OU Advocacy Annual Report 5777 (2016-2017)

O RT H O D OX U N I O N

The Orthodox Union Advocacy Center is the non-partisan public policy arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

Our mission is to promote and protect the Jewish community’s interests and values in the public policy arena.

Through our work, OU Advocacy supports and strengthens Judaism in the United States and contributes to the welfare of American, Israeli and global Jewish society.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1– 2– 3– 4– 5– 9– 12 – 14 – 15 – 16 – 17 – 20 – 22 – 23 – 24 –

Welcome Letter from the Executive Director Fast Facts Letter from the Director of State Political Affairs By the Numbers: Sampling of OU Advocacy Achievements during 5777 (2016-17) Leading to Make Our Schools and Shuls Safer, More Secure Leading the Effort for School Choice, Education Affordability Spotlight: Teach NJS Schools in Session Spotlight: Teach NYS’s STEM Victory Spotlight: Historic Victory at the U.S. Supreme Court Leading the Fight for a Safer Israel Leading Opportunities to Work with Policymakers In the Media What They’re Saying Professional Staff National, Lay Leadership

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Partners, Colleagues and Friends of OU Advocacy, To be a leader, a person or an organization cannot just have a vision of what they hope to achieve; the vision must be paired with a practical strategy and ability to pursue the vision.

The core mission of the OU Advocacy Center is to advance our community’s interests in the public policy arena. Our benchmark for success is real results for our community’s members, synagogues and schools. In 5777, OU Advocacy was proud to lead new initiatives to deliver new resources and results to our community.

When anti-Semitic threats surged, OUA led the effort to have all 100 U.S. Senators issue a statement of concern and, more concretely, led the effort to have Congress allocate $25 million for federal security grants to our schools and shuls (and are on our way to a $50 million allocation for such grants in 2018).

At the same time, our growing Teach Advocacy Network (focused on advocacy to state and local governments) led the way to obtain state funding for security needs to keep Jewish day school children safe. The Teach Network successfully delivered: • an unprecedented $60 million for security at Jewish and other nonpublic schools in New York State and New York City, including a new grant program to protect against hate crimes; • $654,000 for security at Florida’s Jewish day schools – the first such grant program in the Sunshine State’s history; • an increase in New Jersey’s per-student security funding at nonpublic schools from $50 to $75; • grants of $40,000 to each of seven Jewish day schools in Pennsylvania to hire police officers; • $2 million for California’s grants for security at Jewish and other nonpublic schools.

America’s constitutional guarantee of religious liberty is also a pillar of our community’s well-being. This year, OUA was a leading advocate to the U.S. Supreme Court in a landmark ruling further guaranteeing fair treatment for our synagogues and schools through state-funded programs.

OU Advocacy was also a leader in the fight against terrorist attacks perpetrated upon innocent Israelis.

We built support in Congress for the Taylor Force Act, which will stop the Palestinian Authority from using millions of dollars in annual U.S. funding to reward terrorism. With our help, the once-stalled legislation now has strong bipartisan support and is headed for a full vote by the U.S. Senate.

In the following report, you will learn more about these initiatives and others we at OUA are working on – with your support and partnership.

5777 was a year in which the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center fulfilled its role as the leading advocate for our community in the halls of government. We look forward to doing even more in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Nathan J. Diament

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FAST FACTS Working in tandem with federal and state policymakers, the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center helped secure $515 million in government funding for Jewish schools, shuls and other nonpublic entities across the United States.

STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS

OU Advocacy helped secure during 5777 (2016-17) $515 MILLION

FEDERAL $25 MILLION for security at schools, shuls and other nonprofit institutions

NEW YORK $309.6 MILLION for Jewish and other nonpublic schools

NEW JERSEY $11.5 MILLION for Jewish schools; $40 MILLION for nonpublic schools

PENNSYLVANIA $119 MILLION

for nonpublic schools and other nonprofit institutions*

FLORIDA $19.2 MILLION for Jewish schools*

CALIFORNIA $2 MILLION for nonpublic schools and other nonprofit institutions

*Final amount not available at time of printing

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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF STATE POLITICAL AFFAIRS Dear Friends, Historic. Groundbreaking. Unprecedented. Unparalleled.

