Itinerary for OU Convention in Israel
Date:
20 Nov, 2006
Description:
ORTHODOX UNION NATIONAL CONVENTION IN JERUSALEM 2006 / 5767
Note: Subject to change. Some speakers await confirmation.
Pre-Convention Daily Schedule, Tours and Yarchei Kallah
Monday, November 20-Wednesday, November 22, 2006
DAILY SCHEDULE
Monday, November 20, 2006 / 29 Cheshvan, 5767
7:00 am
Synagogue Shacharit
8:00 am-11:00 am Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
8:30 am Tours depart
9:30 am-4.50 pm Yarchei Kallah classes for men and women
1:45 pm
Synagogue Mincha
4:30 pm-10:00 pm Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
5:00 pm Tours return
7:45 pm
Synagogue Ma’ariv
8:00 pm
Film: Home Game
Guests: Avi Abelow, Producer; Yaron Shane, Director
A new perspective on what the Gush Katif families experienced, through the eyes of their youth.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 / 30 Cheshvan, 5767
6:45 am
Synagogue Shacharit (Rosh Chodesh)
8:00 am-11:00 am Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
8:30 am Tours depart
9:30 am-4.50 pm Yarchei Kallah classes for men and women
Synagogue Mincha
4:30 pm-10:00 pm Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
5:00 pm Tours return
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6:00 p.m
David Private Dinner for Officers and Board Members
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7:45 pm
Synagogue Maariv
8:00 pm
Speaker: Rabbi Osher Weiss
Chair: David Zeffren, Incoming National Vice President, Orthodox Union; Convention Chair
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 / 1 Kislev, 5767
6:00 am
Synagogue Shacharit (Rosh Chodesh)
7:00 am-11:00 am Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
7:30 am Tours depart
2:00 pm-11:00 pm Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
4:30 pm Tours return
TOURS
Please be in the hotel lobby no later than 15 minutes before departure of your tour. Check the sign on each bus to make sure you are on the correct one for your tour.
You must be pre-registered to join these trips. Inquire at the Hospitality Desk for any available seats. The charge for each tour on Monday and Tuesday is $50 per person. Wednesday’s tours to the North are free, but pre-registration is required. All tours (except the half-day tour to Yad Vashem) will include a light lunch and refreshing bottle of water.
Monday, November 20th
Monday Tour #1M: The Blooming Desert
Departs 8:30 am; returns: 5:00 pm.
Our first desert stop is Ein Prat, a beautiful oasis. From there, we will drive through Maale Adumim, an expanding, first-of-its-kind city in Binyamin, where we will meet the mayor of Maale Adumim, Benny Kashriel, and enjoy a presentation by children in the OU Israel Center’s Makom Balev program. We will make a brief stop at the archeological site of the community of the Second Temple period sect, the “Essenes.” During lunch, we will meet with “Avraham Avinu” as we enjoy Eretz Breishit (weather permitting). Looking out over the desert, we will come to understand its geology and geography, and learn about Arvot Moav and Jericho. We will continue to P’til T’echelet for a fascinating modern look at the ancient mitzvah of creating the dye for tzitzit.
Monday Tour # 7M: Days of Thunder
Departs 8:30 am; returns: 5:00 pm.
Learn how Israel keeps “Clear Skies” with a visit to an Israel Air Force Base where we will receive a “Pilot’s Briefing” in the ready room. We will meet with some of Israel’s military elite over lunch as we learn about the Lichyot Beyachad program. Finally, we will visit the “new” community of Nitzan (made up entirely of evacuees) and show our support to Israel’s finest. Please note that there are restrictions on use of digital and video cameras; we must respect these guidelines for the protection of Israel’s pilots.
Tuesday, November 21
Tuesday Tour #1T: The Blooming Desert
Departs 8:30 am; returns: 5:00 pm.
