Video, Photos and Report: Am Echad Mission to

February 28, 2018

With Strong Focus on Maintaining Religious Values, Historic Am Echad Mission Shares American Orthodox Narrative with High Level Israeli Officials

A two day Orthodox Jewish Leadership mission to , under the banner of Am Echad, to raise awareness of the deep emotional, spiritual and economic connection that America’s Orthodox Jewish community shares with Israel, was extremely productive, with more than three dozen members of the Am Echad delegation meeeting with top elected officials and leading Israeli rabbis.

The February 26th – February 27th trip was the third Am Echad mission to Israel. Two previous missions which took place in 1997 and 1998 by then- president of Agudath Israel of America, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, z”l, were prompted by the efforts of the American Reform and Conservative movements to change Israel’s conversion laws. Those earlier missions made an eloquent case against religious pluralism and the importance of preserving the “religious status quo” that has defined the Jewish state since its inception.

Now, two decades later, that theme was echoed once again in this third mission, coordinated by the American Agudah. Once again, non-Orthodox Jewish groups in the US, have mounted an aggressive assault on issues such as conversion, the Kosel and the authority of the Rabbanut. The mission gave high ranking Israeli leaders a firsthand and accurate portrayal of the American Orthodox perspective on these issues.

The Am Echad mission was chaired by Agudah board of trustees chairman Shlomo Werdiger and Agudath Israel of California president Dr. Irving Lebovics.

As Dr. Lebovics explained, “We wanted to convey to government leaders that there are other voices from America as well. To date, the Orthodox voice has not been represented and, in fact, has been hidden and squelched by the Federations and the Reform and Conservative movements. We came here to present the Orthodox perspective and to demonstrate how deeply we care about Israel.”

The group included a nationwide contingent of the Agudah’s senior staff, both past and present, members of the Agudah’s board of trustees, well known American and Israeli community leaders, prominent businesspersons in a wide variety of fields including real estate, health care, law and media, and representatives of multiple international institutions of higher learning and community service organizations. Armed with an investigative report detailing hundreds of millions of dollars invested in Israel by America’s Orthodox community, and statistics demonstrating the growth of American Orthodoxy and the concomitant decline of the heterodox movements, the delegation left their businesses, families and pre-Purim preparations behind to share their passion for the Am Echad cause.

Day 1

A highlight of the mission’s first day was a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister . Mr. Werdiger introduced the mission to the prime minister, emphasizing that American Orthodox Jewry has long been a significant and growing source of overseas support, despite claims to the contrary by other groups. Addressing the mission briefly before departing to a meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the group for its continued commitment and dedication, noting that the Jewish nation’s endurance and history is a direct result of its unwavering faith. Members of the mission met with an impressive array of Israeli lawmakers including Knesset members Dudi Amsalem (Likud), Hilik Bar (Zionist Camp), (Habayit Hayehudi), (Likud), Yisroel Eichler (), (United Torah Judaism), (Likud), Moshe Kahlon (Likud), Rabbi Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism), Uri Maklev (United Torah Judaism), Rabbi Menachem Eliezer Moses (United Torah Judaism), Ayelet Shaked (Habayit Hayehudi) and (Habayit Hayehudi).

The contingent ended its first day at its home base, the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel, with a dinner graced by Rabbi Dovid Lau, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel, and featuring guest speaker Rabbi Yaakov Litzman. Both praised the mission’s members for their continued support that has been tremendously beneficial to Israel.

After a whirlwind first day of meetings, the Am Echad delegation hit the ground running on its final day, eager to connect with more leaders in the highest echelons of Israeli government and sharing their own stories as deeply religious parents of students studying and living in Israel, investors in Israeli businesses, owners of Israeli real estate, consumers of Israeli exports and ardent supporters of Israeli institutions.

The first meeting of the day was an audience with Jerusalem Mayor at Jerusalem City Hall. Mayor Barkat greeted the delegates warmly, emphasizing his long history of cooperating with the Orthodox community. The mayor spoke passionately about the importance of maintaining the religious status quo despite pressure from outside parties.

Day 2

Next, the mission met with , Minister of Tourism, who expressed his staunch opposition to the heterodox party line, blasting rabbis who accept assimilation and foreign entities who try to dictate policy at the Kosel. Saying that there can be no fragmented groups clamoring for their own sections at the holiest site in the world, Minister Levin acknowledged that the voice of America’s Orthodox Jewish community is practically unheard in Israel and called for ongoing Am Echad delegations to continue the mission’s narrative on a regular basis. Acknowledging the growing Charedi population in Israel, in addition to the over 175,000 Orthodox visitors to Israel each year, the minister announced construction of a Charedi recreational park in Beitar and a concerted effort to modify videos at existing tourist sites to better accommodate the sensitivities of observant families.

