Ohio Governor John Kasich Proposes Additional Funding for EdChoice Scholarship Program

January 31, 2017

Ohio Governor John Kasich with Agudath ’s Ohio Regional Director, Rabbi Yitz Frank Today, Ohio Governor John Kasich released the highlights of his final biennial budget. Despite a tight budget year, Governor Kasich continued his strong support for school choice by proposing funding for the continued expansion of Ohio’s income based scholarship program, which will now extend through the 5th grade. Additionally, Governor Kasich’s proposed budget continues Ohio’s substantial investment in the success of students attending nonpublic school by providing funding for auxiliary services for nonpublic school students and reimbursement to nonpublic schools for compliance with state mandates.

“Ohio’s five voucher programs,” said Agudath Israel’s Ohio director Rabbi Yitz Frank, “are currently helping more than 40,000 students choose the schools that best meets the unique needs of their children, including hundreds of families choosing Jewish schools.”

Agudath Israel commends Governor Kasich for his work to provide expanded opportunities for Ohio’s students and families. We look forward to continuing to work with his administration through the budget process and his final two years as Governor of Ohio.

Thousands Join the Celebration at Agudas Yisroel’s Daf Yomi Commission’s Worldwide Siyum of Maseches Bava Metzia held in West Palm Beach, Florida

January 31, 2017 It was a true simcha in every sense of the word as from all across the globe tuned in to the live broadcast of the Daf Yomi Commission’s siyum of Maseches Bava Metzia, held on Sunday January 22nd at K’hal Aitz Chayim in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Rabbi Ephraim Eliyahu Shapiro addressing the Agudah Siyum Daf Yomi on Bava Metzia

Over the years siyumim have been held in various communities throughout the United States and beyond, giving participants worldwide an opportunity to share the simcha of being mesayem a Mesechta of Daf Yomi. The most recent siyum, celebrating the completion of the 22nd Masechta of Shas, drew over 300 men and women to K’hal Aitz Chayim, Palm Beach County’s first Orthodox shul.

Rabbi Shaya Richmond, mora d’asra of K’hal Aitz Chaim, spoke briefly, welcoming Rabbi Eliyahu Simcha Bamberger of the Agudah’s Daf Yomi Commission to West Palm Beach.He noted that Limud Daf Yomi has become so widespread that the first question many ask upon arriving in West Palm Beach is “what time is the Daf Yomi given”?

“The Daf Yomi has become an international brotherhood of yidden, whether they be Sefardim or Ashkenazim, Chasidim or Misnagdim, we join together in a commitment to Limud HaTorah,” remarked Rabbi Richmond.

K’hal Aitz Chaim offers two daily Daf Yomi shiurim, one in the morning after Shacharis and a second before Mincha. Rabbi Richmond introduced the shul’s two Magidei Shiur, with Rabbi Leibi Grohman making the siyum on Maseches Bava Metzia and saying the Hadran, and Rabbi Berel Berko starting Bava Basra, the next Masechta in the Daf Yomi cycle.

Rabbi Shaya Richmond, Rav K’hal Aitz Chaim, West Palm Beach, intoducing the Agudas Yisroel Siyum Bava Metziah

The featured speaker of the evening was Rabbi Ephraim Eliyahu Shapiro, Rov of Congregatoin Shaaray Tefilah in North Miami Beach. Rabbi Shapiro spoke eloquently, praising the tens upon tens of thousands who participate in Daf Yomi as well as their wives and families who encourage them in their Limud Hatorah. Rabbi Shapiro also credited the Agudah as the achsanya of Daf Yomi, the driving force behind the program that is currently in its 13th cycle.

Rabbi Shapiro emphasized the Koach HaTorah, a powerful and tangible force that although we may have difficulty intellectualizing, yields miracles. Rabbi Shapiro shared a story that was related by Rav zt’l, the founder of Daf Yomi.He told of a man who was brought back to life during the time of the Maharshal through the Koach Hatorah. That same force, noted Rabbi Shapiro, can help us overcome our own shortcomings and will give us the fortitude to finish yet another masechta, to be mesayem the entire Shas and to reach untold heights in our Avodas Hashem.

Rabbi Shapiro also mentioned two Gemaras discussing the reason for the destruction of both Batei Mikdash, noting that it was a lack of appreciation for that ultimately brought about their ruin. Rabbi Shapiro told listeners that limud Torah should be as special to us as winning the lottery and that excitement in learning will keep us focused on leading a Torah lifestyle, ultimately bringing the geula.

