News & Information for the Weeks of
January 3rd - January 15th, 2020
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"The U.S. Capitol is more than a majestic building. It is the true house of the people and the home of democracy. It is the hope of the nation. You feel it when entering it doors and walking its halls. Today, it was a place of shameful violence and tyranny. Stop or we are lost."
These were the poignant words shared by my colleague Rabbi Abba Cohen, a few hours after the horrific attack on the US Capitol last week. As the country prepares to inaugurate a new president we pray for a peaceful transition and that the Almighty in Whose hand the hearts of all earthly leaders reside, guide President-elect Biden to succeed in carrying out his awesome responsibilities in a manner that will bring great blessing to the Jewish people, to America, and to all of humankind.
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Over the last two weeks, Rabbi Cohen was appointed to a faith-based security advisory committee, celebrated key gains in the COVID relief package (see below for webinar links and an important update from the US Department of Education), spoke out against the attempt to ban schechita in Europe, and celebrated the passage of a bill to raise the profile of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.
- We are excited to add Mrs. Ariella Hellman to our team as director of government affairs for our New England Office. We are also looking to hire a full time director for our New England office. Please send me resumes and suggestions.
- Our New York virtual townhall series and voter registration efforts are continuing unabated under the leadership of Rabbi Yeruchim Silber.
- Our Illinois office welcomed the first new Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives in almost four decades.
- Agudah staff across the country continue to work with state and local officials to ensure that nonpublic school teachers are given equal access to COVID-19 vaccinations as their public school counterparts.
See below for more details and links.
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Key Gains for Orthodox Jewish Community in
COVID Relief Package, Webinar with Senator Schumer
Over the many months that Congress deliberated over another massive coronavirus bill, several key provisions of enormous importance to the Orthodox Jewish community—individuals, shuls, schools and charitable institutions - were under consideration. Throughout, Agudath Israel of America worked tirelessly and successfully with Capitol Hill leadership to help achieve these vital goals. Especially critical was the unwavering support of Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY).
To continue reading the full press release click here
Please join Agudath Israel for a virtual briefing with Senator Charles E. Schumer on the recently passed coronavirus stimulus package, and how it will help New York State, including the resources that are available to nonprofits, schools and synagogues. Senator Schumer championed, and Agudah worked hard on, many of the issues so vital to our community.
The briefing is scheduled for:
Monday, January 18th, 2021 at 4:00 PM
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US Department of Education Releases FAQ for COVID Relief Funds for Nonpublic Schools
Unlike the first CARES Act, the more recent COVID relief bill passed by Congress included a dedicated $2.75 billion for nonpublic schools. Agudath Israel of America's Washington office, together with its state network and other nonpublic school allies, has worked to ensure that the funds can go to their intended recipients as efficiently and expediently as possible. To that end, Agudah staff have participated in conversations with the US Department of Education, governors, and education leaders across the country. Governors only have until February 8th to apply for these funds.
The U.S. Department of Education has released Frequently Asked Questions - Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program. The Department also published an EANS Sample Application Template that states may consider using in the development of their State application. All of these documents can be found on a dedicated webpage of the US Department of Education. Agudah staff hosted a preliminary webinar (see link below) and will continue to share information with our schools as details become available.
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Confronting Growing Challenges to Religious Freedom
“It starts with shechita (ritual slaughter), continues with mila (ritual circumcision), and then they start to close down Orthodox Jewish schools,” so asserted Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt in addressing a meeting of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Council of Torah Sages), senior rabbinic governing board of Agudath Israel of America.
Rabbi Goldschmidt was appealing to the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah for their, and Agudath Israel’s, assistance in galvanizing support to fend off growing challenges to Jewish religious life in Europe. As current President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Rabbi Goldschmidt has been extremely active on all matters pertaining to the rights and well-being of the 1.5 million Jews - 90% of whom affiliate with Orthodoxy - living on the European continent.
