News

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,000 rabbis in matters of American public policy, today celebrated the US Supreme Court decision in Carson v. Makin, striking down a Maine law that denied subsidies of the costs of fulfilling state secular education requirements to parents who chose sectarian schooling for their children. The decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, impacts other forms of tuition assistance in states across the country, determining that it is unconstitutional to exclude parents choosing religious schools from these programs. CJV Managing Director Rabbi Yaakov Menken issued the following statement:

The annual meeting of the Great Neck Synagogue (GNS), this year held on Wednesday, June 1, drew sizable attendance, despite torrential downpours. As has been the general practice, the meeting enabled the congregation to formally appoint its lay leadership and present mementos of recognition to deserving individuals.

On the afternoon of Monday, June 13, the Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center held a Celebration of Song featuring noted cantor Sol Zim. Together with the noted singer, dubbed, “America’s Superstar of Jewish Music,” were his sons Craig and Eric, who are better known as “The Singing Lawyers.

Reacting to a recent decision by the Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region to reject an ordinance banning the slaughter of animals without stunning, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said, “I am deeply gratified by the Brussels Parliament’s rejection of a proposed ban on the slaughter of animals without stunning. While Jewish communities value the welfare of animals, the now-rejected regulation would have effectively prevented Jews from observing Jewish dietary practices and in turn drastically undermined the ability of Belgian Jews to continue as a community. By today’s action, these legislators have demonstrated their support for religious freedom and the right of Jews and other faith groups to continue practicing their traditions and laws in the Brussels region in dignity.”

On Tuesday evening, June 14, the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series shared an informative virtual lecture on headaches in adult and elderly population with Dr. Dev Mehta, DO, and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Weil Cornell. The virtual lecture was hosted by Congregation Etz Chaim.

The United States Supreme Court today issued a landmark ruling that positively impacts religious schools’ ability to participate in state aid programs. The Court ruled that the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause prohibits states from discriminating not only against schools that identify as religious, but also those that actively teach religious subjects. This ruling eases the way for state aid to flow to parents who choose to send their children to religious schools.