View of the crowd
The importance of a Torah-true Jewish identity was the focus of Agudath Israel of America's 94th National Convention, which opened on Thursday, November 17th at the Crowne Plaza Stamford. One of the important speeches was delivered by Rabbi Abba Cohen, head of the Agudah office in Washington, who warned about the serious erosion in religious freedom in America especially with regard to LGBT rights. A full report is at the end of this article.
Well over a thousand people flocked to the sold out weekend of enlightenment and inspiration to delve into the convention theme of, "Who We Are, Celebrating the Many Facets of Klal Yisroel." Captivating speakers offered a variety of perspectives on what makes Klal Yisroel special as a people in order to build a strong Jewish future. In addition live broadcasts and online streaming were viewed by thousands more across the globe.
In a world where trouble lurks on every corner and our children are faced with unprecedented challenges, having a healthy sense of self and a strong set of values is crucial to those who seek to live a Torah lifestyle and also ensures the continuity of the mesorah that has kept the Jewish community thriving for generations.
It was a standing room only crowd at the Thursday keynote session which began with Rabbi Dovid Lefkowitz, co-chairman of the convention. Rabbi Lefkowitz shared that the Agudah's Lefkowitz Leadership Initiative was founded in memory of his father Rabbi Yisroel Lefkowitz who, in his lifetime, challenged others to engage the next generation as active members of Agudath Israel of America.
HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky shlita, speaking at the Convention. In the foreground is the Novominsker Rebbe
Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Philadelphia Rosh Hayeshiva and chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, exhorted the audience to follow in the footsteps of Avraham Avinu who curtailed his own limud Torah in order to be able to bring others closer to the Ribono Shel Olam. Rabbi Kamenetsky noted that many in Klal Yisroel are being lost today and we are obligated to do our part to save them, much like Avraham Avinu did in his day.
"We are the children of Avraham Avinu," said the Philadelphia Rosh Hayeshiva. "We are supposed to be mekarev, to bring people closer to the Ribono Shel Olam, and as much as we do, the Ribono Shel Olam helps us and will continue to help us."
Rabbi Yosef Elefant, R"M Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, spoke of the importance of every individual having a sense of self. That sense of individual worth must be based on real value, no small task in a world where financial security and personal clout are of paramount importance to many. Rabbi Elefant praised Agudath Israel of America, founded to provide Torah Jews with an identity based on real truths, as a crucial component in that important mission.
Rabbi Yissocher Frand
Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Ner Yisroel, described the essence of a Jew as mesiras nefesh and asserted that while Jews may have a reputation as being stubborn and overly ambitious, those same traits were embedded in our spiritual DNA to give us the ability to stand strong in the face of adversity. Recalling the bravery of those who have given their lives al kiddush Hashem, Rabbi Frand exhorted everyone to face their personal struggles head on because the ability to rise to the challenge, is indeed, who we are.
Rabbi Yisroel Reisman
The final speaker of the session, Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and Rav of Agudath Israel of Madison, shared the power of hilchasa, a fierce adherence to halacha that, according to him, has single-handedly given rise to the tremendous growth of Orthodox Judaism in America over the last 70 years. Using that same passion for hilchasa to overcome the challenges in our own lives, said Rabbi Reisman, will be a driving force that will help us all bring Moshiach closer than ever.
A video presentation highlighted an initiative sparked by the keynote speech of the 2015 convention delivered by Rabbi Dovid Ozeri, Rav of Congregation Yad Yosef in Flatbush, who lamented the paltry salaries paid to rebbeim. Since then, Torah Umesorah, in conjunction with Agudath Israel, has launched a new project entitled The Rebbe Initiative, which will raise millions of dollars to help supplement the incomes of those who devote their lives to chinuch.
A pre-keynote session delved into the outsider's perspective of the Jewish community, made all the more unique with the inclusion of three diverse speakers: Rabbi Shlomo Farhi, educational director of London's Jewish Futures Trust, Rabbi Shmuel Gluck, director of Areivim, and New York State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder.
The impact that we have on others cannot be overstated, noted Rabbi Farhi, a sentiment echoed by Assemblyman Goldfeder, who said that while politicians realize that they are constantly in the spotlight, all Orthodox Jews must recognize that they are being similarly viewed by the outside world. Rabbi Gluck shared his own experiences, shattering preconceived notions regarding the Jewish community and stressing the importance of treating everyone with respect.
HaRav Aharon Feldman shlita
Thursday night sessions included a real life presentation by Chayim Aruchim about a family who faced a painful end of life situation, a Bnos Agudath Israel leadership event, a Yarchei Kallah, Q & A featuring Rabbi Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn, and Rabbi Yosef Elefant, and a forum on getting and staying married. Also taking place were live interviews and recaps, the annual Pirchei director's meeting and a meeting of Maryland delegates to the Agudath Israel convention. Two special closed sessions given by Rabbi Elya Brudny and Rabbi Aharon Feldman, Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, attracted close to 100 mental health professionals.
