OU PRESIDENT STEPHEN J. SAVITSKY TO VISIT JEWISH COMMUNITY OF WASHINGTON DC, SHABBAT WEEKEND OF JANUARY 8-9
As he resumes his Presidential Tour of Jewish communities across North America, Orthodox Union President Stephen J. Savitsky will visit Washington, DC the Shabbat weekend of January 8-9. In the past year, Mr. Savitsky has visited Norfolk, Omaha, Miami Beach, Seattle, Dallas, Richmond, Great Neck (NY) and Columbus (OH). His future visits include Calgary and Montreal.
In Washington, Mr. Savitsky will serve as a Scholar-in-Residence at Ohev Sholom – The National Synagogue and will also meet with the Jewish community and deliver a series of talks throughout Shabbat. He will be joined by Rabbi Lee Jay Lowenstein, who is the Associate Regional Director for the local Atlantic Seaboard NCSY Region, which includes Washington. The synagogue will also host a Yachad Shabbaton on the same Shabbat. Yachad, an agency of the OU, provides programs for the learning and developmentally disabled to further their inclusion into the Jewish community.
On Friday night, following Shabbat communal dinner, Mr. Savitsky will present on “Open Conversation Regarding Critical Issues in Jewish Life.” On Shabbat morning, Mr. Savitsky will speak on “The Orthodox Union: It’s Not Just About the Kashrut Industry;” and at the third meal, he will address the congregation on “Personal Reflection: How I Changed My Life By Changing Other People.” On Shabbat morning, the synagogue will hold a special luncheon in recognition of the OU President’s visit.
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld of Ohev Sholom said, “We are so honored by the visit of President Savitsky. The OU is an organization that provides direction and inspiration to our community and so we are excited about the opportunity to listen to President Savitsky’s vision of the future of the OU and to partner with him on implementing that vision.”
Ohev Sholom – The National Synagogue is located at 1600 Jonquil Street NW in Washington. All of the Shabbat events are open to the community. For more information regarding attending the Shabbat dinner, or for sponsorship opportunities, contact the synagogue at 202-882-7225 or cvaloris@gmail.com.