OU PRESIDENT STEPHEN J. SAVITSKY TO VISIT OAKLAND, SHABBAT WEEKEND OF MAY 16-17, AS HE CONTINUES NORTH AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY TOUR
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Orthodox Union President Stephen J. Savitsky will visit Oakland’s Beth Jacob Congregation, an OU member congregation under the leadership of Rabbi Judah Dardik, May 16-17, to attend Shabbat services and to meet with the community’s leadership and membership.
The Oakland visit will be the eighth in a planned year-long, 10-city North American Presidential Community Tour for the New York-based OU leader, as he brings the organization’s message far and wide, while at the same time receiving feedback from member congregations about their needs and how the OU can respond to them. The tour emphasizes emerging Jewish communities. In the past months, Mr. Savitsky has visited Vancouver; St. Louis; Charleston, SC, the Highland Park, NJ-area; Southfield, MI (Detroit); Atlanta; and Memphis.
According to Mr. Savitsky, “I am particularly excited to visit with Oakland after having the opportunity to meet with some of its community leaders at the OU’s recent Emerging Jewish Communities Fair in New York, at which they demonstrated what a dynamic, thriving community they offer.” In addition, Mr. Savitsky said, the trip will “expand upon the concept of Kol Yisroel Arevim Zeh Bah Zeh – the teaching that all Jews are responsible for one another. “
In Oakland, he will speak about “The OU’s Role in Guaranteeing the Survival of the Jewish People.” He will also present the “Shabbat University” lecture, which is a regular part of the Sabbath program at Beth Jacob Congregation. More information on Shabbat University is available at
The OU has a strong presence in the Bay area, including active NCSY chapters; NCSY is the youth program of the Orthodox Union.
For more information on Mr. Savitsky’s visit contact Rabbi Bini Maryles, Director of Synagogue Services at 212-613-8226.