Those are just some of the words that come to mind as I reflect on our state advocacy achievements during 5777 – yet another year of setting records and leading the way for legislative action that supports Jewish day schools and yeshivas across the United States.

Our mission in states across the country remains the same: to lead the fight on behalf of Jewish children and families so that our schools and yeshivas continually become better, more affordable and safer.

One of our greatest victories during the past year – and an historic win for New York – was securing funding for a STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) program in our schools. The need for STEM education has been a national concern for years as U.S. reports have shown time and again that STEM competence is crucial for the country’s success as a global leader. Until now, the state invested heavily in STEM instruction in public schools, but never before in nonpublic schools. As part of our long-time fight on this issue, we brought a record 600+ Jewish students, teachers and parents from across New York State for a day of lobbying in Albany, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo pledged his support for nonpublic schools.

We now serve almost 90 percent of Jewish day schools in the United States. Our continued wins and expansion during 5777, such as creating Teach California, necessitated a name that better reflects our work across the United States, and so we became the Teach Advocacy Network. We debuted a new, information-packed website, www.teachadvocacy.org that showcases our work nation-wide. Examples of our achievements include: Florida: • Helping craft and pass legislation to harden security in Jewish day schools and yeshivas across the state.

• Increasing per-student allocations for tax credit scholarships that are bringing in at least $1.7 million more to Florida Jewish schools, for a total of at least $18.6 million in 2017-18.

New York State and New York City: • Advocating successfully for a record $60 million in security aid.

New Jersey: • Boosting technology funding by $1.6 million for nonpublic schools, a 42 percent increase over the previous year.

California: • Helping draft and pass $2 million for security in nonpublic schools and nonprofit organizations during 5778.

Pennsylvania: • Successfully advocating for the state to restore $3.9 million for legislation we amended so that Jewish and other nonpublic schools have school security guards.

In all, the Teach Advocacy Network helped secure $515 million for nonpublic school needs ranging from security assistance and scholarships to nursing aid, textbooks and technology.

We fulfilled what we set out to do this past year – and more – solidly establishing ourselves as leaders in Jewish day school advocacy. Together with you, our partners and supporters, we look forward to setting even greater records in 5778.

Sincerely,

Maury Litwack

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BY THE NUMBERS: Sampling of OU Advocacy Achievements during 5777 (2016-17)

166

PERCENT

$2 MILLION

Increase in New York State funding for security at nonpublic schools compared to the previous year

Security grant funding for California’s nonpublic schools

$40

42

MILLION

PERCENT

New York State’s allocation for security at Jewish day schools, yeshivas, other nonpublic schools

Increase in overall New Jersey State aid for non-public schools since Teach NJS launched

$68

186,000

MILLION

U.S. school children at nonpublic schools we work for to make schools better and safer

State-funded scholarships for Jewish students allocated in Florida since 2011

$209 MILLION Total funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program since 2005.

It has helped protect more than 1,000 schools, shuls and other nonprofits make their buildings more secure

600+ Students, parents, teachers, and lay leaders who joined the Teach NYS 2017 Mission to Albany, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke about the importance of equal funding for nonpublic schools

90 $654,000 First-time grant funding for security at Jewish day schools and yeshivas in Florida

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PERCENT Jewish day schools and yeshivas we serve in the United States

OU ADVOCACY

LEADING TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS AND SHULS SAFER The OU Advocacy Center is dedicated to making Jewish day schools, yeshivas and shuls safe, secure places for children and adults alike. This year, the OUA focused its efforts on countering the dramatic increase in anti-Semitic incidents and attacks across the country and made new records in securing and expanding federal and state government funding to protect our community.

FEDERAL The OU Advocacy Center pioneered the creation of federal funding to increase safety at Jewish day schools, yeshivas and synagogues through its work in creating the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This year, OU Advocacy led the effort to restore funding for the initiative to its original, 2005 level: $25 million. That’s a 20 percent increase over the previous year, and brings the total funding to $209 million since the program’s inception.

