Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual. | | April 11, 2022 - 10- Nissan 5782 News from the Agudah:
- Agudath Israel of America is shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks on Orthodox Jewish victims in Lakewood and Jackson, New Jersey, over the weekend. See below for full statement.
- The State of Illinois has a new budget, and it contains items that will improve the lives and livelihoods of the Orthodox Jewish community and millions of other Illinoisans. See below for more details from Agudath Israel of Illinois.
- New York also passed its budget over the weekend after last minute negotiations on everything from bail reform to football stadiums. See below to read more.
- Pirchei Agudas Yisroel will be having the 59th Annual National Siyum Mishnayos on Sunday, May 8. See below for more details and to purchase tickets for your son now.
- The Commission on Torah Projects of Agudas Yisroel is delighted to present a unique four-part shiur series, in preparation for Pesach. The shiurim will take place each evening at 10:00 PM EDT, Sunday, April 10, through Wednesday, April 14. Tonight's shiur will be given by Rabbi Aron Dovid Goldberg, Rosh HaYeshiva, Telshe Cleveland, Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. See below for details on how to join and the full schedule.
- As the war in Ukraine continues, we do not know how long this war will last and where it will go, Hashem yerachem. We have thus raised our own goal, and will continue to do whatever we can to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. We hope you will do the same. You can donate by going to vaadhatzalahrescue.org/Ukraine or by calling 929.529.0200. You can mail a check to Vaad Hatzalah, 42 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004. We are working with trusted partners "on the ground" to make sure that all donations goes to this pressing need, including such items as food, medical needs, additional security, and evacuation and housing costs. Please contribute generously. Thank you. Click here to donate.
- The Torah Projects Commission of Agudas Yisroel is proud to announce a 15-part virtual 10 minute daily shiur series on Sefer Orchos Yosher, given by Rabbi Akiva Grunblatt, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. Tonight's topic is Yiras Shamayim. See below for more details and how to join.
- Please note the schedule for this week's virtual Yarchei Kallah on Iyunim B'Hilchos Pesach - see below for more details.
| | Agudath Israel Statement on Antisemitic Attacks in Ocean County, New Jersey | | Agudath Israel of America is shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks on Orthodox Jewish victims in Lakewood and Jackson, New Jersey, over the weekend. We commend the swift and bold response by law enforcement and are particularly grateful to the Lakewood Police Department and those of the surrounding municipalities, the Ocean County Prosecutor, the New Jersey Attorney General's office, Governor Murphy, and the FBI who have all committed the necessary resources to investigate these alleged hate crimes and secure our community.
We pray for the speedy recovery of all the victims and ask the public to keep Tzvi Aryeh ben Rivka Leah and Moshe Yigal ben Brunyah in their prayers.
During these difficult times, it is incumbent upon us all to turn in prayer to Avinu Shebashamayim, our Father in Heaven, the ultimate protector of the Jewish Nation, to keep us safe and secure. | | New Funding for Security, School Transportation, Among Other Measures in Illinois Budget | | The State of Illinois has a new budget, and it contains items that will improve the lives and livelihoods of the Orthodox Jewish community and millions of other Illinoisans. Since successfully advocating for a state-level non-profit security grant program in 2017, Agudath Israel of Illinois (AIOI) has urged the the legislature and governor to fund the program. Finally, this year, in response to the advocacy efforts of AIOI, the Jewish United Fund and members of a diverse coalition, the security grant program was funded for the first time with a $20 million appropriation. Also included in the budget was a $2.273 million grant to Agudath Israel for busing. This grant is vital for ensuring the safe transport of Jewish day school children to and from school.
Also included in the budget are tax relief initiatives that will benefit many Orthodox families, including a child-centric income tax refund which provides direct payments of $100 per child for up to three children, on top of $50 for an individual tax-filer and $100 for joint filers (for a maximum benefit of $400 per family). Joint-filing households are eligible if their income doesn't exceed $400,000.
The budget also incorporated a legislative fix to the Invest in Kids Act. This scholarship program, which was set to expire at the end of 2022, was extended by a year in last year's budget but additional adjustments were needed to ensure the extension functioned properly. Thankfully, these changes were included in the final Budget Implementation Bill (BIMP) that was unveiled late Friday night.
AIOI applauds the legislature and Governor Pritzker for including the Orthodox community's priorities in this budget, from busing and security funding to tax relief geared towards families with children. In particular, AIOI thanks State Representatives Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), Mike Kelly (D-Chicago), Bob Morgan (D- Deerfield), Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie), State Senators Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), and Laura Fine (D-Glenview), as well as House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Senate President Don Harmon.
