Last week, at the very end of New York’s state budget process,
lawmakers gutted the state’s substantial equivalency standards, effectively denying the tens of thousands of children in Hasidic and Haredi yeshivas the right to a sound basic education. This was truly devastating to everyone in our movement.
The YAFFED team and I are beyond grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from you all. This is certainly a setback—
but with your help, it’s only a temporary one.
We’re holding a supporters’ briefing on Zoom this Monday, May 19 at 5pm, to share a behind the scenes look at what happened in Albany, how we grew stronger, and what comes next for us..
I hope to see you on Monday night! The legislation in the budget bill was the result of a political backroom deal that lacked transparency and accountability. The bill slipped into the budget behind closed doors and with no sponsor or real debate on the floor because its proponents knew it would never withstand public scrutiny.
No matter how some of our elected officials try to spin this, the legislation that snuck into the budget significantly weakens substantial equivalency regulations, completely subverting the government’s ability to enforce basic educational standards on nonpublic schools.
Now, yeshivas can bypass oversight by cherry-picking the easiest tests from any state in an insincere show of academic progress, or even avoid review altogether by claiming affiliation with yeshivas deemed compliant. Most outrageously, it strips parents of their right to demand an education for their children.
Anyone who brokered and took part in this political deal needs to know that whatever they’ve gained is not worth the price our children will have to pay for it.
In spite of the political power we found ourselves faced up against,
we saw the undeniable momentum of our movement. This session, more legislators than ever spoke out in support of our mission. Our advocacy secured extensive coverage in the media and endorsement from noteworthy editorial boards. Leading authorities and experts in education are fighting alongside us.
We are not alone. And we are not deterred. We will continue to fight, organize, and demand that every child in New York is given the basic education that is their right — regardless of their background or where they go to school.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we will see justice prevail.With Gratitude,
Adina Mermelstein Konikoff
Executive Director, YAFFED