FEDERAL NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING 2005-2017

OUA and its coalition partners created the grant program in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

The NSGP enables nonpublic schools, houses of worship and other nonprofits, such as hospitals and museums located in urban areas to apply for grants of $75,000 to make their facilities more secure. The grants pay for the acquisition and installation of protective equipment such as fences, lighting, video surveillance, blast-resistant doors and windows and metal detectors.

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OU Advocacy worked closely with members of Congress to step up security allocations for schools and synagogues during the coming year, supporting their efforts to urge the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the FBI to respond swiftly to the alarming increase in security threats aimed at the Jewish community. To date, DHS has awarded grants to more than 1,000 shuls and schools.

In its other work to help shuls and schools confront the recent rash of anti-Semitic acts, OU Advocacy organized a webinar led by law enforcement officials to provide security protocol for school and shul leaders.

Just as OU Advocacy helped create the NSGP, the Teach Advocacy Network – which focuses on advocacy to state and local governments – helped draft legislation, find sponsors, and rally support for security grants in six states.

NEW YORK On the heels of last year’s victories advocating for New York City funding for security guards at all nonpublic schools and adding $10 million to the budget for school security programs, Teach NYS this year achieved several historic budget wins.

They include helping to secure a total of $60 million in state and New York City funding for security at nonpublic schools.

The total includes allocations of $25 million for a new state-wide hate crimes security grant program and $20 million from New York City to provide private security guards in the city’s nonpublic schools’ childcare programs.

The security allocation from the state was the largest in the country, and represents a 166 increase over the previous year’s funding.

‘‘

There is much work to be done around the country to make sure Jewish schools have the resources they need in these frightening times to protect our children. Using Florida and New York as models, our offices will work with the local communities and legislators in each state to get the job done.”

– Maury Litwack, Director, OUA State Political Affairs

Teach NYS played a pivotal role in shepherding the security allocations through the legislative process, just as it has every year since its creation four years ago. Prior to Teach NYS, nonpublic schools received no security funding.

NEW JERSEY In 2015-16, Teach NJS scored a major victory when the state passed its first-ever security program for nonpublic schools. The Secure Schools for All Children Act was New Jersey’s first new budgetary funding stream for nonpublic school students in more than two decades.

During the past year, Teach NJS also helped increase the state’s 2016-17 $50 per student allocation for security to $75 for 2017-18.

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MARYLAND In Maryland, Teach MD and Maryland Parents for Education worked with state delegates to help draft new legislation to award security grants to Jewish and other nonpublic schools and daycares considered at risk of hate crimes or attacks. We will continue that work until we make it a reality in Maryland.

PENNSYLVANIA In 2014, Teach PA helped get an amendment approved to the state’s $3.9 million Safe Schools Targeted Grants Program so that Jewish and other nonpublic schools can apply for grants to hire security guards.

During the past year, Teach PA worked to avert cuts to the Safe Schools funding and is working with the legislature to expand the program to include security equipment. Through the program, nonpublic schools and other nonprofit entities are eligible for grants of $40,000 for a school police officer.

‘‘

The OU and its supporters pounded the pavement in Tallahassee for months, and we are grateful that the Florida legislature responded to our urgent request with these historic funds. All children deserve to go to school in a safe environment, and we urge all states to follow Florida’s lead.”

– Mark (Moishe) Bane, OU President

FLORIDA In a first for Florida, the state’s legislature passed a bill this year that allocates $654,000 for security at Jewish day schools and yeshivas. The funds will pay for installing security cameras, bulletproof glass and alarm systems.

Teach Florida played a pivotal role in getting the bill passed, drafting the language and advocating for its passage.

The funds will help keep all 35 Jewish schools in nine counties across the Sunshine State safe in the face of threats of anti-Semitic attacks.

‘‘

Seventy-five years ago last week, my mother arrived in Auschwitz. Today, the Jewish community is thriving in Florida, even in the face of new threats. We are thankful to people like Gov. Rick Scott who make sure we have the resources to protect our community.”

