YAFFED
@yaffedorg.bsky.social
Committed to improving education in Haredi & Hasidic yeshivas in New York.
Every child has the right to a sound, basic education.
www.yaffed.org
Every child has the right to a sound, basic education.
www.yaffed.org
YAFFED Executive Director Adina Mermelstein Konikoff joined attorney Michael Rebell on The Capitol Pressroom with Dave Lombardo this afternoon to discuss the lawsuit against the Hochul administration for gutting regulations protecting nonpublic school students.
capitolpressroom.org/2025/09/30/n...
capitolpressroom.org/2025/09/30/n...
New York sued over relaxed private school oversight
The Hochul administration is being taken to court for relaxing state laws designed to ensure private school students are receiving a basic education.
capitolpressroom.org
September 30, 2025 at 10:36 PM
YAFFED Executive Director Adina Mermelstein Konikoff joined attorney Michael Rebell on The Capitol Pressroom with Dave Lombardo this afternoon to discuss the lawsuit against the Hochul administration for gutting regulations protecting nonpublic school students.
capitolpressroom.org/2025/09/30/n...
capitolpressroom.org/2025/09/30/n...
Newsweek has an in-depth explainer on the monumental lawsuit to undo Governor Hochul’s unconstitutional rollback of education regulations, with a statement from Adina Mermelstein Konikoff and citation of findings from YAFFED’s 2025 economic report.
🔗 www.newsweek.com/orthodox-jew...
@newsweek.com
🔗 www.newsweek.com/orthodox-jew...
@newsweek.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Newsweek has an in-depth explainer on the monumental lawsuit to undo Governor Hochul’s unconstitutional rollback of education regulations, with a statement from Adina Mermelstein Konikoff and citation of findings from YAFFED’s 2025 economic report.
🔗 www.newsweek.com/orthodox-jew...
@newsweek.com
🔗 www.newsweek.com/orthodox-jew...
@newsweek.com
Every child has the right to learn. This lawsuit will guarantee this right – and that means reversing the disastrous dismantling of substantial equivalency by our legislative leaders. We cannot accept a law that shirks the state’s responsibility to educate kids.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
N.Y. Democratic leaders sued over non-public school changes
The legal action, if successful, would undo a loosening of standards slipped into the final spending package in May.
spectrumlocalnews.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Every child has the right to learn. This lawsuit will guarantee this right – and that means reversing the disastrous dismantling of substantial equivalency by our legislative leaders. We cannot accept a law that shirks the state’s responsibility to educate kids.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
“The promise of affordability and equity that animates Mamdani’s platform cannot be realized without one essential ingredient: education.” - YAFFED Executive Director Adina Mermelstein Konikoff in today’s @nydailynews.com
www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/22/m...
www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/22/m...
Mamdani must back yeshiva standards
New York City prides itself on being a beacon of opportunity — a city where anyone, regardless of background, can build a better life. But when our leaders turn a blind eye to educational neglect, …
www.nydailynews.com
July 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
“The promise of affordability and equity that animates Mamdani’s platform cannot be realized without one essential ingredient: education.” - YAFFED Executive Director Adina Mermelstein Konikoff in today’s @nydailynews.com
www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/22/m...
www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/22/m...
Statement from YAFFED Executive Director Adina Mermelstein Konikoff condemning an Albany Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order to halt New York State Education Department’s prior enforcement of the compulsory education law against three Brooklyn yeshivas.
July 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Statement from YAFFED Executive Director Adina Mermelstein Konikoff condemning an Albany Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order to halt New York State Education Department’s prior enforcement of the compulsory education law against three Brooklyn yeshivas.
Stefanie Coyle, Deputy Director, Education Policy Center at @nyclu.org warns of Gov. Hochul and legislative leaders' political deals: "Failing to ensure that all New York kids are educated on civic participation and democratic values will further damage our democracy."
www.nyclu.org/commentary/n...
www.nyclu.org/commentary/n...
