December 24, 2024 - 23 Kislev, 5785 | | | In a significant move to bolster safety, New York City has announced an expansion of its Security Guard Reimbursement Program for Yeshivas, ensuring that educational institutions can provide a secure environment for students and staff alike. Meanwhile, Agudah Ohio successfully hosted a transformative Frum Finance Event and Financial Services Expo, catering to the unique needs of the community. For those who missed it, a replay of the National Daf Yomi Siyum on Maseches Bava Basra is now available, showcasing the dedication to Torah learning. As we approcah Chanukah we are pleased to share a a free download of The Halachos of Chanukah and Asara B'Teves. Don't forget to check out the Zahav Document Organizer, an innovative tool designed to help you keep your important documents in order. Be sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah and catch the replay of the Agudah Convention, and check out all the updates and upcoming events from Bnos and Pirchei.
Did you get this email as a forward? You can subscribe to the Agudah's updates by clicking here. | | | | | Agudas Yisroel wishes Mazel Tov to our COO, Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchok Ehrman, on the enagment of their daughter Sara to Yitzchak Zev, son of Rabbi and Mrs. Aaron Taplin. | | | | More Security for More Yeshivas: New York City Expands Security Guard Reimbursement Program | | Over 15 thousand additional Yeshiva students in New York City will now be eligible for city funded security guards at their schools following a new bill passed by the New York City Council today. The bill, Intro 532, expands upon a 2016 law that reimbursed nonpublic schools for the cost of security guards, recognizing that all students deserve a safe school environment, whether they attend public or nonpublic school.
However, with rising antisemitism the law needed critical updates. The current law was limited to schools with at least 300 students, leaving smaller schools vulnerable. Today's legislation, long championed by the Agudah and other nonpublic school advocates, reduces that threshold to 150 students, enabling many more schools to seek reimbursement.
The bill, sponsored by Councilman Justin Brannan and co-sponsored by Councilman Kalman Yeger, garnered support from over half of the Council as co-sponsors. Many of those signing onto the bill did so as a direct result of Agudath Israel's advocacy efforts and the parents who reached out to their elected officials.
"Today's legislation goes a long way in enabling more schools to provide adequate security for their students," said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudath Israel's Director of New York Government Relations. "We thank Councilmembers Brannan and Yeger for leading the efforts on this bill, as well as the more than 25 members who initially signed onto the bill as co-sponsors. We now call on Mayor Adams to sign it into law immediately."
"For years we have heard from schools that did not meet the threshold and were struggling to provide proper security services. Today's legislation will significantly ease the burden on these schools, ensuring a safer environment for all students," added Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus, Agudath Israel's Director of Yeshiva Services. | | | | | Agudah Ohio Hosts Impactful Frum Finance Event and Financial Services Expo | | | | On December 9th, the ballroom and lobby of Green Road Synagogue buzzed with energy as over 300 community members gathered for the Frum Finance Event and Financial Services Expo, organized by Agudah Ohio. This event was part of the AKA series, which stands for Awareness, Knowledge, Action — creating awareness, providing knowledge, and offering the opportunity to take action. Attendees received valuable financial insights through expert presentations and had the chance to network with industry professionals. The event also highlighted the Community Achrayus Project, a campaign led by Agudah Ohio to encourage families to obtain financial protection in case of tragedy through life insurance and Areivim membership.
Attendees heard financial guidance from notable speakers, including Mr. Jay M. Frank of Wealthspire Advisors, Mr. Jack (Yank) Gecovich and Mr. Dennis Schwartz of The Wealthcare Group of Raymond James, a presentation on credit from Mr. Dan Eleff, CEO of DansDeals.com and a special session titled Financial Strategies for Klei Kodesh, presented by Rabbi Mordechai Zimberg, CPA, which was tailored to the unique needs of this population.
Mrs. Chana Barrett, Director of the Gesher division of Agudah Ohio emphasized the motivation behind the event: "Our goal was to increase access to financial knowledge for middle-income families, eliminating financial and informational barriers with essential tools to plan for current and future expenses, such as simchos, tuition, and other significant life events."
The Financial Services Expo featured numerous financial service providers, offering personalized consultations on topics ranging from life insurance, available camp grants, estate planning, and mortgage and refinancing options. Attendees also had the opportunity to complete Halachic Medical Directives and other important documents with on-site notarization. Dozens of documents were completed and notarized.
Rabbi Yaakov Berger, Associate Director of Agudah Ohio highlighted the organization's dedication to community support: "Agudah Ohio is committed to serving as a resource for our community, assisting, guiding, and stepping up to fill communal needs. The invaluable information gained by the attendees will help them both in the present and for decades to come."