Our first desert stop is Ein Prat, a beautiful oasis. From there, we will drive through Maale Adumim, an expanding, first-of-its-kind city in Binyamin, where we will meet the mayor of Maale Adumim, Benny Kashriel and enjoy a presentation by children in the Israel Center’s Makom Balev program. We will make a brief stop at the archeological site of the community of the Second Temple period sect, the “Essenes.” During lunch, we will meet with “Avraham Avinu” as we enjoy Eretz Breishit (weather permitting). Looking out over the desert, we will come to understand its geology and geography, and learn about Arvot Moav and Jericho. We will continue to P’til T’echelet for a fascinating modern look at the ancient mitzvah of creating the dye for tzitzit.
Tuesday Tour # 7T: Days of Thunder
Departs 8:30 am; returns: 5:00 pm.
Learn how Israel keeps “Clear Skies” with a visit to an Israel Air Force Base where we will receive a “Pilot’s Briefing” in the ready room. We will meet with some of Israel’s military elite over lunch as we learn about the Lichyot Beyachad program. Finally, we will visit the “new” community of Nitzan (made up entirely of evacuees) and show our support to Israel’s finest. Please note that there are restrictions on use of digital and video cameras; we must respect these guidelines for the protection of Israel’s pilots.
Tuesday Tour # 2T: Early Chevron
Departs 7:00 am; returns: 3:00 pm.
The day begins with shacharit at the Ma’arat Hamachpela, followed by a tour of Jewish Chevron and an opportunity to shop in the local Judaica store. We will then travel to Gush Etzion for lunch in the new yekev (wine distillery), followed by a visit to the Sound and Light show in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion, which movingly portrays the story of the fall of Gush Etzion in the War of Independence. We will learn about the OU’s future role in developing this strategic part of Israel.
Tuesday Tour # 4T: Remembering the Martyrs
Departs 8:30am; returns: 1:00 pm..
Led by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, we will explore and experience Yad Vashem’s new museum from a unique perspective. A decade in the making, it combines the best of Yad Vashem’s expertise, resources and state-of-the-art exhibits, emphasizing the experiences of individual victims through original artifacts and survivor testimonies. At the end of the museum’s historical narrative is the Hall of Names, a repository for the Pages of Testimony of millions of Holocaust victims. We will learn how to help complete this important project.
Wednesday, November 22
Wednesday, Northern Recovery (A)
Trip A is limited to OU officers and board members, and specially invited guests.
Departs 7:30 am; returns: 4:30 pm.
We will travel up Israel’s coast to the city of Nahariya to witness first-hand the impact of this summer’s war as we learn about the many relief projects spearheaded by the OU. At our first stop, we will meet with Israeli educators and students of Makom Balev, the OU’s premier youth program. We will also meet with members of the Ethiopian community. Following a sit-down lunch with Karnit Goldwasser, wife of Israel MIA Ehud Goldwasser, we will travel to Israel’s naval commando base and learn how Tzahal adapts to new threats. Return to Jerusalem approximately 4:30pm for the Convention opening.
Wednesday, Northern Recovery (B)
Departs 7:30 am; returns: 4:30 pm.
We will travel up North to Nitzrat Illit, where we will witness the rebuilding efforts from this summer’s war. We will meet with both victims and the professionals who assist them in a “Bayit Yehudi”, a groundbreaking OU project that strengthens entire communities. Enjoy a picnic lunch as we travel to the headquarters of the IDF Northern Command. While there, we will receive a briefing and show support for “our boys”. Finally, we meet with the Chief Rabbi of Tzefat, HaRav Shmuel Eliyahu, before returning to Jerusalem for the Convention opening.
Wednesday, Northern Recovery (C)
Departs 7:30 am; returns: 4:30 pm.
We will journey through Israel to the holy city of Tverya (Tiberias). A city greatly impacted by the summer war, we will learn how an OU Bayit Yehudi can bring real relief to those in need. We will meet with those front-line professionals who serve the community and give strength to those who lost much this past summer. Following a picnic lunch, we will travel to the headquarters of IDF Northern Command, receive a briefing and give some chizuk. We will return to Jerusalem in time to prepare for the Convention opening.