New York Is Letting Religious Schools off the Hook
An agreement made behind closed doors is a big win for NY yeshivas, but it will harm their students.
www.nyclu.org
July 11, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Stefanie Coyle, Deputy Director, Education Policy Center at @nyclu.org warns of Gov. Hochul and legislative leaders' political deals: "Failing to ensure that all New York kids are educated on civic participation and democratic values will further damage our democracy."
www.nyclu.org/commentary/n...
www.nyclu.org/commentary/n...
New York's highest court just upheld the State Education Department's right to regulate nonpublic schools. The New York Daily News (@nydailynews.com) argues that the court didn't go far enough in granting the power to hold failing schools accountable.
More here: www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/23/a...
More here: www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/23/a...
All schools must teach the basics: N.Y. top court helps yeshiva students, even after Legislature and governor betray them
New York’s highest court made mostly the right decision in upholding the state and city’s ability to regulate religious schools and hold them accountable when they fail to provide an education in s…
www.nydailynews.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
New York's highest court just upheld the State Education Department's right to regulate nonpublic schools. The New York Daily News (@nydailynews.com) argues that the court didn't go far enough in granting the power to hold failing schools accountable.
More here: www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/23/a...
More here: www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/23/a...
Every candidate at a recent NYC mayoral forum agreed that all children, regardless of where they go to school, should receive a sound basic education. When asked for details on how they'd hold yeshivas accountable as mayor, some of their answers told a different story.
yaffed.org/nyc-mayoral-...
yaffed.org/nyc-mayoral-...
Watch: NYC Mayoral Candidates Debate Enforcing Curriculum Requirements On Yeshivas - Yaffed
“is it time to actually resolve the issue rather than continue talking?” At a mayoral candidate forum at B’nai Jeshurun on June 8, 2025, moderator and NY1 reporter Errol Louis asked the candidates wha...
yaffed.org
June 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Every candidate at a recent NYC mayoral forum agreed that all children, regardless of where they go to school, should receive a sound basic education. When asked for details on how they'd hold yeshivas accountable as mayor, some of their answers told a different story.
yaffed.org/nyc-mayoral-...
yaffed.org/nyc-mayoral-...
At a time when children’s education is already under threat federally, Governor Hochul failed the test of leadership by weakening education oversight in New York through a budget bill negotiated in secret - against the urges of top education officials and experts, and her fellow legislators.
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May 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM
At a time when children’s education is already under threat federally, Governor Hochul failed the test of leadership by weakening education oversight in New York through a budget bill negotiated in secret - against the urges of top education officials and experts, and her fellow legislators.
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“Although the education department has vehemently opposed weakening its regulations, the new state budget contains language that loosens restrictions for [nonpublic] schools and delays implementation for one of the pathways to compliance until the 2032-33 school year.”
nysfocus.com/2025/05/09/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/05/09/n...
Albany’s Blueprint for Schools: Cell‑Free Halls, Looser Yeshiva…
Hochul’s budget includes $37 billion for education, but the state Education Department is slamming one policy change as “educational malpractice” and a…
nysfocus.com
May 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
“Although the education department has vehemently opposed weakening its regulations, the new state budget contains language that loosens restrictions for [nonpublic] schools and delays implementation for one of the pathways to compliance until the 2032-33 school year.”
nysfocus.com/2025/05/09/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/05/09/n...
"Systems everywhere protect themselves first. Whether it’s religious authorities or political leaders, a beis din or the New York State Legislature, the instinct is the same: preserve power, maintain control, and silence dissent." - @bweber.bsky.social
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/08/n...
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/08/n...
N.Y. just betrayed Hasidic children
I am horrified and heartbroken. The New York State Legislature is passing a bill to dilute and delay the implementation of education standards at yeshivas and other nonpublic schools across the sta…
www.nydailynews.com
May 8, 2025 at 8:53 PM
"Systems everywhere protect themselves first. Whether it’s religious authorities or political leaders, a beis din or the New York State Legislature, the instinct is the same: preserve power, maintain control, and silence dissent." - @bweber.bsky.social
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/08/n...
