June 17, 2026 - 2 Tamuz, 5786 |
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In today's newsletter;
Washington D.C: Agudath Israel's new DC office opens, the multi-billion dollar federal scholarship tax credit is one step closer to implementation, and an update on permanent daylight saving time.
New Jersey: The New Jersey State Assembly removed language from a bill that would have jeopardized religious rights.
Missouri: Congressman Wesley Bell and State Treasurer Vivek Malek visit the community.
Illinois: Agudath Israel of Illinois recently hosted an appreciation luncheon honoring State Representative Marty Moylan.
Agudah Legal: Agudath Israel asks court to uphold religious school autonomy.
Yahalom: Yahalom holds events for mothers of children with special needs in NY and NJ.
Upcoming Events: Yeshiva Services annual School Administrator Training.
Bnos: First-ever Midwest Bnos Agudas Yisroel Leaders Shabbos of Chizuk inspires over 150 Bnos leaders. |
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Today, 2 Tammuz, is the 59th yahrtzeit of R' Elimelech Gavriel "Mike" Tress z'l, a true hero of the Agudah. Dr. Gershon Kranzler wrote a moving tribute in his memory in the pages of the Jewish Observer in 1967. Click here to read. |
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Agudath Israel of America Celebrates New Washington Office, Honors Rabbi Abba Cohen's 36 Years of Service |
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Agudath Israel of America hosted a dinner last Tuesday night marking the opening of its new office location just steps away from the U.S Capitol, and honoring Rabbi Abba Cohen for his 36 years of distinguished service as director of Agudath Israel's DC office.
At the dinner Rabbi Avi Schnall, COO, Agudath Israel of America, announced that Agudah’s director of National Government Affairs, Rabbi A.D. Motzen will move to the new office and oversee Agudath Israel's Washington operations.
The dinner also featured remarks from Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Rosh Yeshiva, Ner Israel Rabbinical College, and Martin Marks, Special Assistant to the President and White House Director of Jewish Engagement, as well as a ‘fireside’ chat conversation with Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Following the dinner was a dessert reception attended by government officials from various federal agencies and members of congress including, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representatives Randy Fine (R-FL), Laura Gillen (D-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Mike Lawler (R-NY). |
Treasury Unveils Preview of Guidance for New Federal Scholarship Tax Credit |
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The multi-billion dollar federal scholarship tax credit is one step closer to implementation!
Last Tuesday, Agudath Israel of America attended an exclusive briefing at the Treasury Department for key stakeholders where Kevin Salinger, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, previewed forthcoming guidance for the new tax credit. Later that evening, Mr. Salinger attended Agudah’s DC dinner where he received a warm welcome for his leadership on this issue.
Finally on Thursday, Agudath Israel and the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Coalition hosted Mr. Salinger for a briefing attended by more than 500 education leaders. The target audience of the webinar was for groups operating scholarship granting organizations and people already familiar with the tax credit. For those looking for more basic information, please go to our FSTC webpage at agudah.org/fstc. To watch a recording of the briefing, which includes an update by Rabbi A.D. Motzen on states opting in to the tax credit, click here.
Starting in 2027, individual taxpayers will be able to contribute to a nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO) and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit worth up to $1700. The SGO then pools the funds and distributes scholarships to eligible students for a wide range of K-12 educational expenses including private school tuition. Click here for more details on the guidance preview. |
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Agudath Israel Welcomes NJ Assembly Decision to Remove Religious Liberty Threat from Bill |
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Last week, the New Jersey State Assembly removed language from a bill that would have jeopardized religious rights. The legislation had allowed individuals to sue anyone accused of interfering with their decision to obtain reproductive or gender-related health care services and seek damages for harm to their business or personal reputation, financial harm, or pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional harm.
Agudath Israel of America's New Jersey Office led opposition to the language, warning that its broad and undefined terms could expose rabbis, educators, counselors, schools, and parents to costly litigation for providing guidance or expressing views regarding gender-related medical procedures. In addition to working with legislators in both chambers, the Agudah issued an action alert urging residents across the state to contact their Assembly members and oppose the bill.
"We are grateful to the bill sponsors and legislative leadership for recognizing the serious concerns included in this provision and for addressing them," Shlomo Schorr, Director of Legislative Affairs for Agudath Israel of America's New Jersey Office, said.