YARCHEI KALLAH
Make your OU Convention Week a true Jerusalem experience by learning with some of the city’s most popular rabbanim and teachers, in special Yarchei Kallah classes at the Renaissance Hotel. All shiurim will be in English.
Monday, November 20
Monday morning shiurim
Men (Michal)
9.30 -10.45 a.m.
Hevrutot in preparation for Talmud shiur to follow.
Sho’el Umeishiv: Rabbi Shimon Altshul.
Rabbi Shimon Altshul made aliyah with his wife this past summer after serving as a teacher and principal for Jewish day schools in Brookline, MA, Vancouver, B.C., Silver Spring, MD, Melbourne, Australia, and Brooklyn, NY. He studied with HaRav Joseph Soloveitchik zt’l and HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein shlit’a at Yeshivat Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan in New York, and holds degrees in English Literature and Jewish Education from Yeshiva University.
11.00 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Rav Yaakov Moshe Poupko. Shiur on the Sugya: “From the Soft Voice in Eden to the Thundering Words at Sinai”
Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Poupko’s career includes teaching a “Mussar Vaad” in the Bet Midrash Govoha of Lakewood, serving as associate dean of the Talmudic College of Florida, and lecturing for over seven years in the IDF Officers’ Institute. Rabbi Poupko currently teaches Talmud in Yeshivat Sulam Yaakov’s semicha program and lectures on Jewish philosophy at the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center.
Monday afternoon shiurim
2.00-2.50 p.m.
Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher: “Were There Cave Men in Gan Eden? Where Evolution and Torah Converge”
Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher was formerly a professor of Judaic studies at Touro College, NY, and is now the Dean of Students at Diaspora Yeshiva at Mount. Zion. He writes a column for The Jewish Press called “Torah View from Mount Zion” and lectures at the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center.
3.00-3.50 p.m.
Rabbi Sholom Gold: “The Halachic Debate of ‘Land for Peace’ Revisited”
Rabbi Sholom Gold is Dean of the Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults of the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center, where he is a regular and popular speaker. He is both the founder of the Ner Israel Yeshiva of Toronto and founder and Rabbi Emeritus of Kehillat Zichron Yoseph in Har Nof, Jerusalem. He is former rabbi of Young Israel of West Hempstead and the Bnei Torah Congregation, Willowbough, Ontario.
4.00 - 4.50 p.m.
Rabbi Simcha Krauss: “Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot”
Rabbi Simcha Krauss is the president of the Young Israel Council of Rabbis in Israel and is on the Talmud faculty of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in Katamon. Before making aliyah a year ago, he was president of Religious Zionists of America, and rabbi of the Young Israel Synagogue of Hillcrest in Queens for 25 years. Before that he was the rabbi of Young Israel in St. Louis, Mo.
Women (Delilah)
Morning shiurim
9.30-10.45 a.m.
Hevrutot in preparation for Tanach shiur to follow.
Rebbetzin Esther Krauss
11.00 a.m-12.15 p.m.
Rebbetzin Esther Krauss: Shiur on the Sugya: “Reuven and the Problem of the First Born Son”
Rebbetzin Esther Krauss has a M.A. in Tanach from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University. With a distinguished career in Jewish education, she was the founding principal of the Maayanot Yeshiva for Girls in Teaneck, NJ for several years before making aliyah one year ago.
Monday afternoon shiurim
2.00-2.50 p.m.
Phil Chernofsky: “The Inseparable Dual Torah”
Phil Chernofsky, a veteran oleh of 25 years, is the Educational Director of the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center and editor of its ever-popular Torah Tidbits weekly magazine, and host of Torah Tidbits Audio on http://www.ouradio.org.
3.00-3.50 p.m.
Golda Warhaftig: “Chanukah—Let There be Light!”
Mrs. Golda Warhaftig was born in Manchester, England, and came on aliyah in 1968. She received her teacher’s diploma from Machon Gold, earned a B.Ed in Tanach and Torah Sheb’al-peh from Michlala Jerusalem College for Women, and her MA in Education from Touro College. In addition to working as a parent counselor, Mrs. Warhaftig teaches Torah in many educational institutions, including the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center, Midreshet Rachel V’Chaya, and Michlelet Emuna.
