Rabbi Polakoff’s 12th grade shiur in DRS had the privilege of traveling to Albany as part of the Orthodox Union’s Teach NYS delegation to advocate for increased and sustainable funding for nonpublic school STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education programming and additional security.

The students heard from OU President Moishe Bane, OU Executive Vice President Allen Fagin, State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, and many representatives from both sides of the aisle about the importance of funding STEM education in yeshivos and other private schools.

The group then had the opportunity to meet with the staff of Assemblymen Sean Ryan and Jeffrey Dinowitz and Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Standing Committee on Education.

Rabbi Polakoff commented that those meetings were the most meaningful, as several of the boys spoke up on their own to explain their experiences and ambitions within STEM education.

They spoke about the classes they have taken, projects they have worked on, and how their education has helped shape their summer plans and career ambitions. The staff was welcoming and listened attentively, taking notes on all of the boys’ points. Hopefully, this trip and the OU’s Teach NYS advocacy will help future yeshiva students have access to the same high-quality STEM education available in the public school system.

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