Illinois GOP Leaders Visit Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish Community

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Late last week, Agudath Israel of Illinois (AIOI) was pleased to welcome Illinois Senate GOP Leader Dan McConchie (R – Lake Zurich) and Illinois House GOP Leader Jim Durkin (R – Western Springs) for a tour of the Orthodox Jewish community in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. During Agudah’s recent mission to Springfield, the GOP Leadership had expressed interest in visiting the community and AIOI was happy to accommodate. The visit, which started out with a driving tour of the Jewish neighborhood showing shuls, schools, and businesses, aimed at giving the leaders an understanding of the values, character, history, and dynamics of Chicagoland’s Orthodox Jewish community.

Students took the opportunity to show their elaborate Shmita (agricultural sabbatical year observed in Israel) displays to the GOP Leaders, during a tour of Arie Crown Hebrew Day School guided by principal Rabbi Eli Samber and school president Elan Magence. It was also an opportunity for the leadership to learn about the intense dual curriculum of Orthodox day schools and see firsthand the transformative impact of Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program on hundreds of children.

At the Chicago Center for Torah and Chesed, the leaders got an inside look at the medical and social services divisions. Rabbi Tzvi Bider, the Center’s executive director, led them through the clinical area, the medical supplies warehouse, and the commercial kitchen, explaining to the visitors how dedicated staff and volunteers work around the clock, providing for the needs of all in the most thoughtful and creative of ways.

Across the street, the leadership was given a tour of Hatzalah Chicago’s headquarters which included an audio-visual presentation, the garage, training center, and learned about Hatzalah’s close collaboration with the Illinois State Police, Cook County EMS, and local fire and police departments.

The tour was followed by a meeting with lay leaders to discuss issues and challenges unique to the Orthodox Jewish community. “It’s really important for elected officials and policy makers to get to know the Orthodox community, see its unique beauty and to understand who we are,” said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, director for government affairs of AIOI. “The feedback I’ve already received reaffirms my belief that these visits help leadership understand that an investment in our community is really an investment in state, and we look forward to furthering our partnership and working together.”

{Matzav.com}


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