Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual. | | February 18, 2022 - 17 Adar 1 5782 News from the Agudah:
- Ukraine: Agudas Yisrael of America is in contact with Jewish communities across the Ukraine and has assisted with contingency plans to help ensure the safety of the kehillos, mosodos, and families in the face of a threat of an invasion by the Russian army. Over the past 30 years the Torah communities have blossomed. Bli Ayin Hara, there are now tens of thousands of Shomrei Torah U'mitzvos in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
- If Russia decides to invade Ukraine, Chas V'Shalom, there are enormous risks not only for the stability and safety of the Ukranian Jewish community, but indeed the ramifications could reverberate around the world. We ask our tzibur to keep these kehillos in mind over Shabbos, and to be mispallel for bsoros tovos and a peaceful solution to the current crisis.
- We shared last week a statement about an image used by lohud/the Rockland Journal News that perpetuated antisemitic tropes. They have since followed up by publishing an article that shows that their apology was only lip-service. The Agudah shared this statement today in response: "Lohud correctly apologized for their offensive antisemitic imagery in their promotion of an upcoming article. They committed to meeting with and listening to the concerns of the Orthodox Jewish community. Yesterday's release of that very article includes tropes and innuendo alongside outright falsehoods. It is abundantly clear that Lohud is acting in bad faith and has very serious issues of bias and bigotry to confront."
- Agudah's affiliate, Am Echad, has successfully - with your help! - reached its goal of 150,000 names at the OneKosel.org petition against dividing the Kosel and Reform and Conservative movement incursions into religious affairs. Am Echad will be sharing these letters with Prime Minister Bennett next week, and will be keeping us updated. Although the goal has been reached, you can still add your name!
- Tri-state area high school girls: Would you like to join hundreds of others in bringing cheer and happiness to a senior's life? See below for more details!
- In the first of three Albany Days, Agudah staff and community members met this week with New York State legislators. See below for more details.
- 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.
- Please note the updated schedule for next week's virtual Yarchei Kallah - see below for more details.
- And, lastly, a correction: When we shared the information about Pirchei's 40th Annual Siyum Misnayos in Montreal, we erroneously identified the first initial of Mr. F. Pfeiffer, Agudah of Montreal's president, and we said that Rabbi Ephraim Levi was presenting the Bob Ament Z"L award, when, actually, he is receiving it! We're sorry. The corrected information is below.
| | Bnos Bikur Cholim: Mishloach Manos to Seniors | | High schools and high schoolers: Join in bringing cheer into a senior's life, by joining with hundreds of girls in the tri-state area to deliver mishloach manos at a senior or nursing home facility in your area. Contact cbhass@agudah.org or 212-797-9000, extension 330, to sign up. | | Keeping our Schools Safe: Agudah's Hudson Valley Region Albany Day Focuses on Security | | The New York State budget process is a long and arduous one. The many bills and amendments in play mean that there are a lot of moving pieces for the legislators to keep up with. In order to make sure the issues of concern to the Orthodox Jewish community in New York are brought front and center, the Agudah's New York office hosts a series of "Albany Day" meetings with legislators. The first installment for this year focused on the Hudson Valley region as well as portions of upstate. One of the main issues discussed with the legislators was that of the Non-Profit Security Equipment grant (NPSE). With the rise of antisemitic attacks, specifically in New York, making sure our schools are given what they need to be able to protect themselves from such attacks is of the highest priority. The funding for the NPSE program has been stagnant at $15 million for the past few years. This year's executive budget raises that funding to $45 million, while also expanding usage to include critical capital improvements related to safety. This increase along with the expanded usage was in a large measure due to the advocacy of Agudah and its coalition partners. The attendees asked the legislators to pass this line item in the budget. Another topic brought up was expanding the Empire State child tax credit. The credit only covers children over the age of four. Advocates explained that not funding the credit for children three and under harms working parents who have difficulty covering the cost of childcare. New York is the only state that has such a limit. While Agudah advocates acknowledged that broadening the tax credit in such a manner would be costly to the state, it would assist many families in the Jewish and other communities. Other issues were also discussed with the legislators. These included special education loans, summer food funding increase, and immunization record keeping reimbursements. Today's Albany Day meetings were attended by Senator Elijah Reichlin–Melnick, and Assemblymembers Josh Jensen, Nader Sayegh, and Kenneth Zebrowski, as well as staff members of Senators Pete Harckham, Michelle Hinchey, Mike Martucci, Shelley Mayer, and James Skoufis, as well as staff members of Assemblymembers Chris Burdick, Sarah Clark, Aileen Gunther, and Amy Paulin. "Communication is a crucial part of the advocacy we do at the Agudah. These meetings of Agudah staff, local advocates, and community leaders together with their legislators is key to ensuring that communication takes place. We thank the legislators for their participation and we will continue to be in contact with them throughout the course of the year," said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudah's director of New York government relations. "Though titled 'Albany Day,' the first installment of this year's series had to be held virtually over Zoom. We look forward to continuing this series in March, hopefully in the halls of the Capitol." | | Iyunim B'hilchos Krias HaTorah | | Please note the changed schedule next week! The shiurim will continue with the access information as follows: | | Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of Montreal: 40th Annual Siyum Hamishnayos | | Please join us, February 19th, at Montreal's 40th Annual Siyum Hamishnayos, in memory of Rabbi Dovid Trenk ZT"L. Rabbi Elya Brudny and Rabbi Yaakov Bender will deliver divrei brachah. Mr. F. Pfeiffer, president of Agudas Yisroel Montreal will address the participants, and Rabbi Ephraim Levi, National Director of Pirchei Agudas Yisroel, will be presented with the Bob Ament Z"L award. | | | | | | |
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