The 77th annual Agudas Yisroel of America was new again as
Torah is always new. Very impressively new, however, was the
fact that this year, for the first time, the ever-increasing
attendance at these annual gatherings made it necessary and
desirable to hold it at a full-fledged convention center: the
Garden State Convention Center. As the program so pointedly
noted: "Never before has the camp of chareidim ledvar
Hashem so eloquently disproven the naysayers who
predicted the demise of Orthodoxy in the United States. This
year, history is being made."
The theme of this year's convention was: A Time Of
Prosperity, A Time Of Need -- Confronting The Contradictions.
The Convention Chairman was A. Joseph Stern of Edison, New
Jersey and the Convention Co-Chairman was Michael Kaiser of
Toronto. The Convention Coordinator was Shraga Feller.
Sessions were held on what is called Thanksgiving Weekend in
the U.S.A., from Thursday to Sunday, 16-19 Kislev (November
25-28).
The opening session was held on Thursday afternoon. The
opening was delivered by Dr. David Diamond (Chairman, Vaad
Hanhala, Agudath Israel of America), followed by a memorial
for HaRav Yaakov Weinberg zt"l given by Rabbi Moshe
Brown (rav, Agudath Israel of West Lawrence and maggid
shiur, Yeshiva Derech Ayson).
This was followed by an address on the Convention theme by
Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon (mashgiach ruchni, Bais
Medrash Govoha-Lakewood). There was also a symposium on
"Nachas From The Children -- Taking Pride, Facing Problems."
The Chairman was Leon Melohn (Chairman, Project Y.E.S.,
Agudath Israel of America) and the speakers were Rabbi Yaakov
Bender (rosh hayeshiva, Yeshiva Darchei Torah) and
Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser (rav, Khal Bais Yitzchok), Rabbi
Ephraim Wachsman (rosh yeshiva, Yeshiva Adas Yereim-
Monsey).
Danger Disguised as Success
Rabbi Salomon described the Ovinu Malkeinu tefilla,
"write us in the book of zechuyos" as an entreaty to
Hashem that He give us opportunities for merits, and expanded
on the idea that others in need are potential sources of
tremendous brocho for those who can help them.
He went on to quote the Beis Halevy regarding Yaakov Ovinu's
prayer to be saved "miyad ochi miyad Esav"; we need,
he said, to be delivered from Esav not only when he comes
toward us as a mortal enemy but when he approaches as a
friend. In that light, Rabbi Salomon described how prosperity
can sometimes create need, how the increasing accessibility
of so much of society's excesses and immorality have made
every moral person needy. "Danger," he said, referring to the
Internet, "is disguised as success." "Can we be so stupid,"
he went on, "that we teach children to use it?"
The first plenary session was held Thursday evening starting
at 7:45 p.m. Opening remarks were delivered by Michael
Kaiser, Convention Co-Chairman. Following were the
presentation of this year's Avodas HaKodesh Awards by Rabbi
Yonah Feinstein (Director of Special Projects, Agudath Israel
of America). The very worthy recipients were: Kenneth Broodo
(Dallas), Boruch Y. Levine (Baltimore), Chaim Manela (Los
Angeles), Dr. Ned Mehlman (Cincinnati), Dr. Jonathan Rubin
(Miami Beach) and Dr. Michael Weiss (St. Louis).
Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky (rosh hayeshiva, Yeshiva of
Philadelphia) greeted the session.
This was followed by a symposium, "Drawing Lines, Drawing
Near -- Securing The Future Of American Jewry" featuring an
address from Rabbi Yaakov Perlow (Novominsker Rebbe), a
message from Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller (rosh hayeshiva,
Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago). Special guest at this event was
Rabbi Dovid Ordman (Senior Lecturer, Arachim & Gateways). The
Chairman was Rabbi Lipa Geldwerth (maggid shiur,
Yeshiva Torah Temimah). Following the plenary session were
executive meetings of the growing Conference Of Synagogue
Rabbonim Of Agudath Israel, and of the Regional Vice
Presidents Of Agudath Israel Of America. There was also a
Nshei Audio-Visual Presentation: "You're Entitled - But You
May Not Know It."
The rabbonim and the women met again the next morning over
breakfast. This was followed by Roundtable Forums set up to
be open discussions on contemporary issues. As the program
declared, "The Friday morning Roundtable Discussions aim to
involve more people in some of the important issues facing
Torah Jewry -- to thoroughly ventilate these topics, to allow
for constructive debate, and to gather diverse viewpoints,
all in accordance with Torah principles and values."
These discussions are set up with a moderator, a rabbinic
advisor and several experts or interested parties who give
presentations on the issues. A detailed description of the
issue is given so that participants know in advance what will
be discussed and they can frame their own thoughts as well as
benefitting from the prepared talks. There were 8 such
roundtable discussions, including one that was for women
only.
