The doors at the Agudath Israel of America Convention opened to the public late Thursday afternoon 20 Cheshvan-November 13, at the halls of the Hilton Woodcliff Lake hotel.
This was the 92nd National Convention of Agudath Israel of America and everyone felt as if the convention would tackle their concerns and improve their lives. Thousands of attendees from across the tri-state area and beyond, traveled in the misty weather in order to participate. A busload of members of the Baltimore community came, and a long list of communities across the country followed the sessions via live hookup.
Opening Discussions
The initial sessions - held in conference rooms in the hotel lobby - tackled several topics. Each discussion was hosted by noted experts in the respective field. However, in the spirit of the convention's "What's on Your Mind?" theme, the sessions were arranged in roundtable style, where each member of the audience had the opportunity to share his or her thoughts with the entire audience.
"The two most important words in marriage are... cleaning lady." The crowd laughed as noted psychologist and lecturer Dr. David Lieberman delivered his tips on "Marriage: From Good to Great." They were as simple and down-to-earth as they were potentially transformational.
A particularly large crowd filled the hotel's amphitheater in order to hear Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein, Menahel of Ohr Naava and Bnot Chaya Academy for Girls, discuss contemporary chinuch challenges. In his trademark powerful and vivid manner, Rabbi Wallerstein stressed that our children's attraction to technology is its interactive manner. The only way to counter that is to make their chinuch at home and in school as interactive and live as can be. If we do so, Rabbi Wallerstein assured us, we will succeed, be'ezras Hashem: "This is nothing on the Internet that can excite you like Torah... It is life."
In another conference room, an overflow crowd shared their thoughts with noted lecturers on emunah and hashkofo, Rabbi Y.Y. Rubinstein and Rabbi Pinchos Jung. The rabbonim listened to members of the audience's concerns about gaps in chinuch which may leave our children with weak foundations in emunah and passion for the lifestyle we expect. Rabbis Rubinstein and Jung spoke about the myriad resources available today to answer tough emunah questions, as well as how to relate halachos and restrictions in a positive manner. "'Make it fun' should be the motto of every classroom," said Rabbi Rubinstein.
Our community's elected officials, political activists and journalists filled the seats around the table at the "Jews in Politics: Opportunities and Pitfalls" discussion. The conversation was moderated by Rabbi A. D. Motzen, national director of state relations for Agudath Israel of America, who discussed issues related to the expectations from Orthodox elected officials, boosting voter turnout, and effectively lobbying elected officials on behalf of our communities' concerns. "The most important thing is to say 'Thank you' to an official when they do something we wanted them to do," advised Rabbi Motzen.
Shouldering Responsibility
Thursday night's keynote session took place in the hotel's grand ballroom, which was filled beyond capacity. The dais was graced by dozens of our generations leading Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim.
Rabbi Avi Schnall, director of the New Jersey branch of Agudath Israel of America, opened the session. Convention co- chairman Rabbi Mordechai Levin, sgan menahel of Bais Yaakov Academy (BYA) of Brooklyn, delivered a moving address on how Klal Yisroel must appreciate and honor its gedolim. The massive crowd at this session, he explained, epitomizes just that.
A special historical video presentation was shown, produced by the Kleinman Family Holocaust Education Center, documenting the myriad hatzolah and communal efforts that the quintessential Agudath Israel of America activist, Reb Elimelech (Mike) Tress, z"l, accomplished, which serves as the perfect inspiration for current and future askonim.
Rav Avrohom Chaim Levin, Rosh HaYeshiva Telshe-Chicago and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, then spoke. He explained that one who devotes himself to others earns a special Heavenly protection from the harsh chevlai moshiach : "You are not a 'far zich yid'; you are a 'Klal Yisroel yid.'"
A riveting address by Rav Yissocher Frand, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Ner Yisroel - Baltimore, followed. Rav Frand expounded upon an individual's range of responsibilities: personal spiritual growth, showing children a passion for mitzvos, and the realization that everyone has a unique mission to accomplish in this world. "You know what your mission in this world is based upon what you have a particular passion for," he advised.
The final speech of this session was delivered by Rav Noach Isaac Oelbaum, Rav of Congregation Nachlas Yitzchok of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens. The crowd listened spellbound as he noted the historical ruchniyus challenges that American Jewry faced - and overcame - and how we too can do the same regarding our generation's challenges. He stressed the need for a yid to learn Torah on a steady basis; the need for parents and mechanchim to realize their capability and responsibility to nurture even non-metzuyanim to their maximum potential; as well as the need for klal Yisroel to recognize that we must do everything possible to bring every child or adult closer to Hashem. "Hashem is our Father, and He cannot be consoled when even one of His children is away from Him," Rav Oelbaum exclaimed.
Promising Initiatives
Agudath Israel of America has long been successful, besiyata deShmaya, in helping launch important klal organizations and projects. Many of them were conceived based upon discussions at conventions throughout the years.
This year, a special "The Next Great Initiative" program was launched. Nearly 100 submissions for potential new communal projects were submitted in advance of the convention.
