Unplaced Schoolchildren
New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D – Brooklyn) is calling attention to the fact that six months into the current school year, there are as many as 500 Brooklyn children who have been unable to find a seat in a yeshiva. He urges parents of affected children to contact his office – 718-853-9616; [email protected] – in anticipation of the upcoming school year.
We urge those affected to follow up.
Governor Cuomo Raises Eyebrows
New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo caused somewhat of a stir last week in the course of a speech he gave in a black church when he joked about how Jews lacked “rhythm”:
I want you to know as a matter of full disclosure, I am a Catholic. Catholics basically believe the same teachings that Baptists believe. We just do it without the rhythm. But we try. We are not as without rhythm as some of our Jewish brothers and sisters.
According to reports, Orthodox Jewish political consultant Hank Sheinkopf, who attended the speech on business, didn’t appreciate the remark. Neither did a Jewish Republican operative and pro-Israel activist who heard about it: “The governor should focus more on governing and less on Jew jokes.”
State Senator Simch Felder, an Orthodox Jew who was also not in attendance, quipped: “I don’t think it was that good a joke. I can write better material.” And there some obligatory murmerings by some Jewish organizations as well.
In truth, we’re happy that nobody made a big deal out of it because, although ill-advised, it was not a big deal. One could hardly accuse Governor Cuomo of harboring anti-Jewish sentiment.
Actually, we would have expected some criticism from the African-American community since black stereotyping frequently features an allusion to black “rhythm.”
Federal Funds For Yeshiva Security
While we’re somewhat dismayed by the $1.3 trillion price tag for the Omnibus Federal Appropriations Bill passed last Friday, we are happy to note that a significant increase in funds for non-profit institutions – including yeshivos and shuls – to enhance their security was provided for. In today’s explosive times, we consider such funding as an urgent necessity.
According to the Orthodox Union’s Advocacy Center which, together with other groups, worked for the inclusion of provisions that would benefit Jewish institutions generally, the new law went a long way towards equalizing what is available to students at both public and parochial schools by the federal government.