Dear Friends,

Most of you have already heard the great news! Just a few days ago, at a meeting in the office of Agudah’s chairman Mr.  Shlomo Werdiger, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her intention to opt-in the State of New York to the new federal scholarship tax credit.

$500 million in scholarships! If only 10% of eligible New York taxpayers participate and donate to a scholarship organization the maximum $1700 (at no cost to them), it is estimated that this could generate more than $500 million in K-12 scholarships for New Yorkers.

Now it’s time to thank the Governor.

Please take two minutes to send the governor an email. Take an extra minute to personalize it and explain why this is so important to you and how your family or others could benefit from these scholarships.

Photo: The meeting last night hosted by Agudath Israel’s chairman of the board, Mr. Sol Werdiger, at which the Governor Hochul announced her intention to opt in to the federal scholarship tax credit.

In a public statement, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office said this morning that the governor “is supportive of the federal tax credit scholarship and its potential to help New York students and schools.” The announcement followed a meeting last night between the governor and Orthodox community leaders hosted by Agudath Israel’s chairman of the board, Mr. Sol Werdiger, at which the governor announced her intention to opt in to the federal scholarship tax credit. This announcement was celebrated by Agudath Israel of America and families across the state who have been eagerly waiting for New York to opt in to this new federal opportunity.

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) allows taxpayers to contribute up to $1700 to a scholarship granting organization and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. Scholarships can be used for tutoring, special needs services, and tuition among many allowable uses. While 27 states have already joined, only one Democratic governor, Jared Polis of Colorado has opted in so far. Agudath Israel, together with its allies and grassroots advocates, played a key role in the passage of the tax credit.

“Governor Hochul correctly highlighted that the new tax credit has great potential to help all New York students whether they attend private or public school,” said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, Agudath Israel of America’s national director of government affairs. “Opting in allows New York State to retain some of the billions of dollars in New York taxpayer money that would have flowed to the federal government or donated to scholarship organizations in other states.”

Agudath Israel and its allies including the FSTC Coalition, the NYS Catholic Conference, Invest in Education, and Teach NYS will continue to work with the governor and her staff to ensure that the tax credit is implemented in a way that helps all families. Agudath Israel and its allies are also working closely with the Treasury Department and we are confident that the rules will be ones that all states can accept and benefit from.

To learn more about the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit go to agudah.org/FSTC.

Earlier today President Donald Trump issued a proclamation in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month and included a call to Jewish Americans to observe a “national Sabbath” as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of America. The President specifically pointed to the Shabbos of Parshas Bamidbar (May 15-16) as a day to strengthen Sabbath observance and express gratitude for our great Nation.

Agudath Israel supports this initiative, which is referred to in some circles as “Shabbos 250.” We encourage our constituents to use the occasion of Shabbos 250 to reflect on the historic role America has played over the years in serving as a haven of religious freedom. Indeed, the basic obligation of hakaras hatov, recognizing and appreciating the incredible good of our host nation, is a fundamental principle worthy of public acknowledgement.

“Shabbos 250 is an opportunity to celebrate the religious liberty we enjoy in this great country and to reflect on the gratitude owed to the United States by each and every one of us,” said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel of America’s national director of government affairs. “We thank President Trump for recognizing the important role of the Jewish People and Shabbos in the history of the United States.”

Agudath Israel of America welcomes the inclusion of $300 million in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in a bill signed yesterday by President Trump. However, in light of the rise in antisemitism, the appropriation falls short of adequately addressing the security needs of vulnerable nonprofit institutions.

NSGP is a federal program that assists nonprofits at high risk of terrorist attack to fund target hardening and personnel to help secure their facilities. The program has been utilized, and is in particularly high demand, by institutions in the Jewish community, including synagogues, religious schools, and charitable institutions. Agudath Israel was among the groups at the forefront of NSGP’s creation and has actively promoted its annual funding.

“Agudath Israel of America appreciates that the Nonprofit Security Grant Program was included in the DHS funding bill by Congress and even provided a slight increase, but at a time when antisemitism is surging, the security of Jewish institutions needs to be a top priority. The fact that a majority of grant applicants are turned away due to lack of funds is very concerning.” explained Rabbi A.D. Motzen, national director of government affairs for Agudath Israel. “We remain committed to working with our allies to secure more robust funding that meets the scale of the threat facing Jewish communities and other at-risk nonprofits nationwide.”