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/08/n...
This is a direct assault on the futures of tens of thousands of Hasidic children.
“When people wonder why so many Americans have so little faith that those in elected office make decisions for the right reasons, I would point to this as a perfect example" - Senator Liz Krueger
tinyurl.com/mr3h3x9f
“When people wonder why so many Americans have so little faith that those in elected office make decisions for the right reasons, I would point to this as a perfect example" - Senator Liz Krueger
tinyurl.com/mr3h3x9f
Hochul, Looking to 2026, Pushed to Weaken Oversight of Religious Schools
www.nytimes.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
This is a direct assault on the futures of tens of thousands of Hasidic children.
“When people wonder why so many Americans have so little faith that those in elected office make decisions for the right reasons, I would point to this as a perfect example" - Senator Liz Krueger
tinyurl.com/mr3h3x9f
“When people wonder why so many Americans have so little faith that those in elected office make decisions for the right reasons, I would point to this as a perfect example" - Senator Liz Krueger
tinyurl.com/mr3h3x9f
Reposted by YAFFED
Gov Hochul is considering a budget deal that would lower education standards and weaken oversight for private schools. We’re speaking out because every student - no matter where they go to school - has the right to a full, basic education that sets them up for life
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
May 2, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Gov Hochul is considering a budget deal that would lower education standards and weaken oversight for private schools. We’re speaking out because every student - no matter where they go to school - has the right to a full, basic education that sets them up for life
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
“It’s three-dimensional chess — with the yeshivas as just a pawn” - David Bloomfield, professor of education leadership, law, and policy at Brooklyn College and The CUNY Graduate Center, on lawmakers’ proposed deal to weaken education requirements on yeshivas
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/02/n...
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/02/n...
NY lawmakers may weaken, stall tougher educational requirements for yeshivas
New York lawmakers are brokering a deal that would delay and weaken educational requirements for religious schools — a major setback for yeshiva reform advocates.
www.nydailynews.com
May 2, 2025 at 11:44 PM
“It’s three-dimensional chess — with the yeshivas as just a pawn” - David Bloomfield, professor of education leadership, law, and policy at Brooklyn College and The CUNY Graduate Center, on lawmakers’ proposed deal to weaken education requirements on yeshivas
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/02/n...
www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/02/n...
In today's @nytimes.com: "Legislative leaders acknowledged that changes to the educational standard were being considered, but declined to provide an additional detail."
Why won't our legislators divulge any details? Because they know New Yorkers would be outraged.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/n...
Why won't our legislators divulge any details? Because they know New Yorkers would be outraged.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/n...
How a $254 Billion Budget Deal Might Become a Battle Plan for Democrats
Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York insisted that the state budget, now a month overdue, include measures to increase public safety and lower taxes for all but the wealthy.
www.nytimes.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:25 PM
In today's @nytimes.com: "Legislative leaders acknowledged that changes to the educational standard were being considered, but declined to provide an additional detail."
Why won't our legislators divulge any details? Because they know New Yorkers would be outraged.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/n...
Why won't our legislators divulge any details? Because they know New Yorkers would be outraged.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/n...
“We would be truly compromising the future of these young people,” by weakening the law, State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said. “As the architect of education in this system, how could I possibly support that decision”
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/n...
New York May Weaken Its Oversight Over Religious Schools (Gift Article)
A potential last-minute addition to the state budget would amount to a major victory for Hasidic Jewish leaders.
www.nytimes.com
May 1, 2025 at 8:59 PM
“We would be truly compromising the future of these young people,” by weakening the law, State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said. “As the architect of education in this system, how could I possibly support that decision”
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/n...
Please make two phone calls TODAY before the Budget Bill passes:
Gov. Hochul (518-474-8390)
Sen. Stewart-Cousins (518-455-2585)
Our elected leaders must STOP their assault on children's educational rights and school accountability with their budget deal to weaken nonpublic school standards.