– Dr. Allan Jacob, Teach Florida Chair

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CALIFORNIA Teach CA worked with its grassroots activists to urge the state to approve a $2 million grant program for Jewish day schools and yeshivas and other faithbased institutions to upgrade security equipment. Thanks to Teach CA’s efforts, including helping to draft the legislation and testifying before the state, the bill was approved with bipartisan support.

‘‘

We applaud the State of California for responding to an urgent security need in religious communities. This is a good first step, and a demonstration of what is possible when the community gets involved. We will continue to work with the legislature to make sure all our children can go to school in a safe environment.”

– Scott Krieger, Teach CA Co-Chair

STUDENTS ATTEND TEACH ADVOCACY RALLY

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OU ADVOCACY

LEADING THE EFFORT FOR SCHOOL CHOICE AND EDUCATION AFFORDABILITY A cornerstone of OU Advocacy’s work is to make a Jewish education more affordable through government funding, tax credit scholarships and education savings accounts. Throughout the year, OUA works with Congress and the Teach Advocacy Network works in individual states to achieve these critical goals.

The Teach Advocacy Network works on behalf of 186,000 children in Jewish day schools and yeshivas in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland and California.

Founded by the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center, lay leaders and a broad network of Jewish day schools and yeshivas, the Teach Network’s success relies on the active participation of our families, schools, rabbis and communities. Each year, the Teach Network has made significant progress, sending millions of dollars to nonpublic schools across the country.

The Teach Advocacy Network is dedicated to securing government funding to ensure that Jewish schools are safe and fairly funded. The Teach Network fights for equitable government funding, tax credit scholarships, education savings accounts and other ways to make tuition more affordable so we can make a difference for our students, families and schools. The network also helps Jewish day schools and yeshivas navigate the red tape to apply for, and access, government funding earmarked for nonpublic schools.

TEACH NEW YORK Teach NYS secured an historic victory for nonpublic schools for the 2017-18 New York State budget, which allocates $309.6 million to Jewish day schools and yeshivas.

In addition to a record-breaking $40 million for nonpublic school security allocated by the Empire State, the funding includes the creation of a new reimbursement program for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) instruction – a top priority for Teach NYS. Also, during 2016-2017, Teach NYS helped nonpublic schools in Long Island access $600,000 in grants for after-school programs.

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TEACH NEW JERSEY This year, Teach NJS increased its grassroots and legislative efforts, leading the way to a major budget win: $40 million in government aid for New Jersey’s nonpublic schools, $6 million (18 percent) more than the previous school year. That represents a 42 percent overall increase since Teach NJS officially launched.

Of the total aid, New Jersey’s Jewish day schools and yeshivas will receive approximately $11.5 million, a $2 million increase over the previous year. The funding includes increases for security, nursing aid and technology.

‘‘

When Teach NJS asked me to take time off in the middle of a work day to testify before the Assembly Budget Committee, I jumped at the opportunity. As a school administrator and a father to three children, this was the most important thing I could do for my students and kids.”

– Erik Kessler, Executive Director, The Moriah School (Englewood)

As in other states in the Teach Advocacy Network, Teach NJS brought Jewish day school parents to testify before the state assembly and senate budget committees. While neighboring New York and Pennsylvania invest heavily in nonpublic schools, New Jersey lags far behind. Teach NJS is working to close that gap.

FLORIDA GOV. RICK SCOTT AND STATE REP. RANDY FINE AT ORLANDO TORAH ACADEMY DURING A VISIT TEACH FLORIDA HELPED ORGANIZE. GOV. SCOTT SPOKE ABOUT HIS 20172018 BUDGET, INCLUDING SECURITY FUNDING FOR NONPUBLIC JEWISH SCHOOLS; TEACH FLORIDA HELPED DRAFT AND ADVOCATED FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE FUNDING

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TEACH PENNSYLVANIA In Pennsylvania, Teach PA is leading the way among nonpublic schools as the only Jewish group in the state focused exclusively on day school advocacy. During the past year, Teach PA successfully advocated for nonpublic per-student funding for textbooks, other instructional equipment and materials and security aid, for a total of $119 million – a total of $470 per nonpublic school student.