"From the macro to the micro, our elected officials were very responsive to our needs," said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, AIOI's director of government affairs. "We are grateful that they not only listened, but they responded as well." | | New York State Passes Budget: Agudath Israel Applauds Wins for Yeshivas and Substantial New Gains Directly for Parents | | After months of intense negotiations, Governor Kathy Hochul and the legislature finally came to an agreement on a $220 billion budget over the weekend. Significantly, this budget addresses many of the priorities that Agudath Israel and its coalition partners requested on behalf of yeshivas and parents.
There were many other issues on the negotiating table. Bail reform; tax incentives for developers; a new stadium for a football team in Buffalo; and emergency budget extenders needed so state workers could get paid, all gripped last-minute negotiations. To help cut through the noise, Agudah's advocacy included personal meetings with the governor, led by Board Chair Mr. Shlomo Werdiger; personal meetings with the NYS Budget Director; and multiple Albany Days, in which school officials and community leaders met with dozens of NYS legislators. Thankfully, these efforts paid off.
Budget Highlights:
Yeshivas and Other Nonpublic Schools
- $195 million for Mandated Services Aid (MSA) and Comprehensive Attendance Program (CAP), an increase of almost $2 million, which is anticipated to be sufficient for all claims submitted.
- Tens of millions in unspent EANS (Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools) funding reverting to GEER (Governors Emergency Educational Relief funding), so yeshivas would not lose them. The Agudah felt it was critical that unused funds should still be usable by nonpublic schools to assist with costs related to COVID safety.
- $45 million for Nonpublic School Safety and Equipment Grant (NPSE). This triples the amount allocated last year, and was a major Agudah priority. The NPSE program boosts school safety and security, and can be used for certain capital repairs for building safety. This is in addition to $25 million allocated under the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant.
- $58 million for STEM reimbursement. This initiative was a focus of Teach NYS, and we thank them for their advocacy on this.
- $1 million to reimburse schools in NYC, Buffalo and Rochester for immunization recordkeeping.
Parents
A major focus nationally for Agudah has been to assist hardworking, tuition paying parents. The Agudah has been successful in leading efforts that have brought tuition relief to yeshiva parents in Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, and Florida.
To that end, we are happy to announce that the budget includes:
- A major investment in child-care aid, which includes $7 billion over 4 years towards a goal of full, universal, free child care. This will be a tremendous benefit to many working parents who are burdened with costs of child care while they are supporting their families.
- A substantial increase in the Empire State Child Tax Credit based on income levels. This Agudah priority directly impacts families with children, by putting additional dollars in their pockets and helping them keep up with the costs of raising families.
"Budgets are not done in a day or a week," said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Director of New York Government Relations, who coordinated most of the Agudah's advocacy efforts. "This budget was the result of months of focused advocacy by Agudah and its coalition partners, and years of planning. We thank Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, and the many members of the legislature who spoke to us - and then spoke for us - and our community. We appreciate your friendship."
"I am especially proud," said Avrohom Weinstock, Agudah's Chief of Staff, "of how our team and the community came together and had siyata diShmaya in advocating for the tripling of the Nonpublic School Safety and Equipment Grant to $45 million, and in fighting for hardworking, tuition paying parents." | | Pirchei Agudas Yisroel 59th Annual National Siyum Mishnayos | | Pirchei Agudas Yisroel is excited to announce the 59th Annual National Siyum Mishnayos. For: Boys grades 4 and older. Special guest storyteller: Rabbi Yoel Ferber When: Sunday, May 8; doors open 6:00 PM EDT, program begins 6:30 PM EDT Where: Kol Yaakov, 1703 McDonald Ave, Flatbush NY
All boys attending must have adult supervision. Reservations are required, and all boys must have a ticket to enter.
Admission: $20 - early bird purchase $25 - late sales and at the door
To register: - Click here.
- Or fill out the form above (click here to download) and mail will money to "The National Office of Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of America, 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004.
- Or contact your Pirchei school representative.
| | Preparing for Pesach - A Four Part Series | | The Commission on Torah Projects of Agudas Yisroel is delighted to present a unique four-part shiur series, in preparation for Pesach. The shiurim will take place each evening at 10:00 PM EDT, Sunday, April 10, through Wednesday, April 14. The shiurim will be given according to this schedule: on Sunday, April 10, Rabbi Yeruchim Olshin, Rosh HaYeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. On Monday, April 11, Rabbi Aron Dovid Goldberg, Rosh HaYeshiva, Telshe Cleveland, Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. On Tuesday, April 13, Rabbi Yisroel Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe. And on Wednesday, April 15, Rabbi Yaakov Hillel, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivat Chevrat Ahavat Shalom, Yerushalayim. | | Shiur Series on Sefer Orchos Yosher | | Sunday, 24 Adar II/ March 27 through Thursday, 13 Nisan/ April 14 Nightly at 9:30 PM EDT Click here to download tonight's section of Orchos Yosher on the topic of Yiras Shamayim, copied with permission from ArtScroll Mesorah Publications from their edition Orchos Yosher. | | Please note the schedule for this week. The shiurim will continue with the access information as follows:
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