We are devastated and broken-hearted over the petirah of the Novominsker Rebbe Horav Yaakov Perlow, זצוק’ל. The Rebbe was a longstanding member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, and served as Rosh Agudas Yisroel for the past 22 years. The loss to Klal Yisroel, and Agudas Yisroel, is incalculable.

Updated Guidance

Please click here for our updated guidance regarding coronavirus aid – it has been updated to include information for small businesses and non-profits, in addition to individuals. Please email covidfinances@agudah.org for further assistance.

New York State Department of Health Guidance

The NYS Department of Health has issued detailed guidance for Pesach during this public health emergency. The Department urges all to avoid in-person gatherings for any purpose, to practice alternative forms of worship if possible, and to enact the necessary precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Click here for the full memo.

Medical Directives

At this critical time, when lifesaving medical equipment is in short supply, Chayim Aruchim a division of Agudath Israel, is urging every member of the Jewish community to sign a halachic medical directive to ensure that their religious rights are protected should they, rachmana l’tzlan, become critically ill. Please click here to download a halachic medical directive for use in New York State

New York on Pause Extended

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is extending the statewide shutdown of schools and most businesses through April 29th. The governor also announced that fines for violating social distancing will be increased from $500 to $1000.

Unemployment Resources

The week of March 23-29, the Department of Labor (DOL) received 8.2 million calls and the online system received 3.4 million visits. DOL typically receives 50,000 calls and 350,000 online visits. People are understandably frustrated and have experienced long wait times, and technical issues with the website. To address the surge in applications, DOL is doing the following:
Asking filers to call or visit the website on staggered days based on their last name:
A-F on Monday
G-N on Tuesday
O-Z on Wednesday
Thursday and Friday will be for those that miss their days;
Automating portions of the claim process so fewer people need to call the hotline;
Increasing personnel capacity by 700 for the hotline;
Expanding Call Center Hours: to Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday’s 8 a.m. to 6 p.m
Adding 20 servers to support website capacity.
Please note, even if you are delayed in receiving your application, you will still receive all the benefits you are entitled to.

Special Sanitation Pickups

In light of the coronavirus situation we have been informed that there will be no special Erev Pesach sanitation collections this year in New York City. Sanitation pickups will be on their regularly scheduled days. However we have been informed that Sanitation will place special containers for Passover refuse starting Monday April 6th at the following Brooklyn locations.

Location # 1
12 avenue and 45 street

Location # 2
14 Avenue and 45 Street

Location # 3
14 avenue and 53 street

Location # 4
16 avenue and 48 street

Location # 5
18 avenue and 55 street

Location # 6
Quentin Rd. Bedford Ave to E 26 St (In front of James Madison HS)

Location # 7
Nostrand Avenue between Kings Highway and Ave P (at Park)

Location # 8
PS 240, 2500 Nostrand Avenue (At ave L )

Location # 9
3302 Avenue P (On E. 33 St)

Location # 10
3311 Avenue S

If you have any questions or would like any further information please feel free to email ysilber@agudah.org and we will do our best to respond.

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