Of the 3,000 Jewish day school students in Pennsylvania, 40 percent qualify for and receive scholarships for low- and middle-income families as a result of the state’s tax credit programs. Teach PA led a rally in Harrisburg to boost those programs.

Additionally, during the past few years, Teach PA has helped seven Jewish day schools secure $40,000 grants each for security guards.

TEACH FLORIDA During 2016-17, Teach Florida helped fight to increase tax credit and special needs student scholarships so that Jewish students receive larger scholarships to attend Jewish day schools and yeshivas.

N.J. ASSEMBLYMAN ERIC HOUGHTALING WITH TEACH NJS LAY LEADER RALPH HANAN AT HILLEL YESHIVA IN DEAL

Teach Florida's advocacy helped increase the scholarships – which had assisted 2,743 students – by at least $1.7 million, for a total of at least $18.6 million (the final amounts have not yet been determined). Those figures are expected to rise once the final tally is in. By building community awareness of the scholarships, Teach Florida is helping pave the way for more low- and moderateincome students to apply for scholarships and attend Jewish schools. Schools are reporting significant increases in enrollment of these students for 2017-18.

SEN. ROBERT MENENDEZ OF NEW JERSEY AT AN OU ADVOCACY EVENT

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OU ADVOCACY

SPOTLIGHT: TEACH NJS SCHOOLS IN SESSION BRINGING LEGISLATORS AND SCHOOLS TOGETHER IN NEW JERSEY For the second year in a row, Teach New Jersey brought several legislators to Jewish day schools and yeshivas for its “Schools in Session” program, which aims to increase awareness of the needs and concerns of nonpublic schools and develop relationships with them.

Much like the previous year, the focus was on securing greater funding for nonpublic schools so that students are on more equal footing with their public school peers. During the visits, legislators toured the schools and met with educators, parents and students alike.

The legislators also visited classrooms to talk with students and speak about the importance of voting, getting involved in their local governments and other such issues.

‘‘

I’m thankful to Teach NJS for arranging these school visits. It is extremely important for me to visit the schools in my district and learn about the schools’ needs and concerns on the ground. It’s vital that all our children have the resources they need to succeed.”

– N.J. Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle

Schools in Session visits this year included: Senator Robert Gordon Yeshivat He'Atid, Teaneck Torah Academy of Bergen County, Teaneck Ben Porat Yosef Yeshiva Day School, Paramus U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer Yavneh Academy, Paramus Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling Hillel Yeshiva, Deal Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle The Moriah School, Englewood Ben Porat Yosef Yeshiva Day School, Paramus Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva, Edison U.S. REP. JOSH GOTTHEIMER OF NEW JERSEY DURING A TEACH NJS SCHOOLS IN SESSION VISIT TO YAVNEH ACADEMY IN PARAMUS

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ASSEMBLYMAN ROBERT KARABINCHAK SPEAKS WITH EDUCATORS AND TEACH NJS DIRECTOR JOSH CAPLAN AT RABBI PESACH RAYMON YESHIVA IN EDISON

STUDENTS TAKE A BREAK DURING A SCHOOLS IN SESSION VISIT

ASSEMBLYWOMAN VALERIE HUTTLE WITH EDUCATORS

‘‘

Visiting local schools and seeing their challenges up close gives me a better feel for what they need to operate effectively and safely. We need to make sure all of New Jersey’s children are safe and healthy in any school they attend. I will do everything I can to help all schools protect our children and get the funding needed in these critical areas.”

– N.J. Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak

STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN TEACH NJS SCHOOLS IN SESSION EVENT

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OU ADVOCACY

SPOTLIGHT: TEACH NYS’S HISTORIC STEM VICTORY The importance of providing students with high-quality instruction in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) has been an ongoing national concern over the years. In 2005, for example, a U.S. report found that American students’ competence in these disciplines lagged behind their peers around the world, and that the country’s success as a global leader necessitated better STEM preparation.

