Orthodox Union National Dinner - May 18, 2003

With more than 500 people in attendance, the Orthodox Union held its 105th Anniversary National Dinner, Sunday, May 18, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York. Highlights follow:


Dinner Chairman Emanuel J. Adler welcomes guests.
OU President Harvey Blitz delivers an emotional tribute to the late Rabbi Steven W. Dworken z”l, Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), who died suddenly this January. “He was the rabbi’s rabbi,” Mr. Blitz said.
   

OU Chairman of the Board Stephen J. Savitsky leads a prayer on behalf of the U.S. armed forces.
OU Vice President Howard Rhine reads the prayer for the Israel Defense Forces.


The Young Israel of Woodmere’s Rabbi Hershel Billet receives the Rabbi Steven M. Dworken National Rabbinic Leadership Award from Rabbi Weinreb and Harvey Blitz.


Rabbi Billet, who is completing his term as RCA President, recalled his partnership with Rabbi Dworken and his late colleague’s decency. “The day Rabbi Dworken died I was sick in bed,” Rabbi Billet said. “He called my cell phone to see how I was feeling. I haven’t erased the message.”


Rabbi Billet graciously presents his Award to Mrs. Susan Dworken, Rabbi Dworken’s widow, as her son Arye looks on.


Rabbi Kenneth Auman of the Young Israel of Flatbush and incoming President of the RCA, praises his colleagues, Rabbi Billet and the late Rabbi Dworken.


Rabbi Dworken’s son Arye responds to the tributes that were paid to his father.


Dr. Heschel J. Raskas of St. Louis receives the National Distinguished Leadership Award from Rabbi Weinreb.


Dr. William R. Troy, Vice President and General Manager of Firmenich North America, accepts the National Kashrut Award, presented to the firm, one of the outstanding flavor and fragrance companies in the world, and OU-supervised since 1965. Rabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbinic Administrator of the OU Kashrut Division, holds the plaque along with Dr. Troy.


David C. Shipman, President of Firmenich Incorporated, shares a laugh with Emanuel Adler, Harvey Blitz and his colleagues.


OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb greets Rabbi Dr. Bernard Lander, Founder and President of Touro College.


Rabbi Moshe Krupka (l), OU Executive Director, Programming, welcomes Edward Goldstein of Parkside Memorial Chapels, partner with the OU in the Levayah program. Mr. Goldstein is also a strong supporter of the OU’s highly successful parenting programs.


From left: Harvey Blitz, Rabbi Billet, Emanuel Adler and Rabbi Weinreb share a moment during the Reception.


Rep. Jerrold Nadler (l) of New York, whose district includes OU headquarters, discusses the work of the OU with Michael Mullman, a managing partner at Blank Rome LLP.

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