Fwd: Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky on Erev Pesach on Shabbos and Updates from D.C and Around the Country

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: The Agudah <news@agudah.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 10, 2025, 7:13 PM
Subject: Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky on Erev Pesach on Shabbos and Updates from D.C and Around the Country
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

Have a Chag Kasher V'Sameach 5785

April 10, 2025 - 12 Nisan, 5785 Dear friends and supporters of Agudas Yisroel: The very first se'if in Hilchos Pesach, שלחן ערוך אורח חיים סימן תכט סעיף א, teaches that one should start learning the laws of Pesach 30 days in advance of the Yom Tov. Do the math, and you'll discover that 30 days before Pesach is . . . Purim! So it should be perfectly natural for a Yid to be sitting at his Purim seuda, drinking four cups of wine to reach the madreiga of ad d'lo yada, while at the very same time learning the laws pertaining to the four cups of wine that will carry him through next month's Pesach Seder. Perhaps that Yid might contemplate a yet more fundamental way in which Pesach and Purim intersect. The Ramban, near the end of Parshas Bo, wonders why there are so many mitzvos that we are commanded to perform zeicher lytzias Mitzrayim. True, our liberation from the enslavement of Mitzrayim was a foundational moment in the history of the Jewish People, but why do we need to constantly remind ourselves of it? Because, says the Ramban, when we contemplate all the incredible miracles Hashem performed in freeing our ancestors from Mitzrayim, we realize that Hashem is the master of the entire universe, that He controls everything, that what we might tend to think of as teva, nature, is in fact a miracle. The miracles of Pesach were performed on a grand public stage, seen by the entire world. The Yad Hashem, Hashem's direct involvement in yetzias Mitzrayim, was an undeniable reality. The miracles of Purim, in contrast, were of a different type. The name of Hashem appears nowhere in the Megilah. The events recorded in the Megilah might appear to be a series of coincidences that transpired with no Grand Conductor directing the action. In fact, though, Purim was no less of a miracle – no less a manifestation of Hashem's ongoing direct control over everything -- than the miracles of Pesach. And, as per the insight of the Ramban, we come to this realization precisely through contemplation of the "nisim gedolim hamefursamim," the great public miracles of the type we experienced when Hashem took our ancestors out of Mitzrayim. The times we live in today are more like the days of Purim than the days of Pesach. We don't often, if ever at all, see open miracles in our personal or communal lives. We tend to see current events through the lens of teva rather than as manifestations of Hashem's miraculous ongoing master plan for Klal Yisroel. The focus of this past year's Agudah convention was emunah, how we can strengthen our belief in Hashem. With Pesach now upon us, our chance is here. The time has come to teach our children – and remind ourselves – that all is in the Hands of Hashem, just as it was when He liberated us from Mitzrayim for all the world to see, and just as it has always been and will always be even when His guiding Hand may be hidden from plain view. Best wishes to all for a Chag Kasheir V'sameiach! Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel Did you get this email as a forward? You can subscribe to the Agudah's updates by clicking here. This year Erev Pesach falls out on Shabbos. Click here to download the Halachos of Erev Pesach on Shabbos, compiled and written by Rabbi Yaakov Robinson, executive director of the Midwest Agudas Yisroel. Shailos Uteshuvos with Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky on Hilchos Pesach and Erev Pesach Shechal B'Shabbos Moderated by Rabii Doniel Osher Kleinman Agudath Israel of America presents a special Shailos Uteshuvos session on Hilchos Pesach and Erev Pesach Shechal B'Shabbos with Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia Yeshivah. The discussion, originally conducted four years ago, is moderated by Rav Doniel Osher Kleinman, noted rov and author of Kovetz Halachos containing Rav Kamenetsky's p'sakim. With clarity, Rav Kamenetsky addresses a range of practical halachic questions. Click here to watch. Agudath Israel of America Leads School Choice Mission to Washington D.C. "I'll be happy to co-sponsor the ECCA bill. Thank you for bringing it to my attention." "You guys were fantastic." "Your coalition is doing a great job!" "Members were moved by your visits." These quotes are just some examples of the amazing feedback Agudath Israel has received from the Hill and from our allies in the school choice community following Agudath Israel's mission to D.C that brought 250 Orthodox Jewish business leaders, community leaders, school leaders, parents, and other advocates representing 45 states to the Hill to advocate for the Education Choice for Children Act (ECCA).  