Agudah’s Advocacy Mission to Albany Begins with Queens and Long Island Delegation

Agudath Israel of America began its three-part advocacy mission to Albany this Tuesday, bringing together delegates from Queens and Long Island to meet with legislators and address critical issues affecting their communities.

The alarming surge in antisemitic hate crimes has placed Jewish communities under unprecedented threat. In New York City alone, over half of all reported hate crimes specifically target Jews, making it clear that stronger protective measures are not just necessary, but urgent. A crucial component in fortifying our schools is the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) Grant, which provides essential funding for security enhancements. While last year’s increase from $45 million to $70 million was a step forward, it is still insufficient in the face of escalating threats. Agudah is calling for an immediate increase to $90 million to ensure that every Jewish school has the necessary resources to protect its students and staff from harm.

Additionally, delegates pressed for the expansion of the Empire State Child Credit, which Governor Hochul has proposed increasing to up to $1,000 per child under age four and $500 per child from ages four to sixteen for eligible taxpayers. Agudah strongly supports this initiative and is advocating for indexing the credit to inflation and adjusting eligibility criteria to consider family size.

Other priorities include, securing an increase in funding for immunization record-keeping costs, which currently stands at just $1 million, far below the estimated $15 million required statewide; advocating for universal school meals; and preserving the reimbursement for Mandated Services Aid.

Delegates met with Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-23), Sam Berger (D-27), Ari Brown (R-20), Andrew Hevesi (D-28), , Daniel Norber (R-16), Nily Rozic (D-25), and Steve Stern (D-10), as well as Senators Joseph Addabbo (D-15), Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-9), Leroy Comrie (D-14), ), and James Sanders (D-10), as well as staff of Assemblymember Judy Griffin (D-21), and staff of State Senators Jack Martins (R-7), John Liu (D-16), and Toby Ann Stavisky (D-11). The delegation was also joined at lunch by Assemblymembers Simcha Eichenstein and Kalman Yeger, and was privileged to provide a minyan and host Assemblymember Sam Berger’s siyum on Maseches Beitza.

Agudah’s Albany Days are a powerful opportunity to engage in advocacy on behalf of our schools and communities,” said Rabbi Ari Ginian, executive director of Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island. “Traveling to Albany allows us to speak directly with legislators, convey the challenges and advocate for the needs of our students.”

“I have repeatedly been told by legislators about the difference it makes when they meet their constituents face-to-face,” said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudah’s director of New York government relations. “By bringing community members to Albany, we facilitate meaningful dialogue and strengthen our advocacy efforts.”