Over 1,300 people took part in the annual Agudas Yisroel of
America Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in New York.
The participants were welcomed by R' Shlomo Werdiger, who
asked them to become ambassadors for Agudas Yisroel and
"spread the word," saying, "Not a day passes without Agudas
Yisroel of America being called upon to provide advice,
assistance and advocacy for individuals, groups and
institutions," he said. "The [main] offices of Agudas Yisroel
at 42 Broadway continue to be the central address for the
resolution of any and all issues facing our people." He also
showed an audio-visual presentation highlighting the
organization's many accomplishments during the past year.
The keynote speaker, US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay
Khalilzad, was introduced by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel,
Agudas Yisroel's executive vice president for government and
public affairs. Khalilzad discussed Aguda's appreciation for
the efforts made by the Bush administration following
September 11th "to wage war against the forces of terror and
evil that seek nothing less than total world dominion." He
noted that US Jewry in particular owes an obligation of
hakoras hatov to President Bush. "Without question he
is one of the greatest friends Israel and the Jewish
community have ever had in the White House."
The Admor of Novominsk, who serves as Rosh of Agudas Yisroel
of America, said, "Agudas Yisroel is a vital, indispensable
reality for the Torah community."
The dinner was used as an opportunity to pay tribute to
several individuals and their efforts on behalf of Klal
Yisroel. Executive Vice President Rabbi Shmuel Bloom
presented the Rabbi Moshe Sherer Memorial Award to Rabbi
Abish Brodt for his ongoing dedication to Klal Yisroel;
the HaGaon Rav Aharon Kotler Memorial Award went to Moshe
Gold for distinguished service for Torah; the Reb Elimelech
Tress Award went to Avrohom Roth for preserving the legacy of
Shearis HaPleitoh; and the Morenu Yaakov Rosenheim Memorial
Award went to Dr. Martin Katzenstein for his distinguished
service for Agudas Yisroel.
The Avodas Kodesh Awards, given in recognition of efforts and
achievements by people from various kehillos, were
awarded to Rabbi Eliyohu Hoberman, Rabbi Ephraim Levi and
Eitan Wahab. The Wolf Friedman Young Leadership Award was
given to Naftoli T. Leshkowitz.
Dr. David Diamond and Ralph Hertzke served as joint chairmen
of the dinner.
