News & Information for the Week of
February 7th - February 12th, 2020
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This week, the Orthodox Jewish community lost a powerful voice with the passing of Rabbi Sheftel Neuberger z"l after a lengthy illness. I, like many of my colleagues and previous Agudah leaders, attended Ner Israel Rabbinical College, where Rabbi Neuberger, like his father before him, served as president. Rabbi Neuberger was widely respected in the yeshiva and political worlds for his wisdom, knowledge, and leadership.
Looking back at some of the emails he sent me over the years, they included themes which personified the Neubergers. The need for unity, words of encouragement at times when I needed it most, and political strategies to help the Jewish community and its institutions. In one email, he offered to fly across the country to attend a dinner in my honor. For Agudath Israel of Florida’s 20th anniversary dinner, Rabbi Neuberger was a featured speaker, honoring the work of Ner Israel alumnus Rabbi Moshe Matz. He was proud of the accomplishments of alumni and would regularly attend their family and professional celebrations. He will be missed by all who were privileged to know him and learn from his example. We extend condolences to the entire Neuberger family including Rabbi Boruch Neuberger who serves on our Agudah of Maryland board.
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L- R Rabbi Abba Cohen, Rabbi Sheftel Neuberger, Ambassador Ron Dermer, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Rabbi Ariel Sadwin |
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School Choice Advances Across the Country |
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School choice legislation continues to advance in many states. Click on the video image above to watch my brief summary of Indiana's expansion effort. Meanwhile, my colleague Rabbi Soroka has been galvanizing the community in Missouri to support the state's effort to enact a new ESA program (see below). |
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Take Action: Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program |
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The Missouri Senate will soon vote on legislation that includes education scholarship accounts that will allow parents to control the education funds earmarked for their children. The program will be open to students eligible to attend kindergarten and those attending school in Missouri for the first time, as well as children of active-duty military members and public school students struggling in their current educational setting.
Known as the “Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program,” the legislation provides tax credits for taxpayers who make contributions to educational scholarship organizations. These nonprofit organizations then offer scholarships to students for educational expenses including private school tuition. The total cumulative tax credits available statewide would be $100 million per year for the first year and would make over 15,000 scholarships available when it is fully funded.
Many of us have experienced the benefits of private education, but not every family can afford it. Agudath Israel encourages you to click on the TAKE ACTION link below to contact your state Senator and request that they support the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.
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Permanent Injunction Issued
Agudah received good news from the district court in our case against the arbitrary limitations of gatherings in houses of worship when it enjoyed the 25 and 33 percent limitations imposed by the State of New York (see decision here)
Commented Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel, “We wish we wouldn’t have had to go to court. But we had no choice, as Agudath Israel vigorously opposes any action which jeopardizes individuals’ first amendment rights to freely exercise religion, or which restricts religious practices differently than other activities. Religious freedom is the bedrock and touchstone on which this nation was founded.
“At the same time, we forcefully reiterate our call for ongoing care and prudence – in all activities – in light of COVID-19.”
See Agudah’s collection of guidance documents and health initiatives, issued since early March 2020, here, and most recently, timely guidance for festively, but safely, celebrating Purim, here.
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Agudath Israel of Illinois Partners with Local Government and Community Organizations to Distribute the Covid-19 Vaccine
As is well known by now, the biggest obstacles for widespread COVID-19 vaccination are access and distribution. Agudath Israel of Illinois has been working with their local government in to ensure access to the Covid-19 vaccine is available for the community, and is pleased to report that the Chicago Public Health Department and the Cook County Department of Public Health have committed to providing enough vaccines to inoculate 3,000 people. These vaccines are intended serve private school employees, the elderly, and the most vulnerable members of the community.
In order to distribute the vaccine as efficiently as possible, Agudath Israel has teamed up with Hatzalah Chicago and Refuah 311 to form the Community Vaccine Alliance. The Community Vaccine Alliance has already sent out a survey to all of their schools and community members to determine who is eligible to receive the vaccine.
To watch a brief video update from Rabbi Soroka click here
If you are an eligible member of the community click here to fill out the survey.
For the letter sent to members of the community click here.
If you have any questions please email: vaccines@jewishchicago.info
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Agudah of Illinois Reaches Out to Governor on Redistricting
As the country begins the once-per-decade process of redistricting following this past year’s census, Agudath Israel of Illinois sent a letter to Governor J.B. Pritzker, laying out the concerns of the Jewish community in Illinois.
The letter, signed by many Rabbonim and community leaders, thanks the governor for his devotion to all communities in Illinois, regardless of race, color, or creed.
The Orthodox Jewish community in the greater Chicago area – comprising over 30,000 households – is currently broken up across 3 separate districts. The letter expresses hope that their community will be consolidated into one district and thereby be better represented. They also ask the governor to ensure that the community is not further broken up – something that appears to be a real possibility.
“Our concern is not about our elected officials being Orthodox Jewish, but that we have a voice as a ‘community of interest’. We could become politically irrelevant under an unfair redistricting process,” said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois.
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Register: Virtual Conference: Halachic & Ethical Issues Facing Attorneys
Monday, February 15th
The Commission on Torah Projects is delighted to present a special halachah conference series for attorneys and law students. The first virtual conference will be held on Monday, February 15th, Presidents Day, 10:30 AM EST, – 1:00 PM EST, and will cover halachic and ethical issues facing attorneys. Click on the image to the left to register.
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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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