Shlomo Soroka

Orthodox Jewish Community Advocate | Grassroots Organizer | Lobbyist | Education Policy | Public Safety | 🤜👊🤛 Antisemitism | Govt Affairs @AgudathIsraelIL.

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

🧵 Grassroots advocacy is one of the most potent tools in influencing public policy. But we can only be a legitimate effective voice with an engaged and dedicated community behind us. This past week nearly 50 community leaders joined us in Springfield.

https://t.co/V7hik1S7Rf

[Agudath Israel of America @AgudahNews]

Agudath Israel representatives on Capitol Hill today explaining that enacting permanent DST would force children to travel to school in the dark therefore putting them at risk. In fact the last time permanent DST was tried it was quickly reversed due to the disastrous results.

[Agudath Israel of America @AgudahNews]

🚨Action Alert🚨

Permanent DST will put children at risk and have a disastrous effect on shuls and individuals trying to daven with a minyan before work.

Ask your senators to consider all of the effects of DST and compare them to the effects of permanent standard time or maintaining the status quo before rushing into this major change.
https://t.co/DM25ycSYJv

[Agudath Israel of America @AgudahNews]

Agudath Israel meeting with Maryland Senator @ChrisVanHollen to discuss the negative implications of permanent DST.

[Agudath Israel of America @AgudahNews]

Agudath Israel meeting with Illinois Senator @SenDuckworth to discuss our concerns about permanent DST.

[Agudath Israel of America @AgudahNews]

Statement of Agudath Israel of America on House Passage of Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Today the U. S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a wide majority. Agudath Israel of America and its constituents understand the popular desire to “lock the clock.” We are concerned, however, that by choosing permanent daylight saving time (DST) for the entire country it will put children at risk and affect our religious practices.

Permanent DST would mean sunrises after 9 am in some parts of the country for weeks in the winter thereby causing many of America's schoolchildren to head for school - by foot, by bicycle, or by bus - in the pre-sunrise darkness amd putting them at increased risk.

For the Orthodox Jewish community, an unintended, yet compelling, consequence of such legislation is the effect it will have on our fundamental religious practices. In Jewish law, morning prayers, and the rituals associated with them, must be recited no earlier than at specified times. The later sunrise occurs; the later synagogue services must begin. The extension of DST will create an extreme hardship on observant Jews. It would be extraordinarily difficult - if not impossible - to arrive on time for a job and will effect the start time of our schools.

The last time this happened in the 1970's the popularity of the measure dropped dramatically once Americans experienced one dark winter and Congress had to reverse itself within a year.

We are hopeful that the Senate will consider all of the effects of DST and compare them to the effects of permanent standard time or maintaining the status quo before rushing into this major change.

[A. D. Motzen @ADMotzen]

We had the honor of working with @LindseyGrahamSC on many issues over the years including The Taylor Force Act. He will be sorely missed.

"I'm not Orthodox, but I might as well be" Senator Graham at an @AgudahNews Mission.

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

Congratulations to @pweiser on his victory last night. Phil, who was our guest in Chicago, gave a powerful and memorable speech on the DNC sidelines.

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

😂😂😂

[U.S. Department of Education @usedgov]

Fixed it for you, @nytimes.

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

There’s a saying in politics: everyone’s your friend when the sun is shining.

Rep. Marty Moylan was our friend in the rain.

Yesterday we paid tribute to someone who has been with us through thick and thin, always placing principles over politics. Marty sticks up for the underdog, never hesitating to confront the bullies. He fearlessly sponsored a bill to extend Illinois’ scholarship tax credit program, fought antisemitism publicly when others hedged, and after October 7 personally drove around Illinois putting up “I Stand With Israel” signs. By himself. On his own dime.

@AgudathIsraelIL doesn’t forget our friends. And anyways, Marty is unforgettable!

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

@OswegoWilly That’s what inspired the post!

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

The last day of session every year. (I hate roller coasters)

[Agudath Israel of America @AgudahNews]

Agudath Israel of America is appalled by the attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego.

Everyone should be able to attend any religious institution without having to fear for their safety. This attack underscores the need for heightened security measures to protect all houses of worship and religious institutions.

Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

This is great news, and not only for yeshivos. Great news for all students in NYS, public school and nonpublic school students alike.

[Moshe Schwartz @YWNReporter]

MASSIVE WIN FOR YESHIVOS: New York Gov. Hochul Tells Agudah She Will Opt Into Historic Federal School Choice Tax Credit

Governor Kathy Hochul told a meeting of Agudah askanim on Thursday that New York will opt into the federal Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a landmark school choice tax credit program that will provide $5 billion annually in K-12 scholarships nationwide beginning in 2027.

The announcement came at a private event held at the offices of Agudah Chairman Sol Werdyger, with members of the Agudah board – including COO Avi Schnall, Yeruchem Silber, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Chaskel Bennett, and additional Agudah askanim – in attendance.

The ECCA, signed into law by President Donald Trump as part of his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” is modeled after tax credit programs already operating in more than twenty states. The legislation provides a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for donors who contribute to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which in turn provide scholarships covering a range of educational expenses, including private school tuition.

Agudath Israel of America played a central role in crafting and advancing the legislation alongside legislative sponsors and coalition partners over several years.

Beginning in 2027, donors in every state that opts in can receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for contributions to nonprofit scholarship organizations, which will then distribute K-12 scholarships to eligible students.

The maximum contribution per taxpayer is capped at $1,700, but the program carries no overall national cap — allowing communities to raise scholarship funds from taxpayers across the country. The credit has been written permanently into the federal tax code.

Eligibility for scholarships is determined by income thresholds based on a family’s place of residence. According to Agudath Israel, most families in Orthodox Jewish communities will qualify under the program’s generous income guidelines.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

My dad has been saving lives as a Hatzalah volunteer for 44 years — Jewish and non-Jewish alike. Hatzalah members (& their families) sacrifice every day helping total strangers. Their lives revolve around the interests of others.
But go ahead, fight for your own interests.

[Eric @breakingbaht]

I dont mean to hark on this because many Jews will take as targeting them, but I have to fight for my own interests and the simple reality is that if I made a white racially conscious EMS service - then had you pay for it as a 501 - not only would it be illegal, but everyone involved would be ostracized and attacked.

Even by literal Jewish and "right wing" people.

I mean, wtf is going on, guys.

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

Today, State Rep Margaret Croke visited the Midwest’s largest Jewish day school, Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov. Sometimes the most powerful policy brief is a classroom visit. Grateful for leaders who show up. (My daughter wanted to know if she could legislate more recess.)

[The Chicago Spectator @ChiSpectator]

“That restraint matters, because the pressure campaign is already underway. Teachers unions are demanding an immediate rejection, and given Pritzker’s role as one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal critics, the easy political move would be to treat anything connected to Trump as automatically toxic.

But governing isn’t about reflexes. It’s about results…

…If the goal is helping kids learn, opting in should be an easy yes.”

[Ryan Quigley @Quigs22]

“If the goal is helping kids learn, opting in should be an easy yes.”

Another great op-ed on the possibilities for the Education Freedom Tax Credit, this time from @theaskan. We are ready in Will County to help public and private school students!

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

Don’t have a subscription? Read the full article here: https://t.co/RcCAcd15yC

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

There are many misconceptions about the new federal tax credit scholarship. I’m grateful the @chicagotribune gave me the opportunity to address some important points.

[Shlomo Soroka @TheAskan]

It was an honor to host Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi this morning along with community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the Orthodox Jewish community.