The excitement that permeated the sessions overflowed into the lobby and was evident throughout the building.
"There was electricity in the air, an exuberance emanating from a crowd that came from across America," said Chaskel Bennett, a member of the Agudah's board of trustees. "Regional directors from California, Ohio, Florida, Illinois and Maryland, dozens of young activists coming to their first convention seamlessly blending in with seasoned veterans, askonim, activists, community leaders, Gedolei Yisroel and Roshei Yeshiva, all under the banner of Agudath Israel."
"Whoever conceived of the concept of a national Agudah convention so many decades ago," concluded Mr. Bennett, "could not have dreamed that the convention would be as vibrant, relevant and important as ever in the year 2016."
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Energized by 25 hours of inspiring sessions and warm camaraderie, approximately 1,000 people enjoyed an uplifting Shabbos at Agudath Israel of America's 94th National Convention. Buoyed by an inspiring display of achdus that had people from all backgrounds coming together to celebrate the individuality that is the hallmark of Klal Yisroel, participants combined Oneg Shabbos with their quests to strengthen their commitment to our mesorah and their dedication to the needs of acheinu bais Yisroel.
The momentum that built throughout Shabbos lasted well into the night. Listeners were challenged to rise to the occasion and use their own innate talents and abilities to benefit others. They were inspired to get involved, both on an individual level and on a broader scale, through the efforts of the Agudah, whose network of services continues to expand with each passing year.
As always, the highlight of the convention was the Motzei Shabbos Keynote Session, which began with warm words of welcome from convention chairman Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz. Rabbi Lipschutz shared his recollections of his first Agudah convention at age 13 and his awestruck moments as he met prominent gedolim face to face for the very first time. Emphasizing the importance of being part of a klal, an effort that requires both humility and a sense of achdus, Rabbi Lipschutz noted that our enthusiasm to help others is something that elevates us and allows us to achieve potential greatness.
The Novominsker Rebbe
The Novominsker Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Rosh Agudas Yisroel, spoke eloquently about the importance of coming together at the convention to confront our identity as Torah Jews and to work together as a group to effect positive change for Klal Yisroel. Describing the Agudah as a microcosm of Klal Yisroel, a diverse entity where everyone can find their own niche, Rabbi Perlow urged participants to become a part of the Agudah and to play an active role in its mission of bringing kvod shomayim to the world. Rabbi Perlow also touched on several other topics, declaring that cell phones have no place inside shuls and publicizing recent efforts to provide a Torah education for the many French Jews who have recently immigrated to Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe concluded his remarks with an exhortation that we appreciate the community of bnei Torah and all they have contributed to Klal Yisroel.
Drawing on the message of Parshas Vayera, Rabbi Doniel Alter, Rosh Kollel of Yerushalayim's Kollel Ari Shebi'chabura, spoke emotionally about Akeidas Yitzchok and Avraham Avinu's willingness to sacrifice his only son at Hashem's request. Rabbi Alter noted that Avraham Avinu always kept wood prepared in case Hashem ever called upon him to bring a korbon and how he responded "Hineni," when Hashem asked him to bring the ultimate sacrifice, his son, Yitzchok. So, too, said Rabbi Alter, the Agudah is also always prepared and ready to invoke the words of Avraham Avinu and say "Hineni - we are here, ready to sacrifice everything in order to do ratzon Hashem."
Acknowledging that people often wonder what type of work the Agudah does, Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin, the Agudah's executive vice president for finance and administration, described some of the many calls for assistance from all across the United States that flood the Agudah office. Rabbi Gertzulin asked for financial support for the Agudah's efforts, noting that with even a $100 donation from every listener, thousands of dollars could be raised to fund more programs to benefit the Jewish community. A short audio visual presentation highlighted some of the Agudah's many programs that provide community services including yeshiva services, educational training, government advocacy, special education services, youth programming and more.
A passionate Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Rav of Congregation Kneseth Israel, Far Rockaway, spoke about the most recent Siyum Hashas, saying that transforming a sports stadium into a the site of a Torah gathering attended by more than 93,000 people was the ultimate glory for the Ribono Shel Olam. Expounding on the meaning of the word "agudah," Rabbi Feiner noted that while the Siyum Hashas was a monumental event, the Agudah is hard at work every day of the year coordinating events both large and small and is an indefatigable force that continues to be a beacon of light that brings unity to Klal Yisroel.
Lamenting the general downturn in society, Rabbi Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Rosh Hayeshiva Telshe Yeshiva and Mesivta of Lakewood, spoke strongly about the negative effects of talking during davening and using technology to publicize private matters. The true sign of a yid, observed Rabbi Sorotzkin, is someone who lives a life that is both refined and elevated and strives to better the lives of others daily. Rabbi Sorotzkin urged listeners to dedicate their lives to increasing kvod Shomayim by providing chizuk to those in need, being sensitive to others and being a holy nation so that we can be a true source of nachas to the Aybishter.
