As Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, the Orthodox Union will present “Honest to God,” a program of teshuva (repentance) to be held at the Young Israel of Woodmere on Wednesday, September 16 at 8:00 p.m.
“For the Jewish people, this period of the year is a time of introspection, not only for individuals, but on a community level as well,” declared Rabbi Steven Burg, National Director of OU Program Development. “We want to send out the message that in addition to Shabbat and kashrut observance, ethical business practices are part and parcel of being a religious Jew. As always, the Orthodox Union is in the forefront of communal introspection and the communal response to the key issues in Jewish life.
The program, to be moderated by Rabbi Steven Weil, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union, will feature Rav Aharon Kahn, Professor of Talmud and Codes at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University; and Charles Harary of Woodmere, the First Vice President of Residential Operations and Legal Counsel to RXR Realty. Mr. Harary is also an Associate Vice President of the OU and one of its most prominent young lay leaders.
“Honest to God” will take place in other synagogues as well in New York and Florida, with Rabbi Weil participating. In addition, the OU’s West Coast Region will present its annual Kinnus Teshuva program in Los Angeles during this period. Future programs on Jewish ethics will be held even after the High Holy Days, Rabbi Burg said, as the OU directs the community’s attention to proper behavior in all aspects of life.
For further information, call 212-613-8149 or email synagogue@ou.org.