Class Codes- New Learning Program

May 12, 2020

We just wanted to share that over 1000 Rebbeim/Moros signed up and in the first 48 hours over 24,000 students called in. (Note the 24,000 students that called in correlating to the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva that were niftar during this time.)

Dear Dedicated Rabbeim and Moros,

Learning at home can be distracting and challenging…but with the new and innovative Class Codes contest it’s now exciting!

Welcome to CLASS CODES, a special game for elementary school grades during COVID remote at-home learning. The goal is to help keep students engaged throughout the entire learning session. We will have exciting daily raffles with great prizes, as well as cumulative weekly grand prizes.

Every Rebbi/Morah will receive a set of 5 numbers to tell their students at random times during (recording or live) class. All those paying attention and that “catch” at least 4 of the 5 numbers can be entered into that day’s raffles. Students should record the codes (in any order) to later enter them into the system.

Click here for a sample card that may be sent to all the students for them to print and easily keep track of each day’s codes.

(The sample card was designed for 2 sets of numbers per day. For now, we are starting with 1 set per day.)

Make sure to tell your students the instructions below so they can know how to enter the raffles.

For Rebbeim and Moros only (we know kids read these emails too!), to register and to receive the codes, email [email protected].

Phone instructions for students BOYS call in #: 718-307-2955 and Press 2 for CLASS CODES GIRLS call in #: 347-572-7279 and follow the prompts

When applicable, the line will first announce the previous day’s winners. The system will ask them to enter their first number followed by #. It will read it back to confirm the submission. The system will continue to prompt them to enter the rest of their numbers, one at a time, confirming in between each submission. After entering all the numbers, they will be asked to leave a clear message with their name and phone number twice.

We hope this will help your students have a more productive learning experience.

This program is arranged by Agudas Yisroel (Bnos, Pirchei, and Masmedei) in conjunction with Chasdei Lev Changing Lives, Ten Minutes at a Time

May 12, 2020

We must do something!” the email began. Mrs. Chana Baila Hass, National Director of Bnos Agudath Israel, continued reading, “There are many elderly who have nothing to eat and no one to shop for them and don’t have technology to connect them with outside volunteers. An elderly person needs people to call them and ask them what they need. WE CANNOT WAIT FOR THE ELDERLY TO REACH OUT!”

The service coordinator’s words echoed in Mrs. Hass’s head. While Bnos Bikur Cholim (BBC) runs many programs that match seniors with high school friends, they were all on hold due to the Corona pandemic. Visits and programs were out of the question for our most vulnerable population.

Virtual BBC What could BBC do? There was only one option – going virtual with phone calls to seniors. BBC already had a group of high school volunteers for its “Call a Few” program, but it wasn’t enough. So, Mrs. Hass sent out emails and placed an ad in the FJJ asking for more. The response was overwhelming. To date, BBC has over 300 phone pairs. Each volunteer got the name and phone number of one or more seniors and began making calls to their new friends a few times a week. The immediate benefit is obvious; the calls dispel the loneliness that the homebound elderly feel. But the calls go way beyond that, helping on a practical level: -An older woman mentioned that she couldn’t a moisturizer that she needed for her face. Her phone friend arranged a delivery from a local pharmacy. -When some seniors indicated that they needed food, Bnos arranged for home-cooked meals to be sent. -A volunteer became concerned when she couldn’t reach her senior by phone. She alerted the proper authorities who found that the older woman was sick and needed critical care! The BBC phone calls saved that woman’s life.

Incredible Volunteers And even when the calls don’t produce such dramatic results, the volunteers tell Bnos how happy the seniors are when they call. They say it makes their whole day! Some of the older adults haven’t seen another human being for seven weeks. They are terrified of leaving their houses. Simply talking to another person fulfills a basic need.

The volunteers also emphasize the huge returns on such a small amount of time. As one woman put it, “This is the time that we should be there for one another. What does it take from your week to make a ten-minute phone call?” We’re all limited these days, but making a phone call is something we can do from home. Another volunteer urges us to put ourselves in the seniors’ shoes. “One day, we’ll be sitting in our houses, waiting for the phone to ring. Everyone will get older one day and be in the same boat.” And, of course, this mitzvah will still be relevant even after COVID19 ends.

BBC All Year A special thank you goes to the Holocaust Survivors Initiative, sponsored by City Council of New York, for supporting BBC Holocaust programming. *Weekly visits to Holocaust survivors by high school volunteers *Weekly nursing home visits by high school volunteers *Providing clothing and food for Holocaust survivors *Calling seniors through our “Call a Few” program

If you’d like to join the BBC virtual program, BBC still needs more phonemates! Be in touch with [email protected] or call 212-797-9000 ext. 330. Or, do you know an older person in your neighborhood? Pick up the phone and give them a call. Giving ten minutes of your day can be life- changing for your senior friend.