4.00 - 4.50 p.m.
Rabbi Shimon Altshul: “Rav Soloveitchik’s Kol Dodi Dofek—Fifty Years Later”
(For a biographical note on Rabbi Shimon Altshul, please see above.)
Tuesday, November 21
Tuesday morning shiurim
Men (Michal)
9.30 -10.45 a.m.
Hevrutot in preparation for Talmud shiur to follow.
Sho’el Umeishiv: Rabbi Shimon Altshul.
(For a biographical note on Rabbi Shimon Altshul, please see above.)
11.00 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Rabbi Jeff Bienenfeld: Shiur on the Sugya: “Understanding the Institution of Kri’at HaTorah—A Halachic and Hashkafic Analysis”
Rabbi Jeff Bienenfeld, a recent oleh, received semicha from Yeshiva University. For the last 26 years he was the rabbi of Young Israel in New Orleans, and served before that as a rabbi in Toronto.
Tuesday afternoon shiurim
2.00-2.50 p.m.
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Adler: “Is there an Order to Kibbutz Galuyot?”
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Adler received semicha from Yeshiva University, where he was a special assistant to HaRav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l, and his PhD from Bar Ilan University. He is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Neve Orot community synagogue in Ramot, Jerusalem, and visiting community rabbi of Tiferet Yisrael in Zurich. He is also the president of the Ner Tamid Bnei Akiva Yeshiva in Hashmonaim, Chairman of the World Council of Mizrachi Rabbis and a weekly lecturer at the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center.
3.00-3.50 p.m.
Rabbi Yosef Wolicki: “Love the Stranger—The Congregation and the Convert”
Rabbi Yosef Wolicki, an alumnus and musmach of Yeshiva University, served as a congregational rabbi in the USA and Canada for 24 years. After his aliyah in 1986, Rabbi Wolicki joined the faculty of Orot Israel College in Elkana and also worked as a psychologist at Shaare Zedek Hospital. He moved to Netanya in 1990 as rabbi of the New Synagogue. After retiring in 2004, he serves on the faculties of the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center, Yeshivat Yesodei Hatorah, and Yeshivat Hamivtar.
4.00-4.50 p.m.
Rabbi Chaim Eisen: “Seeking Consolation and Redemption—A Midrash on the Quest for Mashiach”
For over 24 years, Rabbi Chaim Eisen has taught at various yeshivot in Israel and lectured extensively on Jewish Thought and Jewish Philosophy throughout the US and Israel, including the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center. He has also served as a Torah lecturer in the IDF Rabbinate Torah Lecture Corps (reserves) for over sixteen years. In addition, he was founding editor of the OU journal Jewish Thought and has written and edited numerous essays and contributed frequently to the OU’s magazine, Jewish Action.
Women (Delilah)
Tuesday morning shiurim
9.30-10.45 a.m.
Hevrutot in preparation for the Tanach shiur to follow.
Rebbetzin Pearl Borow
11.00 a.m.-12.15pm.
Rebbetzin Pearl Borow: Shiur on the Sugya: “The Inner Meaning of the Menorah”
Rebbetzin Pearl Borow taught at the Epstein Hebrew Academy, the Block Yeshiva High School, and the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. Since her aliyah in 1999, Rebbetzin Borow has been teaching at the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center, among several other institutions.
Tuesday afternoon shiurim
2.00 - 2.50 p.m.
Rebbetzin Yocheved Bienenfeld: “An Understanding of Rachel Imeinu”
Rebbetzin Yocheved Bienenfeld received her degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. In addition to her duties as rebbetzin, she has taught teenagers in various yeshiva high schools.
3.00-3.50 p.m.
Chaya Passow: “The Ladies of Bereishit: Paradigms of Jewish Femininity”
Mrs. Chaya Passow, a graduate of Stern College, has lectured and taught extensively both in the US and in Israel. She is co-founder of LIBA—The Women’s Learning Connection, and is also a regular lecturer at Midreshet Rachel.
