Republican Jewish Coalition

On Saturday, Stonewall Democrats host brunch at Junior’s with Councilmember David Yassky.

Sunday, the 92nd Street Y series, In The News with Jeff Greenfield, continues with Senator Chuck Hagel.

And on Monday the League of Women Voters will host a forum on the status of the equal rights amendment with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and the Republican Jewish Coalition will host a reception with Congressman Christopher Shays.

—Nicole Brydson

The alliance forming around Education Tax Credits could make them hard to stop, and it's worth noting that this may be the most successful campaign by religious groups in secular New York in a while.

How religious? Well, a key meeting was held yesterday at the headquarters of the Orthodox Jewish group Agudath Israel in Manhattan. Along with Governor Pataki's Jewish liason and a Spitzer deputy who has been working on these issues for years were leaders of the Catholic, African-American, and Hispanic clergy. It was arranged, a correspondent writes, in part by George Klein, a real estate developer who is active in the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Now, the policy seems arguablem, and rather broadly targeted. Are private school parents the most needy of state education aid? Parochial school parents? At the same time, the combination of "tax break" and "education" and "God" is a politically potent one.

An Orthodox reader points out that Shelly Silver is probably the last obstacle to the plan.  read more »

"Dillema for Shelly: Is he loyal to the Unions or to the Tribe?"

UPDATE: Teach NYS's Michael Tobman was among those calling to disagree with the interpretation of yesterday's meeting. His group, "a coalition of public school parents and lay leaders from the Catholic, Jewish and independent school communities" wanted "to point out that this is a tax credit that will benefit public school parents more than any other group." I should add that there are income caps for parents to qualify for the $500-per-kid credit, and that the money goes to the parents, not the schools.

Speaking a few minutes after Freddy at a raucous mixer of young people from the Republican Jewish Coalition and the National Jewish Democratic Council, Mike seemed awash in memories inspired by the disco beats playing in the church-come-club that played host to the event.

"I just want to know one thing. How many of you remember when this was Limelight?" asked the Mayor. His eyes sparkled as he reminisced about the time "before the press started following me around and I could have a little more fun."  read more »

Afterwards a comedian joked that "Mike Bloomberg and I are both Jewish and Freddy Ferrer and I both don't have any money" but the roused crowd seemed more taken with the Mayor than the entertainment.

"That was the best speech he's ever made," said Jewish shock jock Aaron Braunstein.

This just out from the Republican Jewish Coalition: "We apologize for the additional email, but it has come to our attention that many people have misinterpreted our previous email regarding the Israel Parade.

"The RJC was denied permission to march by the Salute to Israel Day Parade Committee, NOT by anyone else....

"The purpose of our last email was to encourage each of you to support the parade nonetheless. Moreover, we wanted to bring to your attention that Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a strong supporter of Israel and friend of the RJC, will be marching.

"We encourage you to join with Mayor Bloomberg in supporting Israel and the parade. Contact the Mayor's Jewish Campaign Liaison Mordy Lichtenstein..."  read more »

(Via Campaign Confidential)

U.S.  read more »