As part of its advocacy efforts, Teach NYS has continuously highlighted this inequity in New York’s education system for nonpublic students and garnered vocal support from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and other legislative leaders who have spoken of their commitment to expanding STEM education funding to nonpublic schools.

NEW YORK GOV. ANDREW CUOMO SPEAKS AT TEACH NYS’S LARGEST-EVER MISSION TO ALBANY

STUDENTS ATTENDING A TEACH NYS MISSION TO ALBANY

New York State invests significantly in STEM instruction for its public school students, but until now, there were no state allocations for nonpublic schools.

Teach NYS conducted a sustained advocacy campaign overseen by full-time staff on the ground in Albany and in the community, including a rally in Albany with more than 600 participants to push for STEM funding. New York Director Jake Adler testified at a state joint legislative public hearing in February.

STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN TEACH NYS’S MISSION TO ALBANY

Following Teach NYS’s steady and vigorous advocacy, New York legislators included in the 2018 budget $5 million for STEM education for nonpublic schools.

Orthodox Union President Mark (Moishe) Bane heralded this triumph, stating: “This is truly a historic day in New York State. All children deserve a quality education – regardless of what type of school they attend. This budget will go a long way toward ensuring that all children in New York State have the same opportunities for success.”

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NEW YORK STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER JOHN FLANAGAN AT A TEACH NYS ‘THANK YOU’ RALLY AT THE HEBREW ACADEMY OF FIVE TOWNS AND ROCKAWAY

OU ADVOCACY

SPOTLIGHT: OUA’S HISTORIC VICTORY AT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OU Advocacy made history this year through its involvement in one of the Supreme Court’s most significant religious liberty rulings in decades.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MISSOURI V. COMER SKETCH BY SUPREME COURT ARTIST ARTHUR LIEN

As our partners know well, much of OU Advocacy’s work is to obtain appropriate and fair funding from federal, state and local governments for our community’s synagogues and schools.

The First Amendment’s prohibition of the “establishment” of religion has long been used by opponents of our efforts to argue that such funding must not be provided to religious institutions – even on the basis of religion-neutral criteria and for important secular purposes.

But in June, 2017 this argument was clearly rejected by the Supreme Court – and OU Advocacy is proud to have played a role in shaping that outcome.

The case was Trinity Lutheran Church of Missouri v. Comer. The State of Missouri has a program to award grants to resurface children’s playgrounds to make them safer. Trinity Church applied for such a grant for its playground and, although it met all the criteria for the grant, Missouri refused to award the grant to the church because of it being a church. Trinity Lutheran brought the case to the Supreme Court.

OU Advocacy filed a “friend of the court” legal brief in support of the church. Our brief presented the high court with a roster of safety and security programs for which the OU has successfully advocated and which would be jeopardized by an adverse ruling in the case.

In a rare move, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito quoted from OU Advocacy’s brief in the court’s oral argument session of the case in his questioning of the attorney defending Missouri’s policy. And OU Advocacy’s brief clearly played a role in shaping the court ruling 7-2 in favor of the church.

U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO WITH OU PRESIDENT MOISHE BANE, OU EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ALLEN FAGIN AND OTHER OU LEADERS

Writing for the court, Chief Justice Roberts stated that Missouri’s policy: “…violated the rights of Trinity Lutheran under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment by denying the Church an otherwise available public benefit on account of its religious status…The exclusion of Trinity Lutheran from a public benefit for which it is otherwise qualified, solely because it is a church, is odious to our Constitution all the same, and cannot stand.”

Thus, the decision not only affirmed the constitutionality of the many safety and security funding programs for which OU Advocacy has advocated over the past decade, it opened the door to pursue new equal funding opportunities for the community in the future.

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OU ADVOCACY

LEADING THE FIGHT FOR A SAFER ISRAEL OU Advocacy works with the mainstream, pro-Israel community to defend the country’s security and promote its welfare. This critical work leverages our unique relations with policymakers ranging from members of Congress to the president and the secretary of state.

