New York – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently undertaken more steps to educate its personnel as to the nature, contents and use of tefillin, adding information about them to briefing materials for security officials across the nation According to a press release issued today by Agudath Israel.
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Agudath Israel efforts were undertaken to help better acquaint airline industry personnel with Jewish practices. A special brochure was produced a few months ago by the Orthodox group that described Jewish prayer, rituals and customs, the pamphlet will be distributed to may airlines in the weeks and months ahead.
It’s very nice that the Agudath Israel Undertakes Push to Educate TSA About Tefillin. However, the truth of the matter is that in this dangerous time we live in Yidden should strive not to be in a postion where they will have to put on Tefilin on an airplane.
Forgive me, but I would have imagined that Chabad would have undertaken this effort. In recent days and weeks, I have seen, with my own eyes, Chabad representatives helping unaffiliated put on Tefillin in airline boarding areas (beyond security). I held my breath in fear that some security agents were going to swoop down and schlep all religious Jews away. Thank you Agudat Israel !!!1 And thank you VIN for your excellent coverage.
great at least now they wont make us problems everytime we fly with any other airline than elal
I don’t see any mention of agudah taking a stand against molestation or any pro-victim advocacy. I read the entire brochure and every yiddishe vort publication and every (in)coherent press release. Yet still nothing. I wonder why…………………..
about time to learn with a ‘goy’ ‘bartunura’
why doesnt the agudah instead take steps to stop pedophile rabbonim in the yeshivos. why doesnt agudah implement action to enhance kiddush hashem instaead of reading articles about frum yidden and theft, frum yidden and child abuse, frum yidden and slumlording,etc.
Great!
I was in Europe last week and the ex-ray machine at the security in the airport showed something with my tefilin… And the lady working there opens my bagedge taking out my Tefilin She’ll Rosh with the retzies hanging.. and asks me shocked what’s this…!!
Maybe they should teach the stewards to bring negle vasser when a Jew wakes up & mayim achronim when we finish eating…..
Last week, I took 2 early morning flights that left before neitz due to the time change. On both flights, after they served drinks/breakfast, I approached the flt attendants and asked if I can pray in the galley. They said sure, and very respectfully lowered their voices while I was davenning. We don’t need aguda trying to prove they exist, u need common sense and basic courtesy and they will accomodate you. On one flight the seatbelt sign went on, and the stewardess apologized to me and said u need to sit down. I sat down with my tallis & tefillin on, and continued davenning. After it was cleared, I went back to the galley to finish davenning and when I finished they thanked me for sitting down during prayer.
Recently I heard abt a frum guy that asked if he could daven on a plane. They said come back in 15 minutes. When he returned, he saw that they put a prayer rug (islam) on the floor and they told him we prepared it for you.
I hope that the TSA is educated about both k’sav’Bais Yosef and K’sav Ari zl for the Shin shel Rosh. If they are taught only one version, then a large segment of Jews will be targeted as wearing fake tefillin !
It would make a lot more sense for frumme yidden to daven before they go to the airport or wait until their flight arrives rather than adding to the work of the TSA agents or imposing stress on other passengers. The security of air travelers always takes priority over one ehrlehce yid who slept late and is worried about davening during the zman.