From the Ministry of Tourism, Am Echad moved on to Beit HaNassi, the President’s Residence, for an opportunity to speak with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. A direct descendant of the Vilna Gaon’s family, President Rivlin noted that while the majority of Israelis are not Orthodox, 80 percent are very traditional and support the idea of Israel adhering to the Orthodox value system. The president stressed the need for all Jews to remain united, particularly in light of those who seek to undermine Israel and its religious foundations, and also expressed his firm belief that the Kosel is a synagogue whose supreme holiness cannot be desecrated by a minority agenda. Before departing the presidential residence, President Rivlin was given an inscribed copy of Witness to History, the trailblazing Holocaust text book, published by Project Witness under the leadership of Mrs. Ruth Lichtenstein.

The Am Echad mission concluded with a meeting at the Kosel with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, the official rov of all of Israel’s holy sites, who said that much of the news that is being reported in the diaspora about issues at the Kosel is inaccurate.

Being able to bring a delegation to demonstrate Orthodox Jewry’s strong commitment to Israel, and all that it represents, to Israeli officials was extremely significant, said Mr. Werdiger.

“As the Israeli government continues to face pressures on issues of religious pluralism, we hope that the Am Echad mission will have demonstrated that Torah ideals and a reverence for kedushas Eretz Yisroel are high priorities for the largest continuously growing segment of America’s Jewish community,” said Mr. Werdiger.

“It was a privilege and an honor to be welcomed so warmly by so many esteemed officials,” added Dr. Lebovics. “The time has come for the Israeli government to hear our story, one that is closely intertwined with that of contemporary Israel, woven together by multiple millions that we invest annually in the local economy, the children that we share with the Jewish state and the deep personal and religious commitment that bonds each and every Jew to our eternal homeland.”

(Photo Credits: Shloime Cohen)

Video, Photos: Agudah’s Historic Am Echad Mission Shares Narrative of American Orthodox Jewry with Israel PM and High Level Officials

February 28, 2018 The first half of a two day mission to Jerusalem to raise awareness of the deep emotional, spiritual and financial connection that America’s Orthodox Jewish community shares with the State of Israel was extremely productive, as the more than three dozen members of the Am Echad delegation spent 12 consecutive hours in back to back meetings with top elected officials and Israel’s chief rabbis.

Am Echad is Agudath Israel of America’s third mission conducted to give high ranking Israeli leaders a firsthand and accurate portrayal of the American Orthodox perspective. Two Am Echad missions led in 1997 and 1998 by then-president of the Agudah, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, z”l, eloquently made the case against religious pluralism, a theme being echoed once again two decades later.

Armed with facts, analyses and statistics, the delegation left their businesses, families and pre-Purim preparations behind in order to share their passion for the Am Echad cause, demonstrating the Orthodox community’s unparalleled commitment to the State of Israel, its institutions and its economy. The group included a nationwide contingent of the Agudah’s senior staff, both past and present, members of the Agudah’s board of trustees, well known American and Israeli community leaders, prominent businesspersons in a wide variety of fields including real estate, health care, law and media and representatives of multiple international institutions of higher learning and community service organizations.

The highlight of the day was a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Shlomo Werdiger, chairman of the Agudah’s board of trustees, introduced the mission to the prime minister, explaining that while all religious choices are to be respected, America’s Orthodox Jewry has long been Israel’s most significant source of support overseas, despite claims to the contrary by other groups. Addressing the mission briefly before departing to a Knesset meeting, Netanyahu thanked America’s Orthodox Jewish community for its continued commitment and dedication, noting that the Jewish nation’s endurance and history is a direct result of its unwavering faith.

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Members of the mission met with an impressive array of Israeli lawmakers throughout the day including Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Knesset members Dudi Amsalem (Likud), Hilik Bar (Zionist Camp), Naftali Bennett (Habayit Hayehudi Chaired by Naftali Bennett), Yudi Edelstein (Likud), Yisroel Eichler (United Torah Judaism), Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism), Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud), Rabbi Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism), Uri Maklev (United Torah Judaism), Rabbi Menachem Eliezer Moses (United Torah Judaism), Ayelet Shaked (Habayit Hayehudi Chaired by Naftali Bennett), Bezalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi Chaired by Naftali Bennett) and multiple members of the Shas party.