During the past year, OU Advocacy was a leading advocate for the Taylor Force Act. The legislation would freeze U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority until it ends its practice of funneling hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid for stipends to thousands of Palestinian terrorists who have murdered Israelis, Jews and others. The ‘awards’ are also given to the families of ‘martyrs’ and Palestinians imprisoned for acts of terrorism.

The Advocacy Center began working with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the original sponsor of the Taylor Force Act, and helped bring awareness to the Palestinian Authority's 'pay-for-slay' laws.

During 5777, OU Advocacy also took active stands on: ■ A resolution calling for the repeal of the anti-Israel U.N. Security Council vote condemning Israeli settlements. OUA Executive Director Nathan Diament publicly expressed his disappointment over the United States’ failure to veto the resolution.

■ Supporting moving the US. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

■ Urging U.S. legislators to approve a 10-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act

U.S. SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER OF NEW YORK SPEAKS AT OUA’S 2017 LEADERSHIP MISSION

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OUA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NATHAN DIAMENT HOSTS A Q&A WITH ISRAEL’S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES RON DERMER

U.S. SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM OF SOUTH CAROLINA SPEAKS TO A GATHERING OF ORTHODOX UNION ADVOCACY LEADERS, SUPPORTERS AND OTHERS ABOUT THE TAYLOR FORCE ACT

OU ADVOCACY

LEADING OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH POLICYMAKERS While much of the work by OU Advocacy and the Teach Advocacy Network is conducted behind the scenes, building relationships with legislators, educators, shul leaders, parents, lay leaders and other critical partners, they hosted a number of high-profile events during 2016-17 to galvanize support and provide the school choice community a public forum to address the community’s concerns.

U.S. REP. KATHLEEN RICE OF NEW YORK WITH NEW YORK DELEGATES

U.S. REP. ELIOT ENGEL OF NEW YORK

OU ADVOCACY’S 2017 LEADERSHIP MISSION TO D.C. In June, more than 125 lay and rabbinic leaders of Orthodox Jewish communities from across the country convened on Capitol Hill and at the White House for the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center’s annual Leadership Mission to Washington, D.C. There, they met with U.S. representatives and heard from senators about the importance of the Israel-U.S. relationship, the need to pass the Taylor Force Act and support for moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

The delegates also went to the White House where they met with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to discuss school choice initiatives; Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt, who spoke about advancing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process; and other senior White House officials.

U.S. SEN. TED CRUZ OF TEXAS SPEAKS TO DELEGATES

EDUCATION SECRETARY BETSY DEVOS WITH OU ADVOCACY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NATHAN DIAMENT, TEACH FLORIDA CHAIRMAN DR. ALLAN JACOB, OU EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ALLEN FAGIN AND OU ADVOCACY CHAIRMAN JERRY WOLASKY AT THE WHITE HOUSE

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DELEGATES TO THE OUA’S 2017 LEADERSHIP MISSION TO WASHINGTON, D.C. INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE’S INDIAN TREATY ROOM DURING A BRIEFING FROM U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY BETSY DEVOS

U.S. SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS JASON GREENBLATT SPEAKS WITH OUA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NATHAN DIAMENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE

TEACH NYS MISSION TO ALBANY In March, Teach NYS brought an unprecedented group of 600plus students, parents, teachers, and lay leaders to Albany to urge New York legislators to increase funding for nonpublic schools.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed the Teach NYS group and talked about the importance of providing support for nonpublic schools.

STUDENTS AT THE TEACH NYS MISSION TO ALBANY

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TEACH PA HARRISBURG RALLY Teach PA organized a contingent of Pennsylvania Jewish schools to participate in an Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) Appreciation Rally in Harrisburg.

RABBI AVRAHAM STEINBERG, HEAD OF SCHOOL AT MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA ADDRESSES A TEACH PA STUDENT RALLY STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS FROM ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA GATHER AT A TEACH PA RALLY IN THE STATE’S CAPITAL

TEACH FL: GOV RICK SCOTT VISITS ORLANDO TORAH ACADEMY

FLORIDA GOV. RICK SCOTT, DURING A VISIT TEACH FLORIDA HELPED ORGANIZE, GREETS CHILDREN AT THE ORLANDO TORAH ACADEMY

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OU ADVOCACY

LEADING VOICES IN THE MEDIA During the past year, OU Advocacy’s leaders published op-eds in influential outlets in the U.S. and Israel and were sought out for comment and context for a range of issues by a wide swath of secular press such as The New York Times, NPR, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Daily News.

