The Orthodox Union National Convention 2008
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
-Subject to Change-
Choose between Track A or Track B for daytime touring programs (see below). Each evening merge with all Convention participants for world-famous speakers and outstanding presentations at the hotel (see bottom of this page). Vote as a delegate from your shul on behalf of North American and world Jewry. Spend Shabbat enjoying a program of inspiration and spiritual rejuvenation.
Learning opportunities include Daf Yomi, Nach Yomi, and Mishmar.
DAYTIME CONVENTION OPTIONS (Track A or Track B):
Track A: ‘3000 Years in 36 Hours’
Participants on "Track A" will spend their week exploring the fascinating path of Jewish history, from the earliest days of Tanach through to the miracles of the modern State of Israel. In addition to touring relevant sites - many of them for the first time even to seasoned visitors - we will enrich our trip with speakers ranging from archaeologists to experts on the Beit HaMikdash to people who experienced the War of Independence personally.
Monday, November 24, 2008: Jerusalem: The Eternal City
Highlights include:
• The newest excavations at the City of David
• A peek into the troubled world of Second Temple Jewry, in many ways so similar to our own time
• An in-depth look at the Second Temple with a presentation of a model of the Beit HaMikdash
Tuesday, November 25, 2008: Wanderings: A day in the footsteps of the Jewish people after the fall of Jerusalem
Highlights include:
• The new excavation at Tel Yavne
• The incredible site of Tzippori, home of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi
• Bet Shearim, the necropolis of the Tannaim and Amoraim
Wednesday, November 26, 2008: In the Days of the Judges
Highlights include:
• Visits to the Mishkan site in Shilo
• “Blessings & Curses” on Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Eival
• A tour of Shmuel HaNavi’s stomping grounds
• Explore the journey needed to reach the “menucha venahala,” the final holy place in Jerusalem
• Be with us as we deliver a petition regarding the indivisibility of Jerusalem to Israel's President and Prime Minister with the names of thousands of North American Jews.
Thursday, November 27, 2008: Jerusalem Day: The People, The Politics & The Paratroopers
Visiting political and non-political figures and places to further inform our thinking on our capital city.
• In the footsteps of our soldiers in ’67
• ‘Storm the city through Lion’s Gate’
• The Supreme Court building
• The Foreign Ministry
• Ammunition Hill
• The Security Fence
• Visit the site at the proposed location for the US Embassy in Jerusalem and send a message to America's new President
Friday, November 28, 2008: Yad Vashem
Saturday, November 29, 2008: Shabbat
• Tefillot / Se'udot / Shiurim with many special guest speakers
Track B: ‘Because it is an Exceedingly Good Land: Adventures all over Israel’
Participants on "Track B" will tour different regions of the country, gaining a new understanding of the historic roots in Tanach and history, as well as meeting the people and learning what new delights Eretz Yisrael has to offer today. Discover parts of the country you never see on the usual tour!
Monday, November 24, 2008: Northern Negev
Highlights include:
• A visit to Sderot & the Hesder Yeshiva
• ‘Honey and Heroism’ in Kibbutz Yad Mordechai
• The historic and natural wonders of the Besor Park
Tuesday, November 25, 2008: Northern Coast: A day in the footsteps of the Jewish people after the fall of Jerusalem
Highlights include:
• Diving for the “techelet snail” at the Dor beach
• A visit to the illegal immigration detention center in Atlit
• Meeting the kids and staff at the Yemin Orde youth village, a center for “kibbutz galuyot” in the Carmel Mountains
• A cultural encounter in the Druse village of Daliyat al Carmel
Wednesday, November 26, 2008: Tel Aviv and the Center
Highlights include:
• Tours of the early neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, celebrating its centennial in 2009
• A visit to the Yemenite community of Rosh HaAyin
• The deaf and blind theater and restaurant complex in Jaffa
• Shopping and Hi Tech in Herzliya
• Be with us as we deliver a petition regarding the indivisibility of Jerusalem to Israel's President and Prime Minister with the names of thousands of North American Jews.
Thursday, November 27, 2008: Jerusalem Day: The People, The Politics & The Paratroopers
Visiting political and non-political figures and places to further inform our thinking on our capital city.
• In the footsteps of our soldiers in ’67
• ‘Storm the city through Lion’s Gate’
• The Supreme Court building
• The Foreign Ministry
• Ammunition Hill
• The Security Fence
• Visit the site at the proposed location for the US Embassy in Jerusalem and send a message to America's new President
Friday, November 28, 2008: Jerusalem Walking Tour
Saturday, November 29, 2008: Shabbat
• Tefillot / Se'udot / Shiurim with many special guest speakers
EVENING CONVENTION PROGRAMS & SHABBAT:
Monday, November 24th
• Rabbi Zev Leff
• Dessert Reception with Q&A
• Movie Presentation by 12 Tribe Films
Tuesday, November 25th
• Rabbi Asher Weiss
• Dessert Reception with Q&A
• Young Leadership Cabinet movie premiere of "Hungry to be Heard"
Wednesday, November 26th
• Official Convention Opening Reception and Dinner
• Israel's Chief Rabbaim
• Election and Installation of New OU Officers
• Dessert Buffet
• Journalists Round Table
• Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva
Thursday, November 27th
• Gala Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner
• Keynote Address
• Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks
• Dessert Reception with Q&A
Shabbat, November 28th- 29th
• Shiurim given by Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rabbi Steven Weil, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Mrs. Shira Smiles, among others.