The contingent ended their day at their home base, the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel, with an elegant dinner graced by Israel’s chief rabbi, Rabbi Dovid Lau and featuring guest speaker Rabbi Yaakov Litzman. Both spoke warmly to the mission’s members, praising them for their continued support that has had tremendously positively effects throughout the State of Israel.

“It was a privilege and an honor to be welcomed so warmly by so many esteemed officials. The time has come for the Israeli government to hear our story, one that is closely intertwined with that of contemporary Israel, woven together by the hundreds of millions of dollars that we invest annually in the local economy, the children that we share with the Jewish state and the deep personal commitment that bonds each and every Jew to our eternal homeland.” Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of Montreal Siyum Mishnayos 2018

February 28, 2018 Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of Montreal The Bob Ament branch held its 36th Annual Siyum Mishnayos on Februrary 16th -18th, Shabbos Parshas Teruma, at the Yeshiva Gedolah Mercaz Hatora. The event ran from Thursday evening to Sunday Morning. About 500 boys from cities such as Toronto, Passaic and Providence, RI spent the weekend inspired by Rabbonim and mechanchim of the Montreal community.

Speakers included Rabbi Moshe Mendel Glustein, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Gedola of Montreal; Rabbi Yonasan Binyomin Weiss, Av Beis din of Montreal; Rabbi Shimon Zefferen, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Gedola of Montreal; Rabbi Mendel Carmel, Menahel, Yeshiva Mercaz Hatora; Rabbi Moshe Blaustein, Director Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of Toronto; Rabbi Ephraim Levi, National Director, Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of America; and Rabbi Yosef Treisser, Director, Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of Montreal.

This year’s siyum was dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Aron Leib Steinman, zt”l, and the special guest for Shabbos was Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman, Masgiach Ruchani Yeshiva Ohr Hachaim.

Rabbi Finkelman mesmerized the boys with amazing stories. The highlight of the weekend was the Melave Malka, where the Pirchim were mesayem Shisha Sidrei Mishnah and treated to a special audio-visual presentation on Rabbi Steinman’s life. The Siyum weekend was coordinated by Rabbi Yossi Treisser, Rabbi Moshe Goldberg, Rabbi Sholi Meisels and Rabbi Kalman Emanuel.

[wonderplugin_gallery id=”171″] New York Yeshiva Meetings 2018

February 28, 2018

For the past few months, and especially now, with the NY State legislative session in full swing, representatives of Agudath Israel of America can be seen in Albany on a regular basis, advocating for the yeshiva community. These efforts lay the groundwork for Agudah’s major mission, which is scheduled for March 6th.

As part of this ongoing advocacy, Agudath Israel has been holding meetings with yeshiva administrators across the state, with the most recent ones held last week in Williamsburg and Queens. These latest meetings were in addition to those held in December and January in Boro Park, Flatbush, Far Rockaway/Five Towns and Monsey, just before the start of the legislative session.

The series of meetings served as a forum to discuss current legislative priorities and agenda items. They were also an invaluable opportunity to listen to the suggestions and concerns of those who run our Mosdos HaTorah.

Agudath Israel will continue its efforts on behalf of yeshivos and their parent bodies in the weeks and months ahead.

[wonderplugin_gallery id=”170″] Building Bridges Between the Orthodox Jewish Community and Ontario’s Coroners

February 28, 2018

Facing camera (L to R): Dr. Reuven Jhirad, Dr. Dirk Huyer, Rabbi Shlomo Miller, Rabbi Yacov Felder, Rabbi Uri Kaufman, Rabbi Yoir Adler

Orthodox Jews have a religious mandate to oppose unnecessary autopsies. Coroners have a mandate to investigate suspicious deaths and protect the public health. Sometimes those two mandates appear to conflict. Thankfully, in Ontario, the Office of the Chief Coroner has worked closely with Gesher Canada and Agudath Israel of America to increase the level of cooperation and communication with the Jewish community and create a culturally safe environment for all citizens of faith.

On Wednesday, February 21st, senior staff from the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and all of the RegionalSupervising Coroners met with representatives of the Orthodox Jewish community. Significantly, this event took place on the eve ofZayin Adar, the date on the Jewish calendar dedicated to the chevra kadisha (burial society). This was the latest in a series of meetings arranged by Gesher Canada, an organization dedicated to building bridges between the Orthodox community and governmental bodies.

