vital information: Fwd: News From Agudah 14 Adar 1 5784, February 23, 2024

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From: The Agudah <news@agudah.org>
Date: Fri, Feb 23, 2024, 12:49 PM
Subject: News From Agudah 14 Adar 1 5784, February 23, 2024
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

February 23, 2024 - 14 Adar 1 5784

In today's News from Agudah: Big busing news for Jackson, NJ parents; vote at shul next week in Denver; Yarchei Kallah shiurim videos and photos; school choice in Tennessee; Bnos and Pirchei newsletters; and Agudah is looking to hire an administrative intern in the Yeshiva Services division.

Agudas Yisroel wishes mazel tov to our COO, Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchok Ehrman, on the engagement of their son Shmuel to Chava Leah, daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Simcha Zev Baum of Cleveland, Ohio.

Good Shabbos and ah freilichin Purim katan!

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Agudath Israel's New Jersey Office Welcomes Busing Agreement to Help Jackson Families

Agudath Israel's New Jersey office welcomes the news that the Jackson Township Board of Education has approved a contract with the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA), potentially allowing busing services to be provided for thousands of children during the 2024-2025 school year who have not been receiving busing until now.

The commitment demonstrated by the Board in reaching this agreement underscores a dedication to ensuring the safety of students within the Jackson Township community. Agudath Israel commends the Board's proactive efforts to address the crucial need for reliable transportation solutions, as the township continues to grow.

See below or click here to read more

Attention Colorado: Voting Center Coming to a Shul Near You!

See the flyer for more information or call the Agudah of Colorado office if you have any questions.

Agudah Yarchei Kallah - Recordings Available

The Agudah Yarchei Kallah in Yerushalayim is over, but the shiurim, divrei chizuk, and more are all available for your viewing. Click here!

For a gallery of the Yarchei Kallah photos, including photos of all the Rabbanim and Roshei Yeshiva who joined, click here.

Education Freedom Scholarship Act One Step Closer in Tennessee

Agudath Israel of America applauds Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and Representative William Lamberth (R-44) for sponsoring legislation to expand the current Education Savings Account (ESA) program. ESAs empower parents to make educational decisions that are in the best interest of their child regardless of their family's finances, by providing families with funds that can be spent on on a wide range of educational expenses, including private school tuition. These bills would increase ESA eligibility in 2025 and make ESA eligibility universal by 2026.

As universal school choice is adopted by increasingly more states, Agudath Israel was encouraged to hear Governor Bill Lee announced in his State of the State address that, "2024 is the year to make school choice a reality for every Tennessee family."

Agudath Israel of America urges Tennessee lawmakers to fulfill the governor's vision and allow every student in Tennessee to attend the school that is best for them.

"Allowing parents to choose the school that is best for their child should be a top priority for every state. Agudath Israel is very pleased that the Tennessee Legislature recognizes the importance of granting Tennessee families the ability to direct their children's education," said Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld, associate national director of state relations for Agudah Israel of America. "We look forward to working with the lawmakers over the coming months."

Click here to view this week's Pirchei newsletter

Click here to view this week's Bnos newsletter

Click here to view this week's Bnos quiz

Administrative Intern Position Available in Yeshiva Services Department

Agudath Israel of America's Department of Yeshiva Services is offering a paid administrative internship in our Manhattan office, for several months with the potential to turn into a long-term position, starting immediately. This role focuses on supporting our mission through organizational and administrative tasks, requiring a candidate with strong skills in coordination and project support. The position entails being physically present in the Manhattan office four days a week, with the possibility of remote work or from our Brooklyn and Lakewood satellite offices as needed. Compensation ranges from $20,000 to $60,000 per year, annualized. If you are passionate about helping Klal Yisrael, making a significant impact and possess the necessary administrative capabilities, please send your resume to careers@agudah.org.

Agudath Israel's New Jersey Office Welcomes Busing Agreement to Help Jackson Families, continued:

New Jersey law mandates that school districts provide busing to eligible students within the district. But as communities continue to grow and expand beyond district borders, parents of students who do not meet eligibility criteria are forced to spend hours in the car every day transporting their children to and from school.

The LSTA created efficient bus routes for the over 50,000 schoolchildren in Lakewood Township for its three-year trial period, and the following five years. But more importantly, with the busing no longer managed by the district, children for whom busing was not mandated could now buy into the system and receive busing. In addition, private consortiums do not have the same limits as a government agency in negotiating contracts with bus companies, affording the LSTA more flexibility and favorable contracts.

This agreement is the first under a new law recently signed by Governor Phil Murphy following nearly a decade of advocacy by Agudath Israel of America's New Jersey Office, Lakewood Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein, and others to expand the law and allow similar arrangements statewide.

Agudath Israel looks forward to witnessing the positive impact this transportation agreement will undoubtedly have on the quality of life for many families who will no longer have to spend money and time on their morning and afternoon commutes.

"As envisioned, the busing bill will have far-reaching implications for school children around the state, including in East Brunswick, Linden, Deal, and many other municipalities," said Rabbi Shlomo Schorr, director of legislative affairs for Agudath Israel of America's New Jersey Office. "We look forward to hearing of similar agreements with districts around the state."

"Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-30) has been working tirelessly on this issue for nearly eight years, and we are extremely grateful for his advocacy on this issue, as well as the sponsors of the bill, Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-6), and Senators Vin Gopal (D-11) and Bob Singer (R-30)," Rabbi Schorr added.