March 6 Update

This week, Agudah held its second Albany Day of the 2022 legislative season. This meeting was for the areas of Queens and Long Island. The delegation met over zoom with nearly a dozen legislators or staff members. Topics covered included security for yeshivas, expanded child care credits, additional funding for summer feeding programs, and more. See below for photos.

This week, Agudath Israel of America filed an amicus curiae “friend of the court” brief in a case that could expand transportation services for many nonpublic school students across New York State. The case examines whether school districts in New York State must provide transportation to nonpublic school students on all days that their schools are in session, even if public schools are closed. Brought by the United Jewish Community of Blooming Grove on behalf of students and their parents against the Washingtonville Central School District and the New York State Education Department, the case challenges the existing policy of only providing nonpublic school transportation when public schools are open. For more on this please click here or see below for a video explanation from Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus, Director of Yeshiva Services.

This week Governor Hochul announced a plan to end the state mask requirement for schools as of this past Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Statewide mask requirements will still be in effect at healthcare settings, adult care facilities, nursing homes, buses and bus stations, trains and train station, subways and subway stations, and planes and airports.

In New York City, Mayor Adams announced the following changes regarding masks and vaccines:

Vaccine passports for restaurants, gyms and other public places will no longer be required starting Monday, March 7 if reports of new coronavirus cases in the city remain low.

School mask requirements will be lifted Monday, March 7.

Agudath Israel has set up a relief fund for the Jews of Ukraine. The need is urgent, and those who wish may contribute by going to agudah.org/Ukraine, or calling 917-795-4414. You can mail a check to Agudath Israel, attn: Ukraine Fund, 42 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004. We are working with trusted partners “on the ground” to make sure that all donations go to this pressing need, including such items as additional security, and evacuation and housing costs. Please contribute generously. Thank you. Click here to donate.

Click here or below to watch.