ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD OLMERT TO ADDRESS UPCOMING BIENNIAL CONVENTION OF AMERICAN ORTHODOX JEWS IN JERUSALEM
The Orthodox Union announced today that the Prime Minister of the State of Israel – the Hon. Ehud Olmert – will address the opening session of the Biennial Convention of the Orthodox Union in Jerusalem on Wednesday, November 22.
In addition to the Prime Minister, the opening session will be addressed by Hon. Richard Jones, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar; and Mr. Zev Bielski, Chairman of the Jewish Agency.
This is only the second time that the Orthodox Union is holding its biennial convention in Jerusalem. Over the course of the convention, hundreds of delegates from American communities will engage in a range of activities, discussions and decision-making related to the activities of the Orthodox Union.
Prior to the Wednesday opening, delegates will travel to communities in Northern Israel in which the Orthodox Union is running critical programs for those affected and displaced by the war of this past summer. On Thursday and Friday, delegates will engage in examination of critical issues including both military and religious perspectives on Israel’s security challenge; rifts within the Religious Zionist community; the proper role of Diaspora Jewry in Israel’s decisions; the parameters of a possible constitution for Israel, and more.
After a spiritually refreshing Shabbat program, delegates will debate and ratify a set of policy resolutions establishing or refining the Orthodox Union’s policies on critical issues including: Israel’s security challenge; the continuing plight of Gaza evacuees; the scourge of substance abuse in the Orthodox community; the affordability of Jewish education; and the ongoing tragedy in Darfur.