In light of the recent and ongoing Arab rioting in Eretz
Yisroel, the theme of the keynote session of the 78th
national convention of Agudas Yisroel has been revised to
address that situation. The new theme is "Libi
b'Mizrach--Uniting With Our Brothers Under Siege in
Eretz Yisroel."
The convention will be held at the Garden State Convention
Center in Somerset New Jersey, this week: November 23 through 26.
"Considering the seriousness of the situation that has
developed in Eretz Yisroel in the last few weeks, we believe
a shift in the focus of the convention program is more than
warranted," said Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, executive vice
president of Agudas Yisroel.
Among the program changes that have been implemented to
reflect the new Motzoei Shabbos theme is a "front
lines" report by special guest Rabbi Shimshon Pincus, Rav of
Ofakim in Israel.
And in what is expected to be a moving appearance, Tuvia
Grossman, the American yeshiva student who was mistakenly
identified in an Associated Press photo as a Palestinian
youth being bludgeoned by Israeli police, will deliver a
short message to the assemblage.
The recitation of Tehillim, with which the opening
session of each Agudas Yisroel national convention
traditionally commences, will be expanded to include the
recitation of several chapters of Tehillim before
the Motzoei Shabbos session as well as the recitation
of selected Tehillim before each plenary session.
The overall theme of the convention remains, "Making a
Difference: The Role of Reb Yisroel in Klal Yisroel."
