Posted on 07/19/25
Washington, D.C. – July 19, 2025 – Coordinated by Agudath Israel’s Director of Congressional Affairs, Baltimorean Yossie Charner, Agudath Israel of America hosted its inaugural Federal Advocacy Summit this week in the nation’s capital, bringing together key lawmakers, senior government officials, and Jewish communal leaders for a day of impactful discussion and policy engagement.
The event featured a panel titled “A Candid Conversation with Democratic Members of Congress,” including Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Ritchie Torres, and Jared Moskowitz. The discussion was about supporting Israel and combating antisemitism.
Later in the program, Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice and Chair of the DOJ’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, addressed attendees. Speaking passionately, he emphasized: “This is not a Jewish issue — it’s an American issue,” reflecting the administration’s broad commitment to fighting anti-Semitism across all communities.
Agudath Israel also publicly thanked Senator Ted Cruz for his central role in ensuring that federal school choice provisions were included in the latest reconciliation bill. The organization noted that it worked closely with Cruz’s office to shape what it described as “the best federal school choice bill that was allowed to get into the Big Beautiful Bill.”
Upon receiving an award for his efforts, Senator Cruz remarked:
“We worked hand in hand with you. Thank you for your advice, your counsel, your guidance, your manpower, and your wisdom.”
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