Yarchei Kallah Continued 5-10

May 12, 2020

Rabbi Lieff 5-10-2020

Rabbi Wiess 5-10-2020

Rabbi Roth 5-11-2020

Rabbi Cynamon 5-12-2020

Rabbi Kaplan 5-13-2020

Rabbi Neustadt 5-14-2020

Eis L’kol Neshama- Agudah Partners with Time 4 Mishna

May 12, 2020

There are, sadly, many niftarim from COVID-19 who don’t have anyone to learn mishnayos l’zeicher nishmasam. The Agudah has partnered with Time4Mishna in a new program called Eis L’kol Neshamah, in which people can join and are assigned the same few mishnayos to learn each day for specific niftarim.

See below for a short video intro and visit time4torah.org/neshama for more information.

Virtual Asifa for Magedei

May 12, 2020

Virtual Asifa for Maggidei Shiur, May 10, 2020

Rabbi Yisroel Reisman sharing divrei chizuk v’his’orerus, and a panel discussion and Q & A session with Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Friedman, R’ Kalman Frisch, and Rabbi Yitzchok Margareten. Divrei berachah from Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, chairman of the Daf Yomi Commission.

May 11 Update

May 12, 2020 Reopening our Kehilos

Last Friday Agudah released guidelines, under the direction of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. Agudah worked closely with prominent rabbanim and infectious disease specialists to developa roadmap towards reopening our kehillos. The goal of this comprehensive document is to lay out a plan to return to davening b’tzibbur in a safe and halachically sanctioned way through 3 different phases. In New York State, according to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202:10, as well as Empire State Development Guidance, no congregate services of any size are permitted in houses of worship or any other area until at least Friday May 15. That means we have not yet reached Phase 1. When current restrictions are lifted this document will be a clear game plan on how to move forward. The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah approved guidelines contained in the Roadmap are designed to achieve this purpose. Please see below for the comprehensive document.

State of Emergency Extended

Governor Cuomo has announced that although the current NY on PAUSE is set to expire on May 15, the state of emergency that allowed him to implement the current policy has been extended to June 7th. On May 15th new guidance will be issued for regions based on the metricsoutlined by Governor Cuomo earlier this week.

Sector Advisory Councils

Mayor de Blasio has announced the formation of 10 Sector Advisory Councils to contribute ideas of how to get New York City restarted. The councils are in the areas of Non-Profit and Social Services, Public Health and Healthcare, Faith-based, Construction and Real Estate, Education, Surface Transportation, Labor and Workforce, Large Business, Small Business and Arts, Culture, and Entertainment. The councils will consist of a collection of individuals diverse in background that reflect the life of this city. Each sector will be lead by 1-2 Deputy Mayors. Agudath Israel’s Executive Vice President Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel has been selected to the Education Council.

Advanced 311 Support

Mayor de Blasio announced that New York City will provide additional support for the 311 call centers with its 311 Action Plan, which includes:

285 newly trained call-takers 4 newly developed call centers Help from NYPD and FDNY leadership to strategize important calls Express Lanes created for COVID-19 and food calls Reduced wait time (dropped by 75%)

Free Face Masks

New York City will continue distributing face coverings in parks across the city free of charge through Tuesday, May 12th. All New Yorkers are required to wear a mask or face covering when out in public and in situations where a 6-foot distance from others cannot be maintained. Click here to find location near you.

Relief for Renters

Governor Cuomo has announced additional rent relief measures for NY residents. New York State will extend the moratorium on evictions for those facing coronavirus related hardships for an additional 60 days, until August 20. The Governor has also announced that late fees and missed payment fees are banned during this period, and that tenants can use their security deposit as payment. The security deposit can then be repaid over time. Agudah NJ Director Rabbi Avi Schnall Appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Advice Council

May 12, 2020

Rabbi Avi Schnall, Director of Agudath Israel of

Photo Credits: Agudath Israel of America Archives

As New Jersey’s government contemplates it’s decisions on how to reopen the State, it invited Agudah’s New Jersey director Rabbi Avi Schnall to advise on the process vis-à-vis reopening it’s faith-based and social service institutions, giving the frum community a seat at the table. On Friday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the formation of his Restart and Recovery Advisory Council to advise on restarting New Jersey in the wake of the devastating coronavirus pandemic. The council is comprised of economic and civic leaders across New Jersey who will serve on one of nine subcommittees focusing on different areas of the State’s economy.

Rabbi Schnall’s appointment to the Social Services and Faith Committee is especially significant for the frum community as it struggles with the closure of its Shuls and yeshivos. As the only orthodox Jew on the committee, Rabbi Schnall will use the position to advocate strategies to allow Shuls to safely reopen their doors. Additionally, Rabbi Schnall will ensure that the concerns of yeshivos- some of which are unique amongst educational institutions- will be taken into account for as New Jersey formulates its policies going forward.

For his part, Rabbi Schnall was gratified by the appointment and thanked the Governor for including the frum community in the crucial decisions that will be made in the days ahead. “I am deeply humbled to be working with such an esteemed group of leaders” Rabbi Schnall said “and I hope to use our seat at the table to see to it that we can return to Tefillah and d’rabim in the most efficient manner possible”. Agudath Israel Joins Federal, State and City Officials in Urging Hospitals to Implement Volunteer Programs to Support Coronavirus Patients

May 12, 2020

Even heroes need some help every now and then.