Several of them were presented at a late night session, moderated by Rabbi Gavriel Friedman, senior lecturer at Aish HaTorah in Yerushalayim. Philanthropists Shlomo Werdiger, chairman of the board of trustees of Agudath Israel of America; Yaty Weinreb; Leon Melohn; and Reuven Wolf, listened and inquired about the presentations, which proposed initiatives for chinuch, parnossoh, daas Torah and more. Agudath Israel of America and its askonim will commit to support some of these initiatives in the upcoming weeks. One presenter, Reb Itche Toder, summed up the feelings of the audience: "Thank you Agudas Yisroel for reaching out to klal Yisroel in such a real way."
In another session that took place at the same time, Rabbi Paysach Krohn delivered an impassioned speech about the need to help others with parnossoh. He spoke about the innovative work that Reb Duvi Honig has accomplished in this arena with Parnassah Network, Parnossoh Expo, and other major projects. Reb Duvi then related the breadth of the need for communal support, the specifics of some of the projects he launched, as well as real-life anecdotes of people who were helped to become self-sufficient in a dignified manner.
Reb Duvi launched a new "Parnes Bais Knesses" program at the convention. The program calls for special gabboim to be designated in each shul to evaluate members' parnossoh needs and offer them help. Representatives of several shuls signed up on the spot.
Another session dealt with the pressing challenges regarding end-of-life medical care and the work of Chayim Aruchim, a branch of Agudath Israel of America. Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, chairman emeritus of Agudath Israel Board of Trustees, elaborated upon the comprehensive training that a special group of Chayim Aruchim rabbonim have received in this area. Rabbi Weinberger also noted how Chayim Aruchim has already successfully advocated at several prestigious hospitals to modify their end-of-life policies to accommodate frum patients.
Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, vice president for community affairs at Agudath Israel of America, spoke about how end-of-life issues present a growing challenge to our community. For example, a prestigious panel recently advised that physicians be given greater leverage in deciding patients' fate, even without the consent of patient or family.
Yet another major session tackled key issues relating to our relationships with our spouses and children. Rabbi Moshe Elefant, R"M in Yeshivas Mir-Yerushalayim, spoke about the importance for children to feel secure in their homes and thus develop a healthy sense of self-worth. He implored parents to relate to their children positively, at their level. Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman, Mashgiach at Yeshiva Ohr HaChaim, offered a range of pertinent advice related to maintaining a healthy process for shidduchim, shalom bayis, and relationships with parents and parents-in-law. He stressed how discord between parents is perhaps the most damaging phenomenon in children's chinuch.
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, was pleased by the public's enthusiastic response to the convention's myriad sessions. "There is no doubt that the convention is tackling issues that genuinely affect the lives of our families," he remarked. "With the personal involvement of so many diverse members of our community, we can, b'ezras Hashem, accomplish more than ever."
Motzei Shabbos at the Agudah Convention: The Mesiras Nefesh Imperative
Following an uplifting Shabbos for guests at the Agudath Israel of America 92nd national convention, the legendary Motzei Shabbos keynote sessions attracted numerous participants who traveled in specially from many communities in the region.
The beautiful music and singing by the Mezamrim choir greeted the guests as they arrived. Dozens of leading Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim took their seats at the dais in the Hilton Woodcliff Lake ballroom, along with the overflow crowd.
The speakers at the keynote session expounded upon the convention's theme of "Shouldering the Responsibility", with a particular emphasis on the self-sacrifice/mesiras nefesh mandated for Hashem's chosen people.
Clarifying the Mission
The Motzei Shabbos session was opened by convention chairman Duvy Gross, who stressed that every yid who devotes his or her time for the benefit of others is a de facto askan who merits the reward of, "HaKadosh Boruch Hu yeshaleim secharam."
The Novominsker Rebbe, Rosh Agudas Yisroel of America, delivered a powerful address that included pointed sentiments about various pressing issues of the day. The Rebbe offered a special individual greeting to young convention attendees.
The Rebbe stressed the blessings that our community sees each day: the renaissance blossoming of Torah and Yiddishkeit in a cross section of America's Orthodox communities and the growing love of chessed for a fellow yid.
At the same time, the Rebbe spoke passionately about the areas that need work: alleviating the shidduch crisis, fighting the "new plague of open Orthodoxy" and anonymous critics who deride talmidei chachamim.
Turning his attention to the situation in Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe observed how Klal Yisroel is suffering immensely at the hands of the Arabs as part of the chevlai moshiach. He related the antidote that is brought in the Gemara: intensifying our endeavors in Torah and gemilas chassadim. Particularly, the Rebbe implored American Jewry to help counter the draconian cuts that the Israeli government has imposed upon mosdos haTorah and bnei Torah.
"There should be no frum kehillah in this country that doesn't adopt a Kollel in Eretz Yisroel," the Rebbe exclaimed. "No one is absolved." He added that a high level of chessed and generosity must be shown to suffering individuals from Eretz Yisroel who come to our communities to raise funds.