An initial meeting between Gesher board members Menachem Kuhl and Dovid Stein, Agudath Israel of America’s National Director of State Relations Rabbi A. D. Motzen, and Chief Coroner for Ontario Dr. Dirk Huyer, took place in November. Discussions highlighted the need for a closer working relationship. While Gesher and local rabbis have had many positive experiences dealing with local coroners, the community lacked a designated point person to call upon in such situations, coroners weren’t always familiar with the particular needs of the Jewish community, and community members didn’t always understand the needs of the coroner’s office.

A follow up meeting in January introduced Dr. Huyer and Deputy Chief Coroner Dr. Reuven Jhirad to more than a dozen Toronto rabbis and community leaders.

“I was very moved and encouraged by Dr. Huyer’s sincere interest in understanding the religious needs of our community, and ensuring that his office meets those needs to the maximum extent possible,” said Rabbi Yacov Felder of Shomrai Shabbos Chevrah Mishnayos Congregation and the COR Kashruth Council of Canada. “It was comforting to know that in the event, G- d forbid, of a tragic death of a community member, rabbis and family members can now call upon Gesher to facilitate communications with the coroner’s office.”

The most recent meeting included a presentation by Agudath Israel of America’s Rabbi A. D. Motzen followed by a lively discussion about ways to increase the level of cooperation and communication between the groups.

“Unlike many American states, Ontario law doesn’t outline when religious rights outweigh the need for an autopsy. Dr. Huyer’s office developed a comprehensive accommodation policy which encourages a coroner to accommodate religious beliefs, but with hundreds of staff across the province, the Chief Coroner felt that it was critical that the supervising coroners hear directly from us about the what and why of Jewish beliefs and practices surrounding death and burial,” said Rabbi Motzen. “The most recent meeting also allowed for a frank and practical discussion of the coroners’ need to conduct a death investigation and how to balance their legal obligations with the religious rights of the decedent.”

The meetings have brought about an immediate benefit to the Jewish community. “Since our initial meeting, Gesher has been involved in several cases involving the coroner’s office,” said Dovid Stein, “and thanks to Dr. Huyer and these meetings, we have worked with the coroners to ensure that the religious needs of the families were taken into consideration to the maximum extent possible.”

Diverse Group of American Jewish Leaders in Israel to Make Orthodox Case

February 28, 2018 Am Echad Mission Aims to Counter Misleading “Pluralism” Narrative

The Am Echad Mission chairmen at Agudah’s recent National Leadership Mission to Washington. On the left: Agudah’s Chairman of the Board Shlomo Werdiger, speaking. Sitting next to him is Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Agudah’s Executive Vice President. On the right: Dr. Irving Lebovics, President, Agudath Israel of California.

Aiming to dispel the myth that American Jewry is represented by the Reform and Conservative movements, a broad group of rabbinic and lay American Jewish leaders is heading overseas to meet with high-level Israeli officials and speak on behalf of the American Orthodox community.

The Am Echad mission, which was coordinated by Agudath Israel of America, hopes to effectively counter the false narrative that non-Orthodox groups are the true voice of American Jewry.

“While we have only love and concern for all Jews, and pass no judgement on anyone regarding their religious observance, the claims made by heterodox Jewish groups and federations are simply untrue,” said Dr. Irving Lebovics, Chairman of Agudath Israel of California and is co-chairing the mission. “These groups, whose numbers and dedication to Israel decrease every year, do not represent the Orthodox community, the fastest growing and most vibrant segment of American Jewry.”

The Am Echad delegation will be meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Knesset members and Israeli media to present evidence that the American Orthodox community is not only the segment of American Jewry most supportive of Israel but rapidly becoming the face of American Jewry as a whole.

“Many of us have children who live in Israel, and the number of Orthodox Jews making aliyah from America continues to rise,” said Shlomo Werdiger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Agudath Israel of America, and the other chairman of the mission.

“We send our children to study in Israeli schools,” he continues, “often for many years. We support Israeli institutions, provide millions of dollars to the Israeli economy in charitable contributions, travel frequently to Israel, buy Israeli products, invest in Israeli properties and are strongly devoted to the security of the State of Israel.”

The two-day mission will take place in Jerusalem on February 26th and 27th.

Download (PDF, 687KB) Agudah Wins $7 Million for NY Yeshivos and Nonpublic Schools

February 28, 2018

Yeshivos and other nonpublic Schools in New York City, Buffalo and Rochester will be seeing an additional $7 million in mandated services funding heading their way. This breakthrough came about through the efforts of Agudath Israel of America, which successfully pushed last year for an increase in the total per pupil reimbursement for state-mandated immunization recordkeeping and reporting.