4.00-4.50 p.m.
Rabbi Mendy Blank: “Economic Success—Boon or Bane?”
Rabbi Mendy Blank teaches at Bet Midrash Ra’ava, a post-hesder yeshiva specializing in value-oriented Talmud study.
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Fitness Classes for Women
Malkie Raskas will be conducting fitness classes for women at the following times:
Thursday:
9:30 am Pilates
9:00-9:45 pm Aqua tread class in pool
Friday:
9:30 am Pilates
Sunday:
9:30 am Pilates Class
Convention Program
Wednesday, November 22 / 1 Kislev
IMPORTANT SECURITY NOTICE:
Please plan to arrive at the Grand Ballroom one hour prior to the start of this dinner, as security may be tight. To help facilitate your entry, we suggest that you do not bring any tote bags or cameras, etc., as this will only slow down your security check. As always, throughout the Convention, you must be wearing your Convention badge.
6:00 pm
Grand Ballroom
Convention Opening Dinner
Welcome: Stephen J. Savitsky, President, Orthodox Union
Election and Installation of Officers and Board Members
Chair: Stanley Weinstein, Senior Vice President, Orthodox Union; Chair, Nominating Committee
Only officers, directors and official synagogue delegates are permitted to vote; voting cards will be distributed.
Hon. Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel
Rishon LeTziyon HaRav Shlomo Amar, Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel
Hon. Richard Jones, United States Ambassador to Israel
Hon. Uri Lupoliansky, Mayor of Jerusalem
Zev Bielski, Chairman, Jewish Agency for Israel
8:45 pm
Queen of Sheba Maariv
9:00 pm
David Film and Discussion: Lonely Man of Faith: Life & Legacy of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik
Moderator: Julius Berman, Honorary President, Orthodox Union
Discussants: Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rosh Kollel, Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel; Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professor in Talmud, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Yeshiva UniversityRabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbinic Administrator and CEO, OU Kosher
Ethan Isenberg, Director and Producer, Second Look Productions
11:00 pm Hospitality Desk closes
Thursday, November 23, 2006 / 2 Kislev, 5767
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Reserve a Seat to Go to the Kotel for Mincha on Erev Shabbat: If you wish to go by bus to the Kotel for mincha on Erev Shabbat, you must register at the Hospitality Desk by 5:00 pm today. The cost of transportation is NIS 10 per person (transportation is one way only!).
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Transportation to Airport on Sunday: If you traveled on an OU group flight, and want a seat on the shuttle to Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, you must visit the OU Hospitality Desk to reserve your place(s) by noon Friday.
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6:15 am
Queen of Sheba Daf Yomi—Beitzah 27
Rabbi Shmuel Silber, Rabbi, Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim, Baltimore, MD
7:00 am
Queen of Sheba Shacharit
7:45 am
Jonathan Breakfast
Discussion: Aliyah—Is It for Me?
Chair: Harvey Wolinetz, Senior Vice President, Orthodox Union
Speaker: Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-founder and Executive Director, Nefesh B’Nefesh
8:00 am Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
9:00 am
Queen of Sheba Plenary Session: The Role of Diaspora Jewry in Israel’s Decision Making
Moderator: Allen Fagin, Senior Vice President, Orthodox Union
Discussants: Harvey Blitz, Chairman of the Board, Orthodox Union
Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Beth Jacob, Atlanta, GA; Editor-in-Chief, Ariel Chumash Project
Hillel Halkin, Distinguished Journalist, Author and Translator
Tachlis Track: Designed to equip synagogue leaders with vital skills to improve and enhance the management of large and small OU-member synagogues.
Tamar Developing Volunteers Within the Synagogue
Frank Buchweitz, Director, Department of Community Services and Special Projects, Orthodox Union
How to encourage volunteers to take responsibility for various synagogue activities.
