A Message About Our Convention
Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Ph.D
Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union
This Thanksgiving we will be holding our Biennial National Convention, again in Jerusalem. At our last Convention, we were able to bring over 800 people from North America as well as attract hundreds of Israeli citizens to the event. This year our goal is 1,000 plus from the United States.
Why attend this Convention? Let me list a number of powerful reasons why you should participate in this remarkable event:
* Given the horrible trauma of this summer’s war, there is no better way to demonstrate your solidarity for Israel and your concern for its people than to visit there now, as part of a delegation of a thousand strong. Filling the streets of Jerusalem, its shuls, shops, stores and malls with hundreds of Americans will provide a morale boost that cannot be surpassed.
* This year is the 40th Anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. This will be the occasion for numerous ceremonial and political programs. As you are well aware, the status of Jerusalem is a subject of constant debate, and will surely be an item on the agenda of any “peace” discussions. We want to assert the right of the Jewish people to retain a united Jerusalem under the flag of the State of Israel. We believe that Jews across the world are entitled to assert that right. 1,000 plus American Jews in Jerusalem over one single weekend will help guarantee that right.
* Over the past several years, particularly since the disengagement from Gaza, there has been a great internal debate within the leadership of the Orthodox Union as to the role that American Jewry should play in supporting or opposing decisions of the Israeli government. We are currently re-evaluating our historic position on this matter, and this Convention will provide a context for that debate. If you wish to have a voice on this topic, on one side or the other, it is important that you be there, especially if you can attend as a voting delegate of your synagogue.
* This Convention will offer an opportunity to see the many and varied activities of the Seymour J. Abrams OU Israel World Center. These include dramatic programs dealing with youth and adult outreach, evacuees from Gush Katif, alienated youth, the American community in Israel and, since this summer, with communities affected by the war in the North. You will visit these programs and travel North to see for yourselves the impact of the war upon the people living there.
* At this event there will be a special Torah track in which you will study with master teachers, and hear lessons of Torah from outstanding rabbinic leaders. These leaders include the Chief Rabbis Shlomo Amar and Yona Metzger, Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, Rav Nachum Rabinovich, and Rav Hershel Schachter. Rabbis Mark Dratch, Emanuel Feldman, Rafi Feuerstein, Reuven Aberman, Jay Yaakov Schwartz, David Orlofsky, Yehoshua Fass, and Rebbetzin Sarah Meisels will deliver their own unique messages about Torah and contemporary issues.
* You will meet and hear from the leaders of the Orthodox Union, including our President Steven Savitsky, and former President and current Chairman of the Board Harvey Blitz. And, besides myself: Chief Executive Officer of Kashrus Rabbi Menachem Genack; National Director of NCSY Rabbi Steven Burg; and the dynamic new Director of our Israel Center, Rabbi Avi Berman. You will have the opportunity to dialogue with us, educate yourself about the OU and our numerous programs and have real input into our future direction.
* You will hear major government leaders from all sides of the political spectrum. They will include Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Avi Dichter, M.K. Benny Elon, Ambassador Dore Gold, United States Ambassador to Israel Richard H. Jones, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and Natan Sharansky (all invited).
* You will hear from numerous Israeli public figures about the problems confronting Israel today. They will include military leaders, journalists, and academic experts, including Major General Yaakov Amidror, Yossi Klein Halevi, Hillel Halkin, Avrom Infield, Moshe Koppel, David Landau, Yonoson Rosenblum, Ari Shavit, Bambi Sheleg, and Yedidya Stern.
* You may participate in “tachlis” workshops led by master teachers who can help you grow your synagogue
* You will meet socially with hundreds of like-minded individuals and build friendships with Jewish leaders across North America.
It is for these reasons that I urge you to join us in this major event, which is sure to capture the attention of the leaders of Israeli society and which will give you memories and learning experiences for a long time to come. Join me there!