October 11, 2004

OU Creates Warm and Friendly Atmosphere for Jewish Singles:
Upcoming Programs Include Politics, Philosophy, Jazz, and Chessed

Awkward, uncomfortable and depressing are words often used to describe dreaded “singles” events. Certainly, warm and friendly aren’t terms usually associated with a singles event, but that is just the way Alan Miller, the Chair of the Committee on Synagogue Services of the Orthodox Union, described the OU’s Young Leadership/Singles Connection events. “Our first priority is creating a warm and comfortable environment and we view meeting someone as a bonus to the event,” said Mr. Miller.

Through a series of programs with diverse events such as political and philosophic lectures from leading figures in the Jewish community; to jazz, gourmet dinners and ice skating, the OU tries to create interesting programming that also provides an opportunity for socializing and meeting new faces.

Part of creating an at home-type atmosphere, according to Frank Buchweitz, Director of Special Projects for the Orthodox Union, is providing a diverse series of programs while also catering each program to specific age groups. OU Young Leadership events are for singles in their 20s and 30s and OU Singles Connection events are for singles age 40 and older.

Several marriages resulted in the past year from OU singles events.

This season in New York brings four new events that Buchweitz says “should have something for everyone’s interests.”

• On Monday, October 18, the OU, in conjunction with Congregation Ohab Zedek at 118 West 95th Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues), will host a lecture by Dr. David Luchins titled “Bush & Kerry: Who’s Good for the Jews?” Dr. Luchins is Associate Professor of Political Science at Touro College and former long-time senior advisor to the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He is also a National Associate Vice President of the Orthodox Union. This event, which will begin at 7:00 p.m., is open to all ages.
   
• On Wednesday, November 3, the Young Israel of the West Side, at 210 West 91st Street (between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway), will host a lecture by Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe, rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in West Hartford, CT. He also leads the Kabbalah Circle in West Hartford. Rabbi Yaffe will discuss “Ethics of War in Judaism,” specifically focusing on justification for war, protecting non-combatants, non-conventional weaponry, interrogation and treaties. Rabbi Yaffe has spoken at OU singles events in the past. According to Mr. Buchweitz, he has always been very well received and the OU is looking forward to his return. The event, which is open to singles in their 20s and 30s, will open with a Chinese buffet, beginning at 7:00 p.m., giving attendees an opportunity to talk and mingle prior to the intellectual discussion.
   
• As part of a Monthly Dining Series, the OU will host an “Evening of Jazz” for singles in their 30s and 40s. Dave Demotta, who won the International “Downbeat” Award, will perform from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Mendy’s restaurant on Monday, November 15. The restaurant is located at 61 East 34th Street (on Park Avenue).
   
• “Direct Dating” scheduled for Thursday, December 16 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Lincoln Square Synagogue on Amsterdam Avenue and 69th Street, follows the pop trend of speed dating. By alternating partners, participants have the opportunity to meet a number of people in one evening. An elegant dessert buffet will be served to the group, ages 25 to 35.
   
• Finally, no OU program could be complete without an opportunity to do chessed (kindness toward others). On Sunday, December 12, during Chanukkah, singles will have the opportunity to join others in, what has becomes an OU tradition, visiting sick children in hospitals and bringing them gifts.

With all the various opportunities, Buchweitz feels certain that the OU’s programs will be successful in providing a place for “people to come together in a warm atmosphere, to learn something and have a fun time.”

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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