Agudath Israel Leaders Meet With NYS Attorney General James

By Hamodia Staff

Agudath Israel of America held a productive meeting with New York Attorney General Letitia James to address pressing concerns on important issues affecting the Orthodox Jewish community in New York. The discussion focused on religious discrimination in zoning matters and the rise in hate crimes targeting those who are visibly Jewish.

For the past 20 years, Agudath Israel has worked together with the Attorney General — first as a NYC Councilmember representing a district that includes Crown Heights, then as Public Advocate, and now as Attorney General.

Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, director of New York government relations for Agudath Israel, led the Agudath Israel delegation which raised concerns about discriminatory practices that have impacted religious institutions, particularly shuls and yeshivas, and thanked Attorney General James for her work in combatting such practices.

The Attorney General addressed the rising trend of antisemitic hate crimes targeting Orthodox Jews in New York, and expressed her deep concern and reaffirmed her commitment to protecting the Orthodox Jewish community.

Agudath Israel presented its KnowUs initiative, aimed at combating misconceptions and biases against the Orthodox Jewish community in the media, for which James expressed her support, emphasizing the need to foster mutual respect and understanding.

Attorney General James expressed her deep concern regarding the recent commencement address given by a graduate of the City University of New York (CUNY) law school. She emphasized her commitment to combatting antisemitism in all forms and her determination to ensure that institutions of higher education remain safe and inclusive for Jewish students.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said, “In the face of rising antisemitism, civic leaders have a responsibility to step up, speak out, and stand united with members of the greater Jewish Community. My office will continue to investigate hate crimes and combat discrimination. I will never allow intolerance, antisemitism, and ignorance to go unchallenged in this state.”