News

In a letter sent this week to Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism in the US State Department, the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV) called upon the Biden administration to remove the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) from the new US National Strategy to Counter Anti-Semitism, released just weeks ago. In a fact sheet that accompanied the release of the National Strategy, the Administration touted “commitments” from CAIR and other groups to “counter anti-Semitism and build cross-community solidarity.” CJV, representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, called it a “serious error” to have named CAIR as an ally “without a public statement of regret and commitment to change” from that organization.

The Orthodox Union Women’s Initiative is bringing back its highly successful ALIT Summer Virtual Beis Midrash. The program will offer a two-week schedule July 10-20 with Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday tracks of virtual classes and interactive discussions for women all over North America and around the world.

A standout meeting was held with Council Member Lynn Schulman in Kew Gardens last week. Aaron Cyperstein, President of Chaverim of Queens, and Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Special Liaison to Congress Member Grace Meng, facilitated a program to thank Schulman for all of her efforts on behalf of the Jewish community. Schulman has specifically spent time prioritizing public safety, fighting against anti-Semitism, and maintaining funding for Jewish community groups, where she has delivered $5 million thus far. Schulman has also shown great support for Israel and strongly opposes Boycott Divest Sanctions (“BDS”). Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal, also in attendance, thanked Schulman for all of her advocacy on behalf of the Queens Jewish Community.

In this week’s parshah, we learn that the sons of Korach did not follow their father, nor his teachings. As it states, “And the sons of Korach did not die” (BaMidbar 26:11). The sons of Korach were spared from the fate decreed upon their father because they did not follow in his ways.

Rambam Mesivta graduated its 27th class on June 19, to the rousing applause of faculty, staff, parents, family members and students.