Agudath Israel of America has announced its support for the bipartisan SACRED Act, introduced by Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Max Miller (R-OH). This bill aims to protect religious institutions by making it illegal to intimidate attendees or to obstruct access to houses of worship within a 100-foot zone.

“Houses of worship are sacred spaces and visitors gathering there to pray or attend communal events should be free from harassment. The SACRED Act helps protect communities by creating a buffer zone around places of religious worship and individuals and imposes penalties for violations of this law,” said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, national director of government affairs for Agudath Israel. “Unfortunately, recent incidents in front of synagogues around the country highlight the need for additional protections.”

When the New York City Council passed two bills giving the NYPD the authority to establish buffer zones around houses of worship and educational institutions to protect against unlawful harassment of people in or around the buildings, Agudath Israel of America made a strong push to get Mayor Mamdani to sign the bills.

The Mayor has now vetoed the school buffer bill, thereby stymying an important initiative designed to protect students, staff and others in school buildings against unlawful harassment. In the Jewish community especially, where troubling incidents of such harassment have become all too commonplace, the Mayor’s veto stings deeply.

This development is a setback, but we will not back down. Agudath Israel is working with city, state and federal officials to take tangible steps to protect our community from antisemitism. And while we do our shtadlonus advocacy, we are reminded once again that all is in the loving Hands of the one and only Shomer Yisroel, and that it is to Him that we must direct our most powerful shtadlonus tool: tefilla.

Photo: Hillel Anton and Mrs. Suri Botuck with bill sponsors State Representative George Hruza and State Senator Curtis Trent at the signing ceremony.

Mrs. Suri Botuck, Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of Missouri, and Mr. Hillel Anton, Director of Agudath Israel of Missouri’s Education Assistance Organization, joined Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe in Jefferson City on Thursday as he signed House Bill 2061 into law, cementing Missouri’s place as the 39th state to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.

HB 2061 requires public K-12 schools and state-funded colleges and universities to incorporate the IHRA definition into their codes of conduct, prohibit antisemitic harassment, and ensure equal access to educational services

“As antisemitic incidents have increased at an alarming rate in recent years, the importance of providing protections against harassment and discrimination of students cannot be overstated,” said Mrs. Botuck. “Agudath Israel is grateful to Governor Kehoe and to Missouri legislators who acted decisively to support and protect Jewish students across the state. This legislation lets the Jewish community in Missouri know that their state stands firmly behind them.”

Agudath Israel of Missouri is particularly grateful to legislative sponsors, State Representative George Hruza (R-Town & Country) and State Senator Curtis Trent (R-Springfield) for their steadfast support and leadership in advancing the passage of HB 2061.

Agudath Israel of Missouri welcomes the Cole County Circuit Court’s dismissal with prejudice of a lawsuit that sought to revoke $50 million appropriated to Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA), or “MOScholars” program.

Enacted in 2021, MOScholars provides K-12 grants that are funded through private donations from individuals and corporations to educational assistance organizations (EAOs) which administer the program. Donors can receive a state tax credit worth 100% of their gift.

The MOScholars program has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the number of qualified students increasing by 122 percent. To meet that demand and ensure that all eligible children can be served, Governor Mike Kehoe authorized an additional $50 million for the program in the 2025 budget.

The Missouri National Education Association (MNEA) subsequently filed suit in an effort to block that funding. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and Treasurer Vivek Malek successfully defended the program, and the Cole County Circuit Court’s dismissal ensures families can continue to benefit from the scholarships.

“Agudath Israel was proud to be part of the effort and to stand alongside MOScholars families when this program came under challenge. We are grateful to AG Hanaway, Treasurer Malek, EdChoice Legal Advocates, and all those who worked to defend MOScholars,” said Mrs. Suri Botuck, Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of Missouri. “Moments like this are a powerful reminder of what is possible when families advocate for their children’s educational freedom.”

“Agudath Israel of Missouri has distributed $4.9 million in scholarships since the program’s inception and is set to distribute over $3 million this year,” said Hillel Anton, director of Agudath Israel of Missouri’s EAO. “These scholarships open doors of opportunity and make quality education and support services possible for so many families.”