To continue reading click here
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Rabbi Abba Cohen appointed to DHS advisory council
For almost two decades, Rabbi Cohen and Agudath Israel have been heavily involved in liaising with government agencies, and assisting local communities, in assessing and addressing dangers facing Jewish individuals and institutions.
To read the full press release click here.
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Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr addressing Agudath Israel's 2019 Mission to Washington, DC |
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Agudath Israel of America Hires Mrs. Ariella Hellman to Serve as the Director of Government Affairs of its New England Office
Agudath Israel of America is proud to announce the hiring of Mrs. Ariella Hellman to serve as the director of government affairs of its New England Office. “Mrs. Hellman is highly respected by government officials and by our partners in the nonpublic school community,” said Rabbi Zalman Leff, chairman of the board of Agudah’s New England office. “With her combination of policy expertise and a passion for helping those in need, Mrs. Hellman is uniquely qualified to represent the Orthodox day schools and other institutions in Massachusetts.”
In her previous role as the director of the Day School Initiative at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) of Greater Boston, Mrs. Hellman helped secure more than $1.6 million in 2019-2020 for Boston-area Jewish day schools. Working with other nonpublic school advocates, Mrs. Hellman enabled private schools in Massachusetts to access security funding, school health grants, and special education services. Mrs. Hellman holds a juris doctor from the Fordham University School of Law.
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NY Virtual Townhall Series
As the New York State 2021 legislative session gets underway, Agudath Israel was proud to host a special webinar with Assemblymembers Daniel Rosenthal and Simcha Eichenstein to preview the upcoming session. Hosted by Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudah's Director of NY Government Relations and board member and noted activist Chaskel Bennett, the Assemblymen covered a wide range of topics including the state budget situations, status of allocations to yeshivas and other nonpublic schools, and continued operation of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Assemblyman Eichenstein quoted the legendary Agudah leader Rabbi Moshe Sherer z”l who was fond of saying, “We do not ask for special treatment, but we will fight for equitable treatment.
The Agudah Voting Project has been conducting a series of virtual town hall meetings with candidates for NYC mayor and other offices. (Due to term limits, most of NYC government will turn over in 2021). This week's guest was former sanitation commissioner Kathryn Garcia who shared her vision of how she would lead the city recovering from COVID-19 and it's economic fallout. To be notified of upcoming town hall meetings email ysilber@agudah.org
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Agudath Israel of Illinois Congratulates Speaker Emanual "Chris" Welch
Agudath Israel of Illinois wishes to congratulate State Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch on his historic election as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. Speaker Welch has demonstrated strong leadership skills during his tenure as an elected official. The support he received from such a diverse group of lawmakers is a testament to the relationships he has cultivated over that time period.
Agudath Israel of Illinois also extends its heartfelt gratitude to outgoing Speaker Michael J. Madigan for his service and friendship over the decades.
We look forward to working with Speaker Welch on issues of importance to Illinois’ Orthodox Jewish community.
It is our fervent hope and prayer that G-d grant Speaker Welch the vision, wisdom, and strength to lead our state with clear eyes, an understanding heart and steady hand.
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On Wednesday, January 18th at 1:00 pm EST, the Agudah, in conjunction with Cross River Bank will be hosting a webinar on the PPP Application Process. The webinar will cover what to expect during this next round of PPP, who is eligible for the PPP loan, how to prepare for the PPP application process, and what the steps of the process are.
To register for the webinar, click here
To watch our previous webinars see below
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Click on the images above to watch the COVID relief webinar videos and PowerPoint slides |
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Agudath Israel of America's division of government affairs is engaged in advocacy and legislative outreach activities on the local, state, and federal levels. In so doing, Agudath Israel seeks to protect the rights and advance the interests of observant Jews and their growing network of educational and religious institutions; and to offer a uniquely Orthodox Jewish perspective on contemporary issues of public concern.
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