ISRAELI TV ANCHOR TO HEADLINE OU PROGRAM EXAMINING THE POSITIVES OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON OBSERVANCE & SPIRITUALITY
NEW YORK – The OU Women’s In
itiative, a division of the Orthodox Union, will host a weekend of inspiration with renowned speaker and Israeli TV news anchor Sivan Rahav Meir during which she will discuss how social media can be used as a tool for religious development.
Rahav Meir will speak about “21st Century Teshuva: A Synergy of Media and Meaning”. Her presentation will explore how social media can be used to reflect on one’s religious practice and how to use these modern-day tools to reconnect with ourselves and our religious development during the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah.
The OU Women’s Initiative is proud to host Sivan Rahav Meir in the following communities: Great Neck, West Hempstead, Teaneck and the Five Towns. Please note the dates, times and locations below. Her Sunday evening presentation will be recorded so that those who cannot attend will be able to watch her talk on OU.org after the event.
- Friday, September 14 *PRIVATE
Yeshiva University High School for Girls ~ Central (Queens) ~ 9am
Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls ~ SKA (Hewlett) ~ 11:30am - Shabbat, September 14-15 *PUBLIC
Great Neck, NY
Great Neck Synagogue ~ Shabbat Day ~ post Shabbat morning services
Young Israel of Great Neck ~ Shabbat afternoon ~ 5:15pm - Motzei Shabbat, September 15 *PUBLIC
West Hempstead, NY
Young Israel of West Hempstead ~ 8:45pm - Sunday AM, September 16 *PUBLIC
Teaneck, NJ (Bergen County area)
Congregation B’nai Yeshurun ~ 10am - Sunday PM, September 16 *PUBLIC
Five Towns & Far Rockaway, NY
Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst ~ 8pm
Rahav Meir is a journalist with Israel’s Channel 2 news, Yedioth Ahronoth and the IDF radio (Galei Tzahal). She has interviewed Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Sara Netanyahu, Rav Ovadia Yosef and many others. She has also authored four books about Israel’s youth, media and most recently, #Parasha on the weekly Torah portion. Her weekly Parsha lectures are attended by audiences of hundreds that have included the President of Israel. Her weekly Parsha whatsapp reaches over 40,000 people worldwide.
“The Aseret Yemei Teshuvah are the time of year when we seek inspiration,” said Founding Director of the OU Women’s Initiative, Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman. “Social media platforms can be distracting and socially isolating, but Sivan has created a powerful presentation showcasing how social media can be used as a tool for religious growth. Her message is particularly meaningful l this time of year when we engage in self-introspection and plan for the year ahead.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Sivan back after her well-received address at Torah New York last spring,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin. “She is known for her expertise in this area and we look forward to hearing from her on the many ways in which social media can enhance our religious observance and spirituality.”
“Social media usage has become ubiquitous in our community,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane. “It’s imperative, especially this time of year, that we explore the ways in which we can mitigate its challenges and use the digital tools at our disposal to advance our commitment to Torah and connection to God.”
About the Orthodox Union
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union, (OU), serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY and Birthright Israel/Israel Free Spirit trip organizer, and Yachad, the National Jewish Council for Disabilities, among many other divisions and programs. For more information, visit https://www.ou.org/.
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