News & Information for the Weeks of
August 16th- August 27th, 2021
Stronger because of you
IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Agudath Israel Mourns the U.S. Servicemen and Other Innocents Killed in Kabul

  • Fifth Suspect in Murder of Denver Yeshiva student arrested

  • A federal judge dismissed an employee’s lawsuit against a Catholic high school for not renewing her contract. This ruling upholds the "ministerial exception."

  • Agudath Israel congratulates Governor Kathy Hochul upon her taking office as the governor of New York.

  • The Agudah's New England office is pleased to report on the successes it has had over the past eight months since Mrs. Ariella Hellman became director of government affairs.

  • Agudath Israel’s New Jersey Office applauds Jackson Township for contracting with Lakewood vendors, enabling children to receive vital services.

  • The most significant source of state funding for New Jersey’s nonpublic schools just got its first per-pupil increase in five years! 

  • The Arizona state treasurer has given a 90 day ultimatum to Unilever in response to Ben & Jerry's boycott of Israel.

  • Agudath Israel commends Lithuania for halting plans for a conference center on Vilna Jewish Cemetery.

  • VIDEO: How to avoid the 5 most costly mistakes on Employee Retention Tax Credit.

With the Yomim Tovim coming up we usually receive many calls from college students who are worried about getting penalized for missing class and assignments due to the Jewish holidays. Rabbi Yeruchim Silber shared this helpful guide for New York residents. To read it click here:
Agudath Israel Mourns the U.S. Servicemen and Other Innocents Killed in Kabul
Agudath Israel of America joins the rest of the nation in mourning the U.S. servicemen and other innocents killed in today’s ruthless and contemptible suicide bombings in Kabul. 
 
Our soldiers died in service to our country and its values — shielding civilians and assisting them to safety, even at the risk of their own lives. They were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice , as they fulfilled their duty to “protect and defend.”
 
Innocent men, women and children were murdered while trying to flee a repressive regime that will not hesitate to brutally attack, murder and pillage, especially those who have supported and assisted the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.
 
We pray for a speedy and smooth recovery to the injured. And we pray for calm and peace in Afghanistan, and for safety to those who remain there and to those who wish to leave.
Fifth Suspect in Murder of Denver Yeshiva Student Arrested
Agudath Israel of America joins Agudath Israel of Colorado in commending the Denver Police Department for the apprehension of all five suspects in the brutal murder of Shmuel Silverberg. We express our gratitude to all the members of law enforcement who have worked closely with the Denver community throughout this difficult period, keeping the wellbeing of the yeshiva and the community a top priority. Additionally, we express our thanks to all of the elected officials who reached out to the community to share their support.
 
We join all of Klal Yisroel in expressing our grief and heartbreak over the brutal murder of Shmuel Silverberg Hy”d at Yeshiva Toras Chaim of Denver. This is indeed a tragedy for Jewish communities everywhere. Our hearts go out to his family, his friends, and the entire yeshiva community. 
 
May Hashem bring comfort to the family in their time of pain. 
Agudath Israel Hails Victory for Religious Liberty: Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Brought Against Religious School 
A federal judge recently dismissed an employee’s lawsuit against a Catholic high school for not renewing her contract. Allowing the lawsuit to proceed, the judge said, would violate the First Amendment. The employee alleged that the school had discriminated against her in not rehiring her; the school said they did not renew her contract because she violated the school’s religious tenets.  

In this case, Starkey v. Roncalli High School and Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Judge Richard Young ruled that because Ms. Starkey’s job included religious duties and her contract specifically stated that she was acting as a minister, her lawsuit was barred by the “ministerial exception.” 

The ministerial exception states that courts may not interfere in employment disputes involving employees who hold religious positions in religious institutions, in order to preserve the religious freedom of those institutions. This doctrine was pronounced by the Supreme Court in a number of decisions, the most recent being Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru, in which Agudath Israel and other Orthodox Jewish organizations had submitted an amicus curiae brief urging the Court to adopt a broad interpretation of the ministerial exception. 

Agudath Israel of America hailed the court decision as a victory for religious liberty. “As the United States Supreme Court has stated, it is vital for the religious mission of every religious school to be able to decide who will serve as teachers and role models for the students," said Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President. "To allow courts to question or challenge these decisions would undermine the autonomy of religious schools.” 
Agudath Israel of America Congratulates Governor Kathy Hochul on Taking Office
Agudath Israel of America welcomes and congratulates Governor Kathy Hochul upon her taking office today. The Agudah, and Orthodox Jews across New York State, offer Governor Hochul their best wishes for success, and are optimistic for opportunities for communal collaboration with Ms. Hochul as she assumes her position as New York’s State's 57th governor.
 