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of the Agudah, was the final speaker of the evening, speaking soberly about continuing threats that challenge the very foundations of our lives including the yeshiva system. Stressing that the transmission of our mesorah to the next generation is our single most important obligation, Rabbi Zwiebel said that the deterioration of our society echoes words of the Gemara which describes the days that precede the coming of Moshiach. Even amid all the breakdowns that will occur at that time, the Gemara provides us with an answer of how to conduct our lives, enumerating the thirteen character traits that are the basis of Mesillas Yeshorim and will lead us to the ultimate geula.
Other Motzei Shabbos sessions were both informative and enlightening. Noted author and lecturer Rabbi Paysach Krohn offered a fascinating look at the bygone era of Polish Jewry as a prelude to the future. Convention co-chairman Rabbi Dovid Lefkowitz and Rabbi Shlomo Farhi, educational director of London's Jewish Futures Trust, spoke about how to help baalei teshuva thrive in the frum world. Rabbi Doniel Neustadt, Yoshev Rosh of the Vaad HaRabbonim of Detroit and Rav of Pine River Village in Lakewood, joined with Rabbi Gershon Bess, Rav of Los Angeles' Khal Kehillas Yaakov, taking their audience on a journey through the world of kashrus, focusing on the particulars of issues related to domestic help, caterers, restaurants and hotels. A live Agudah recap with interviews offered unique perspectives throughout the night and both a Yarchei Kallah session and a Pirchei Avos U'Bonim had masmidim of all ages deeply immersed in their limud Torah.
Despite the late hour, the amazing ruach continued for hours. Following melava malka, Rabbi Boruch Levine and Simcha Leiner led the tzibbur in heartfelt zemiros, stirring deep emotions and electrifying the room with passion and genuine simcha. Spontaneous, exuberant dancing lasting well into the night.
Ramifications of the Recent Elections
Speaking as part of a panel discussion on Sunday morning, Rabbi Abba Cohen, head of Agudah's office in Washington, warned that recent years have seen a serious erosion in religious freedom, and even the rise of attacks on many traditional religious beliefs. Establishment figures are saying that certain religious beliefs are intolerable, and that they will work to pass legislation to stigmatize these beliefs.
Rabbi Cohen said that religious freedom is perceived by the Left as intolerance. He offered a series of quotes: "Religion is used as both a weapon and a shield by those seeking to deny others equality." "Religious exemptions to the protections from civil rights significantly infringe upon these rights." These words were not taken from extremists but from a report by the United States Commission on Civil Rights that was released just 2 months ago, entitled, "Peaceful Coexistence."
A steep erosion in religious freedom is in the mindset of significant parts of the country. Religious freedom is reduced to the personal, private freedom to worship. But religion in the larger sense of lifestyle choices is not heard of and recognized any more. Many laws of religious freedom are now limited to houses of worship so they will not cover a lot of what the Orthodox Jewish community does elsewhere. Our religion is something that pervades our life and is expressed in many venues, and there is a growing intolerance for this, even when our choices affect only ourselves and are the clear result of religious belief.
In terms of the mindset, today there is an attitude that they are out to change religion and religious beliefs. It used to be that people said that they do not want to change us, they just want their own freedom and their own rights. This is especially true in LGBT issues. Now they say that there are aspects of religions that they think are "hateful, bigoted, prejudiced and biased," and they say that they cannot tolerate these views. If we do not change, they will use the law to stigmatize the religious views that they find unacceptable. Religious freedom is denied where it does not conform to current society and they want religion to change.
Rabbi Cohen listed a few examples. He said that there are many more. The Obama administration insisted that all organizations provide contraceptives to employees even if contraception is against their religious beliefs. It also insisted that doctors perform gender reassignment operations even if it is against their religious beliefs to do so.
Rabbi Cohen said that courts are reinterpreting old statutes to give new protection to LGPBTs that never existed, and at the same time to limit the rights of religious entities with regard to LGBT individuals.
Congress has appeared to be more receptive to legislating religious freedom, and several important proposals have been made. But so far they have all been stalled in Congress, which was already Republican led up until now. One important example is legislation that would allow religious groups that contract with the Federal government to maintain policies that conform to their religious beliefs. This has been stalled in Congress, and President Obama has threatened to veto it if passed. Obama has gone so far as to threaten to veto the entire defense bill if it has that provision written in.
Some are optimistic when noting that the new president-elect will appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court. However Rabbi Cohen noted that some of the worst decisions on religious freedom were written by conservative Supreme Court justices. He noted that the choice of Schumer as the Democratic leader in Senate is a cause of optimism, even though the Democrats are in minority and his influence is limited.