Motza'ei Shabbat
• Resolutions (Voting)
• Concert with Shlomo Katz
Register Online!
Be with us as we deliver a petition regarding the indivisibility of Jerusalem to Israel’s President and Prime Minister with the names of thousands.
Sign it yourself today!
P E T I T I O N
Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) represents the cradle of Judaism and has always been its most hallowed site. Our relationship to Yerushalayim is one that transcends time, space and other physical constraints, and our attachment to this holy city remains constant in our psyche, spirit and practices, wherever we may be.
Following the Roman destruction of Yerushalayim and the forced exile of the Jewish people in 70 C.E., the Jews faithfully reestablished their community in Yerushalayim, preserving their legacy and maintaining daily prayer vigils before the Western Wall. That steadfast Jewish presence continued virtually uninterrupted until the wanton and indiscriminate destruction of the Jewish Quarter inflicted by Jordan in May, 1948. For the nineteen years that it remained under Jordanian control, the Old City was closed to Jews of all nationalities and even to Israeli Muslims and Christians. The City of Peace was sundered by Jordanian barbed wire, cinder block and snipers, and the myth of an Arab East Jerusalem was created by those who sought to separate the People of Israel from their history, traditions and holy sites.
Israel's miraculous liberation of the Old City in 1967 and unification of Yerushalayim brought with it—for the first time in centuries—a guarantee that people of all religions could freely access all of the city's holy sites. Under Israeli sovereignty Yerushalayim may now be openly explored by all peace-loving persons, regardless of religion or nationality. Yerushalayim symbolizes how the Jewish people have seized every opportunity to create, build and restore, to give life to their prayers and dreams, and to show peace to the world.
Accordingly, we the Signers of this Petition:
REAFFIRM that Yerushalayim must forever remain the spiritual, cultural and political center of the Jewish people and the eternal and undivided capital of the state of Israel, and that this status is non-negotiable.
CALL ON the government of Israel to undertake all efforts that are necessary to secure and maintain the status of Yerushalayim, and to oppose and reject any proposal or plan to relinquish any part of Yerushalayim to any foreign authority.
APPEAL to the U.S. Administration and Congress to fully implement existing U.S. laws concerning Jerusalem, without waivers and in a manner that fully recognizes Yerushalayim as the capital of Israel, including taking action to move the United States embassy to Yerushalayim.
PRAY that the Almighty speedily restore His glory to Yerushalayim and bring peace to our nation and to the entire universe.
All fields filled out will be included on the petition except for the email address.
Will will inform you when the petition is delivered.
We will not use your email address for other purposes.
Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) represents the cradle of Judaism and has always been its most hallowed site. Our relationship to Yerushalayim is one that transcends time, space and other physical constraints, and our attachment to this holy city remains constant in our psyche, spirit and practices, wherever we may be.
Following the Roman destruction of Yerushalayim and the forced exile of the Jewish people in 70 C.E., the Jews faithfully reestablished their community in Yerushalayim, preserving their legacy and maintaining daily prayer vigils before the Western Wall. That steadfast Jewish presence continued virtually uninterrupted until the wanton and indiscriminate destruction of the Jewish Quarter inflicted by Jordan in May, 1948. For the nineteen years that it remained under Jordanian control, the Old City was closed to Jews of all nationalities and even to Israeli Muslims and Christians. The City of Peace was sundered by Jordanian barbed wire, cinder block and snipers, and the myth of an Arab East Jerusalem was created by those who sought to separate the People of Israel from their history, traditions and holy sites.
Israel's miraculous liberation of the Old City in 1967 and unification of Yerushalayim brought with it—for the first time in centuries—a guarantee that people of all religions could freely access all of the city's holy sites. Under Israeli sovereignty Yerushalayim may now be openly explored by all peace-loving persons, regardless of religion or nationality. Yerushalayim symbolizes how the Jewish people have seized every opportunity to create, build and restore, to give life to their prayers and dreams, and to show peace to the world.
Accordingly, we the Signers of this Petition:
REAFFIRM that Yerushalayim must forever remain the spiritual, cultural and political center of the Jewish people and the eternal and undivided capital of the state of Israel, and that this status is non-negotiable.
CALL ON the government of Israel to undertake all efforts that are necessary to secure and maintain the status of Yerushalayim, and to oppose and reject any proposal or plan to relinquish any part of Yerushalayim to any foreign authority.
APPEAL to the U.S. Administration and Congress to fully implement existing U.S. laws concerning Jerusalem, without waivers and in a manner that fully recognizes Yerushalayim as the capital of Israel, including taking action to move the United States embassy to Yerushalayim.
PRAY that the Almighty speedily restore His glory to Yerushalayim and bring peace to our nation and to the entire universe.
All fields filled out will be included on the petition except for the email address.
Will will inform you when the petition is delivered.
We will not use your email address for other purposes.