Agudath Israel has had several significant interactions with Ms. Hochul during her tenure as lieutenant governor. Most notably, as keynote speaker at the Agudah’s Yeshiva Summit in October 2018, then Lt. Governor Hochul warmed an audience filled with nearly every yeshiva administrator in New York state when she emphatically said, “I will always be willing to meet with Agudah whenever it comes to Albany and will always extend my warmest welcome to them... There are two issues that are critically important to me. One is – and I say this as a product of a religious school upbringing – your right to educate your children wherever you choose. And the second is to support your families and children in yeshivas; to carry on your traditions. Your children have a right to learn in yeshivas while feeling safe, secure, and free of antisemitism. Because we have to protect your way of life… Thank you for preserving a beautiful culture, religion and way of life. You are part of what makes New York such an amazingly diverse community to live in.” 
 
The past year and a half has been trying for New Yorkers. A new virus, Covid-19, has interrupted the fiber of normalcy in our lives, and continues to elude scientists as it mutates and takes new forms. Crime has risen. And an old virus, the ugly blight in every form that is antisemitism, is metastasizing within our society.
 
The Agudah looks forward to working with Governor Hochul and her team to help address these and other concerns.  
Agudath Israel’s New England Office Shares the Success of its First Eight Months
Agudath Israel’s New England office is pleased to report on the success it has had over the past eight months since Mrs. Ariella Hellman became director of government affairs.  

Jewish day schools and school leaders in Massachusetts have a lot to celebrate this summer. Agudah was proud to have partnered with schools throughout the pandemic to ensure that they had access to state level guidance and the opportunity to check in with policy makers as questions arose. Mrs. Hellman also worked closely with the schools to ensure that they could access all federal and state grant programs and any newly created COVID-relief opportunities. During the 2020-2021 Academic year, Jewish day schools accessed over $1.6 million in services.

Agudath Israel continues to make progress on the special education front to ensure that students in Jewish day schools can fully access their share of funding under state and federal special education law. Agudah was invited to co-lead a state-wide working group on this issue in partnership with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary (DESE) and other leaders of the non-public school coalition. This working group includes both public and nonpublic school officials and is charged with advising DESE on a set of best practices and recommendations to address some of the remaining systemic issues with the implementation of the special education laws as they pertain to private school students in Massachusetts. 

During this past legislative session, Agudah, in partnership with Project Access, a state-wide coalition of non-public schools advocated for a $1 million increase to the school health line-item along with nonpublic school equity language to ensure that these additional funds would be utilized for school services at nonpublic schools. Of this $1 million almost one third will be allocated to Jewish day schools across the state. Agudah also celebrates the inclusion of $1.5 million for nonprofit security grants in the state budget. 
To read more click here.
Agudath Israel’s New Jersey Office Applauds Jackson Township for Contracting with Lakewood Vendors, Enabling Children to Receive Vital Services 
As the Orthodox Jewish population in Jackson continues to grow, Jackson children have been attending yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs in nearby Lakewood. Though the bulk of nonpublic school funding comes from parental tuition, federal and state agencies send funding to the local school district board to help obtain security, nurses, technology equipment, textbooks - and most importantly evaluation and tutoring services for students in nonpublic schools.  
Ever since a significant number of Jackson children started attending Lakewood yeshivos, Jackson Township has flatly refused to contract with the existing vendors servicing Lakewood yeshivos to provide these vital services. Since the Jackson students were in the same classes as Lakewood students, not being able to use their existing vendor prevented these students from receiving funding for their services. The situation started to became untenable as the Jackson student population in Lakewood yeshivos grew to the point that the schools were no longer able to absorb the costs of providing these services without passing on additional charges to the parents. To remedy the situation, the Agudah’s New Jersey office engaged in intense advocacy, urging the Jackson Board of Education to contract with Lakewood vendors, so that all students can get the services they need and deserve.  
"Our office worked hand in hand with the Lakewood yeshivos, with one important goal in mind, getting our children these services” said Rabbi Avi Schnall, director of Agudath Israel’s New Jersey office. "We are extremely happy to report that our efforts were successful, and the Jackson board of education has entered agreements with Lakewood vendors."
Agudath Israel extends its gratitude to Mr. Tzvi Herman, Board of Education Member, Jackson Township, for all of the hard work and effort he put into making this possible. His commitment to ensuring that all children are able to receive the services they need was a crucial part in making this happen.
Agudah Applauds Increase in Per-Pupil Funding for NJ Nonpublic School Auxiliary Services  
The most significant source of state funding for New Jersey’s nonpublic schools just got its first per-pupil increase in five years, said Agudah’s New Jersey director, Rabbi Avi Schnall, thanks to the efforts of Assembly Deputy Speaker Gary Schaer and Governor Phil Murphy. 

“New Jersey leads the nation in nonpublic school security funding, and is generous with its technology, nursing, and textbook allocations as well,” explained Rabbi Schnall. “But the most important source of state funding is auxiliary services, known formally as ‘chapter 192 funding.’ This funding allows private schools to hire vendors to provide tutoring and in-class support for students who need extra help.”  

