News & Information for the Weeks of
July 5th - July 16th, 2021
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka with Representative Ben Baker
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka and Dr. Jerry Hobbs and Phil Christofanelli
Senator Schumer Helps Obtain Visa for 2-Year-Old on Life Support; Uphill Battle for U.K. to Release
Agudath Israel of America applauds the United States grant of an emergency visa to Alta Fixsler, a 2-year-old girl in the U.K. at risk of being removed from life support by the hospital, against the objection of her parents and against the firmly held religious beliefs of her Jewish faith. 

While the visa grant is an important step for little Alta and her family, a U.K. court has placed the decision making for Alta in the hands of the hospital that has been advocating that Alta’s life-sustaining care should be withdrawn. This decision is under appeal. Therefore, unless the U.K. government allows Alta to leave to be cared for in another country, this difficult case remains an uphill battle. 

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer has taken an active role in the case, including intervening to obtain the emergency visa for Alta. 

Leading activistsin the U.S. reached out to the Senator, and have been working alongside an ad hoc coalition of community leaders in the U.K and Israel, including members of Agudath Israel of America and Chayim Aruchim, to pursue every avenue for Alta. 

“The United States government has made a bold statement today. A statement that values life, that rejects discrimination on the basis of disability, a statement that affirms Alta’s rights, and a statement that recognizes a sincerely held religious belief. 

We sincerely hope that the U.K. government will respond in kind,” said Rabbi Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel. 
Agudath Israel of Illinois Holds Legislative BBQs
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, director of government affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois
Representative Denyse Stoneback, Senator Ram Villivalam, and Rabbi Shlomo Soroka
Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz interacting with a member of the community
Agudath Israel of Illinois recently held legislative barbecues in Chicago and Skokie..

On June 29, Yitzi Weiss hosted the event with Senator Ram Villivalam and Representative Denyse Stoneback. The following evening's barbecue, hosted by Adam and Chaili Glickman in Skokie, was attended by Senator Laura Fine and Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.

“These barbecues were a great way for members of the community to interact with their legislators as well as show appreciation for all their accomplishments and hard work they put in this past legislative session,” said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, director of government affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois.
Reaction of Agudath Israel’s New England Office to the Bringing of Hate Crimes Charges Against Boston Stabbing Suspect and to Massachusetts Legislature's Boost in Security Funding 
Boston — Agudath Israel of America’s New England Office applauds Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins for moving forward with hate crime charges and civil rights charges against the suspect in the horrific attack on Rabbi Shlomo Noginski outside of the Shaloh House Jewish day school in Boston last week. As DA Rollins articulated, the suspect’s actions coupled with his background and previous conduct provide a strong indication that this attack was motivated by antisemitism.

In response to the DA’s actions, Mrs. Ariella Hellman, Director of Government Affairs for the Agudath Israel New England Office, issued the following statement:

“This brutal and unprovoked attack on a rabbi outside of a Jewish day school in the light of day must be condemned in the strongest of terms. We are grateful for DA Rollins’ leadership and appreciate that she has separately called out the hate crimes charge. We are also grateful to all the elected officials who have reached out to us and who have stood with our community in this difficult moment.
“These hate-filled attacks emphasize the need to secure Jewish and other communities and we are deeply appreciative that the legislature has increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1.5M this session.

“We look forward to working with state and local officials to continue to combat antisemitism and to ensure that adequate security measures are in place to protect vulnerable communities so that all members of our Commonwealth can feel safe and secure.”
The Boston Mayoral Forum Series: Andrea Campbell Joins the Agudah Voting Project for a Conversation
The Agudah Voting Project and the New England office of Agudath Israel of America were pleased to host a forum with Boston mayoral candidate, City Councilor Andrea Campbell, for the fourth conversation in the Boston Mayoral Candidate Forum Series.

