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NEWS
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Members at Upcoming Agudath Israel
Convention
by Yated Ne'eman Staff
Those in attendance at this year's convention, Agudath Israel
of America's 78th, set to open on 25 Cheshvan, 5761 (November
23) at the Garden State Convention Center in Somerset, New
Jersey, will have a truly special opportunity to see and hear
the words of members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. Present
at part or all of this year's convention, be"H, will
be Rabbi Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld, Mattesdorfer Rov; Rabbi
Yitzchok Feigelstock, rosh hayeshiva, Yeshiva of Long
Beach; Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Levin, rosh hayeshiva,
Telshe-Chicago; Rabbi Avrohom Pam, rosh hayeshiva,
Yeshiva Torah Vodaath; Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe
and Rosh Agudath Israel of America; Rabbi Aharon Schechter,
rosh hayeshiva, Yeshivas Chaim Berlin; and Rabbi Elya
Svei, rosh hayeshiva, Yeshiva of Philadelphia.
Several of the Moetzes members will be formally addressing
the gathering as well. On Thursday evening, the Novominsker
Rebbe will speak to the convention theme: "Making a
Difference: The Role of Reb Yisroel in Klal Yisroel," and he
will deliver a message at the motzei Shabbos Keynote
Session. Those in attendance on motzei Shabbos will
hear an address from Rabbi Svei as well, and Rabbi Pam will
be the evening's guest speaker. On Shabbos itself, both the
Mattesdorfer Rov and Rabbi Levin will address the Yiddish
Seudah Shlishis.
According to convention chairman Mr. Eddie Betesh, though a
record crowd is expected at this year's gathering, "The
Garden State Convention Center's more than 4000 seats and
large exhibit area will ensure that our convention will be
not only inspiring but comfortable too."
"The growth of our convention over the years," Mr. Betesh
continues, "is heartening not only because of what it says,
boruch Hashem, about Agudath Israel as a successful
organization but also -- in truth, much more importantly --
about what it says about the community's dedication to, and
veneration of, its true leaders, the `eyes of the nation,'
our gedolim."
In a change of format from recent years, the convention will
open at 1:30 PM on Thursday 25 Cheshvan (November 23) with
wide-ranging offerings expected to draw a large crowd.
The early-afternoon offerings will include concurrent
sessions on kashrus, parenting and mentoring singles, as well
as two open board meetings and a special Agudah Women of
America reception.
Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, rav, Agudath Israel of Baltimore; and
Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, rav, Agudath Israel of Madison, will
be featured at a session entitled "Kashrus 2000: Latest
Developments on the Kashrus Scene." The two distinguished
rabbonim will survey some of the contemporary challenges and
opportunities that have emerged in recent years in the
burgeoning field of food-manufacturing.
A concurrent session entitled "Helping All Our Children: How
You Can Be Part of the Solution," will feature Rabbi Yaakov
Horowitz, director, Project YES; and Zalman Lachman, a social
worker and volunteer coordinator with the Agudath Israel
initiative, will make the case for stronger and broader
community involvement in the effort to assist "children at
risk" and help all the community's young people become fully
integrated into Jewish learning and life.
A third offering, "Mentoring Singles: The Rebbetzin as Guide
and Confidante," will feature social worker Shaya Ostrov and
focus on the indispensable role of Jewish women in helping
guide young (and not so young) unmarrieds to find their life
partners.
At the same time, two open meetings will take place. One, of
the Agudath Israel Parnasah Initiative, will discuss the
Orthodox community's economic situation and practical means
of helping ensure that families are able to make ends meet.
It will be presided over by Yosef Feldman, Chairman,
Professional Management and Employment Services; Gedaliah
Weinberger and Chaim Kuperwasser,
A second open meeting, of the National Regional Vice
Presidents of Agudath Israel and chaired by Henry Lowenthal,
will be a forum for Agudath Israel representatives in
communities across the country to share and discuss their
experiences, agendas and ideas.
Agudah Women of America will host its annual special
reception on Thursday afternoon as well, featuring remarks by
Rabbi Asher Sinclair, senior lecturer for Yeshiva Ohr
Somayach in Yerushalayim. The sessions, meetings and
reception will all commence at 1:30 PM.
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