With OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus, Allen Fagin’s upcoming retirement, explore media coverage as Mr. Fagin reflects on the past six years of leading the organization. The Jerusalem Post Israel must deepen commitment of Diaspora to Jewish identity’ says OU head JTA Allen Fagin, head of the Orthodox Union, reflects on how the pandemic has

We know summer as beach time. Playing in the sand and swimming in natural water. Sports. Hiking. Travel programs. Art programs. Learning programs. Pools. Barbecues on Bubby’s Grandpa’s deck. Sadly, summer 2020 is being truncated programmatically. This means many kids will be home this summer with plenty of time on their hands. Plenty of time

On Thursday, 6/4/20, Young Israel of Memphis (YIOM) held its first minyan since the coronavirus pandemic forced us to suspend all minyanim on Sunday, 3/15/20. Davening at this minyan was a powerful experience for all participants. YIOM thanks the hard-working committee that prepared protocols for this occasion. Of course, it’s impossible to plan for every

Part I: There is one simple phrase that can help put a stop to disrespectful behavior Part II: Teaching kids to be respectful does not have to be difficult. Two more phrases that can help.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had dire effects on the world and will have lasting effects on the infrastructure of the Jewish community. Given the harsh financial reality, some Reform and Conservative congregations are considering consolidating. Many have wondered whether the denominational model that frames the Jewish community will evaporate all together. I am not

Anyone who says “If you can’t do, teach,” hasn’t tried teaching. Education is an arduous undertaking that leaves little leeway for error. Whereas a failure in the business world costs money, one in the field of education costs futures. As we are all aware, the global pandemic that is the coronavirus has nearly stopped education

The actual state of Israel was established 72 years ago in 1948. However, the modern state of Israel as we know it, was launched in 1967. The six-day war was so revolutionary and so transformative, that in many ways, it was more groundbreaking than 1948. Thousands of years ago, G-d created our natural world in

To my dear, precious, and sacred Synagogue: For the last ten weeks I have missed you so. I have longed to be together with our shared friends, united in prayer in your sanctuary, joined in learning in your Beis Medrash, celebrating beautiful simchas in your social hall. I have yearned to bring our children to

Every day for years, a tight-knit group of 12-15 men has gathered for morning prayers at the red-carpeted, oak wood-furnished synagogue in their Sandringham Gardens residence for the Jewish elderly in Johannesburg. Since the advent of COVID-19, however, their prayers have taken on an additional resonance. With Sandringham Gardens having been locked down early, and

I just returned from the Gush Etzion cemetery having attended a very unusual Yom Hazikaron ceremony. It was a discouraging but also a triumphant experience. Let me explain. My family often refers to me as a crybaby¬-and they are right. When I witness an emotionally poignant situation, I find it difficult to suppress my tears.