The Friday and Sunday sessions scheduled at Agudath Israel of America's 91st National Convention on November 15th and November 17th will address issues of great importance to both individuals and the tzibbur.
The Friday morning program has three sessions. The first session, on the topic "The Disappearing American Jew," will focus on the increasing rate of assimilation highlighted by the recent Pew Study, which is decimating American Jewry. The speakers will be Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetsky, Dean, Yeshiva Toras Chaim of South Shore; Rabbi Shmuel Klein, Director of Publications and Zechor Yemos Olam Holocaust Studies Program of Torah Umesorah; Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, Senior Lecturer and Educator of Project Inspire; and Rabbi Hillel Weinberg, Rosh Hayeshiva, Aish HaTorah of Yerushalayim. Dr. Irving Lebovics, President of Agudath Israel of California, will moderate the session.
Another Friday morning session, focusing on "The Observant Patient in the Modern Hospital," will feature experienced hospital representatives and other experts providing practical guidelines to those navigating the hospital system. The speakers will be Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, President of Achiezer Community Resources Center; Dr. Howard Lebowitz, Chief Medical Officer of Accutecare Health System in Lakewood, NJ; Solomon Rosenberg, Program Director, Office of the President of Montefiore Medical Center; and Israel Rosman, Senior Patient Liaison at NYU Langone. The session will be chaired by Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Vice President for Community Services of Agudath Israel of America, and Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of Agudath Israel of America. They will help session participants understand the difficulties and challenges that arise for Jewish patients and their family members when dealing with the special needs and cultural concerns of Orthodox Jewish hospital patients.
There will also be a session on Friday focusing on the women's role in "The Contemporary Workplace." It will discuss the challenges of being a religious Jewish woman in business or in the workforce. The speakers will be Mrs. Chaya Fishman, Founder and Director of the Jewish Woman Entrepreneur; Rebbetzin Faygie Horowitz, Consultant, Author and Speaker, and Mrs. Naomi Tessler, a Pharmacist. The session will be moderated by Barbara Dombroff of the Spina Bifida Resource Network. The session will include a Business to Business component coordinated by ShaulE! Events, providing many networking opportunities.
Sunday Session
The Sunday program will begin with a report on the activities of Agudath Israel offices around the country by Rabbi A.D. Motzen, Agudath Israel's National Director of State Relations. The session will continue with a report on the situation facing the Chareidi community in Eretz Yisroel, delivered by Rabbi Avrohom Yosef Leizerson, Director of Chinuch Atzmai. It will be followed by a timely session focusing on "Jews in the News," which will help provide guidance on making a Kiddush Hashem and avoid a Chillul Hashem as a community and as individuals. The speakers will be Avi Schick, attorney and community activist; Rabbi Avi Shafran, Director of Public Affairs of Agudath Israel of America; and Rabbi Aaron Brafman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Far Rockaway. The session will be moderated by Rabbi Labish Becker, Executive Director of Agudath Israel of America and Convention Coordinator.
The convention will conclude with a topic of great interest to every caring Jew: "Addressing the Needs of Children Facing Adversity." In today's challenging society, many children face extraordinary religious, social and emotional challenges. The session will provide parents and the general public with guidance on how to effectively deal with these issues. The speakers will be Rabbi Doniel Parnes, Rosh mesivta of Yeshivas Novominsk; and Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein, Menahel of Ohr Naava, Ateres Naava, and Bnot Chaya Academy for Girls. Rabbi Doniel Frank, a Family Therapist in private practice, will chair the session.
"Agudath Israel convention sessions address issues of great importance to Klal Yisroel. Many of the convention participants gain a better understanding of issues facing the Torah tzibbur today, enhancing their ability to tackle them on a personal, professional and communal level. Agudah conventions have also led to concrete action and even the formation of new organizations to tackle of problems facing the klal. We anticipate that this convention will be no different," says Rabbi Becker.