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers found themselves stretched thinner than ever by the unprecedented number of hospital admissions This has left them with little time to interact with patients and families. The already difficult realities of COVID-19 have been further exacerbated, with no visitation policies leaving patients isolated during their often-lengthy hospital stays, while their loved ones receive only sporadic updates on their conditions.

Recognizing the need to address those concerns, a group of advocates including representatives of Agudath Israel of America, has been lobbying elected officials to have hospitals implement volunteer programs that would provide patients with an extra layer of non-medical care while also bringing relief to overburdened healthcare workers.

Over 100 members of the House of Representatives, the New York State Assembly and Senate and the New York City Council have now signed on four separate letters urging hospital administrators and CEOs to create compassionate helper programs, keeping patients and their loved ones connected and providing companionship for those without relatives. The programs would have hospital-approved and trained caregivers in full personal protective equipment providing quality of life care and direct support. Volunteers would be assigned to patients, facilitating conversations with family members, providing loved ones with medical updates and overcoming potential linguistic and cultural barriers.

“We have already allowed too many people to die alone without having someone sitting at their bedside, giving them a drink or just talking to them, while family members are sitting at home, not knowing if they will ever see their loved one again,” said Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, who, together with 34 fellow Assembly members, sent the first letter to hospital executives on April 24th.

While legislation to enact a state-mandated compassionate helper program is already pending in both the New York State Assembly and Senate, Senator David Carlucci said that he believes that the issue is a human one and does not necessarily need to become a legislative effort when sessions resume in Albany once again.

“We are here to support hospitals and are looking for guidance from the health department to make sure that everything is done properly,” said Carlucci, whose April 29th letter was signed by 25 senators. “We are responding to stories we have heard and to fears we have heard from residents which have been really concerning.”

More than four dozen members of Congress and the New York City Council have also signed on letters supporting the previous missives sent by New York State Assembly and Senate officials supporting the need for compassionate helper programs.

“We believe that such a program will give peace of mind to patients and their families, as well as help lessen the strain on our frontline healthcare workers,” said Congressman Max Rose, who circulated the letter signed by many members of the New York congressional delegation. “We therefore offer our support for the creation of this program and stand ready to assist with any statutory or logistical challenges that may be an issue.”

Letter from members of the Letter from members of New United States Congress York City Council urging the creation of Compassionate Helper Programs

Letter from members of the New Letter from members of the New York Senate York State Assembly As NYC Prepares for Reopening, Mayor Appoints Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel to Educational Guidance Committee

May 12, 2020

By: Sandy Eller Photo Credits: Agudath Israel of America Archives parents will have a seat at the table when Mayor Bill de Blasio’s dedicated task force meets to discuss reopening schools during the coronavirus recovery period, with Agudath Israel of America’s executive vice president Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, named to the city’s sector advisory council on education and vocational training. The mayor announced the creation of ten sector advisory councils on May 5th, explaining that they will help the city formulate plans for a gradual return to normal life. Each team will be led by a deputy mayor or a city agency head and will consist of 20 to 40 experts in their respective fields from different parts of the city. The Agudah’s history of advocating for the private school community stretches back nearly 70 years, and in addition to his many other responsibilities, Rabbi Zwiebel has served on educational boards and commissions on the city, state and national levels. He is currently a member of the national board of the Council for American Private Education, a member and former chairman of the New York State Commissioner of Education’s Advisory Council for Nonpublic Schools, and chairman of the Committee of New York City Religious and Independent School Officials. Rabbi Zwiebel said that he looked forward to working with the other members of the sector advisory council to create a plan that would meet the needs of New York City’s public and private school students. “It is crucial that we formulate an approach to reopening our schools that prioritizes safety without compromising on the integrity of our children’s education,” said Rabbi Zwiebel. “I applaud Mayor de Blasio for creating these teams to ensure that as we put the pieces of our city back together, we do so in the smartest and most responsible way possible. It is an honor to be working with this esteemed group of individuals” Agudah Issues A Roadmap for Rabbonim and Community Leaders to Safely Reopen Our Kehillos

May 12, 2020

We are all encouraged to see several states ease, or begin talks of easing, the long and difficult quarantine which has successfully slowed the progress of COVID-19. We pray that the trajectory witnessed in several states continue its downward trend until this menace is totally eradicated.

Notwithstanding our eagerness to “return to normal,” Agudath Israel of America reminds our constituents that the road to recovery will, and should be, deliberate. Easing restrictions abruptly and without closely monitoring its impact risks forfeiting the gains achieved by enduring this difficult quarantine.

For this reason, at the direction of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, Agudath Israel has worked closely with prominent rabbonim and infectious disease specialists to develop A Roadmap for Rabbonim and Community Leaders to Safely Reopen Our Kehillos.

The goal of this comprehensive document is to lay out a plan to return to davening b’tzibbur in a safe and halachicaly sanctioned way. Even if your state – like New York – has not yet eased restrictions, there should be a clear, advance game plan for how to move forward when it does. The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah-approved guidelines contained in the Roadmap are designed to achieve this purpose.

Download the Roadmap here.

Safely Reopening our Kehillos FINAL (1)