10:45 am
Queen of Sheba Plenary Session: Israel’s Security Challenge: Religious Perspectives
Moderator: Emanuel J . Adler, Senior Vice President, Orthodox Union
Discussants: Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Rosh Yeshivah, Zevulun Hammer Hesder Yeshivah, Petah Tikva
Rabbi Nachum Rabinovich, Rosh Yeshivah, Birkat Moshe Hesder Yeshivah, Maaleh Adumim
Tachlis Track
Tamar Creating an Active Membership
David Fleischhacker, Executive Director, Baron Hirsch Congregation, Memphis, TN
Are your members as involved as you would like them to be? How to engage your members and increase attendance at tefillah, classes and all kinds of activities.
12:30 pm
Grand Ballroom Lunch
Journalists’ Roundtable
Moderator: Stanley Weinstein, Senior Vice President, Orthodox Union
Participants: Yoni Ben Menachem, Director General, Kol Yisrael
Yossi Klein Halevi, Senior Fellow, Shalem Center Institute for Zionist History and Thought and Israel correspondent of The New Republic
David Horovitz, Editor-in-Chief, The Jerusalem Post
Dina Kraft, Israel news and features correspondent, JTA, and regular contributor, The New York Times
2:15 pm
Queen of Sheba Mincha
2:30 pm
Queen of Sheba Plenary Session A: Israel’s Security Challenge: Military Perspectives
Moderator: Dr. Michael J. Elman, National Vice President, Orthodox Union, Convention Chair
Discussants: Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yaakov Amidror, Director, Institute for Contemporary Affairs, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Yossi Alpher, Director of the Political Security Domain
David Plenary Session B:
Addressing Substance Addictions in Our Community
Moderator: Linda Elman, Convention Chair
Discussants: Frank Buchweitz, Director, Department of Community Services and Special Projects, Orthodox Union
Haim Messing, Director-General, Israel Anti-Drug Authority
Dr. Jonas Waizer, Chief Operating Officer for Behavioral and Health Services, F.E.G.S.
4:15 pm
Queen of Sheba Plenary Session A: Rifts in Religious Zionism: Revealing and Repairing Them
Moderator: Mitchel R. Aeder, National Vice President, Orthodox Union
Discussants: Rabbi Benny Elon, Member of Knesset
Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein, Co-Chairman and Director, International Center for the Enhancement of Learning Potential
David Landau, Editor, Haaretz
Bambi Sheleg, Editor, Eretz Acheret
Amnon Plenary Session B:
Dealing with Sexual Abuse in Our Community
Moderator: Esther Williams, Board of Directors, Orthodox Union
Discussant: Rabbi Mark Dratch, Director, JSafe: The Jewish Institute Supporting an Abuse-Free Environment
Tachlis Track
Tamar Building While Paying Bills: Capital Campaigns
Andrew Goldsmith, Director, Financial Resource Development, Orthodox Union
Hands-on training for raising funds for special projects (such as building renovations, new programming), while keeping membership dues coming and your shul running.
6:45 pm
Grand Ballroom Gala Thanksgiving Dinner
Hon. Benjamin Netanyahu, Leader, Likud Party*
Chair: Moshe Bane, Senior Vice President, Orthodox Union
Keynote Address: Rabbi Berel Wein,
Towards a Rebirth of Torah Jews—The Challenge Of Our Generation
9:15 pm
Queen of Sheba Maariv
9:30 pm
Queen of Sheba Town Hall Meeting: The OU at the Crossroads
Moderator: Terry Augenbraun, Board of Directors, Orthodox Union; Convention Chair
Respondents: Stephen J. Savitsky, President, Orthodox Union
Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union
11:00 pm Hospitality Desk closes
Friday, November 24 / 3 Kislev
Transportation to Airport on Sunday: If you traveled on an OU group flight, and want a seat on the shuttle to Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, you must visit the OU Hospitality Desk to reserve your place(s) by noon today.
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6:15 am
Queen of Sheba Daf Yomi—Beitzah 28
Rabbi Yosef Adler, Rabbi, Congregation Rinat Yisrael, and Rosh Yeshivah, Torah Academy of Bergen County, Teaneck, NJ
7:00 am
Queen of Sheba Shacharit
7:45 am
Jonathan Breakfast
Discussion: Kiruv—Inreach vs. Outreach?
