An Urgent Message to all of our Community Members, from Rabbi Eli Mansour.

Dear Friends,

There is an effort to pass a dollar for dollar tax credit, supported by our own Governor George Pataki, Republican Martin Golden, and Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the newly elected Chairman of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, that would provide massive financial relief to parents with children in private schools, parents who spend money having their children tutored, and parents who enroll their children in summer camps.

Needless to say, private school tuition costs are one of, if not the largest monetary burden facing our families. If this bill, which is coming before the New York State Legislature next month, were to pass, - the strain on many of our community?s organizations, including; the Sephardic Bikur Holim, the Sephardic Angel Fund, the Sephardic Food Fund, and even Sephardic SAFE, will be greatly reduced. Even our Yeshiva?s will be less pressured, as the need to provide student scholarships and discounted tuition costs will be sharply reduced.

My speech this past Saturday detailed my concern for this issue of enormous importance to our people, and their way of life. As of today, Monday, February 13, 2006, I am officially declaring the need for a full-scale campaign to strongly indicate the New York Jewish Community?s full support of this legislation. All of you are being asked to please take a moment to sign the attached petition letter and submit it to Governor Pataki, Senator Golden, and Assemblyman Lopez.

To show the strength of our numbers, please have each household member sign individually, and it is also suggested that we reach out to our friends, business contacts, etc., in the Ashkenaz communities for their additional support and camaraderie. Also, our schools are urged to join in this effort and develop immediate coordinated approaches for allowing our voices to be heard.

Again, the passing of this bill could provide the biggest boost to the economy of our community members in many decades. Please act now on this important issue, and help us express appreciation and support for the Governor, Senator Golden, and Assemblyman Lopez, and for this groundbreaking legislation.

Warmest Regards,

Rabbi Eli Mansour