vital information: Fwd: News From Agudas Yisroel 29 Shevat 5783/February 20, 2023

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From: Agudath Israel of America <news@agudah.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 20, 2023, 4:56 PM
Subject: News From Agudas Yisroel 29 Shevat 5783/February 20, 2023
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

Strengthening Torah Life. Advocating for the Community. Serving Each Individual.

February 20, 2022 - 29 Shevat 5783

News from the Agudah:

The New York Times today released yet another article against the Orthodox Jewish community, this time targeting Kiryas Joel. See below for KnowUs's response.

Last week, Agudas Yisroel led an advocacy group from the Queens and Long Island areas to advocate for our community's needs. See below for more details.

See below for further in our series about Washington D.C. accomplishments over the past few months.

18th Article, and Counting:

Will the New York Times' Obsessive Demonization of Orthodox Jews Ever End?

This morning, the New York Times published yet another lengthy, prejudicial article against Orthodox Jews, this time targeting Kiryas Joel, a village which "is almost entirely populated by Hasidic Jews."

The Times focuses its harsh spotlight on certain legitimate, school-related payments made by the Kiryas Joel school district to the United Talmudical Academy (U.T.A.) of Kiryas Joel. The report seems determined to find a scandal. But other than reiterating concerns about conflict-of-interest policies, the Times fails to find its smoking gun.

Is it nefarious or even surprising that when seeking to rent specialized school space, the district would do so from the nonprofit that supplies the majority of it in the district, and "provides schooling for most of the children in Kiryas Joel?" Moreover, ominous innuendo notwithstanding, is it scandalous that the district repaired the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the facility in which children with special education needs were learning?

To be sure, the Times includes a few sentences of balance in the article, including statements by District superintendent, Joel Petlin, and a brief acknowledgment that:

"Federal regulators have given the Kiryas Joel school system high marks over the years for the services it offers its students. And village leaders have said the school district is essential to accommodate Hasidic children with disabilities who cannot receive aid in the community's private schools and might become targets of ridicule in other nearby public schools."

But these plaudits are quickly discarded. The Times seems offended by the very notion of doing business with Hasidic Jews. It continues:

"But the money it sends to the U.T.A. and its affiliates has done more than just secure classroom space for the public-school programs. It has supported private schools that provide thousands of boys with only cursory instruction in English and math, and barely any science or social studies, setting some back for life."

In other words, because the Times objects to the religious education that Hasidic Jews choose to offer their children, it is suggesting implementing a BDS, of sorts, for Hasidic Jewish institutions. Don't do business with Hasidic institutions. Who knows, that money might support their religious education!

The New York Times portrays Hasidic Jews as ultra-religious, self-dealing caricatures, as black and white as the traditional garb they wear.

KnowUs, a project of Agudath Israel of America, urges all people of good faith – left, right, and center – to join the chorus of voices calling out the Times' disturbing and unrelenting obsession with demonizing Orthodox Jews; its lack of balance; its irresponsibility in stoking the blazing flames of antisemitism; and its lack of critical context when presenting stories – at least when involving Orthodox Jews – the inclusion of which would paint a far more accurate, and full-colored picture.

Agudath Israel Leads Advocacy Mission to Albany with Queens-Long Island Community Leaders

Top row: Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, Rabbi Chaim Schauder, Rabbi Yehuda Deutsch. Second row: Rabbi Ami Bazov, Rabbi Ahron Rosenthal, Israel Peskowitz. Third row: Rabbi Joel Kaplan, Rabbi Hayim Schwartz, Rabbi Yosef Levin, Jonathan Katz, Rabbi Moshe Katz, Rabbi Avraham Fridman, Rabbi Baruch Polatoff. Bottom row: Rabbi AD Motzen, Rabbi Dovid Kramer, Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Rabbi Ari Ginian

With Assemblyman Ari Brown

Rabbi Ari Ginian, State Senator Anthony Palumbo, Rabbi Yeruchim Silber and, State Senator Andrew Lanza

With Assemblyman Charles Lavine

With Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal

With Senator Joseph Addabbo

With Senator James Sanders

With Assemblymember David Weprin

Davening Mincha

Last week, Agudath Israel led a delegation of Orthodox Jewish advocates from the Long Island and Queens areas to Albany to advocate for our community's needs. This was the second installment of Agudath Israel's three annual advocacy missions to Albany, which give community representatives the opportunity to speak to their legislators about issues of concern to New York's Orthodox Jewish communities.

The participants spent the day meeting with state Senators Joseph Addabbo, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Jack Martins, James Sanders and, Toby Ann Stavisky, and Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato, Ari Brown, Brian Curran, Alicia Hyndman, Charles Lavine, Daniel Rosenthal, Nily Rozic and, David Weprin, as well as staff members of state Senator John Liu and Assemblymembers Khaleel Anderson and Andrew Hevesi and Counsel to the Speaker Miguelina Camilo.

A highlight of the day was Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato introducing Agudah's Queens and Long Island delegation on the Assembly floor.

Agudah's new KnowUs initiative, which was launched at the start of the year to correct wrong and dangerous mischaracterizations of the Orthodox Jewish community, was presented to the legislators. "Most of the legislators know our communities well and were very receptive and encouraging about our new initiative," said Rabbi Ami Bazov Esq., Associate Director of Yeshiva Services

One of the main issues discussed with the legislators was that of a change in the language of New York State law regarding Mandated Services Aid (MSA) in this year's executive budget. MSA is a law that was passed in 1974, due in a large measure to the advocacy of the late Agudah president Rabbi Moshe Sherer z"l, that allocates funds to reimburse nonpublic schools in New York State for services that schools are mandated by the state to provide. The proposed change in language would cap reimbursements to the amount allocated, thus removing the state liability for full reimbursement.

Another issue discussed with legislators was the Non-Profit Security Equipment grant (NPSE). With the rise of antisemitic attacks, specifically in New York, making sure our schools are given the funding they need to be able to protect themselves from such attacks is of the highest priority. Advocates asked the legislators to increase the program's funding allocation to $60 million.

The delegates also discussed other issues – including expanding childcare funding, universal free lunch, and immunization reimbursements – with the legislators.

"What Agudah does better than any other organization is connecting, building, and accomplishing," said Mrs. Sorolle Idels, founder of the Queens Jewish Alliance. "Thank you to all the elected officials who took the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns."

Agudath Israel Statement on the Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act

It is with great dismay that Agudath Israel of America receives the news of the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that will further enshrine same-sex marriage into American law.

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