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NEWS
Motzoei Shabbos Session at Agudath Israel of America National
Convention To Focus On "The Threat To Divide Yerushalayim"
by Deiah Vedibur Staff
Recent political developments in Israel and the upcoming
Annapolis meeting of Middle-Eastern leaders and American
President George W. Bush will be front and center on the
minds of the thousands expected to attend part or all of
Agudath Israel of America's national convention, set to open
later this week. In fact, the Motzoei Shabbos Keynote Session
at this year's convention will be dedicated to "The Threat to
Divide Yerushalayim: The Torah World's Response," it was
announced before Shabbos. This was a last minute change in
the program in the light of current events.
Based on the change the rosh of Agudas Yisroel of
America, the Admor of Novominsk, traveled to Eretz Yisroel
for a short visit, during which he met with gedolei
Yisroel to consult with them on the issue.
Addressing the large crowd expected at the convention, the
organization's 85th, will be Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the
Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudas Yisroel of America; and
Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, Mashgiach Ruchni, Beth Medrash
Govoha (Lakewood). Also scheduled to deliver remarks to the
gathering is Yerushalayim's mayor, Uri Lupolianski, who,
after conferring with HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv, accepted
an invitation to address the convention.
A strong protest of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's
expressed willingness to consider relinquishing parts of
Yerushalayim to Palestinian control is expected to emerge
from the Motzoei Shabbos convention session, and may be
followed by a formal resolution of censure the following
morning at the convention's close. The Annapolis meeting with
Mr. Bush, which will be attended by Mr. Olmert and
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas — and
perhaps others — is currently scheduled to convene two
days later.
The Motzoei Shabbos convention session will also feature
remarks by Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, Executive Vice President of
Agudath Israel of America, and by Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger,
the organization's chairman of the board. A second special
guest from Eretz Yisroel, a Shmitta-observant farmer, will
also share his thoughts with the crowd. The session chairman
will be Jacob (Yaty) Weinreb.
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