An Unorthodox Education: Screening and Conversation with Budd Mishkin, Beatrice Weber and Naftuli Moster
2022-07-11 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | 92NY, 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10128, United States
The timely and important documentary an Unorthodox Education exposes a shocking truth largely unknown to the general public — tens of thousands of children currently attend ultra-Orthodox schools in New York that refuse to provide students with the legally-mandated general education they need to lead self-sufficient adult lives.
The film includes testimony from former yeshiva students and parents alike who tell their stories, some for the very first time, and also reveals how political leaders in New York City deliberately delayed reform efforts in return for political favors from the ultra-Orthodox community. These heartbreaking accounts illuminate the consequences of being denied instruction in subjects such as English language, math, science and social studies. An Unorthodox Education also captures how the rampant ignorance of science had deadly and devastating effects within so many of the Hasidic and Haredi communities as COVID-19 safety protocols were ignored or vehemently opposed.
Following the screening, veteran broadcast journalist Budd Mishkin will moderate a discussion with Naftuli Moster, a former Hasidic yeshiva student and founder and executive director of Yaffed — a local non-profit which is leading the fight to ensure that all ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic children in America receive the basic education to which they are legally entitled — and Beatrice Weber, an outspoken advocate and mother of ten who filed a lawsuit against NYC’s Department of Education and her son’s Hasidic yeshiva.

Unpacking the NY Times Investigation into Yeshivas
2022-09-13 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | NY
Please join a panel discussion to unpack the lengthy investigative piece in the New York Times on the Hasidic Yeshiva system and its failure to comply with basic educational standards.
*Recording now available here.

Register here.

The State of Hasidic Education: The Right to Learn, the Obligation to Teach
2022-11-01 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Roosevelt House, 47-49 East 65th Street, Between Park & Madison Avenues, New York, NY, United States
The Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute and the Hunter College Jewish Studies Center invite you to a newsworthy discussion on the timely topic of secular education standards in New York State’s Ultra-Orthodox Yeshivas
A New Public Program Live and Online
Featuring: Naftuli Moster, Schneur Zalman Newfield, Beatrice Weber, and Dr. Leah Garrett

Jewish Education Justice: Why All New Yorkers Should Care
2023-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | 92NY, 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10128, United States
In New York, upwards of 50,000 Haredi children are currently facing educational neglect at the hands of their community leaders, and many parents who leave the community are deprived of their rights to relationships with their children.
Join us for a timely conversation about the parameters of education and family justice in the Haredi world and how these intersect, as we examine our communal obligation to our neighbors and fellow Jewish people.
Buy tickets here: https://www.92ny.org/event/jewish-education-justice

Yeshiva Stories: A Night Of Storytelling At City Lore
2023-07-11 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | NY
Join YAFFED on July 11, 2023 at City Lore (56 East 1st Street) from 7 – 9 pm for our first-ever live storytelling event – “Yeshiva Stories” – a night full of moving, fun, compelling stories centered around the theme of yeshiva education.
Our host & MC for the evening is writer and comedian Eitan Levine.

Buy Tickets Here

YAFFED Press Conference
2023-07-12 11:30 - 12:30 UTC | Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers Street, New York, NY, 10007, United States
YAFFED will be holding a press conference on Wednesday, July 12 at 11:30 am, at Tweed Courthouse (52 Chambers Street), in response to the recently completed 8-year investigation by the NYC Department of Education into the lack of secular education at 28 yeshivas named in our 2015 complaint.

After finally completing the investigation set in motion by YAFFED’s July 2015 complaint, the NYC Department of Education determined that 18 of the 28 yeshivas they investigated did not provide a substantially equivalent secular education.

Of the 10 schools that did pass, half of them only did so because of their affiliation with a registered school, regardless of whether or not they provide any secular education. The fact that schools were given a stamp of approval by the City without being thoroughly investigated represents a severe lack of oversight.

Additionally, our concern is for students of the schools that the City conclusively determined aren’t providing an education – they cannot get back the time that they lost at the hands of yeshiva leaders.

Join us at Tweed Courthouse on Wednesday, July 12 at 11:30 am, as we lay out the next steps in our fight to protect the rights of all children to receive the education that they deserve.

"An Unorthodox Education" Screening + Panel Discussion
2023-09-26 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10023, United States
Join YAFFED for a special private event on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 7 pm, at the Marlene Meyerson JCC (334 Amsterdam Ave) where we will be showing an exclusive early screening of Joe Kolman’s work-in-progress film, “An Unorthodox Education” followed by a panel discussion and reception.

Tickets are available here

Yeshiva Stories: Live Storytelling at Nyack Library
2024-05-29 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack, NY, 10960, United States
Join YAFFED for a night of live storytelling from yeshiva grads on Wednesday, May 29 from 6-730pm at the Nyack Library!

The event is free with RSVP.

