Without Equivocation

News & Information for the Weeks of

May 2nd - May 14th, 2021

Without Equivocation

In just a few nights, Jews around the world will celebrate the holiday of Shavuos.

Many have the custom to stay up all night on Shavuos studying Torah. I can't help but think about our brothers and sisters in Israel, many of whom have been up for several nights, huddling with their families in bomb shelters and reinforced rooms. It is heartbreaking to hear about the loss of innocent lives, especially children, whether they live in Tel Aviv or Gaza. We pray for peace, but we must also take action and ask Congress to stand up for Israel's right to defend itself from indiscriminate rocket attacks by terror organizations. There is no “moral equivalency” between the actions of Hamas and Israel's actions to protect its citizens.

Our Agudah staff has been busy around the country and I encourage you to continue reading below about some of their recent activities and accomplishments, but first, please take a moment to contact your member of Congress to urge them to support Israel in its time of need. They must speak out loudly and without equivocation.

URGE CONGRESS TO STAND BY ISRAEL AT THIS MOMENT OF GRAVE DANGER

Our dear brothers and sisters in Israel are victims of thousands of rockets fired by Hamas and other terror groups into the heart of the country, resulting in rising deaths and casualties President Biden has condemned these attacks and expressed support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself (see our original statement here). We are grateful for that support and for the backing of so many in Congress and of other elected officials.

Tragically, however, there are those in both the political world and in the media that justify Hamas’s terror while condemning Israel’s retaliation. But there is no “moral equivalency” here. Hamas is firing at innocents, while Israel protects its citizens. Hamas rejects the very existence of Israel, while Israel has reached out to all in the Arab world seeking peace.

At this dangerous moment, it is critical for Congress to use its powerful voice and act as a beacon of support for our ally, Israel, as it is facing such grave danger. They must speak out loudly and without equivocation.

We urge you to contact your Senators and Representatives and convey this important message:

To take action, click here.

Agudah in the News

Hamodia Interviewed Mrs. Chana Laniado, director of Yahalom, Agudah’s New Jersey office's new resource center for special-needs families.

An op-ed by Rabbi Avi Shafran, in response to recent criticisms of the yeshiva education system, appeared in the New York Daily News.

Along with Indiana Jewish day school leaders, Rabbi Motzen was quoted in a JNS story about the expansion of the Indiana school choice program.

Rabbi Avi Schnall joined Zev Brenner on his TalkLine radio show to discuss Agudah's successful effort in New Jersey which ensured that $22 million of federal funding intended for Jewish schools would reach its intended target. To listen click here.

Avrohom Weinstock, Agudath Israel’s chief of staff, was interviewed about the recent meeting New York State Education Department continued efforts to draft regulations to implement the "substantial equivalency" requirement for nonpublic schools. Click here to continue reading the article from Boro Park 24 News.

Agudath Israel: Let Judges Set Bail for Perpetrators of Hate Crimes

Ending an 11-day crime spree, in which four synagogues and Jewish centers in Riverdale were vandalized, and siddurim (prayer books) were intentionally violated and destroyed, an individual was arrested on May 1st. He was charged with 42 alleged criminal counts – including multiple hate crimes – after eyewitnesses and video surveillance identified him as the perpetrator.

Under New York’s new bail reform laws, however, most offenses require a defendants’ immediate release without bail while awaiting trial.

To continue reading click here.

From Despair to Celebration: School Choice Bill Passes in Missouri

It was over in a matter of hours.

Missouri HB349, a school choice bill that provides tuition scholarships through a tax credit, passed in the Missouri House yesterday and is on its way to the governor.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” says Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois, a former Missourian who has led the Agudah’s efforts in Missouri. “The bill was being held hostage in committee and we were fearful it was going to die there, and then yesterday, in a matter of hours, it was voted out of the committee, released to the senate floor, voted on and passed.”

To continue reading click here.

Rabbi Matz Attends Signing Ceremony of School Choice Bill with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran

Victory! Agudath Israel Wins Preliminary Injunction Against Jackson Township

In the latest development in Agudath Israel’s four-year legal battle, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction against Jackson Township, NJ’s discriminatory and unconstitutional ordinances banning of yeshivos, dormitories, and interpretation of zoning laws prohibiting eruvin today. While a final ruling on the merits awaits, the receipt of a preliminary injunction is a strong statement by the court, considered an extraordinary form of relief in the legal system.

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Rabbi Schnall noted that while the Agudah prefers not to resort to suing a government entity, this case was important not only for the many Jewish residents of Jackson Township, but for Jewish residents nationwide.

To continue reading click here.

Photos: Andrew Yang Visits Agudah Headquarters

On Wednesday, May 13th New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang visited the Agudah Headquarters in downtown Manhattan. The event was part of the Agudah Voting Project’s ongoing series of meetings with candidates for office.

To see more pictures click here.

The Future of Brooklyn

The position of Brooklyn Boro President is very important to many New York City residents. Boro presidents have a major say in land use decisions, and appoint members of local Community Boards. But, perhaps most of all, they are a voice for the boro.

Last week, in conjunction with the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition, the Agudah Voting Project hosted a forum with candidates for the office: City Council Member Robert Cornegy; Khari Edwards, a former Vice President at Brookdale Hospital; City Council Member Mathieu Eugene; City Council Member Antonio Reynoso; and, State Assembly Member, Jo Anne Simon.

To continue reading click here.

Rabbi A. D. Motzen and Rabbi Yitzchok Ehrman recently visited Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver at the invitation of school and community leaders to discuss various ways Agudah can work with them to help their families.

(L - R) Rabbi Yitzchok Ehrman (CEO, Agudath Israel of Illinois), Rabbi A.D. Motzen (National Director of State Relations, AIA), Rabbi Yossi Kaplan (Director, Agudath Israel of Colorado), Mr. Mordechai Hoffman (Executive Director, Hillel Academy of Denver).

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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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