The first of these was entitled, "It's Not Just Talking --
Recapturing Kovod in our Botei Knessios." The detailed
description of the topic: "Our shuls have inherent holiness,
but they are not always treated with the reverence and awe
that kedusha commands. The perennial but inexcusable practice
of conversing with others during tefilla remains a
problem in all too many places of Jewish prayer. But a host
of other lapses - of decorum, from beeping cellphones and
squealing infants, and even of attention to esthetics and
cleanliness - have also come to violate the atmosphere of
distinction, serenity and concentration that is a mokom
tefilla. What can we do to recapture the honor our
shuls so richly deserve but have, in all too many
cases, so sadly lost?" The Chairman was Fred Pfeiffer
(President, Agudath Israel of Montreal). The panelists were
Dr. Boruch Adler (Author, Parsha Illuminations), Alan
Haber (Bet Medrash Ateret Torah), Nochum Shmuel Hartman
(President, Agudath Israel of Kew Gardens Hills), Raphael
Zucker (Member, Building Committee, Cong. Ateres Yeshaya-
Lakewood). The coordinator was Rabbi Avrohom Nisan Perl
(Director, Agudath Israel Torah Projects Division), and the
Rabbinic Advisor was Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Rottenberg (rav, Khal
Bais Torah-Lakewood).
Discussion number 2 was entitled: "A More Perfect Union --
Getting Communities to Work Together" and in detail: "Cities
generally provide a host of chesed and social
services, from gemachs to food banks, bikur
cholims to chevra kaddishas. Each kehilla
labors to support local yeshivos and interacts with
government agencies on a variety of matters. How might
different communities work together, compare notes and
benefit from each others resources, ideas and
experiences?"
The chairman was Yehuda Sova (Board Member, Agudath Israel of
South Florida). Panelists were: Dovid Hess (Vice President,
Agudath Israel of Baltimore), Rabbi Dov Loketch (rav, Cong.
Mogen Avrohom-Detroit), Dovid Stern (Treasurer, Chicago
Mikveh Association). The coordinator was Rabbi Labish Becker
(Associate Executive Director, Agudath Israel of America).
Rabbinic Advisor was Rabbi Eliezer Gross (rosh
hayeshiva Yeshiva Gedola of Los Angeles).
Roundtable Forum 3 was "Shidduchim - System Failure: Causes,
Cures and Community's Roles -- The difficulties and anguish
experienced by so many singles and their parents must lead us
to consider if the current structure to facilitate
shidduchim is ideal. An analysis of the system in
place and an exploration of what might be done to improve it
are essential. What are, and what should be, the respective
roles and responsibilities of young people, their parents and
their communities?"
Chairman was Feivel Muller (Board Member, Invei Hagefen).
Panelists were Dr. Shaya Ostrov (MSW, Author, Seven Gates
to Marriage), Yaty Weinreb (Chairman, Invei Hagefen),
Rabbi Nisson Wolpin (Editor, The Jewish Observer),
Mendy Zilberberg (Board Member, Invei Hagefen). Rabbinic
Advisor was Rabbi Chaim Zev Levitan (rav, Khal Zichron Erez-
Monsey).
Roundtable Forum 4 was "The Mandate of Memory: Ensuring the
Legacy of the Survivor Generation -- Young Jews are
increasingly being taught about Churban Europe by people a
generation removed from it. An understanding of not only how
the kedoshim died but also how they lived must be
instilled in generations to come. How can that be
accomplished? And how might we teach that the greatest
tribute to the kedoshim is the perpetuation of their
religious heritage?"
The chairman was Harry Brown (President, Agudath Israel of
Cleveland). Panelists were Dr. Joseph Geliebter (Director,
Rabbi Leib Geliebter Foundation), George Klein (Co-Chairman,
Agudath Israel of America, Committee on Government Affairs),
Mordechai Mandelbaum (Regional V. P., Agudath Israel of
America). The coordinator was Professor Moishe Zvi Reicher
(Agudath Israel World Organization, U.N Rep. & Dir. of
International Affairs). Rabbinic Advisor was Rabbi Joseph
Elias (Principal, Rika Breuer Teachers Seminary and Editorial
Board, The Jewish Observer).
Roundtable Forum 5 was "Specialized Education: Teaching
Children as Individuals -- That every child learns
differently is no modern discovery. Shlomo Hamelech, taught
the necessity of teaching each child `according to his path.'
What responsibilities do we bear to ensure that every Jewish
child is provided a `personalized' educational
entitlement?"