A select group of yeshiva grads will share stories of their educational experiences from various schools within the yeshiva system, offering a unique glimpse into the world of yeshiva education through the eyes of its graduates.
Come experience an insider’s perspective on the yeshiva system through stories that shed light on the the systemic challenges faced by yeshiva students in balancing the value of a sound, basic education alongside a religious education.
Light refreshments will be served.

Mid Island Y-JCC Jewish Learning Series - Our Children, Our Responsibility: The Jewish Community’s Role in Hasidic Education
2024-10-29 12:30 - 13:30 UTC | NY
Our Children, Our Responsibility: The Jewish Community’s Role in Hasidic Education
Presented by Beatrice Weber, Yaffed Senior Advisor

Tuesday, October 29, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Mid-Island Y-JCC
45 Manetto Hill RoadPlainview, NY 11803

New York City Bar Association Webinar: The Legal Battle Over Deficiencies in Secular Education in Some Religious Schools
2024-11-20 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Virtual Event
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Format: Webinar
Program Fee:
Free for Members and Non-Attorneys | $15 for Non-Members Attorneys
Description:
Join us for a discussion of the critical issue of inadequate secular education in certain nonpublic schools across New York State. The panel will explore the tension between parents’ rights and children’s legal entitlement to a basic education. Hear from parents and leading legal scholars as they unpack the implications for our children’s futures and the responsibilities of educational institutions and the state’s right to regulate them. While the focus of much of the discussion and controversy has been on certain boys’ yeshivas, the law applies to all nonpublic schools. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out more about this important issue.
Speakers:
Beatrice Weber, Former Director of YAFFED
Burt Neuborne, Constitutional Scholar, New York University School of Law
Michael Rebell, Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University and Education Rights Attorney
Sara Richmond, Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC
Moderator:
Michael Kohane, Member of Civil Rights Committee, New York City Bar Association

Fall Happy Hour
2024-11-25 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Hank’s Bar, 613 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11206, United States
We’re hosting a happy hour on Monday, 11/25 in Brooklyn. Join YAFFED for food, drinks, and community building!
Hank’s Bar, 613 Bushwick Avenue
Monday, November 25
5: 30 PM – 7:30 PM

RSVP is encouraged: RSVP HERE

YAFFED Town Hall: Final Determination Letters
2025-02-20 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | NY
Town Hall: Final Determination Letters
Wednesday, February 26, 5pm

Register Here

Town Hall
2025-04-29 17:00 - 18:00 UTC | Virtual Event
Join YAFFED on Zoom, April 29, 2025 at 5pm for an exclusive Town Hall meeting as we break down what happened during the New York State budget negotiations and what it means for education policy moving forward.
Register Here
This is a crucial opportunity for supporters to stay informed, ask questions, and learn how to take action to ensure that Haredi and Hasidic Yeshivas in New York deliver a sound basic education to their students.
Zoom meeting link will be emailed to you following event registration.

https://www.classy.org/event/yaffed-town-hall/e679099

Shabbat Meal
2025-05-02 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | NY
Join YAFFED for our free Friday night Shabbos-ish dinner! This will be a warm, welcoming space to connect, have some kugel, schmooze, and engage with others who share similar experiences and a passion for making a difference.
Friday May 2, 2025
6:30 – 8:30pm

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Brooklyn location upon RSVP
For more information: contact m.schtroks@yaffed.org

Beatrice Weber at Kane Street Synagogue: "Empowering The Next Generation of Jewish Community"
2025-05-10 11:30 - 12:30 UTC | Kane Street Synagogue, 236 Kane Street, Brooklyn
Shabbat, May 10, 12:30pm
Kane Street Synagogue
236 Kane Street, Brooklyn

Virtual Town Hall
2025-07-02 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Virtual Event
YAFFED Virtual Town Hall
Wednesday, July 2, 6pm (via Zoom)
Register Here

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As NYC swelters, YAFFED isn’t wilting in the heat or sweating about what the critics are saying – we’re busy delivering victories. Before the summer festivities kick off in earnest, join us on Zoom on Wednesday, July 2 to hear directly from the YAFFED team about last week’s legal victory in the Court of Appeals, our post-election analysis of the NYC mayoral primary, highlights from our forthcoming research report, and what comes next for YAFFED in our unwavering commitment to the movement for a sound basic education for all.

Back-To-School Virtual Town Hall
2025-09-09 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Virtual Event
YAFFED Back-To-School Virtual Town Hall
Tuesday, September 9, 6pm (via Zoom)
Register Here

YAFFED Back to School Virtual Town Hall
Tuesday, September 9
6PM – 7PM
RSVP HERE

Unorthodox Education Screening
2026-01-06 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10023, United States
In New York, tens of thousands of Jewish children in the most orthodox yeshivas are not receiving a basic education, with many often finishing school without being able to read or write in English.
Get tickets here.

Unorthodox Education Screening
2026-02-03 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Pl, Brooklyn,, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, United States
