New York2023-07-03T10:48:42-04:00
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2023 Legislative Summary

Our Team

Rabbi Yeruchim Silber serves as Director of New York Government Relations. Prior to joining Agudath Israel, Rabbi Silber served in many roles including Executive Director of the Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC), Vice President of Community Affairs for Metropolitan Jewish Health System and also served on staff of then Councilmember Bill de Blasio as a Community Liaison.

Rabbi Silber received his rabbinic ordination from the Mesivta of Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn in addition to advanced Talmudic studies at Rabbinical Seminary Netzach Israel in Jerusalem, Israel and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ. He also studied history and political science at Brooklyn College and business administration at Long Island University. 

Rabbi Silber can be reached at ysilber@agudah.org

Rabbi Yeruchim Silber serves as Director of New York Government Relations. Prior to joining Agudath Israel, Rabbi Silber served in many roles including Executive Director of the Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC), Vice President of Community Affairs for Metropolitan Jewish Health System and also served on staff of then Councilmember Bill de Blasio as a Community Liaison.

Rabbi Silber received his rabbinic ordination from the Mesivta of Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn in addition to advanced Talmudic studies at Rabbinical Seminary Netzach Israel in Jerusalem, Israel and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ. He also studied history and political science at Brooklyn College and business administration at Long Island University. 

Rabbi Silber can be reached at ysilber@agudah.org

Rabbi Shragi Greenbaum, Director of the Rockland County Regional Office (also serving Westchester, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties), has long ties to the local communities. His grandfather, the legendary Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz, founded Beis Medresh Elyon, and his father was the founder and longtime dean of one of the largest day schools in Rockland county, Yeshiva of Spring Valley.

Rabbi Greenbaum studied in the Yeshiva of Philadelphia under Rabbi Elya Svei, and served as the founder and director of Aish Dos, the first high school striving to help underachieving children find success. He was also the founding director of Agudath Israel of New Jersey in 2004, and was successful in bringing millions of dollars of federal funding into Jewish schools in New Jersey.

Rabbi Greenbaum works tirelessly in his current position of representing the Jewish community of Rockland County to government authorities at the federal, state, and local levels as he advocates for the Jewish school system and other community institutions and organizations. He is instrumental in helping the community grow by helping them properly navigating the sometimes confusing areas of government regulations and legislation.

Rabbi Greenbaum can be reached at sgreenbaum@agudah.org

Rabbi Shragi Greenbaum, Director of the Rockland County Regional Office (also serving Westchester, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties), has long ties to the local communities. His grandfather, the legendary Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz, founded Beis Medresh Elyon, and his father was the founder and longtime dean of one of the largest day schools in Rockland county, Yeshiva of Spring Valley.

Rabbi Greenbaum studied in the Yeshiva of Philadelphia under Rabbi Elya Svei, and served as the founder and director of Aish Dos, the first high school striving to help underachieving children find success. He was also the founding director of Agudath Israel of New Jersey in 2004, and was successful in bringing millions of dollars of federal funding into Jewish schools in New Jersey.

Rabbi Greenbaum works tirelessly in his current position of representing the Jewish community of Rockland County to government authorities at the federal, state, and local levels as he advocates for the Jewish school system and other community institutions and organizations. He is instrumental in helping the community grow by helping them properly navigating the sometimes confusing areas of government regulations and legislation.

Rabbi Greenbaum can be reached at sgreenbaum@agudah.org

Advocacy

Education

One prime focus for Agudath Israel is to advocate for resources for yeshivas and other non-public schools. To that end, in the New York State 2022-23 budget we were successful in obtaining:

  • $195 million for Mandated Services Aid (MSA) and Comprehensive Attendance Program (CAP),
  • Tens of millions in unspent EANS (Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools) funding reverting to GEER (Governors Emergency Educational Relief funding).
  • $45 million for Nonpublic School Safety and Equipment Grant (NPSE) and $25 for Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant.
  • $1 million to reimburse schools in NYC, Buffalo and Rochester for immunization recordkeeping.

Assistance to Parents and Families

The Agudah National Office focuses on assisting parents in education expenses and has led efforts that have brought tuition relief to yeshiva parents in Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, and Florida. To that end, the New York State 2022-23 budget includes:

  • A major investment in child-care aid, which includes $7 billion over 4 years towards a goal of full, universal, free child care. This will be a tremendous benefit to many working parents who are burdened with costs of child care while they are supporting their families.
  • A substantial increase in the Empire State Child Tax Credit based on income levels. This Agudah priority directly impacts families with children, by putting additional dollars in their pockets and helping them keep up with the costs of raising families.

Religious Freedom/Antisemitism

Agudath Israel’s New York office fights antisemitism in all its forms. This includes overt attacks as well as ensuring Orthodox Jews are not discriminated against in any form, such as in land use and zoning ordinances.

  • Agudah advocates for more police and other government protections for the Jewish community
  • Agudah was instrumental in Governor Hochul’s decision to veto a bill that would have served to halt the growth of a growing Orthodox community there.

News

Timely Updates

Legislative Memos

Gallery

Contact Us

  • Rabbi Yeruchim Silber
    Director of New York Government Relations

  • 212.797.9000 ext. 310

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