Gov. Hochul (518-474-8390)
Sen. Stewart-Cousins (518-455-2585)
Our elected leaders must STOP their assault on children's educational rights and school accountability with their budget deal to weaken nonpublic school standards.
May 1, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Please make two phone calls TODAY before the Budget Bill passes:
Gov. Hochul (518-474-8390)
Sen. Stewart-Cousins (518-455-2585)
Our elected leaders must STOP their assault on children's educational rights and school accountability with their budget deal to weaken nonpublic school standards.
Gov. Hochul (518-474-8390)
Sen. Stewart-Cousins (518-455-2585)
Our elected leaders must STOP their assault on children's educational rights and school accountability with their budget deal to weaken nonpublic school standards.
Reposted by YAFFED
Weakening education standards for nonpublic schools should be a nonstarter. But the handshake deal announced by the Governor yesterday could dilute existing law and undermine every child's right to a sound education, no matter where they go to school.
We must keep fighting these proposed rollbacks.
We must keep fighting these proposed rollbacks.
Lawmakers continue to play politics with children's education:
Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed she is still considering making changes to the substantial equivalency law during final budget negotiations, as Kate Lisa reported over the weekend for Spectrum News.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed she is still considering making changes to the substantial equivalency law during final budget negotiations, as Kate Lisa reported over the weekend for Spectrum News.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Hochul won't rule out nonpublic school regs rollback in budget
The budget is now 25 days late
spectrumlocalnews.com
April 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Weakening education standards for nonpublic schools should be a nonstarter. But the handshake deal announced by the Governor yesterday could dilute existing law and undermine every child's right to a sound education, no matter where they go to school.
We must keep fighting these proposed rollbacks.
We must keep fighting these proposed rollbacks.
DON'T BELIEVE HOCHUL'S BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT!
Yesterday's "handshake deal" was just a facade to cover up the ongoing effort by our state's leaders to weaken substantial equivalency laws and allow failing yeshivas to avoid requirements to teach basic subjects.
Please call Governor Hochul today.
Yesterday's "handshake deal" was just a facade to cover up the ongoing effort by our state's leaders to weaken substantial equivalency laws and allow failing yeshivas to avoid requirements to teach basic subjects.
Please call Governor Hochul today.
April 29, 2025 at 3:42 PM
DON'T BELIEVE HOCHUL'S BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT!
Yesterday's "handshake deal" was just a facade to cover up the ongoing effort by our state's leaders to weaken substantial equivalency laws and allow failing yeshivas to avoid requirements to teach basic subjects.
Please call Governor Hochul today.
Yesterday's "handshake deal" was just a facade to cover up the ongoing effort by our state's leaders to weaken substantial equivalency laws and allow failing yeshivas to avoid requirements to teach basic subjects.
Please call Governor Hochul today.
Lawmakers continue to play politics with children's education:
Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed she is still considering making changes to the substantial equivalency law during final budget negotiations, as Kate Lisa reported over the weekend for Spectrum News.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed she is still considering making changes to the substantial equivalency law during final budget negotiations, as Kate Lisa reported over the weekend for Spectrum News.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Hochul won't rule out nonpublic school regs rollback in budget
The budget is now 25 days late
spectrumlocalnews.com
April 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Lawmakers continue to play politics with children's education:
Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed she is still considering making changes to the substantial equivalency law during final budget negotiations, as Kate Lisa reported over the weekend for Spectrum News.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed she is still considering making changes to the substantial equivalency law during final budget negotiations, as Kate Lisa reported over the weekend for Spectrum News.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
We need your help! Please take a moment today to make two phone calls to NYS legislative leaders as they finalize the state budget.
Education is a right, not a bargaining chip to be traded away!
☎️ Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
☎️ Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
Education is a right, not a bargaining chip to be traded away!