ECCA is a federal proposal to provide $10 billion annually in scholarships to students. It is an important step in the effort to bring universal school choice to every state. Agudah is a key part of the coalition that has been working for several years with leaders in Congress to enact this legislation, and we are hopeful that it will be passed into law in the months ahead. Agudath Israel's mission last week made a difference! Ten (!) additional members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors of the Educational Choice for Children Act just since last week, making the running total 106 co-sponsors with more on the way. In one meeting after another, we were told that ECCA is being discussed at the highest levels of Congress and that there is significant support for including it in the reconciliation package. If school choice is going to become a reality in all 50 states, the time is now! Earlier today, the House voted 216 - 214 to pass a budget resolution. What does that mean and how does it affect the ECCA legislation? As much as the Agudah would love for school choice and ECCA to be supported by all 535 members of Congress, unfortunately, that it isn't possible. The only way this bill will pass is if it's included in the "one big beautiful bill" that the President keeps talking about – the budget reconciliation bill. That unique and rarely used procedure avoids the need to receive 60 votes in the Senate and allows the party in control of Congress to pass measures with a simple majority. The reconciliation bill will then be used as a vehicle to include many priorities of the Trump administration and the Republicans in Congress such as extending the 2017 tax cuts and hopefully school choice! In order to move forward on a reconciliation bill, the House and Senate have to pass the same bill and the first step in that process is a budget resolution. The resolution does not have many details and it does not change laws. It's essentially a blueprint to guide Congressional action by setting overall spending and revenue targets. The House and Senate originally each passed their own version of a resolution, but the bill couldn't move forward until they agreed on the same blueprint. Now that the House adopted the Senate resolution (with a commitment to include the spending cuts called for by the House) committees in both chambers can begin working on the details of the bill. Why does it matter which version is advancing? The Senate took the position that making the 2017 tax cuts permanent does not need to be factored into the cost of the bill. This reduces the cost of the package by roughly $4 trillion (even in Washington, that's a lot of money!). This also allows more room for additional priorities like ECCA to be included. On the other hand, the House insisted on including at least $1.5 trillion in cuts to federal spending, which have yet to be identified. While we are still weeks and possibly months away from a final bill, now is the time to continue to press Congress to include ECCA in their deliberations. Click here to join Agudath Israel on Thursday, May 1st for a nationwide webinar where we will explain ECCA and update everyone on the bill's status and next steps. To learn more about ECCA visit Agudah.org/SchoolChoice. Click here to take action by asking your members of congress to support ECCA. Click here to read an article about the Agudah's mission by Menachem Wecker in JNS. Have more questions about ECCA, click here to download an FAQ. Click here to watch the mission highlights. Click here to read more about ECCA from the an article written by Yosef Hertz in Mishapacha Magazine. On Tuesday, the Religious Workforce Protection Act was reintroduced in the Senate, David Grunblatt, chair of the Immigration Committee of Agudath Israel of America, was quoted in a press release by the bill sponsors saying, "Passage of the Religious Workforce Protection Act would be a game changer and a salvation to religious communities across the spectrum from Alabama to Wyoming. It will allow ministers, priests and rabbis who have already been approved for classification as religious workers by USCIS and U.S. embassies and consulates at least two times to extend their stays in the United States. This, so that they can continue to pursue applications for permanent residence based upon already filed immigrant visa petitions carefully vetted by USCIS. It will allow religious denominations to maintain their communities without interruption of their service and support. It does not increase the number of individuals coming into the United States or provide any additional classifications for foreign nationals to take advantage of. It only facilitates applications already in process and avoids disruption of religious communities. We enthusiastically support this bill." Agudath Israel of America commends the Missouri House of Representatives for voting 95-48 for a budget that retains the $50 million allocated for K-12 scholarships by Governor Kehoe. Agudath Israel of Missouri is one of six state-approved scholarship organizations known as Educational Assistance Organizations. Donors to an EAO may take a dollar for dollar tax credit and the EAO then provides K-12 scholarships to eligible students.  