Moderator: Irwin Nachimson, Chairman, Board of Governors, Orthodox Union
Discussants: Rabbi Avi Berman, Director-General, Orthodox Union in Israel
Rabbi Steven Burg, National Director, NCSY
8:00 am Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
8:00 am-2:00pm
Delila Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Registry
MAGEN DAVID ADOM BLOOD DRIVE:
The importance of keeping Israel’s blood supply fully stocked at all times cannot be over-emphasized, and we are gratified at being able to give you the opportunity to donate here today. Magen David Adom is responsible for the collection, processing, testing and distribution of blood units and blood products throughout the country and will be on hand to collect your donation.
In order to give blood, you must be between the ages of 18-65, and weigh at least 110 lbs (50 kgs.). A 17 year-old may give blood with written consent from parents plus an ID. Someone between the ages of 65-70 may give blood only with written permission from their personal physician.
You may not give blood if you:
have had any type of mono in the past ½ year;
have had Hepatitis A with the past five years;
have had Hepatitis B, C at any time, no matter how long ago;
have lived in England, France or Portugal during the past few years;
are taking medication, have a heart problem, or suffer from high blood pressure.
Please make sure you eat breakfast or lunch before giving blood; you cannot be fasting.
You may also join the Bone Marrow Registry at this time by having a swab taken inside your cheek. The information obtained will be kept on file in case a patient is found for whom you are a match and for whom you could be a donor, possibly saving a life.
9:00 am
Queen of Sheba Plenary Session A: A Constitution for Israel?
Moderator: Martin I. Fineberg, Secretary, Orthodox Union
Discussants: Moshe Koppel, Chairman, Israel Policy Center
Yedidia Stern, Senior Fellow, Israel Democracy Institute
Amnon Plenary Session B:
Plenary Session B: When Illness Strikes and Decisions Have to be Made…Who Decides? The Rabbi, the Physician, or the Family?
Moderator: Mira Zeffren, Convention Chair
Discussants: Rabbi J. Yaakov Schwartz, Rabbinical Liaison, Metropolitan Jewish Health System, New York, NY
Toby Weiss, Project Manager, Metropolitan Jewish Hospice and Palliative Care, New York, NY
Tachlis Track
Tamar Increasing Membership Through Outreach
Frank Buchweitz, Director, Department of Community Services, Orthodox Union
Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin, Director, West Coast Community and Synagogue Services, Orthodox Union
How to conduct outreach activities and bring more families into your congregation.
10:15 am Getting To Know You And Your Concerns
Tamar Special Session for OU-member synagogue rabbis, presidents and synagogue board members with OU Leadership
Stephen J. Savitsky, President, Orthodox Union
Emanuel J. Adler, Chairman, Community and Synagogue Services Commission; Senior Vice President, Orthodox Union
Frank Buchweitz, Director, Community Services and Special Projects, Orthodox Union
11:45 am Buses to Kotel for Mincha
You must register at the Hospitality Desk by 5:00 pm Thursday to participate.
3:30 pm Hospitality Desk closes
3:57 pm
Grand Ballroom Foyer Candlelighting
(Under NO circumstances may candles be lit in hotel rooms or in any location other than the Grand Ballroom Foyer).
SHABBAT SHALOM!
4:05 pm
Jonathan and David Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat
Ba’al Tefillah: Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union
D’var Torah: Yitzchak Fund, President, Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center; Convention Chair
Introduced by Stephen J. Savitsky, President, Orthodox Union
5:45 pm
Grand Ballroom Shabbat Dinner (assigned seating)
Please proceed to make kiddush and wash as soon as you are ready. Later in the meal, we welcome your participation in the zemirot.