As explained by Mrs. Deborah Zachai, director of Agudath Israel’s division of Yeshiva Services, nonpublic schools in New York State were being reimbursed at 60 cents per pupil for verifying, maintaining and reporting student immunization statuses, a rate that had been established in 1984. While state law capped reimbursements at the 60 cent level, it seemed incomprehensible that, more than 30 years later, the amount had not been adjusted to reflect rising actual costs including, higher staff salaries and new immunization requirements which have grown more complex over the years.

In working to address this inequity, Agudath Israel’s Yeshiva Services department conducted a survey to determine how long it takes to get the required documentation and which staff are involved in that process. A detailed analysis of actual immunization costs incurred by 63 yeshivos throughout New York City, Buffalo and Rochester, performed by Avrohom Weinstock, associate director for education services for the Agudah, showed that non-public schools were spending approximately $7.7 million in unreimbursed expenses each year to comply with the state immunization record-keeping requirements.

Seeing this as an action item that needed to be corrected by the legislature, Agudah advocates raised the point on numerous occasions, including at an Agudah Albany mission in March 2017. Ultimately, these efforts resulted in the State allocating $7 million for this purpose. Additionally, the law was amended to allow for future increases in this allocation should the need arise.

After having spent the past several months clarifying the per pupil costs, the New York State Department of Education has announced that under the new measure, qualifying schools will be reimbursed at the rate of$29.39 per child, an increase of more than 4798%. This increase was welcomed by yeshiva administrators who oftentimes operate on shoestring budgets.

“This additional funding will help alleviate some of the financial challenges faced by already overburdened yeshivas and their parent bodies,” explained Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, director of New York Government Relations for Agudath Israel of America. “We thank our friends in the legislature as well as Governor Cuomo for recognizing these inequities and addressing them.”

Who would you call?

February 28, 2018 Earlier this week I posted a picture of our first ad in a series and received many positive comments. While we are not a law firm, the first ad highlights Agudath Israel’s role in defending the religious rights of Orthodox Jews and their institutions in state and federal courts. I take no credit for the marketing campaign, but I’ll share it again here and look forward to your feedback. More importantly, if you are an attorney who wishes to join our pro bono network please contact us at [email protected] with your practice area and bar admissions information.

Knowing who to call in Maryland (i.e., Rabbi Sadwin) recently helped a Jewish woman receive a timely burial in a military cemetery (see here). It was the most unique, yet just one of many highlights from Annapolis this week.

And on the topic of burial, for the second time in three months I participated in a discussion about Jewish beliefs and practices surrounding death and autopsy at the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario. This week’s meeting included more than twenty regional supervising coroners and senior staff from across Ontario. It was the latest and largest in a series of meetings arranged by Gesher Canada, an organization dedicated to building bridges between the Orthodox community and governmental bodies. Since the initial meeting in November, Gesher has worked with coroners to help ensure that religious needs were taken into account to the maximum extent possible in several cases. More importantly, they have created an excellent working relationship and spirit of cooperation between the Orthodox community and the coroner’s office. Busy in Annapolis and helping a veteran

February 28, 2018

With the Maryland legislative session just passed the midway point, things in Annapolis are rather busy.

Over the last couple of weeks, the budget hearings for the programs assisting nonpublic schools and their families (BOOST scholarship program, textbook/technology program, aging school upgrade grants) and the new security grant program for schools/centers of higher risk of a hate crime, have taken place in both House and Senate subcommittees. Agudath Israel’s Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, and his Annapolis nonpublic school colleagues, have been working the Legislature trying to ensure that Governor Hogan’s budget allocations are funded without any cuts.

This week, the House Ways & Means Committee heard House Bill 644, a bill seeking to prevent Maryland’s 529 College Savings Plan program from reaping the benefits of the K-12 qualified education distribution that was included the recently passed federal tax reform law. Rabbi Sadwin provided testimony in opposition of the bill pointing to the similarities the 529 shares with other tax deduction investment programs, but without the upside of providing education support and enhancements. Also this week, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard Senate Bill 1060, a bill which seeks to add numerous unnecessary and unprecedented anti-discrimination policies to nonpublic schools that receive state funds. Here as well, Rabbi Sadwin and colleagues provided testimony in opposition to this bill.