Almost every Jewish outlet in the U.S. and numerous Israeli outlets depended on OU leaders to provide the Orthodox Jewish viewpoint. Among them: the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, New York Jewish Week, Ha’aretz, The Jerusalem Post, i24 TV and The Times of Israel.

For a full list of articles and op-eds, please visit www.OUAdvocacy.org.

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OU ADVOCACY

LEADING

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WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

The Orthodox Union has been a champion of expanding school choice and a strong supporter of the priorities of our committee. So we’re working in sync. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

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– U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.)

Every child deserves the best education to suit his or her unique talents and needs.

Teach NYS does fantastic work to make sure nonpublic school students get the opportunity and education they need to succeed. I look forward to working with Teach NYS to make sure nonpublic schools students across the state get a quality education.”

– New York Senate Coalition Leader Jeff Klein

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I’ve always been an admirer and a supporter of the OU, so I want to thank you for the good work you do, the advocacy work, the work that’s just so important to our community, the work that says ‘I’m proud to be Jewish,’ because I am proud, (and) I know you’re proud.”

– U.S. Representative Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.)

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The Orthodox Union’s advocacy in Washington is incredibly impactful on so many issues for the community. Whether it’s promoting Israel’s welfare, ensuring the security of our shuls and schools, defending religious liberty for people of all faiths and more – the Orthodox Union is leading and succeeding in shaping public policy for the benefit of our community and American society at large.”

– Joe Lieberman

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We still have a lot of work to do to eliminate the disparity in funding for nonpublic schools, but we are making so much progress because of the support of organizations like Teach NYS and the teachers, parents, and students on the ground who fight for the education their community deserves.”

– New York State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan

OU ADVOCACY

LEADING

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Nathan J. Diament

Maury Litwack

Executive Director

Director of State Political Affairs

Jennifer Packer

Miriam Harmer

Jake Adler

Josh Caplan

Arielle Frankston-Morris

Director of Communications

Director of

OUA Regional Director,

OUA Regional Director,

OUA Regional Director,

Congressional Affairs

New York

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Mimi Jankovits

Yosef Kanofsky

Annie Watman

Talia Fadis

Melissa Katz

OUA Regional Director,

Director of

Director,

Development Associate,

Administrator

Florida

Government Programs

Grassroots Engagement

New York

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OU ADVOCACY

LEADING

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP Mark (Moishe) Bane President, Orthodox Union

Allen Fagin Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union

Jerry Wolasky Chairman, OU Advocacy Center

REGIONAL CHAIRS Sam Sutton, Neil Cohen

Sam Melamed, Edwin Zaghi

New York

Maryland

Sam Moed, Nathan Lindenbaum

Dr. Allan Jacob

New Jersey

Florida

Elliot Holtz, Amir Goldman

Michael Buchman, Scott Krieger

Pennsylvania

California

OU ADVOCACY NATIONAL COMMITTEE Harvey Blitz Allen Friedman Howard Friedman Elliot Holtz Dr. Allan Jacob

David Luchins Matthew Maryles Sam Moed Yehuda Neuberger

O RT H O D OX U N I O N

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Amanda Nussbaum Yaron Reich Marian Stoltz-Loike Sam Sutton Shira Yoshor

CONTACT US Washington, D.C. 202-513-6484 info@ouadvocacy.org

Pennsylvania 717-798-6076 ariellefm@ou.org

New York 212-613-8123 jadler@ou.org

Florida 954-406-6336 mimij@ou.org

New Jersey 917-848-6326 caplanj@ou.org

Maryland 202-513-6484 AdvocacyMd@ou.org California 202-513-6484 AdvocacyCa@ou.org

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