Albany – On December 31, key leaders and administrators of major yeshivas in New York State met for almost two hours with New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind at his office to plan for the coming year in Albany.

The first priority of the group, according to Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Agudath Israel of America’s vice president for community affairs, who was present at the meeting, was making sure that the 2010-11 state budget includes items that have been funded for many past years – like CAP and Mandated Services. The cut in the rate for after-school vouchers was discussed as well, as was the commuter tax, the cut in the Metrocards to students, transportation issues, Title I and other topics.

Assemblyman Hikind’s district, Rabbi Lefkowitz notes, encompasses a large number of citizens whose highest priority is their children’s education. And, the Agudath Israel representative adds, “Dov has shown his commitment over the years as an advocate for non-public schools, insisting that they receive the fair share of government support to which they are entitled.”

Agudath Israel executive vice president Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel was also in attendance at the meeting. The yeshiva representatives present were: Rabbi Heshie Dembitzer (Bobov), Rabbi Zalman Gombo (Pupa), Rabbi Yitzchok Gottdeiner (Yeshiva Torah Vodaath), Rabbi Shia Hecht (Belz), Rabbi Naftali Klagsbrun (Satmar),Rabbi Aron Langsam (Belz), Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Rabbi Yeruchem Shapiro (Bais Yaakov of Boro Park) and Rabbi Meir Weinberger, Yeshiva Chasan Sofer).

(YWN Desk – NYC)