“Let tonight be a reminder,” said Rabbi Shapiro, addressing everyone in attendance at the siyum and those joining all over the world via a live stream, “We’ve won the lottery.” A partial view of the overflow crowd at Agudas Yisroels’s Daf Yomi Siyum Bava Metziah in K’hal Aitz Chaim, West Palm Beach, FL.

Those sentiments were echoed by Rabbi Richmond who said that K’hal Aitz Chaim was honored to have been chosen to host the siyum, a move that he felt gave chashivus to West Palm Beach’s Jewish community which continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

“Having the siyum in our community, added to the pride of the shul and we had a tremendous turnout,” said Rabbi Richmond. “I think it was a testimony to the kavod of the Limud HaTorah that is central to the identity of our Kehilla.”

Rabbi Richmond noted that members of the shul are so dedicated to learning Daf Yomi that that there are those who attend both daily shiurim, to gain an even fuller understanding of the Daf.

“There is a very strong commitment to kevias itim and a total commitment to the shul and the beis medrash,” noted Rabbi Richmond. “It was an honor to host the siyum and we are very proud to have been chosen.” Statement of Agudath Israel On President Trump’s Executive Immigration Order

January 31, 2017

The immense contributions of immigrants to American life need no elaboration, nor does the importance of immigration to our great nation. The world refugee crisis, moreover, must compel our deep concern for those fleeing persecution, as did so many of our own forebears.

President Trump’s recent executive order seeks to protect the nation’s citizens from terrorism, an unarguably honorable quest.

The strict vetting process that has long been in place has certainly helped keep terrorists and their recruiters from entering our country. The executive order is aimed at temporarily strengthening that line of defense. As such, it is laudable. But only if its focus is on places, on countries that are hotbeds of violent radicalism, not on religious populations.

And only if tempered by true concern for innocent refugees, who do not deserve to be caught up in nets intended to catch their oppressors.

We urge the administration to continue to evaluate the geopolitical situation and exercise great deliberation as it forges a permanent immigration policy, so that what results will well balance security concerns with human and religious rights. Mission Impossible

January 31, 2017

Having a child with learning disabilities can present many challenges as Miriam and Zev Goldstein discovered when they found themselves facing a particularly difficult situation last year. Their son Tuli had been approved by the Board of Education to receive services at a school of their choice, located 40 miles from their Marine Park home, but because the IEP did not mandate specialized transportation, the Goldsteins had to find a way to get Tuli to and from school every day.

With no other choice, the Goldsteins took turns driving Tuli to school at 6:15 every morning before going to work, in addition to paying a driver a significant wage to bring Tuli home every night. The arrangement was draining, both physically and financially.

Throughout the year, the Goldsteins tried everything they could think of to get Tuli’s transportation approved, but neither they nor their lawyer had any success in getting the Board of Education to reverse their decision.

“It made no sense,” said Mrs. Goldstein. “The city provided reimbursement for the school, so they clearly agreed that the school was a good fit for Tuli, but the Board of Ed still wasn’t willing to pay for transportation. Everything is so black and white for the Board of Ed but real life isn’t always like that.”

The Goldsteins called everyone they could think of and contacted various elected officials and organizations for help, but no one was able to help them and even their lawyer admitted that the situation seemed hopeless. One day, however, their situation turned completely around after an acquaintance suggested that Mrs. Goldstein speak to Leah Steinberg, director of the Agudah’s Project LEARN.

“Mrs. Steinberg explained to me very simply that the request had been denied because the IEP did not specify that our son needed transportation but that there were other ways to get transportation services,” said Mrs. Goldstein.

Instead of dealing with the BOE directly, Mrs. Steinberg spent several days researching and finding a law that proved that the Goldsteins were entitled to transportation. Immediatly Mrs. Steinberg got the OPT to approve transportation not just for the Goldsteins but also for two other families in their community who lived nearby and were dealing with the identical issue.

Not having to worry about Tuli’s transportation has been a game changer for the Goldsteins – both in a financial and emotional way.

“I was driving a minimum of two and a half hours to get Tuli to school and that wasn’t counting the money we had to pay for Tuli’s trip home every day,” said Mrs. Goldstein. “That was just my life and I didn’t really think about it, but having this happen is just the best feeling in the world.”

Mrs. Goldstein acknowledged that other organizations simply had no clue how to proceed, while the Agudah found a way to make things happen. The three sets of parents penned a group letter to Mrs. Steinberg, thanking her for her efforts and sharing how her help has improved their quality of life on a daily basis.