Although the state budget calls for $995.33 to be spent on each student every year, a stipulation in the budget allows the Education Department to lower the allocation in case there is not enough money in the state’s budget. For the past five years, due to a shortage of available funds and a growing student population, the Education Department lowered the amount on a per-student basis. In 2021, each student was only projected to get $746 worth of services, down from $811 in 2020, $846 in 2019, and still below $885 allocated in 2018.  

The freefalling per-pupil rate threatened the program’s viability, and at the request of school administrators and concerned parents, the Agudah’s New Jersey office engaged with key policymakers to increase funding for the program. “It was a two-year campaign, and the legislature finally broke the barrier and increased the allocation back in 2020,” said Rabbi Schnall.  

Yet, as sometimes happens with government programs, red tape held up the increased allocation in 2020 from being implemented. This year, the Agudah once again focused on this problem, engaged with New Jersey legislators and officials in Governor Murphy’s office. Rabbi Schnall worked closely with Deputy Assembly Speaker Schaer on this issue, who added the necessary funding into the state budget. Governor Murphy – responding to the needs of the nonpublic school population – signed the increase into law in June.  

Last week, the Department of Education announced that the per pupil rate for this coming school year (’21-’22) is going to be $895 – a funding level not seen since 2017. “This increase positively affects our children in a real and substantial way,” said Rabbi Schnall, “and as a community, we once again express our appreciation to Assembly Deputy Speaker Schaer and Governor Murphy for being attentive to our needs.”      

Agudath Israel Praises Arizona for Delivering Ultimatum to Ben & Jerry’s for Boycotting Israel
Agudath Israel of America commends Governor Doug Ducey and the state of Arizona for taking formal action against Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, in response to Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop all sales in Judea, Samaria, and East Jerusalem.  

Governor Ducey has said that Arizona will not do business with companies that boycott Israel. Arizona’s state treasurer has reportedly given Unilever 90 days to be in compliance with the state’s law.

Arizona is the eighth state to investigate taking formal action against Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s for Ben & Jerry’s boycott. Other states that are investigating action under anti-BDS state laws or Executive Orders include New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Maryland, and Rhode Island.  

Rabbi Ariel Shoshan of Ahavas Torah, the Scottsdale Torah Center, praised his state’s response, saying, “The Arizona law the governor is enforcing was passed to combat the BDS movement, which calls for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel in an attempt to destroy Israel economically. The movement is rooted in antisemitism. We are pleased that Arizona has joined the growing list of states taking serious action against Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever for their discriminatory boycott.” 

Rabbi David Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel, added that “we call on all of the remaining states that have anti-BDS boycott statutes or Executive Orders to take action to enforce them against Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever, and to do so promptly. The lesson for all companies to learn is that if you boycott Israel, your company will be boycotted by many American states that will no longer do business with you or invest in your company. There is no more effective way to stop companies from supporting the anti-Israel and antisemitic BDS movement.”  

Some twenty states have laws or Executive Orders that bar them from doing business with and/or investing in companies that boycott Israel, explicitly including the territories. At least a dozen more have laws or Executive Orders that prohibit the state from doing business with or investing in companies that are engaged in discriminatory boycotts Agudath Israel continues to call upon all of these states to take action against Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s.  
Agudath Israel Commends Lithuania for Halting Plans for Conference Center on Vilna Jewish Cemetery
Agudath Israel is pleased that the Lithuanian government has reversed its decision to build a conference center on the Old Jewish Cemetery in the Shnipeshok section of Vilnius. The cemetery is the resting place of all Jews who died in Vilna between 1593 and 1830, among whom are many great tzadikim including the Chayai Adam and the Be’er HaGolah. 
 
The battle to preserve the Shnipeshok cemetery has been ongoing for many years. Rabbonim and askonim across the globe have been deeply involved in the effort. The matter even reached the table of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, who sent an impassioned letter in 2020 to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda imploring him to do all in his power to block the proposed development and protect the cemetery.
 
“The cemetery in Shnipeshok occupies a prominent place in the hearts of Jews the world over. Great sages and scholars, whose piety and leadership are revered still today, and whose written scholarship is studied today, are buried there. All cemeteries deserve respect; the Old Jewish Cemetery in Shnipeshok deserves special respect,” they wrote.  
 
“We are pleased to report this week that the plans for construction were suspended by the government of Lithuania. We commend the government of Lithuania for making the right decision on this important matter,” said Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America.  
VIDEO: How to avoid the 5 most costly mistakes on ERTC
You can watch the video here or clicking on the image.
You can listen to the webinar by clicking here.
  
Today, Wednesday, August 25th at 3:00 pm EST, The Agudah hosted a webinar on
 
 
Presented by Rabbi Eliyahu Stern and David Bixenspan

Moderated by Rabbi Shai Markowitz
 
Topics included: FTE, shutdown, gross receipts, ERTC/PPP, IRS updates and fastest way to get the funds.
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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