I write these words with tears in my eyes. My friend, my friends’ father, and a man who had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know, Robert “Mendy” Klein suddenly passed away yesterday. Our official statement talked about our deep shock and described his passions. Much more can and

Agudath Israel staff and guests with Senator Joe Leiberman

will be said and our upcoming dinner will attempt to pay tribute to him. I along with many of my colleagues at Agudath Israel felt privileged to call him a friend. He will be sorely missed.

I found out about Mendy’s tragic passing while in DC for the American Federation for Children summit which was fitting as school choice and anything to do with children and education were issues very close to Mendy’s heart. Agudah was well represented at the summit where we had the opportunity to meet with and hear fro m former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels former Senator Joe Lieberman, and many others.

Senator Lieberman gave a very warm welcome to his longtime friend, Rabbi Abba Cohen, who had just returned from the White House event celebrating the National Day of Prayer and the signing of an executive order establishing the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative.

Religious liberty was on our agenda in New York this week as our special counsel Rabbi Mordechai Biser testified against a physician assisted suicide

Agudath Israel directors with Governor Mitch Daniels

bill. Our legal team was also involved in submitting  a brief in the US Court of Appeals defending the constitutionality of the parsonage allowance.

Our regional directors were busy with Rabbi Sadwin attending events in Harrisburg, PA and Rabbi Schnall hosting a legislative breakfast in New

 

Jersey.

I was sorry to miss the New Jersey event as I was in Atlanta where I attended the 75th anniversary dinner of Beth Jacob, met with the new director of Georgia WIC to discuss kosher accommodations and attended a meeting between community leaders and top staff of the Georgia Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health.

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