Combating Antisemitism the Focus at Agudath Israel’s Washington Leadership Mission

In response to the alarming rise of antisemitism targeting Jews – including particular threats against Orthodox Jewish communities – Agudath Israel of America convened a Leadership Mission to Washington DC last week, comprising over 60 Orthodox Jewish delegates from around the country.

The Leadership Mission’s goal was to join forces with the American government to stand together with the Agudah, fighting back against the poison of hate. Meetings with Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Justice, as well as luncheon with senators, focused on these issues, and although Agudah does not expect antisemitism to disappear any time soon, Agudah is committed to push back at the causes and effects of antisemitism in all ways possible.

The Mission kicked off with a special dinner featuring Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, who discussed her efforts at the State Department to monitor and combat foreign antisemitism, including threats to religious slaughter and circumcision, and outreach to other governments to take concrete steps to address Jew-hatred in their countries. Delegates also heard from Special Envoy Ellen Germain, who discussed her extensive work in regard to Holocaust restitution and education and Melissa Rogers, Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, who spoke about the Administration’s Interagency Task Force on Antisemitism. These issues are all items that Agudath Israel has been working on over the last years.

At the Department of Justice, where the participants met with department officials to discuss online hate and hate crimes, Mrs. Chanie Rubin, co-founder and chief quality officer of Proud Moments ABA, addressed antisemitism on a deeply personal level, speaking about her experience raising children in New York City: “I cannot let my son ride his bike or the city bus to school because of the very real threat of being attacked for wearing his yarmulka. This is a concern of many other mothers I speak with.” Mrs. Ariella Hellman, director of Government Affairs for Agudah’s New England office followed by bringing up a very personal incident of a stabbing attack outside a local Jewish school.

The Department of Justice enforces Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) legislation which protects individuals, houses of worship, and other religious institutions from discrimination in zoning and landmarking laws. To that end, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke told of the recent settlements brokered by the Department of Justice in Jackson and Toms River, NJ. Various delegates relayed instances of zoning discrimination as well as more insidious forms of antisemitism that come from local residents rather than governmental entities. Assistant Attorney General Clarke responded to each one with great interest saying that the DOJ would look into each situation and would be happy to partner with Agudath Israel and local communities.

At a lunch banquet in the Kennedy Caucus Room, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told the delegates, “I know how important yeshivas are,” and that he was committed to ensuring their security. Senator Schumer assured the delegates that he would do all he can for bi-partisan support of Israel. He also addressed passport issues that families with newborns in Israel are facing, assuring the delegates that his office was working on helping people come home for Pesach.

Senator James Lankford (R-OK), co-chair of the bi-partisan task force for combating antisemitism, spoke with the delegates about what the United States can do to combat antisemitism internationally, the importance of a secure Israel, and continuing the Abraham Accords with other countries in the Middle East.

Other senators addressed the delegates, including Tom Cotton (R-AR), a sponsor of the new Taylor Force Act. This legislation is aimed at eliminating Palestinian “martyr payments.” It would deter foreign banks from processing these payments for the Palestinian Authority by cutting off their access to the United States financial system. He also said that he is committed to making sure that permanent daylight saving time – which would cause harm in many Orthodox Jewish communities – would not be enacted.

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) spoke of the need to work together to fight antisemitism, and ensuring that our schools and institutions have the necessary resources and tools to guarantee their security.

Another issue looming large for the Orthodox Jewish community is school choice. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), co-sponsor of the Educational Choice for Children Act, shared: “I am a huge supporter of common sense – therefore, I am a huge supporter of school choice.”

A high priority for Agudath Israel is expanding access to school choice. Delegates participated in a roundtable discussion with leaders of the Invest in Education Coalition who praised Agudath Israel for its integral role in the success of the school choice movement. The coalition is advocating for the passage of the Educational Choice for Children Act, which would provide $10 billion annually for a scholarship tax credit program which would cover all 50 states allowing parents across the country to choose the best educational setting for their children.

The mission’s last stop was at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex, where delegates were greeted on behalf of the Biden Administration by Ms. Shelley Greenspan, White House Liaison to the Jewish community, who spoke about her ongoing relationship with Agudath Israel on a range of community concerns and her open door to the organization to bring forward and help address those concerns. The delegates were addressed by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who said, “There is no such thing as a small act of hate.” He shared what the department was doing to ensure the safety of all Jews in the United States, and was followed by a panel of homeland security officials responsible for counterterrorism, cybersecurity, intelligence and analysis, terror prevention programs (including infrastructure enhancement), and faith-based partnerships.

Overall, government officials at the Departments of Justice, State, and Homeland Security responded positively to the concerns the Agudah delegates raised. Concrete plans for cooperation and follow up were made between officials and Agudah’s leadership.

“Whether combating antisemitism, promoting school choice, or fighting terror, meeting with government officials shows that we care and that we are engaged in the battle alongside them,” said Executive Vice President Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel. “Agudah’s national leadership – delegates from across the country – joined us because the challenges facing Orthodox Jews all across the United States are of concern to us all.”

“The fight against antisemitism is never-ending, and particularly critical at a time when we are witnessing open and increasing verbal and physical attacks against Jews across the country,” said Rabbi Abba Cohen, vice president for government affairs and Washington director and counsel. “We are gratified that government officials opened their doors to us, listening and discussing the issues important to our community, and we look forward to working closely and cooperatively with them on these efforts in the months and years to come.”

{Matzav.com}