Committed to improving education in Haredi & Hasidic yeshivas in New York. Every child has the right to a sound, basic education. www.yaffed.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3ml2ezprap224May Hoffman defied her own principal to apply to college—and made it. Now she's a community organizer with YAFFED, fighting for yeshiva students still being denied basic skills, including her own brother. She's speaking out so others aren't left behind. 🔗 https://www.bkreader.com/local-voices/my-yeshiva-education-story-one-of-the-lucky-ones-1221044304 May 2026 19:15 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2ezprap224https://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3m23lkmtyts2eYAFFED 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. https://capitolpressroom.org/2025/09/30/new-york-sued-over-relaxed-private-school-oversight/ https://capitolpressroom.org/2025/09/30/new-york-sued-over-relaxed-private-school-oversight/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNJMWtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqfG3HSS_hvJbcGefDYSrg6QFW0uXnKMeR1S7MyIILYcJBAtZccfBXXPsw6-_aem_azpr8MUZkckFGMMpTt46Mg30 Sep 2025 22:36 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3m23lkmtyts2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3m23ijpuybc24Newsweek 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. 🔗 https://www.newsweek.com/orthodox-jews-sue-new-york-what-to-know-10726368 @newsweek.com30 Sep 2025 21:42 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3m23ijpuybc24https://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lz7hu2j7rk2vEvery 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. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2025/09/18/hochul-leaders-sued-substantial-equivalency-19 Sep 2025 18:15 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lz7hu2j7rk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lukofea5jk2x“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 https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/22/mamdani-must-back-yeshiva-standards/22 Jul 2025 14:05 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lukofea5jk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lu4es3226c2tStatement 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.16 Jul 2025 21:36 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lu4es3226c2thttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3ltpwo4n3nk2qStefanie 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." https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/new-york-is-letting-religious-schools-off-the-hook11 Jul 2025 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3ltpwo4n3nk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lscdj2cn7c2cNew 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: https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/23/all-schools-must-teach-the-basics/23 Jun 2025 19:39 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lscdj2cn7c2chttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lreatof7vc27Every 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. https://yaffed.org/nyc-mayoral-candidates-2025/11 Jun 2025 20:31 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lreatof7vc27https://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lorfir4xok2yAt 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. 🧵:09 May 2025 21:44 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lorfir4xok2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3loranolddk2a“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.” https://nysfocus.com/2025/05/09/new-york-budget-2025-education-cellphone-yeshiva-foundation-aid09 May 2025 20:17 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3loranolddk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3loos7dyuls2g"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 https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/08/n-y-just-betrayed-hasidic-children/08 May 2025 20:53 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3loos7dyuls2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3loobnbzedc2gThis 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 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/nyregion/new-york-kathy-hochul-hasidic-schools.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Fk8.ujlX.17O4eky5HpIB&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare08 May 2025 15:57 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3loobnbzedc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lo7yyes6wc2s“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 https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/02/ny-lawmakers-may-weaken-stall-tougher-educational-requirements-for-yeshivas/02 May 2025 23:44 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo7yyes6wc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lo7533ymws2lIn 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. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/nyregion/ny-budget-hochul-crime.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare02 May 2025 15:25 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo7533ymws2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lo57cakhyk24“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” https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/nyregion/new-york-hasidic-schools-oversight.html?unlocked_article_code=1.D08.h2rQ.WOLcop6RLgce&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare01 May 2025 20:59 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo57cakhyk24https://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lo4kxesui22wPlease 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.01 May 2025 14:55 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo4kxesui22whttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lnxmmj4mms22DON'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.29 Apr 2025 15:42 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnxmmj4mms22https://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lnuzvcy5z22fLawmakers 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. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2025/04/25/hochul-won-t-rule-out-nonpublic-school-regs-rollback-in-budget28 Apr 2025 15:01 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnuzvcy5z22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lnlgcpp7l22s​​​​​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: 518-455-258524 Apr 2025 19:17 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnlgcpp7l22shttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lnfyvmdrb22jTalks 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 👇 https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/04/22/yeshivas-must-keep-teaching-standards/22 Apr 2025 15:34 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnfyvmdrb22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lmi5zhdofk2dWhile 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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 Apr 2025 18:45 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmi5zhdofk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lmanscbgrs2z⚠️ 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: 518-455-258507 Apr 2025 19:06 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmanscbgrs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3llwvk7dy422dPolitical 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. https://nysfocus.com/2025/04/03/new-york-yeshiva-education-rules-change03 Apr 2025 21:58 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3llwvk7dy422dhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3llhclshsxc2zPlease keep making phone calls to your State Reps! This proposed legislation "basically undoes the SED regulations that took years, and years and years to get approved and get through court", according to Senator Liz Krueger @lizkrueger.bsky.social https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/politics/2025/03/27/sed-to-lawmakers--don-t-play-politics-with-nonpublic-school-standards28 Mar 2025 17:09 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3llhclshsxc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3llene4s4rk2wEducational rights are at risk of being dealt away as a political bargaining chip in NY State Budget negotiations. Please take a moment to urge NY legislators to say "NO" to weakening oversight on schools: Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791 Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-258527 Mar 2025 15:44 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3llene4s4rk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lkvz3t52ac2zParents of students in 3 Brooklyn yeshivas were notified this week that their children's schools will lose legal status as a school after June 2025. These 3 yeshivas have refused to engage in the ongoing process of meeting basic education standards. More at @jta.org - https://www.jta.org/2025/03/20/united-states/three-more-new-york-city-yeshivas-lose-status-and-funding-over-secular-education-standards21 Mar 2025 20:04 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkvz3t52ac2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/yaffedorg.bsky.social/post/3lkbpzufujk2s"Like millions of New Yorkers, I received an education that was substantially funded by the state. But when I decided to go to college in my 20s, I had to teach myself basic arithmetic." - Zalman Rothschild on his Hasidic education in @washingtonpost.com https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/13/yeshivas-closing-hasidic-jews-state-funding-education/13 Mar 2025 18:29 +0000at://did:plc:bsipxh4r3b3eorzebrkpc4ex/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkbpzufujk2s