If you are a Missouri taxpayer please contact us to find out how you can help students attend a Jewish day school at no cost to you. Agudath Israel of America Applauds Texas House Committee on Public Education for Passing Universal School Choice Bill  Agudath Israel of America applauds the Texas House Committee on public education for passing a Universal school choice bill. On Tuesday, March 11, Agudath Israel of America led a group of parents, school leaders, and community leaders to Austin in support of House Bill 3 (HB3), which was being considered by the Education Committee. HB3 was later replaced with the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2 (CSSB2).  CSSB2 is a proposed Education Savings Account (ESA) program that would provide parents with approximately $10,000 per student to spend on a wide range of educational expenses, including private school tuition. Students with special needs could receive up to $30,000 per year. The bill allocates one billion dollars to the program. If the number of applicants exceeds available funds, low-income and special education students will be prioritized.  The delegation began the day with an event headlined by Governor Greg Abbott at the headquarters of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Governor Abbott addressed hundreds of parents, students, and advocates, delivering a fiery speech in support of school choice. He also thanked House Speaker Dustin Burrows and nearly a dozen other lawmakers who joined him on stage in support of the initiative.  The highlight of the day was meeting with Governor Abbott to thank him for his leadership on school choice and his support of the Jewish community. The group then proceeded to the Capitol, where they spent several hours meeting with lawmakers to express their support for the bill.  Mr. Abe Polatsek represented the sentiments of the group when he delivered a brief but compelling testimony in support of HB3. Mr. Polatsek left Houston at 3:30 AM to be among the first to sign up to testify. However, he was not called to the witness panel until 8:00 PM.  "Agudath Israel has long been fighting for school choice in Texas," said Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld, Agudath Israel's director of State Relations. "We are hopeful that this will be the year Texas gives parents the freedom to make educational choices that are best for their children."  Agudath Israel urges the full House to pass the bill. Historic Community Turnout in the Skokie Municipal Election Last week's municipal election marked a significant milestone for the Orthodox Jewish community in Skokie. On Tuesday, April 1, the Orthodox Jewish community in Skokie participated in record numbers. Agudath Israel of Illinois' (AIOI) effort to get out the vote was a collaborative one, with dozens of community members volunteering in various capacities to ensure that every eligible voter understood the election's importance and was encouraged to participate. Although election results are not yet certified and final numbers are unavailable, it appears this was the highest Orthodox Jewish turnout in recent times. Once the information becomes available, precise turnout data will be shared. AIOI extends heartfelt thanks to the dozens of dedicated volunteers who contributed countless hours to this effort. AIOI also expresses gratitude to Ms. Zahava Weldler, AIOI's Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) Coordinator for this campaign, for her tireless work in organizing and mobilizing the community throughout this process. This election was a pivotal moment, and the results reflect the tremendous efforts made by so many in our community. AIOI congratulates Mayor-elect Ann Tennes, Village Clerk Minal Desai, and all the candidates who prevailed in their respective campaigns for Village Trustee, School Board, and Library Board. AIOI looks forward to working with the new mayor, village trustees, and other Skokie elected officials, and will continue to advocate for the community's needs. "The historic community turnout demonstrates the power of collective action. Our community's participation in this election not only highlights our civic engagement but also showcases the strength of our unity," said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, AIOI's Director of Government Affairs. "We will continue to build on this as we work with elected leaders at every level of government, representing community priorities and interests, as well as the needs of individual constituents."