☎️ Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
☎️ Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
April 24, 2025 at 7:17 PM
We need your help! Please take a moment today to make two phone calls to NYS legislative leaders as they finalize the state budget.
Education is a right, not a bargaining chip to be traded away!
☎️ Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
☎️ Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
Education is a right, not a bargaining chip to be traded away!
☎️ Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
☎️ Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
Talks of slashing education regulations "are happening quietly, far from public scrutiny - because their backers know most New Yorkers would be outraged if they understood what’s at stake."
Read more from CUNY Professor David Bloomfield in today's NY Daily News
👇
www.nydailynews.com/2025/04/22/y...
Read more from CUNY Professor David Bloomfield in today's NY Daily News
👇
www.nydailynews.com/2025/04/22/y...
Yeshivas must keep teaching standards
As New York’s budget negotiations drag on, a dangerous backroom effort is underway. Being targeted are New York’s “substantial equivalency” regulations — rules that ensure private schools, includin…
www.nydailynews.com
April 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Talks of slashing education regulations "are happening quietly, far from public scrutiny - because their backers know most New Yorkers would be outraged if they understood what’s at stake."
Read more from CUNY Professor David Bloomfield in today's NY Daily News
👇
www.nydailynews.com/2025/04/22/y...
Read more from CUNY Professor David Bloomfield in today's NY Daily News
👇
www.nydailynews.com/2025/04/22/y...
While tens of thousands of NY students are denied their rightful basic education, shady backroom deals in Albany continue: no lawmaker will even claim ownership of a bill to weaken education standards.
Every child deserves an education, and we all deserve better transparency from our legislators.
Every child deserves an education, and we all deserve better transparency from our legislators.
New York has a notoriously opaque state budget process. I reached out to two dozen legislators for more details about a draft bill that would weaken state oversight of nonpublic schools -- but got few answers. For @nysfocus.bsky.social: nysfocus.com/2025/04/10/y...
Phantom Bill Targeting Education Rules Triggers Sharp Backlash in…
No lawmaker will take credit for the proposal, but its quiet circulation has sparked fierce debate over state control of religious education.
nysfocus.com
April 10, 2025 at 6:45 PM
While tens of thousands of NY students are denied their rightful basic education, shady backroom deals in Albany continue: no lawmaker will even claim ownership of a bill to weaken education standards.
Every child deserves an education, and we all deserve better transparency from our legislators.
Every child deserves an education, and we all deserve better transparency from our legislators.
⚠️ ACTION ALERT! ⚠️
NYS Legislators are seeking to undo requirements on nonpublic schools to provide basic instruction.
Please take a moment to urge NYS Legislators to say "NO" to weakening oversight:
Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
NYS Legislators are seeking to undo requirements on nonpublic schools to provide basic instruction.
Please take a moment to urge NYS Legislators to say "NO" to weakening oversight:
Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
April 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
⚠️ ACTION ALERT! ⚠️
NYS Legislators are seeking to undo requirements on nonpublic schools to provide basic instruction.
Please take a moment to urge NYS Legislators to say "NO" to weakening oversight:
Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
NYS Legislators are seeking to undo requirements on nonpublic schools to provide basic instruction.
Please take a moment to urge NYS Legislators to say "NO" to weakening oversight:
Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
Political backroom deals shield failing schools from accountability. Lawmakers must ensure every child in New York receives the education they are legally entitled to, but every time they weaken this law or delay its deadline, they deprive students of a basic education.
nysfocus.com/2025/04/03/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/04/03/n...
Bill to Loosen Education Standards Quietly Circulates in Albany
Yeshivas and other nonpublic schools face a looming deadline to prove they offer an education similar to the state’s public schools. A proposed bill would…
nysfocus.com
April 3, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Political backroom deals shield failing schools from accountability. Lawmakers must ensure every child in New York receives the education they are legally entitled to, but every time they weaken this law or delay its deadline, they deprive students of a basic education.
nysfocus.com/2025/04/03/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/04/03/n...