“You helped us even though our lawyer said it was impossible,” wrote the parents. “We can’t possibly thank you enough for arranging transportation for our children. We feel incredibly grateful each morning and each afternoon when the bus pulls up at our homes. We really appreciate how quickly and how efficiently the whole process was taken care of.” PHOTOS: School Choice Week in Colorado

January 31, 2017 Rabbi Ahron Wasserman of Denver thanking the chairman of the Colorado Senate Education Committee Senator Owen Hill, for his strong support of school choice

Agudath Israel of Colorado board members and community leaders meeting with Colorado state Rep Dan Pabon

PHOTO: Students of Cincinnati Hebrew Day School Celebrating National School Choice Week

January 31, 2017 Advocating for Nonpublic School Students in Maryland and Pennsylvania

January 31, 2017

On Thursday, Rabbi Ariel Sadwindelivered testimony at the education subcommittee of House Appropriations in support of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s proposed increase for theBOOST (Building Options and Opportunities for Students Today) scholarship program. The governor has proposed increasing the funding from its current $5 million to $7 million as part of his larger plan to double the size of the program.

Today, the Pennsylvania chapter of CAPE (Council for American Private Education) gathered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to present its 2017 school choice champion award to Senator Mike Folmer. A dedicated supporter of nonpublic schools and a leader on school choice legislation, Senator Folmer was recognized for his contributions to the children of the Commonwealth throughout his career in public service. Agudath Israel is a member of PA CAPE and was represented at the event by Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, Agudath Israel’s mid-Atlantic regional director. Pennsylvania CAPE (Council for American Private Education) leaders presenting State Senator Mike Folmer with the 2017 School Choice Champion Award

Yellow Scarves and Yarmulkas

January 31, 2017 My kids love National School Choice Week, which sadly ends tomorrow. They get new yellow scarves, big stickers, and some years, they even got to join me at a school choice rally. But the national, nonpartisan celebration of all educational options is about more than just scarves and statehouse rallies. The number of events has grown each year (see below for pictures of our participation in events in Austin, Texas; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Denver, Colorado; Manalapan, ; and Washington, DC– just some of the more than 20,000 events expected this week). This highlights how all parents, regardless of how and where they choose to educate their children, appreciate having that choice.

Rabbi A.D. Motzen with Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick in Austin

But while the celebration is ending, the work is just beginning. My desk is piled high with school choice bills being worked on by me or my colleagues. I encourage you to find out what bills are moving forward in your state (see below for a detailed summary of New York’s executive budget) so that you can get involved. To learn more about existing school choice programs around the country click here to view the latest copy of The ABC’s of School Choice recently published by EdChoice.

On the federal level, Education Secretary-designate Betsy DeVos, is facing strong opposition from those opposed to school choice. A vote on her confirmation is scheduled for next week. If you haven’t done so already, please contact your U. S. Senators and ask them to support her nomination. Agudath Israel has worked with Mrs. DeVos for many years and submitted a letter of support.

Finally, please watch our latest installment of Agudah Live! and let me know what you think. The “inauguration interview with Rabbi Zwiebel” covers issues related to Israel, religious freedom and education. We hope to create similar video interviews throughout the year and would love to get your feedback on the format.

–A. D. Motzen

Agudath Israel applauds re- introduction of federal CHOICE Act

January 31, 2017

Rabbi Ariel Sadwin with Congressman Luke Messer who emceed the rall

On Tuesday, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Todd Rokita [IN-R-4], Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, re-introduced House and Senate versions of the CHOICE Act, legislation that will enhance educational choice in various contexts. Of primary interest to the Orthodox Jewish community is the bill’s application to special education programs, which have faced many difficult challenges in day schools. To help “ensure that children with disabilities get educational options best suited for them,” the CHOICE Act provides funding that will follow the child to the parents’ school of choice, whether public, private or religious. Rabbi Ariel Sadwin with Speaker of the US House of Representatives

Agudath Israel of America is pleased to endorse this legislation and to congratulate Senator Scott and Congressman Rokita, with whom the organization has been privileged to work with on this bill and on the promotion of school choice in general. Numerous school choice bills are expected to be introduced in both the House and Senate in the coming months, and Agudath Israel advocates will devote their full energies to help craft those bills and to encourage swift passage.

The announcement came on the same day that House Republican Policy Chair and co-chair of the School Choice Caucus, Rep. Luke Messer, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Paul Mitchell (R-MI), House Majority Whip Scalise (R-LA), Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep Todd Rokita (R-IN) joined hundreds of school choice supporters for a celebration in the Capitol building. Agudath Israel of America’s Rabbi Ariel Sadwin attended the celebration and had the opportunity to thank everyone for their support of school choice. L to R: Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, Senator Tim Scott and Rabbi Abba Cohen

VIDEO: #AgudahLive with Special Agudah Announcement

January 31, 2017

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