For decades, Agudath Israel's National Convention has
been a place where Torah-true Jews gather to work
together, under the direction of Gedolei Yisroel, on
serious community issues. The convention is a source of
action and innovation and has been the birthplace of
many organizations and programs, such as Shuvu, Be'er
Hagolah, Professional Career Service, Emergency
Parnossoh Initiative, Project Y.E.S, Agudath Israel's
Torah Education Network, the Jewish Education Program
and more.
Agudath Israel's 90th National Convention takes the
Agudah's mandate to help fellow Yidden in times of
trouble very seriously. The theme of this year's
convention, particularly appropriate in the wake of
Hurricane Sandy's devastation and the recent war in
Eretz Yisroel, is "Shomrei Acheinu Anachnu: Our
Responsibilities to One Another in Times of
Challenge."
Speakers of note who will be exploring this theme at
the Thursday night session include Rabbi Yaakov Perlow,
Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudas Yisroel; special
guest Rabbi Yitzchok Scheiner, rosh hayeshiva of
Yeshivas Kaminetz in Yerushalayim, Rabbi Yaakov Bender,
rosh hayeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah and Rabbi Uren
Reich, rosh hayeshiva of Woodlake Village.
On Motzei Shabbos, attendees will assemble for the
Agudath Israel Centennial Banquet, celebrating Agudath
Israel's 100 years. A special premiere presentation of
the audio-visual presentation, "Agudah 100 - the
Heritage of Katowice" will accompany the Melave Malkah.
Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Levin, Rosh Yeshiva Telshe Chicago
and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, will be
speaking, as will special guest Dayan Aron Dovid
Dunner, Dayan of Hisachdus Hakehillos, London, and Mr.
Nathan Lewin, of Lewin & Lewin, LLP. The banquet will
be chaired by the long-time Agudath Israel askan, Mr.
Yechiel Ben Tzion Fishof, Chairman Emeritus of Agudath
Israel Board of Trustees.
The chairman of the entire convention will be Rabbi
Menachem Lubinsky, CEO of Lubicom, vice president of
Agudath Israel and a member of its Board of Trustees.
Rabbi Lubinsky is a successful businessman and a well-
known activist and philanthropist with more than 30
years of community service.
The convention was originally scheduled for the end of
November, but when the scope of Hurricane Sandy's
devastation became apparent, the event was rescheduled
so that Agudah representatives could focus on their
work in the field, helping communities who were
suffering from the effects of the storm.
The convention will begin with Ma'ariv at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 27th and run through Sunday,
December 29th (14-17th of Teves), Shabbos Parshas
Vayechi, at the Hilton in East Brunswick, New Jersey,
less than an hour's drive from major Jewish population
centers including Brooklyn, Lakewood and Monsey.
As Rabbi Labish Becker, executive director of Agudath
Israel of America explained, "It is truly inspiring to
see the intensity and compassion with which the
convention participants discuss the critical issues
facing the community all with an eye to real solutions.
With so many issues on the communal agenda, this year's
convention will be of great interest to every Jew who
cares about the Klal."