The chairman was Moishe Hellman (President, Ohel Children's
Home & Family Services). Panelists were Abraham Roth
(Treasurer, P'tach), Rabbi Shlomo Stern (Associate Executive
Director, HASC), Moshe Zafir (Chairman, Yeshiva Livnas
Hasapir Chush). Coordinator was Eytan Kobre (Director,
Project Equal Education Access, Agudath Israel of America).
Rabbinic Advisor was Rabbi Yaakov Reisman (rav, Agudath
Israel of Long Island).
Roundtable Forum 6 was "No Objectivity, Please - We're Media:
The Quest for Accurate Press Portrayals of Orthodoxy -- While
there have been strides made to present an accurate picture
of the Orthodox community, there is far to go. Rabbi Moshe
Sherer's zt"l brainchild, Am Echad, opened an Israeli
office and launched a syndication service. All the same, the
battle is decidedly uphill, and the allies few. How do we
advance the cause of media fairness in the future?"
The chairman was Dr. Irving Lebovics (Presidium Member,
Agudath Israel of California). Panelists were Abraham
Biderman (Chairman, Am Echad), Professor Laurence M. Katz
(Professor of Law, University of Baltimore), Rabbi Pinchos
Lipschutz (Editor, Yated Ne'eman, U.S.A. Edition). The
coordinator was Rabbi Avi Shafran (Dir., Public Affairs,
Agudath Israel of America). The Rabbinic Advisor was Rabbi
Nosson Scherman (Editor, Mesorah Publications).
Roundtable Forum 7 was "613 / 9 to 5: The Challenges to
Observance and Integrity In Our Business and Professional
Lives -- The essence of an observant Jewish life is constant
and conscientious focus on what the Torah prescribes - in
every situation and every environment. What are some of the
pitfalls for observant Jews in the contemporary workplace?
How can we help ensure that our workplace lives reflect the
same sensitivity to right and wrong as do our personal
lives?"
The chairman was Yechiel Benzion Fishoff (President, Inter-
Ocean Industries). Panelists were Yitzchok Kasdan (Of
Counsel, Galland, Kharash), Jonah Lobell (Partner, Covington
& Burling), Shiya Markowitz (President, The Goldmark Group).
The coordinator was Rabbi Binyomin Babad (Director, Prof.
Management & Employment Services). Rabbinic Advisor was Rabbi
Gershon Bess (rav, Kehillas Yaakov-Los Angeles).
Roundtable Forum 8 was for women only. "Learning How to Talk:
How Words Make - and Break - Relationships -- How we
communicate with spouses, children, parents and others forges
the bonds that connect us. It is vital that we not only make
ourselves understood, but that we realize the effects of our
words on others. How do we criticize and disagree in a
constructive way? How can we know both when to talk and how
to talk?"
The chairman was Mrs. Faigy Stein. Panelists were Rebbetzin
Ruthy Assaf (Principal, Machon Yaakov L'Banos / Manhattan
H.S.), Mrs. Debbie Greenblatt (Director of Volunteers,
Project Y.E.S.), Rebbetzin Bassie Rosenblatt. Coordinator was
Mrs. Chavi Finestone (Psychologist). Rabbinic Advisor was
Rabbi Chaim Wakslak (clinical psychologist and rav, Young
Israel of Long Beach).
At night there was a Project Y.E.S. Training Session for
those interested in becoming Project Y.E.S. volunteers, or to
know more about at-risk teens in our community.
On Friday night there were several sessions, including one on
"Age-old Responses To Contemporary Problems," and another on
"Chaverim kol Yisroel: Strengthening The Ties That Bind."
Shabbos was a full day with the davening the
seudas and the not incidental socializing.
On motzei Shabbos was the Keynote Session, which is the major
session of the weekend. See the separate report of that
evening's most inspiring speeches.
Late that evening was the famous and moving melave
malka which was capped off with dessert and
zemiros led by Reb Abish Brodt. On Sunday was another
plenary session. This featured a symposium: "Polarization Of
Forces in The Holy Land." Speaking were Rabbi Aaron Feldman
(rosh hayeshiva, Yeshiva Be'er HaTorah-Jerusalem),
Rabbi Avrohom Yosef Leizerson (Former Knesset Member,
Chairman, Chinuch Atzmai), Chaim Dovid Zwiebel (Executive
Vice President for Government & Public Affairs, Agudath
Israel of America). The chairman was Abba Cohen (Director,
Washington Office, Agudath Israel of America). Later there
was another symposium entitled: "The Bottom Line Reb
Yisroel's Needs, Klal Yisroel's Responsibility." Rabbi Levi
Yitzchok Horowitz (Bostoner Rebbe-Boston, Har Nof) gave an
overview. The speakers were Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Feuer (rav,
Khal Bais Avrohom-Monsey) and Rabbi Paysach Krohn (Author,
The Maggid series). The Chairman was Rabbi Yehoshua Weber
(rav, Young Israel of Windsor Park).
