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Public Policy
The NYBR is the voice of
mainstream religious Judaism as it relates to governmental
policy positions. The NYBR monitors the governments of city,
state and neighboring counties on matters that affect Jewish
life and public welfare. Consequently, the NYBR involves
itself in legislation, tax issues, and other public matters
touching the Jewish religious community. It has worked closely
with the other faith groups and other Jewish agencies in
opposing burdensome taxes that adversely affect synagogues,
churches, yeshivot and day schools. The Board has also fought
budget cuts in city, county and state that have endangered
chaplaincy programs, curtailed religious services or infringed
on religious observances. The NYBR is represented in New York
City as well as in Albany and in the county seats to keep
watch on legislative developments and safeguard Jewish
religious rights and prerogatives. It maintains ties with
various city and state departments and agencies assuring that
religious sensibilities and needs are met. The Board is
invariably invited to participate in major public events and
significant ceremonials as the representative of mainstream
religious Jewry. back
to top Jewish
Communal Network
The NYBR is a beneficiary
agency of UJA-Federation of New York, and its members sit on
some very important committees, helping to shape policies of
that organization. The Board is also a charter member of the
Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and helps
coordinate policies of the New York Jewish community. It
assist and cooperates with organizations such as the New York
Metropolitan Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty and
Federation Employment and Guidance Service.
It works with national agencies,
such as the Conference of Presidents of Major American
Jewish Organizations, UJC, State of Israel Bonds, JNF and
birthright Israel in a variety of domestic and foreign areas.
Additionally, the NYBR has
been in the vanguard of the Soviet Jewry movement. It has
spearheaded support groups for Jewish sufferers from drug and
alcohol addiction, housing the homeless and a host of other
critical social issues. back
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 Radio
& Television Since 1936, the New York Board
of Rabbis continually has developed a lively and popular
series of radio and television programs. The f lagship
program on television is "Point of View", appearing on cable
and aired nationally on the VISN cable network. The Board
helps produce religious programs which air nationally,
including "Religion on the Line" on WABC, "Perspectives in the
News" on WOR, and a weekly commentary on WINS. The Media and
Communication Commission draws Rabbis and media specialists
who advise on all aspects of television, radio and
communication. back
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International Synagogue and Jewish Center The NYBR helped establish the
International Synagogue at John F. Kennedy Airport in 1967 to
serve travelers, airport employees, and merchants. The Board's
chaplain runs religious services, teaches classes in Jewish
subjects, hosts Jewish dignitaries from all over the world,
arranges for special conferences and meetings, and handles
special needs of travelers and emergencies. back
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Advisory
Council The NYBR is aided in its work
by a lay Advisory Council that meets periodically. This group
of distinguished men and women helps the Board meet its
financial obligations, advises it on policy matters and aids
in promoting projects of the Board. back
to top In Defense
of World Jewry The NYBR is zealous to protect
and defend the rights and needs of Jews worldwide. Soviet and
Syrian Jewry have always occupied a high place on the list of
priorities for the Board. Israel has also been uppermost in
the programs, policies and positions of the Board which
retains close ties to the Consulate of Israel in New York and
which is vocal in marshaling support for the Jewish state. back
to top Watchman
for the Community The NYBR has served faithfully
as "the watchman in the night" protecting and defending Jewish
religious needs whether in the civil service or professions,
on the college campuses or in the public schools, in the
public and private sectors. It is always wary of infringement
of Jewish observances and battles for Sabbath and Yom Tov
observances, kashrut in public as well as private
institutions, Jewish burial rites, and other vital mitzvot.
back
to top An Oasis of
Harmony In an era of divisiveness,
partisanship and denominationalism when polarization has
increased and differences of theology and Halakhah have
sharpened, the New York Board of Rabbis has served as a bridge
across troubled waters. By seeking to rise above partisan
bickering and factionalism, by working for the common good, by
serving all Jews irrespective of religious orientation, the
NYBR acts as an oasis of harmony in a wilderness of
dissension. It is a haven where rabbis learn there is more
that unites than divides them and where colleagues can agree
to disagree agreeably. In a word, it teaches us that all Jews
are colleagues and brothers and sisters.
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