October 25, 2004

Huge Attendance is Reflection of OU’s Strength:
OU Convention in Jerusalem is Sold Out; 800-Plus Americans and Canadians to Plan Organization’s Priorities for Next Two Years; Stephen Savitsky to Succeed Harvey Blitz as President

OU Biennial National Convention
Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel, Jerusalem, Israel
Wednesday, November 24 – Sunday, November 28

In a dramatic demonstration of its impact as a Jewish organization and its ability to mobilize its membership, the Orthodox Union is bringing more than 800 people from 25 states and Canada to Jerusalem Thanksgiving Weekend, for a Biennial National Convention that will determine the direction the organization will take over the next two years. “We are sold-out,” declared OU President Harvey Blitz. He noted, however, that the OU is still accepting reservations on a waiting list in the case of last minute cancellations.

Large numbers of Israelis, including many who recently made aliyah, will attend as well, representing the Seymour J. Abrams OU Jerusalem World Center. “The OU Israel Center is proud to serve as host to the Convention,” declared its Chairman, Yitzhak Fund.

The Convention will be held from Wednesday, November 24-Sunday, November 28 at the Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel. Preceding the official opening, there will be touring, opportunities for volunteer work, and a two-day Israel Advocacy program, to train participants in the techniques of defending Israel against lies in the media and other public forums. These sessions will be led by Betty Ehrenberg, Director of International and Communal Affairs for the OU’s Institute for Public Affairs; and by Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

“The OU is the strength of the Orthodox community, bringing many hundreds of Americans and Canadians thousands of miles to support Israel and to plan the OU’s future,” said Mr. Blitz. “There are very few Jewish organizations that could bring so many people to Israel at this difficult time when tourism has been so deeply affected by Palestinian terror. When the OU sent out word that our Convention would be held in Jerusalem, the phone began ringing off the hook immediately with people calling in reservations. We were not surprised by this attitude. Now we are sold out.”

At the Convention, Stephen J. Savitsky of Hewlett (Long Island) NY, currently Chairman of the Board, will succeed Harvey Blitz as OU President, following the conclusion of Mr. Blitz’ second two-year term. Mr. Savitsky was chosen by the OU Nominating Committee this summer, with his formal election coming at the Convention.

In addition, a substantial group of new Officers and Board Members representing both large and small communities from around North America will also be elected, bringing with them a whole range of new ideas for OU programming.

Included among the pre-convention tours are trips to Hevron and Gush Etzion led by OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb; a Historical Perspective of Jerusalem, led by the noted historian Rabbi Berel Wein, and featuring excavations at the southern wall of the Kotel; Masada and the Dead Sea; and to Yad Vashem, also led by Rabbi Weinreb. If there is space, the OU will open reservations for the tours to individuals who are not registered guests of the Convention.

As part of regular programming, the Convention will visit the Tomb of Rachel (Kever Rachel) in Beit Lechem prior to a joyous Shabbat; Torah study led by Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University, and other noted rabbis will be a prominent part of the Shabbat program. Thursday night Mishmar Torah study sessions will also be included in the program, creating a yeshiva-like atmosphere for participants.

Israeli luminaries from the highest levels of government and the rabbinate have been invited and are scheduled to speak at the Convention. They include Prime Minister Ariel Sharon; Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Rav Yonah Metzger; Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rishon L’Tzion Rav Shlomo Amar; Former Chief Rabbi Yisroel Meir Lau; Cabinet Ministers and Members of the Knesset.

“The tremendous attendance reflects OU members’ deep love for Israel and their concern for Israel and its people during their current plight,” said Mr. Blitz, the outgoing OU-President. “One of the goals of the Convention, through the program we have arranged, is to develop an even closer relationship between the American Orthodox community and Israel than exists now.”

Mr. Blitz’ successor, Mr. Savitsky, agrees. “The Convention demonstrates the enormous connection felt by OU members with the people and land of Israel,” he said. “The success of our Convention, as judged by the enthusiastic response, reconfirms that the OU is the central address for Orthodox Jews.”

“Our successes in Israel as well as in the United States clearly demonstrate that we are a North American organization with a global impact,” declared Rabbi Weinreb, the OU Executive Vice President. “Our ability to mobilize our membership to come to Israel in such numbers is a reflection of the OU’s strength and the OU’s concern for Israel. Through our Israel Center in Jerusalem, with its multiplicity of programs; through our advocacy sessions prior to the official opening of the Convention; and through our day-by-day concern for Israel and its people, we are an Israeli organization every bit as much as we are an American organization,” he declared.

According to Convention Co-Chair Stanley Weinstein of Miami Beach, who is spearheading the Israel Advocacy program preceding the Convention, the sessions will provide an opportunity for Americans to receive training on how to combat falsehoods against Israel, which include blaming the victims of terror, not the perpetrators. “The program emphasizes the need to educate our constituents and to activate them on behalf of Israel,” he said.

The all-encompassing work of the OU, both in Israel and North America, was summed up by Convention Co-Chair Dr. Benzion Krupka of Far Rockaway, NY. “I have been privileged to work on numerous Israel-related projects with the Orthodox Union,” declared Dr. Krupka. “Throughout the current war, the OU has been a steadfast supporter of Acheinu B'nai Eretz Yisrael (Our fellow Jews in Israel). We sent people on large missions before this became popular. Our synagogues generously raised funds to support people and institutions, as well as the Israel Defense Forces.”

“The OU has gained a unique reputation for excellence, not just in kashrut (kosher supervision), but in kiruv (outreach to the unaffiliated), support for the developmentally disabled, help for our Russian brethren and more,” Dr. Krupka said. “The overwhelming response to our convention in Israel is the Orthodox world's confidence in that excellence. Much planning has gone into this magnificent program, and B'Ezras Hashem (With the help of God) it will be enjoyable and meaningful for our very special group of attendees.”

Given the Thanksgiving timeframe, the OU will feature a gala Thanksgiving Dinner with the theme of “Counting Our Blessings” on Thursday evening. In addition, there will be a festive Melave Malka (post-Shabbat) program Saturday evening in the Old City of Jerusalem giving thanks, according to the official program, “for those who have survived and recuperated from the various terrorist attacks and acknowledging the bravery and efforts of all the people of Israel for what they do on our behalf.”

The Convention will represent the passing of the torch to Mr. Savitsky from Mr. Blitz, under whom the OU increased its membership, strengthened its ties to its constituents, and implemented a wide variety of new programming. Mr. Savitsky declared that he will build on Mr. Blitz’ work to take the OU to the next level of success -- all the while assisted by the new Officers and Board Members and returning OU leadership.

“The direction and mandate given to us at this Convention will be the blueprint for the new administration in terms of setting our agenda, while the impact of this Convention will produce tangible services and programs meeting the ever-changing needs of our members and our synagogues,” Mr. Savitsky said.

“Through the events we have planned and through the participation of so many hundreds of Americans and Israelis, we will be experiencing the dynamic story of the OU at this Convention,” added Mr. Blitz, the outgoing President. “This story deeply and overwhelmingly concerns Israel. That is why we are going to Jerusalem.”

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The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY, political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with disabilities through Yachad and Our Way. Its kosher supervision label, the , is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 275,000 products manufactured in 68 countries around the globe.

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