Rabbi Nissim Abrin, Rav, Bais Avraham, and event chairman passionately underscored the broader significance of such gatherings: "This type of event should be replicated in every frum community. It provided critical financial guidance that middle-class families, often burdened by mounting financial pressures, desperately need. Expanding access to such resources can empower families to navigate financial challenges with greater confidence and stability."
| | | | | WATCH: Replay of Agudath Israel of America's National Daf Yomi Siyum on Maseches Bava Basra | | Wednesday night, Agudath Israel of America held its National Daf Yomi Siyum on Maseches Bava Basra, broadcast live from The Chicago Center in Chicago, Illinois, celebrating the rare occasion of completing Bava Basra in both the Daf Yomi cycle and the Mishnah Yomi cycle on the same day.
Many maggidei shiur, men, and boys gathered at The Chicago Center to hear divrei brocha from the Zidichover Rebbe, Rav Zalmen Leib Eichenstein, as well as siyumim from Rabbi Yossi Ehrman, Daf Yomi maggid shiur at The Center, and Yitzchok Neuberger, a 7th grader at YTT, who represented the chaburah of boys learning Mishnah Yomi under the guidance of Rabbi Moshe Ullman.
As a special treat, the attendees heard divrei chizuk v'hisorerus from Rav Nochum Binder, rov of Khal Hampshire Heights in Lakewood, who stayed in Chicago for the siyum after speaking at the closing luncheon of the H3 National Business Halacha Summit earlier in the day.
Rav Binder shared warm recollections of the Zidichover Rebbe zt"l and delivered inspiring words of chizuk from the Telshe rosh yeshiva, Rav Avrohom Chaim Levin zt"l.
Rabbi Avrohom Shimon Moller, who also delivers a shiur in Daf Yomi at The Center, gave a short introduction to Maseches Sanhedrin along with a haschalah on the first Mishnah.
Spirited dancing was accompanied by a hot buffet that was enjoyed by all. The event was chaired by Rabbi Yitzchok Bider, executive director of Agudath Israel of Illinois, and was broadcast live by the Agudah to cities nationwide.
If you missed the siyum, you can watch or listen to it HERE or at TorahAnytime.com/agudahtorah | | | | The Zahav Document Organizer is designed to help with estate planning, financial planning, and medical information management. It not only provides a secure place to store important documents but also includes a checklist of essential items and a list of recommended professionals to assist with planning.
Pick up locations:
Lakewood: Agudath Israel of America 1999 Cedarbridge Avenue, Suite 3A, Lakewood, NJ 08701 | 732.540.1898
Brooklyn: Southern Brooklyn Community Organization 4006 18th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218 | 718.435.1300
For more information 732.540.1898 | zahav@agudah.org | agudah.org/zahav
| |  | Free Download: The Halachos of Chanukah and Asara B'Teves | | The Midwest Agudas Yisroel Council of Synagogue Rabbonim is pleased to present a sefer that discusses the halachos of Chanukah and Asara B'Teves.
The sefer, Safah Berurah: The Halachos of of Chanukah and Asara B'Teves. was compiled and written by Rabbi Yaakov Robinson, executive director of the Midwest Agudas Yisroel Council of Synagogue Rabbanim, and reviewed by Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan, Agudas Yisroel of Illinois.
Click here to download. | | | Save the Date Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah | With great excitement, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming Agudas Yisroel of America Annual Yarchei Kallah, set to take place in Yerushalayim, with the bais medrash opening on Sunday, 27 Shevat/February 16, 2025, and the shiurim beginning the next morning, continuing through Thursday, 1 Adar/February 20, 2025. | | | Replay the Agudah Convention | | Kids in Pain: Why do they struggle and how do we respond.
Click here to watch or call 718-298-2077 press 9, class ID 336231# | | | | Bnos Agudas Yisroel Presents: Finding the Light During These Trying Times | | Hear words of chizuk and encouragement from Mrs. Aviva Feiner Thursday, December 26 at 8:30 PM EST Call in 641.715.3800 937120# prompt 2 | | | Pirchei Agudas Yisroel Update | | Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of America is thrilled to announce the winners of our Pirchei Hasmadah Challenge Grand Raffle which was announced on Motzei Shabbos, Parshas Vayetzei during a special Pirchei Live! program hosted at The Agudah Convention. More than 4,900 boys from over 60 cities across the United States, Canada, and even some countries abroad, participated in this incredible initiative. An impressive 31,000+ hours were learned over Sukkos vacation!
Congratulations to all the winners and yasher koach to all the boys for their learning over Sukkos! Thank you to the 145 schools for participating in this years program.
To watch the full Pirchei Live! program, please click here. | | | May Hashem heed our tefillos- and may we sharebesuros tovos. | | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment