On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that includes, among other items, an exemption to the reciprocal tariffs on “bread…used for religious purposes” (e.g., Matzah) and on the Arba Minim – the plant species used by Jews during the holiday of Sukkos.

As the overwhelming majority of these products come from Israel and other foreign countries, tariffs would have threatened access and increased costs of religious observance. This accommodation builds upon the precedent of other exemptions to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for certain religious items and is consistent with the Trump administration’s focus on protecting religious freedom.

“Thank you to the Trump administration for once again accommodating religious practices by exempting the Arba Minim and Matzah from reciprocal tariffs and making it easier for Jewish families to celebrate their holidays,” said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel’s national director of government affairs. “We appreciate that the White House took the matter seriously when we and others brought up these issues and worked with the relevant agencies to find a solution.”

Agudath Israel of America welcomes President Trump’s announcement today that will lead to increasing accessibility and lowering the cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF). These measures include lowering the price of IVF drugs, accelerating FDA approval of IVF treatments, and issuing guidance from several federal agencies that will allow employers to offer standalone infertility and IVF coverage for their employees. This announcement is one more step in the right direction that began with an executive order in February aimed at expanding access to IVF.

Agudath Israel is a longtime advocate of policies that make IVF more accessible to couples who are struggling with infertility. In our own community, countless couples, acting pursuant to competent rabbinic guidance, have used this method of infertility treatment and have been blessed by Hashem with wonderful children. The new measures announced by the President will, b’ezras Hashem, help those who undergo the agony of infertility realize their dream of becoming parents.

In this clip, Rabbi Avi Schnall, Director of Federal Education Affairs at Agudath Israel of America, shares how the Washington office’s advocacy makes it possible for thousands of children to receive a yeshiva education and vital services. He reminds us that this work is rooted in a mesorah, guided by the wisdom of our Torah leaders.

There are Agudah events, and there was the Agudah Federal Advocacy Summit, which was held this Wednesday and Thursday in the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., a historic landmark a stone’s throw from the White House and a few short blocks from the United States Capitol. Over 24 high-impact hours, the Agudah Summit brought together lawmakers and community leaders to advance a focused, high-level agenda. The Agudah centered the Summit around three core priorities: promoting federal school choice, strengthening bipartisan support for Israel, and confronting antisemitism at the highest levels of government. The Summit was powerful, and unscripted honesty defined nearly every session.

The opening session was led by Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of Illinois, and Mordy Herzog, CEO of Royal Wine Corp. It featured John Schilling of the American Federation for Children — one of the key strategists behind the scholarship tax credit included in the One Big Beautiful Bill. He walked participants through the coalition-building that made the tax credit possible and credited Agudah’s 200-person mission to D.C in April as a turning point. Back then, Agudah delegations representing communities from across the country held over 100 in person meetings with legislators and staff. That massive effort generated momentum on Capitol Hill for the cause. “I’d walk into congressional offices to discuss the bill,” he said, “and they’d say, ‘the rabbis were just here about this!’”

Later that afternoon, Howard Tzvi Friedman asked pointed questions to Democrat Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Ritchie Torres, and Jared Moskowitz in an extraordinarily candid conversation about support for Israel within the Democratic Party. With few cameras, the Congressmen spoke openly about being in a party whose base is being dragged left by the rising influence of anti-Israel rhetoric among younger, online-driven progressives. They urged attendees to more fully engage with staffers and second-tier officials who shape long-term political culture and warned against letting Israel become a partisan issue.

At a packed cocktail reception later that evening, dozens of lawmakers and senior staffers joined Summit participants to build relationships and cultivate the kind of trust and familiarity that so often turns advocacy into action.

At that evening’s dinner, Rabbi A.D. Motzen, National Director of Government Affairs, presented an award to Senator Ted Cruz, who arrived directly from the Senate floor, stepping out during a break in the “Vote-a-Rama” that lasted until 2 AM. The Senator gave an unvarnished, play-by-play account of the battle to preserve the scholarship tax credit in the face of last-minute attempts to strike it from the bill. “We worked hand in hand with you,” said the Senator. “Thank you for your advice, your counsel, your guidance, your manpower, and your wisdom.” The Board of Trustees then presented a visibly moved Cruz with a $36,000 donation for the victims of the Texas floods.

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, the organization’s Executive Vice President, publicly thanked the participants and elected officials – including those not present at the dinner. In fact, earlier that day, a smaller Agudah delegation presented plaques to the sponsors and champions of the effort to include the federal scholarship credit in the reconciliation bill. Rabbi Zwiebel singled out President Donald J. Trump for special praise for his relentless support for Israel and his decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Special Assistant to the President and White House Jewish liaison, Martin Marks conveyed the President’s greetings. He also commended Agudah’s professionalism, thanking them for being an effective and meaningful advocate for the community.

Rabbi Avi Schnall, Agudah’s Director of Federal Education Affairs, also announced that Agudah’s Washington Office will be moving to Capitol Hill. The relocation reflects the organization’s increasingly proactive, hands-on approach to advocacy and the growing impact of its presence in the nation’s capital.

Thursday morning began with remarks from Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. She outlined her team’s expanded efforts to combat antisemitism across institutions and jurisdictions. Dhillon was followed by Judge Jeanine Pirro, Interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. Reputed for her tenacious and outspoken legal advocacy, she pledged in no uncertain terms to hold individuals and institutions accountable for anti-Semitic actions. The Summit’s final speech was a fiery, no holds-barred address from Leo Terrell, senior counsel to the Assistant AG and chair of the DOJ’s Antisemitism Task Force. He wore a cap with “Hadar Goldin” – the name of an IDF soldier that was abducted murdered by Hamas – and whose body still languishes in the clutches of the terror group – embroidered across the top and pledged to eliminate anti-Semitism.

In a town known for talking points and posturing, the Agudah Summit stood out for its candor and level of engagement, bringing the community’s most pressing priorities to the highest echelons in government with professionalism, dignity and an unmistakable energy.

Click here to watch the full keynote address from Senator Ted Cruz.

Click here to watch the video presentation from the dinner.

Thanking Senator Ted Cruz for leading the fight to ensure federal school choice was included in the reconciliation bill. (L-R) Chaskel Bennett, Rabbi Avi Schnall, Rabbi Yossie Charner, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Senator Ted Cruz, Mr. Shlomo Werdiger, Rabbi Yitzchok Ehrman

Leo Terrell, Chair of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Antisemitism and Senior Counsel at the DOJ

Photo Credits: Agudath Israel of America/ Dunoff Photography

On Independence Day, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” which permanently enshrines the nation’s first federal scholarship tax credit into law. This new provision will enable eligible students to receive K-12 scholarships to attend the yeshivah or school of their choice.

Beginning in 2027, donors in all 50 states will be able to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributing to scholarship organizations. These nonprofits will then use the donations to provide K-12 scholarships to students from families earning 300% or less of the median income of that area. There is no annual cap on the overall amount raised, but the maximum contribution amount is $1,700 per taxpayer. Agudath Israel has been at the forefront of the advocacy effort to expand school choice on the state and federal levels for decades.

“By signing this historic tax credit into law President Trump brought the country one giant step closer to his stated goal of universal school choice,“ said Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel of America’s national director of government affairs. “This new federal scholarship tax credit will allow taxpayers in all 50 states to generate K-12 scholarships that empower parents and students.”

Rabbi Yossie Charner, Agudath Israel’s Director of Congressional Affairs added, “Agudath Israel thanks the many Congressional supporters who championed this issue on behalf of parents across the country.”

“Agudah will continue its school choice advocacy on the state and federal levels,” said Rabbi Avi Schnall, Agudath Israel’s director of federal education affairs. “We will work to ensure that all states participate and enable their families to benefit from this new scholarship whether they attend public, private, or religious schools.”

