NEWS
Agudah Convention Highlights: The Keys to Future Change

by Dei'ah Vedibbur Staff

Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudas Yisroel, warned listeners to be vigilant against those who seek to corrupt Torah values by warping halacha to accommodate secular influences. Speaking forcefully about upholding kvod shomayim at all costs, Rabbi Perlow called on parents and grandparents to imbue their children with the beauty of Yiddishkeit while keeping the Ribono Shel Olam as the main focus in their own lives. Rabbi Perlow concluded his address by calling on listeners to join the Agudah in its decades-old mission of upholding Torah ideals.

Agudah CEO Shia Markowitz expounded on the importance of not taking the Agudah and its efforts for granted, asking listeners to do everything in their power to participate in the work of the Agudah, whether it is writing letters to elected officials, volunteering professional services or making financial contributions. Reb Shia noted that in addition to creating new initiatives, the Agudah continues to fight some of the same battles waged decades ago including combating anti-Semitism and regulations that threaten the institutions of bris mila, shechita and our yeshiva system.

After a short audio visual presentation showing how togetherness has been the catalyst for positive change in the past and present and will continue to do so in the future, the evening continued with Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman, Rosh Hayeshiva, Meor Yitzchok, Monsey, who contrasted Klal Yisroel's willing acceptance of the Torah during the time of Purim with today's world. Rabbi Wachsman observed that we are at a critical juncture, facing numerous challenges and we need a vibrant Agudah to guide us through our current nisyonos, allowing us to be mekadesh shem Shomayim and bringing about miraculous results.

The Motzei Shabbos keynote session concluded with remarks from Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel who told listeners that it is their support, both financial and moral, that empowers the Agudah in all that it does. Rabbi Zwiebel noted that praise for the Agudah has been coming from the outside world in recent months, with many publicly hailing the Agudah for its professionalism and its successful track record as it continues to advocate for the Jewish community.

The final keynote session closed out the convention on Sunday morning, addressing the difficult problem of addiction which has, unfortunately, become a serious issue within Klal Yisroel. Rabbi Dr. David Fox, Rabbi, Dayan and forensic and clinical psychologist, tackled the issue of behavioral addictions, noting that most addictions of this nature typically have their roots in childhood, often cropping up many years later. Dr. Fox suggested preventative methods for finding healthier avenues of gratification including taking breaks from our hectic schedules to minimize stress, spending less time with electronic gadgets to promote healthier relationships, promoting positive interactions, embracing our Yiddishkeit and learning to deal with conflict.

Rabbi Yosef Viener, Rav, Congregation Shaar Shomayim, Wesley Hills, took on the classification of addictive behavior, noting that while extreme cases may require emotional or medical intervention, most are nothing more than the age-old inevitable struggles with our yetzer hora. Rabbi Viener cautioned against misuse of the term addiction, which implies that a person cannot help their destructive behavior and, drawing on the words of Pirkei Avos, explained that the ability to overcome personal nisyonos has been embedded in our DNA by Avraham Avinu who withstood ten significant challenges in his own lifetime.

The last speaker of the convention, Rabbi Zecharya Wallerstein, Menahel Ohr Naava, Ateres Naava, Bnot Chaya Academy for Girls, spoke passionately about various forms of addiction plaguing Klal Yisroel, stressing the importance of not giving alcohol to children, since getting used to alcohol can set the stage for a lifetime of problems. Underscoring the importance of establishing healthy creative and recreational outlets for our children to prevent them from succumbing to dangerous behaviors when they face challenges in their lives, Rabbi Wallerstein also emphasized the importance of providing meaningful employment opportunities to those who have successfully completed rehab as a way to help them steer their lives in a positive direction.

The dynamic message of Together We Will reverberated through the Crowne Plaza as guests said their good-byes, returning home with a renewed commitment to seek out opportunities to become more invested in their own lives, in communal efforts and in Agudath Israel of America.