On the constituent service front, a call came in to the office regarding an elderly woman, the wife of a deceased U.S. veteran, who passed away and sought burial next to her husband in one of the state-run veterans cemeteries. Upon calling the veterans cemetery, the funeral home was told that the next available funeral date would be more than two weeks later and no changes could be made.

Another bill of interest was House Bill 315, a bill which would require the state to cover the parent cost for “reduced price meals” as part of the federally-funded National School Lunch Program. Nonpublic school advocates issued favorable amendments arguing that since the federal program benefits nonpublic schools and students, any state payments to cover the parents share of those meals should cover nonpublic school community as well.

On the constituent service front, a call came in to the office regarding an elderly woman, the wife of a deceased U.S. veteran, who passed away and sought burial next to her husband in one of the state-run veterans cemeteries. Upon calling the veterans cemetery, the funeral home was told that the next available funeral date would be more than two weeks later and no changes could be made.

The call went to Agudath Israel’s constituent service hotline to see if anything could be done through the organization’s vast government contacts. Reaching out through the governor’s office, Rabbi Sadwin was able to get the matter to the desk of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, George Owings. Within a day’s time, the secretary himself called Rabbi Sadwin to tell me that he was able to get the veterans cemetery to rearrange their schedule and move up this funeral to within a few days of her passing, out of respect for the religious accommodation request. In thanking the secretary, Rabbi Sadwin extolled the virtues said on one who is engaged in achessed shel emes, true kindness. Secretary Owings was very moved and appreciative of being in a position to help in this manner.

Photos, Report and Agenda: Agudath Israel of America National Leadership Mission 2018, To Washington, Day Two

February 28, 2018

Meeting with U.S. Representatives

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Luncheon with Members of Senate

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Agudah Leadership Mission Wraps Up With Bipartisan Shows of Support From an early morning shacharis in Virginia, to the Capitol, to a White House briefing and then back to the Senate Russell Office building, the second day of Agudath Israel of America’s leadership mission to Washington D.C. was packed with opportunities for participants to discuss the Agudah’s 2018 federal agenda with influential elected officials and politicians.

The first session of the day, chaired by the Agudah’s national director for state relations, Rabbi A.D. Motzen, began at 9 AM at the U.S. Capitol House Visitor Center and addressed crucial issues including Israeli security, a high priority agenda item that has been enjoying bipartisan support, concerns about Iran, BDS, anti-Semitism, school choice and religious liberties. The mission was addressed by Representative Ted Budd (R-NC), Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Representative John Faso (R-NY), Representative Steve King (R-IA), Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC), Representative James Raskin (D-MD), Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D- FL). Numerous speakers stressed the importance of faith as a unifier and heralded the Agudah as a leader in the movement to provide funding solutions for those who choose to send their children to non-public schools.

The next stop for the Agudah delegation was the Indian Treaty Room at the majestic Eisenhower Executive Office Building located next to the West Wing of the White House for a briefing. Jason Greenblatt, assistant to the president and special representative for international negotiations, was greeted with a standing ovation and offered insights into some of the Trump administration’s policies. Also addressing the group were Marcus Coleman, acting director of the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith- based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Jennifer Korn, special assistant to the president and deputy director of the Office of Public Liaison, Thomas Rose, assistant to the vice president and senior advisor and chief strategist, and Paul Teller, special assistant to the president for legislative affairs, discussing grants, immigration and lauding the Agudah for its far reaching advocacy efforts.

The final event on the mission’s schedule was a luncheon chaired by Agudah executive vice president Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel at the Senate’s Russell Office Building. The Agudah group was joined by a prominent assemblage of elected officials which included Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Orrin Hatch, Senate president pro tempore (R-UT), Senator Charles Schumer Senate minority leader (D-NY), Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). One of the highlights of the session was a special tribute to Senator Hatch who has worked closely with the Agudah over the years and was instrumental in Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin’s release from prison this past December. Senator Hatch, who will be retiring after 42 years of service, received a standing ovation from the delegation and was gifted with an inscribed leather Tehillim in an emotional presentation.

Organizers declared the mission an unqualified success, noting that participants, who hailed from California, Illinois, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Tennessee, Texas and Michigan, were inspired by their trip to Washington and seeing how the Agudah is held in high regard in the political world.

“The value of these types of missions has been proven over the years,” observed Rabbi Zwiebel. “Those in Washington see that we have a national constituency and that we represent a community that stretches from coast to coast. Our missions leave elected officials we meet with, and others, the knowledge that we are a constituency of substance and of numbers.”