"The removal of this language is an important victory for religious liberty, free speech, and parental rights.
We especially thank the thousands of New Jersey residents who responded to our action alert and contacted their legislators to make their voices heard. Their advocacy helped ensure that constitutionally protected speech and religious expression will not be subjected to vague and potentially far-reaching civil liability." |
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Agudath Israel of Missouri hosted Congressman Wesley Bell at the Torah Prep Girls School to discuss issues of importance to our community. |
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Agudath Israel of Missouri Recognizes State Treasurer Vivek Malek for Advancing Educational Choice Across Missouri
Agudath Israel of Missouri presented State Treasurer Vivek Malek with a plaque in recognition for his efforts on behalf of the MOScholars program. The Treasurer and his Chief of Staff, Jackson Bailey, thoroughly enjoyed their tour of Epstein Hebrew Academy. |
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Agudath Israel of Illinois Honors Representative Marty Moylan |
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Agudath Israel of Illinois recently hosted an appreciation luncheon honoring State Representative Marty Moylan as he prepares to retire from public service. During the event, the organization presented him with a plaque in recognition of his many years of friendship, leadership, and support for the Jewish community.
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois, reflected on Rep. Moylan's longstanding partnership with the community and his readiness to lend support when it mattered most. He highlighted Moylan's advocacy for the Scholarship Tax Credit program, his efforts to address antisemitism, and his unwavering support for Israel in the wake of the October 7 attacks.
Recognizing those who have made a meaningful difference for the community is an important value for AIOI. Taking the time to express hakaras hatov to leaders who support our community is a reflection of that principle. |
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Agudath Israel Asks Court to Uphold Religious School Autonomy |
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Agudath Israel of America, alongside a coalition of religious organizations, has filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in a case that raises the question of whether a religious institution has the constitutional right, free from judicial interference, to decline to renew the contract of an employee who violated the institution’s religious tenets. This has significant implications for the ability of religious schools to operate in accordance with their faith and mission.
The case arose after a Catholic school in Minnesota declined to renew the contract of a school librarian after the employee announced plans to publicly act in a manner inconsistent with the schools' religious principles. The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the school, holding that the First Amendment protects religious institutions from government interference in such matters. However, the employee appealed the ruling, and the case is now before the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Agudath Israel’s brief explains the high stakes this case represents and the implications it would have for all religious schools. The submission asks the court to uphold the right to educate children in an environment consistent with one's religious values. It explains that religious schools do much more than merely provide classroom instruction, rather they transmit faith, values, and a way of life.
The brief goes on to explain that this mission depends on the ability of such schools to make employment decisions that reflect and protect their religious character: “Schools for Catholics, Jews, Protestants, and Muslims alike could not survive without the autonomy necessary to carry out their religious missions... If courts were to intrude on the employment decisions of religious schools for such personnel, religious schools would be faced with the ... choice of violating their religious convictions, or else shutting down entirely.”
“Religious schools must be able to operate by the faith they teach,” said Daniel Kaminetsky, General Counsel of Agudath Israel. “For yeshivos and other faith-based schools, the right to hire and retain employees who support the school’s religious mission is essential to religious liberty. Courts should not undermine a religious school’s understanding of its own beliefs or mission.”
Agudath Israel of America thanks Haley Denler, Esq., Nicholas J. Nelson, Esq., Russell B. Balikian, Esq., Andrew G.I. Kilberg, Esq., Michael P. Corcoran, Esq., and Aly Cox, Esq. of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for their work on the brief. |
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YahalomNY Hosts Series of Mothers Spring Events
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Registration is now open for Agudah's Yeshiva Services annual School Administrator Training. This event is geared towards new schools, new administrators, and anyone looking for a refresher course on how to open and run a K-12 school in New York. The topics will address New York State and New York City regulations and requirements, government programs, and funding opportunities.
When: Monday, June 22, 2026, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: COPE Institute, 4006 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11218
Registration Required: agudah.org/schooladmintraining |
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First-Ever Midwest Bnos Agudas Yisroel Leaders Shabbos of Chizuk Inspires Over 150 Bnos Leaders ... ... |
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