Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudas Yisroel; and Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, Mashgiach, Bais Medrash Govoha; will be the featured speakers at the Thursday night plenary session of Agudath Israel of America's upcoming 87th national convention. The convention will take place November 26-29 at a new location: the Hilton in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
Both the Thursday night session and the Motzei Shabbos keynote session, which are open to the public free of charge, traditionally draw thousands of participants from throughout the tri-state area. Record-breaking crowds are expected to fill the hotel auditorium on both evenings.
The Thursday night session is entitled, "Yisroel Asher Becho Espo'or: Promoting Kvod Shomayim in Our Business and Interpersonal Dealings."
Says Agudath Israel executive vice president Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, "It seems as if Orthodox Jews are constantly in the headlines, all too often in a negative light. The eyes of the world are indeed upon us, and we have the responsibility of making Hashem's Holy Name beloved through our actions. Our Thursday night session, at which we will have the special privilege of hearing from two of our most revered leaders, will highlight how we can discharge that awesome responsibility."
The program will also feature video excerpts from classic droshos of Rav Shimon Schwab and Rav Avrohom Pam zecher tzadikim l'vrocha, whose lives epitomized the ideal of ribuy kvod Shomayim.
Azkara for Rav Elya Svei, zt"l, at Motzei Shabbos Keynote Session
The Motzei Shabbos keynote session at Agudath Israel of America's upcoming 87th National Convention will feature a tribute to Rabbi Elya Svei, zt"l, Rosh Hayeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia and long-time member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, whose petiroh several months ago was a terrible blow to the Torah world. Internationally renowned for his brilliance in Torah and uncompromising promotion of authentic Torah values, Rabbi Svei was regarded as one of Klal Yisroel's most illustrious leaders.
Born in 1924, Rabbi Svei arrived in the United States from Europe as a young boy. At the age of 20 he joined the Lakewood Yeshiva, where he emerged as an outstanding student of Rav Aharon Kotler, zt"l, in whose footsteps he would follow, combining intensive Torah study with activism on behalf of the Torah community both here and in Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi Svei was a son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Kalmanovitz, the founder of the Brooklyn branch of the Mir Yeshiva, and a brother-in-law of its late Rosh Hayeshiva, Rabbi Shmuel Berenbaum, zt"l.
Offering divrei his'orerus in memory of Rabbi Svei will be the Philadelphia Rosh Hayeshiva and Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah member Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, who was Rabbi Svei's partner for approximately half a century in the Philadelphia Yeshiva; and Rabbi Svei's eldest son, Rabbi Yehuda Svei, Rosh Yeshiva at the Philadelphia Yeshiva. In addition, the Motzei Shabbos keynote session will feature excerpts of some of Rabbi Elya Svei's most memorable addresses at Agudath Israel gatherings.
"Rav Elya would frequently use the Agudah podium to enunciate his clear daas Torah on the most difficult issues of the day," notes Rabbi Labish Becker, Agudath Israel's executive director and convention program coordinator. "Perhaps the most fitting tribute to his memory, and the most effective way to perpetuate his legacy, is to hear his own fiery words again, and to rededicate ourselves to the ideals he expressed."
Yet another highlight of the keynote session will be an address by special overseas guest, Rabbi Doniel Alter. Rabbi Alter, son of the Pnei Menachem, zt"l, is one of the most sought after speakers on the international scene.
Also addressing the gathering on Motzei Shabbos will be Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Leiff, Rov, Agudath Israel of Avenue L, and Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America.
The convention will be held Thursday through Sunday, November 26-29, at the Hilton Hotel in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The new venue is located just a short drive from many major Orthodox communities on the East Coast.
The Motzei Shabbos session (in addition to other plenary sessions) will be broadcast live to many locations around the country. For information about arranging an audio-visual broadcast in your community, please call 212 797 9000, ext. 266.