This conversation started off a little bit different than the last three conversations by addressing the brutal and unprovoked stabbing of Rabbi Shlomo Noginski outside of the Shaloh House Jewish day school in Brighton last week. Mrs. Ariella Hellman opened up by thanking Councilor Campbell for her statement following the attack and for her presence at the vigil. Rabbi Dan Rodkin, Executive Director of the Shaloh House Jewish day school asked Councilor Campbell to share her plan for security to ensure that Jewish day schools and shuls are not soft targets. Councilor Campbell spoke out strongly against antisemitism and committed to using all resources at her disposal to protect the Jewish community from further attacks.

Councilor Campbell highlighted mental health issues in the city of Boston as a major concern that must be addressed. She spoke about the need to expand resources and to invest in providers as well as to undertake efforts to reduce any associated stigma. Councilor Campbell also addressed housing affordability, food insecurity, Universal Pre-K, and other issues of importance to the community. She also committed to working with Yachad to ensure fair employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities across the city. Councilor Campbell underscored the need for government officials to understand and learn about the communities they serve, and she expressed interest in continuing to engage with the Orthodox community in Brighton.

The goal of these conversations is for our community to engage with our elected officials, as well as for the elected officials to engage with and to better understand our community,” said Mrs. Ariella Hellman, director of government affairs of Agudath Israel’s New England office. “We are grateful to Councilor Campbell for taking the time to participate in this important conversation with all of us.”
The Boston Mayoral Forum Series: John Barros Joins the Agudah Voting Project for a Conversation 
The Agudah Voting Project and the New England office of Agudath Israel of America were pleased to host a forum with Boston mayoral candidate, Mr. John Barros, for the fifth conversation in the Boston Mayoral Candidate Series.  
 
Mr. Barros opened up the conversation by sharing his strong sense of connection to the Jewish community and reminisced about his visits to Israel as the former Boston chief of economic development. He spoke out strongly against the recent attack at Shaloh House in Brighton and antisemitism more generally. In response to a question about whether he would support additional security measures to protect the Orthodox community from further attacks, he committed to providing funding for security personnel for affected communities if elected. He further emphasized the need for strong leadership at the federal, state and local levels to combat antisemitism.  
 
Mr. Barros spoke extensively on the need to maintain and improve health and safety in all Boston housing developments and pledged his support for the expansion of additional housing plans for low-income and middle-income residents. Mr. Barros also addressed food insecurity including ensuring the availability of Kosher options and Universal Pre-K among other issues of importance to the community.  
 
“These conversations show the high level of commitment that the members of our community have to the future of the city of Boston” said Mrs. Ariella Hellman, director of government affairs of Agudath Israel’s New England office. “We are grateful to Mr. Barros for joining this conversation with our community and look forward to continuing our relationship with him.”  
Agudath Israel Applauds the Senate Homeland Security Committee for Approving the Pray Safe Act
Agudath Israel of America is applauding the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), for approving, earlier today, the bipartisan Pray Safe Act, introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). This act, if it becomes law, will direct federal agencies to collect, and help faith-based organizations and houses of worship to access, information on best practices, federal grants, and training programs to better safeguard and secure their religious facilities.   

“One of the most effective ways of protecting houses of worship and other faith-based institutions is in the gathering of as much information as possible and in learning from the experiences of others,” said Rabbi Abba Cohen, vice president for government affairs and Washington director of Agudath Israel of America.  
“With these valuable tools in hand, religious communities can devise plans and strategies that will best utilize equipment, personnel, procedures, and other mechanisms to better secure our facilities. Agency coordination on the federal level and the creation of an information clearinghouse will go far in achieving this vital lifesaving goal,” he continued.  

“We commend the Senate HSGAC for approving the Pray Safe Act and pledge our support and our commitment to continue working to have this legislation enacted.” 
Agudath Israel of America staff presents at annual Executive Directors Network conference
Agudath Israel of America’s Yeshiva Services division gave a well-received presentation about the various federal stimulus bills that benefit nonpublic school students.

L- R: Rabbi Shai Markowitz, Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Avrohom Weinstock, Rabbi Shragi Greenbaum, Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus, Ami Bazov
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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