to follow the rules is a personal obligation of each participant. In addition please understand any purchase of tickets will be your sole responsibility. As such, given the ongoing uncertainties, please familiarize yourselves carefully with the refund, cancelation and change policies of any tickets.
As we have had a long hiatus since our last Yarchei Kallah please let your Rabbonim (there is a special program rate for qualifying Rabbonim) Gabboim and friends know of our plans so we can generate the requisite excitement as we proceed. | | | | | | |
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