The proposed regulations to reform Yeshiva education go a lot further than the maximum 60-day jail time being used as a scare tactic by Agudath Israel.
In fact according to the regulations, parents of students in a non-compliant school will need to enroll their children in compliant schools. Failure to do so is obviously a truancy. Once a truancy is reported the case is likely transferred to the Child Protective Services (better known as CPS). Involvement of CPS at such a large community scale will undoubtedly translate into children being removed from their parents jurisdiction and placed in a “compliant” educational system.
Although Agudath Israel claims to be in the front lines of this battle, the truth is that they are the situated in the least favorable position to fight for us all. Agudath Israel throughout the years has obtained over $9,000,000 from the State Education Department, funneled directly to them for services they provide. Furthermore, according to exclusive documents obtained via Freedom of Information Act, some of these grants put Agudah in the unique position of being a liaison between the State and Yeshivos, with the salaries being doled out by the State. In other words, they receive money to propagate all new regulations directly to the Yeshivos.
This does not mean that reaching out to the representatives in Albany isn’t of paramount importance. It only indicates that we as parents, cannot sit idly by and expect “askanim” to solve the issue for us.
An rough schematic drawn by a colleague of mine, depicts one possible mode of action we can take.
Is the threat real? Are they going to mandate that Yeshivos teach perverted subjects?
You better believe they will! Even Yaffed and Footsteps, the thinktanks behind the proposed regulations believes they will.
However, as usual, our most potent method of beating this edict is the one tried and true throughout the ages. We must earnestly pour out our hearts to the one above.
Thank you so much for bringing this to light. I am very shaken up by that video. I think everyone must see it.