vital information: Fwd: What's New This Week

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Agudah <info@agudahil.org>
Date: Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 5:00 PM
Subject: What's New This Week
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

THURS, DEC 19, 2024 | 18 KISLEV 5785

This newsletter contains flyers and information about the following topics:

Government and Legal

This past Monday night, in a meeting facilitated by Agudath Israel of Illinois, Alderman Samantha Nugent, her Chief of Staff Adam Roberts, and key community leaders convened at Bais Yaakov High School of Chicago for a productive and wide-ranging discussion.

Halacha and Torah

Read about the annual H3 National Business Halacha Summit in Chicago, which took place this week.

Read about the Community Siyum Daf Yomi and Mishna Yomi

Mishnas Shabbos hosted it's third annual Oneg Shabbos.

Family and Children

Sponsorship opportunity available

Flash poll

Chanukah is coming up! Share your favorite place to get donuts!

All entries will be entered into a raffle to win a free dozen donuts!

Tell us here

H3 National Business Halacha Summit 2024

This week marked the annual H3 National Business Halacha Summit in Chicago, which many are calling the best summit yet. With a record attendance of over 800, this year's summit left an impression that will likely stay with the attendees for years to come. Every room in the Westin Lombard was booked and the dining room filled to capacity as everyone was treated to the high caliber of halacha and hashkafa content along with the quality networking they've come to expect from H3. Keynote speakers included Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen, Rabbi Zev Cohen, Rabbi Uri Deutsch and Rabbi Nochum Binder. Other prominent speakers and presenters were Rabbi Zev Smith, R' Menashe Frankel and R' Mordy Herzog, as well as many Poskim, dayanim and well-known Baale Batim. The highly successful event drew many participants from across the country, with over one-third of the attendees coming for the first time. A large number of corporate sponsors took advantage of the opportunity to market their companies through support of the event and specialized dedications, including one anonymous donor who paid for the zechus to cover the cost of the removal and replacement of all the holiday decorations throughout the hotel. All the logistics were managed professionally and expertly by the dedicated H3 leadership team and the Agudah Illinois staff. A full treatment of the Summit will iy"h be featured in the coming weeks.

Community Siyum Daf Yomi and Mishna Yomi

This past Wednesday evening the Agudah hosted a siyum for the daily lomdim of our community, celebrating the rare occasion of completing Bava Basra in both the Daf Yomi cycle and the Mishna Yomi cycle on the same day. Many magidei shiur, men and boys gathered at The Chicago Center to hear divrei Brocha from the Zidichover Rebbe, Rav Zalmen Leib Eichenstein shlit"a as well as siyumim from Rabbi Yossi Ehrman, Magid Shiur Daf Yomi at The Center and Yitzchok Neuberger, 7th grader at YTT and representing the chabura of boys learning Mishna Yomi under the guidance of Rabbi Moshe Ullman. As a special treat, the attendees heard divrei chizuk v'hisorrerus from Harav Nochum Binder shlit"a, Rav, 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. Rabbi Binder shared warm recollections of the Zidichover Rebbe zt'l and gave inspiring words of chizuk from the Rosh Yeshiva Harav Avrohom Chaim Levin zt"l. Rabbi Avrohom Shimon Moller, who also gives a shiur in Daf Yomi at The Center, gave a short introduction to Maseches Sanhedrin along with a haschala on the first Mishna. The spirited dancing, accompanied by a hot buffet, was enjoyed by all. The event was chaired by Rabbi Yitzchok Bider, Executive Director of Agudath Israel of Illinois, and broadcast live by Agudath Israel of America through Torah Anytime, under the direction of Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, Director of Torah Initiatives at AIA.

Community Leaders Engage in Meaningful Dialogue with Alderman Samantha Nugent

Seated clockwise L-R: Rabbi Tzvi Schnell, Rabbi Yitzy Levin, Rabbi Yosef Sandweiss, Eli Davis, Adam Roberts, Alderman Samantha Nugent, Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Michie Nudell, Rabbi Dovid Schnell

This past Monday night, in a meeting facilitated by Agudath Israel of Illinois, Alderman Samantha Nugent, her Chief of Staff Adam Roberts, and key community leaders convened at Bais Yaakov High School of Chicago for a productive and wide-ranging discussion. Attending on behalf of the Jewish community were representatives from Bais Yaakov High School of Chicago, Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, and Telshe Yeshiva Chicago.

Prior to the meeting, Rabbi Berish Cardash provided Alderman Nugent with a tour of Bais Yaakov High School, offering a firsthand look at the school's programs and facilities. The Alder was very impressed with the school's environment and the dedication to education that she observed.

The discussion that followed centered on critical issues affecting Jewish education, safety and security, the rise in anti-Semitism, and broader citywide developments such as the budget, political climate, and other matters before the Chicago City Council. Community leaders also conveyed to the Alderman the vital importance of Jewish education for the continuity and growth of the Orthodox Jewish community, emphasizing that it is existential to our identity and future.

Reflecting on the meeting, Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of Illinois, shared, "This was an important and productive opportunity for our community leaders to engage with Alderman Nugent and discuss both challenges and opportunities facing our schools and families. Open dialogue is essential to ensure our concerns are understood and addressed."

Alderman Samantha Nugent expressed her gratitude for the ongoing collaboration with the community, saying, "I deeply value my relationship with Agudah and the Orthodox Jewish community, and appreciate their commitment to education, safety, and civic engagement. It is through these conversations that we can better understand needs and work together for meaningful solutions."

Rabbi Dovid Schnell added, "Our community and the Agudah have long enjoyed a warm, close, and productive relationship with Alderman Nugent, and we have always valued the partnership. It was heartening to see that relationship continue to develop as we discussed issues that are vital to our families and institutions. Open conversations like these reaffirm the trust and mutual respect we've built over the years."

The meeting underscored the importance of strong communication and collaboration between the Jewish community and public officials to build a safer, more supportive environment for all.

Sponsorship Opportunity Available!

Mishnas Shabbos Annual Oneg Shabbos

Mishnas Shabbos Peterson Park hosted its 3rd annual winter Oneg Shabbos, attended by boys from grades 4-7 and featuring guest speaker Rabbi Nosson Raiz. Thank you to Rabbi Shmuel Zimmerman and Khal Or Yissochor Chodorov-Zidichov for hosting us once again!