Click here or on the image above to download.

As we continue to daven for Acheinu Bnei Yisrael amid the ongoing war with Iran, we remain committed to help Americans trying to return to the U.S. and facing uncertainty.

The sudden closure of Israeli airspace has disrupted travel for thousands of people including yeshiva and seminary students and those with urgent medical or personal needs. In this time of war, our sense of responsibility to Klal Yisrael demands coordinated action.

Our organizations have been in touch with the White House, U.S. State Department, and Israeli Government as well as U.S. and Israeli Embassies and have utilized global partnerships developed through past crises. With Hashem’s help, we remain fully engaged with government officials to address every viable option.

While commercial flights remain suspended, repatriation flights into Ben Gurion Airport resumed today. Outgoing repatriation flights for tourists will begin imminently. Details will be released in the days ahead.

For U.S. Citizens:

Enroll in the State Department’s STEP program (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) for urgent embassy alerts and to be notified of possible evacuation flights here.

For tourists in Israel:

Register with the Ministry of Tourism’s evacuation form to be considered for coordinated departure flights if/when they become available.

As part of this effort, Amudim is collecting information from U.S. citizens who are in Israel and hoping to depart. Click here to access the Amudim form. We advise those looking to depart to be ready to travel at a moment’s notice.

Travel via Alternate Routes

If considering leaving Israel through Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, or other unconventional routes, weigh all potential outcomes and ensure your route is properly coordinated, legal, and safe. There are currently travel advisories from both the U.S. and Israeli Government regarding travel to Jordan and Egypt.

We have received many calls from distressed travelers. The following tips may help avoid some of the stressful situations that occurred.

• Bring food for 48 hours – pack for the unexpected.

• Follow all instructions from officials, trip leaders and security personnel. Comply with luggage allowance as excess luggage may not be allowed.

• Remain calm and respectful. Confrontations can result in delays or denial of entry.

• Expect the unexpected – delays, reroutes, and denied entries can occur without warning.

For Egypt and Jordan:

Act and dress discreetly and avoid visible religious identifiers. In Jordan, tefillin must be packed inside luggage. Do not form public minyanim or engage in visibly religious activity.

US House votes to expand school choice to all 50 states!

Early this morning, the US House voted to pass the multi-trillion dollar budget reconciliation bill. After months (and really years) of advocacy efforts, the bill included our number one priority, the Educational Choice for Children Act. This game-changing legislation will provide $5 billion annually in tax credits for K-12 scholarships.

What is ECCA and how will it help you? See below to watch an informative Q&A.

Thank you to those who responded to our calls to action over the last few years and especially over the last 6 months and reached out to your members of Congress by email or in person. Your voices were heard!

…But we still need your help!

The Senate is already working on its own version of the “big beautiful bill” and a federal school choice proposal. The Senate version of ECCA sponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R – LA) and Tim Scott (R- SC) aims to double the annual allocation to $10 billion among other improvements.

On Tuesday, Senator Ted Cruz (R- TX), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced the Universal School Choice Act in Congress. The bill provides $10 billion a year for K-12 scholarships and, as its name implies, extends eligibility to every student in the country.

Agudah and its allies have been meeting with the Senate sponsors and other supporters of ECCA and the proposed Universal School Choice Act with a goal of ensuring that the “biggest and most beautiful” scholarship tax credit proposal possible is included in the final budget reconciliation package.

We will need your help to get this over the finish line and on President Trump’s desk and in the coming days and weeks will send details on what YOU can do to make a difference.

We need your help to get this over the finish line and on President Trump’s desk.

As the bill moves to the Senate, the Agudah will continue to intensify our advocacy efforts to ensure that the proposal is improved upon and ultimately passes, making school choice a reality in all 50 states.

Help support the Agudah’s advocacy efforts and bring school choice to all 50 states by clicking here to make a donation.