D’var Torah: Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, Rabbi, Congregation Shomrei Emunah, Baltimore, MD
8:00 pm Shabbat Shiurim
Delila Rabbi Reuven Aberman, Instructor, Midreshet Moriah
The Halachic View of Living in Jerusalem Today
Tamar Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen, Rabbi, Congregation Aitz Chaim, West Palm Beach, FL
The Reunification of Jerusalem: Halachic Sources of Celebration
Queen of Sheba Rebbetzin Sarah Meisels, Noted Lecturer and Inspirational Speaker
The Power of Emunah
Amnon Rabbi Ari Zivotofsky, Researcher, Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences, Bar-Ilan University
The Kosher Turkey of PocohontOUs: Bird Mesorahs from Around the World
9:00 pm
Queen of Sheba Shabbat Keynote: HaRav Yisrael Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv
Chairman: Sheldon Rudoff, Honorary President, Orthodox Union
10:00 pm
Grand Ballroom Foyer Oneg Shabbat
Shabbat, November 25 / 4 Kislev
7:30-8:00 am
Lower Level Foyer Coffee and Cake
7:00 am
Queen of Sheba Daf Yomi—Beitzah 28
Emanuel J. Adler, Senior Vice President, Orthodox Union
Amnon Chumash Shiur: The Rav on Sefer Bereshit
Julius Berman, Honorary President, Orthodox Union
8:00 am
Jonathan and David Shacharit and Musaf
Gabbaim:
Gustave Jacobs, Board of Directors, Orthodox Union
Avery Neumark, Board of Directors, Orthodox Union
Kri’at Hatorah: Shlomo Zuckier, Teaneck, NJ
Drasha: “Expanding Our Horizons . . .Together”
Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union
Musaf: Rabbi Yosef Adler, Rabbi, Congregation Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, NJ
11:00 am
Grand Ballroom Shabbat Buffet Lunch (assigned seating)
Please proceed to make kiddush and wash as soon as you are ready. Later in the meal, we welcome your participation in the zemirot.
D’var Torah: Rabbi Zvi Ryzman, Los Angeles, CA, businessman, maggid shiur, and author of the sefarim “Ratz KaTzvi”
1:10pm
Jonathan and David Mincha
1:30 pm Shabbat Shiurim
Delila Rabbi Reuven Aberman
Tefillat Geshem in Jerusalem, United States, Australia and Brazil
Queen of Sheba Rabbi Menachem Genack
Kedushat Beit ha-Knesset
Amnon Rebbetzin Sarah Meisels
Enthusiasm, A Powerful Force
Tamar Rabbi Ari Zivotofsky
The Flexible Mesorah of Matza: Trying to Fit a Round Peg in a Square Hole
2:30 pm
Queen of Sheba Shabbat Shiur
Chairman: Hyman Arbesfeld, Board of Directors, Orthodox Union
Rabbi Hershel Schachter Rosh Kollel, Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel; Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professor in Talmud, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Yeshiva University
3:45 pm
Grand Ballroom Se’udah Shlishit
Please proceed to wash as soon as you are ready. Later in the meal, we welcome your participation in the zemirot.
5:15 pm
Jonathan and David Ma’ariv and Havdalah
SHAVU’A TOV!
5:30 pm Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
6:15 pm
Queen of Sheba Debate and Adoption of Resolutions
Resolutions Chair: Aron Raskas, National Vice President, Orthodox Union
9:15 pm
Grand Ballroom Melave Malka / NCSY Alumni Reunion, with entertainment featuring Howie Kahn, Alan Freishtat, Lenny Solomon, plus other surprise All-Star musicians in an NCSY retrospective!
12:00 Hospitality Desk closes
12:00 Visit to Harold and Pearl Jacobs OU Zula Outreach Center.
By invitation only.
Sunday, November 26 / 5 Kislev
6:30 am
Queen of Sheba Daf Yomi—Beitzah 30
Rabbi Mark Dratch, Director, JSafe: The Jewish Institute Supporting an Abuse-Free Environment
7:30 am
Queen of Sheba Shacharit
8:00 am Hospitality Desk opens (ext. 1501 or 1502)
8:30 am
Jonathan Breakfast
Topic: “Advocating for Israel and Your Community”
Nathan Diament, Director, Institute for Public Affairs, Orthodox Union
Event for Officers and Directors
11:00 am Visit to Machon Maayan