My Dear Friend,
Last January, during one of the darkest periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the New York State Budget was released, it did not look good. At the time the state was looking at a possible $15 billion budget deficit with painful cuts in all areas. More ominous, though, was proposed language that threatened the very existence of Mandated Services Aid (MSA). The MSA program, originally promoted by the legendary Agudah leader Rabbi Moshe Sherer z”l, and enacted in 1974 is the largest single source of funding for non-public schools in New York. Making things more difficult was the fact that we were unable to visit the state capitol in Albany to directly lobby lawmakers as the capitol complex was closed to visitors due to COVID restrictions.
Despite the difficult situation, Agudah representatives immediately sprang into action. Through a series of zoom lobbying, we reached top legislative leaders, and together with our coalition partners prevailed upon them to remove the threatening language and save the program.
This is a prime example of Agudah intervening at the highest levels of government on behalf of Klal Yisroel. When New York City saw a spate of anti semitic attacks earlier this year Agudah representatives were in the mayor’s office that very day pushing for additional police protection for our vulnerable communities. And when a shul was having difficulties obtaining a permit to construct a sukka in front of their shul, it was the intervention of Agudah that facilitated their permit.
The Agudah is here to serve Klal Yisroel – every day- but we can’t do it without you. The cost of operating our programs each year is in the millions.
Our campaign is matched, meaning every dollar you give will be doubled. EVERY donation makes a difference!
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