Other aspects of life in Eretz Yisroel that the Rebbe touched upon included his denunciation of "misguided" Yidden who defy halacha and incite Arab violence by insisting on davening on the Har Habayis. The Rebbe then spoke of the greatness of Shmittah observance, and the work that the Keren Hashviis organization has done to raise observance to historic levels. "We are all bnei Eretz Yisroel, whether one was born there or is merely waiting to return," the Rebbe stated.
Avraham Zylberstein, a farmer from Vered Yericho in Eretz Yisroel, then stepped up to the podium. He related his amazing journey towards keeping the mitzvos, including his fifth consecutive Shmittah. Mr. Zylberstein spoke of the miracles he has seen since undertaking mitzvah observance, including surviving severe cancer and seeing special bracha in his crops. The crowd was amazed when the Israeli farmer shared the status of his offspring: "Because of Keren Hashviis and you, I can support my sons who are learning in the yeshivos of Chevron, Slobodka and Mir!"
What does Agudah Accomplish?
Most of governmental lobbying is done away from the public eye, and it's often difficult for the public to connect the dots between the work of askonim and the benefits and freedoms we all enjoy on the ground. A special audio-visual presentation offered a glimpse into the list of activities and accomplishments that Agudath Israel of America and its askonim have been involved in within the past year alone.
They include a special mission to Washington, DC, focusing on the safety of Eretz Yisroel and global anti-semitism; school choice efforts and advocacy across the U.S., particularly the expansion of private school vouchers and scholarships in Florida and Ohio; prevention of autopsies in Maryland; alleviating the bureaucratic burden on parents of special-needs children in New York City; fighting government regulation of bris milah; and helping restore government educational services to nearly 30,000 frum children in Lakewood's mosdos hachinuch.
Following the presentation, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, lauded various staff members of the organization and all others who have helped bring to "a year of tangible accomplishment in the world of shtadlanus." Rabbi Zwiebel offered special thanks to Rabbi Labish Becker and Rabbi Yehiel Kalish for helping establish flourishing Agudath Israel branches in nine states.
Rabbi Zwiebel particularly highlighted the successes that the organization's Chayim Aruchim division has amassed by getting governments and hospitals to accommodate Jewish patients in end-of-life care. He quoted the words of Nancy Dubler, an ethics consultant for New York's Health and Hospitals Corporation, who lamented Agudath Israel of America's political clout in this area as "an 800 pound gorilla that sits where it wants to."
Rabbi Zwiebel smiled as he compared that statement to that made by secular Jewish activist Dr. Joseph Tenenbaum in 1942, lamenting Agudath Israel of America's work to send food packages to Nazi-occupied countries during the Holocaust: "In 1942, we were not welcomed because we were a 'sickly weed'; in 2014, we aren't welcomed because we're an '800 pound gorilla'!..."
Complicating effective advocacy work on behalf of Orthodox Jewry, said Rabbi Zwiebel, is "the elephant in the room" of various scandals alleged against members of our community that hit the headlines, which tarnish our upstanding image in the eyes of those of whom we seek favor. "Keeping Torah and mitzvos cannot be external...it has to make you a better person," said Rabbi Zwiebel.
Overcoming Nisyonos
No doubt, in our generation we are faced with uniquely difficult nisyonos in order to maintain our piety and avoid sinful pitfalls.
Rav Avrohom Schorr, Rav of Khal Tiferes Yaakov, delivered impassioned remarks regarding our obligation for mesiras nefesh in order to make a kiddush Hashem and avoid sin. The Rambam states that this is manifested when one avoids an aveira for no reason other than to fulfill Hashem's will, just as Yosef Hatzaddik did during his moment of great nisoyon.
The fundamental challenge these days, says Rav Schorr, is society's insistence on "instant gratification," which often prevents people from investing the long term work necessary to grow spiritually, save their marriage, and the like. Similarly, contemporary society's prioritization of fulfilling individuals' desires over what is right-and-wrong can be highly detrimental. "The 'self-sacrifice' we need is to sacrifice the 'self'...the 'I' and the 'me,'" Rav Schorr exclaimed.
While the sacrifice to maintain a high standard of tzniyus and kedusha in our communities is significant, Rav Schorr pointed out that going against the grain of these societal trends entails a far smaller sacrifice than the mesiras nefesh expected of our ancestors during the Holocaust, or even bnei Torah in Eretz Yisroel today who wonder where they'll get bread to feed their children. Rav Schorr stressed that the nisoyon of technology - where one can sin without anyone else knowing - offers one the opportunity to fulfill the Rambam's dictum of avoiding sin exclusively to fulfill Hashem's will.
"It's impossible not to see in this Rambam (a reference to) the nisyonos of our generation," said Rav Schorr. He added that this concept similarly applies to those who perform mitzvos even when they don't feel a geshmak in it.
The Strength of our Nation
With the array of practical and spiritual challenges we face, it is often difficult to muster the confidence that we can overcome it all.
The Motzei Shabbos keynote session culminated with a fascinating firsthand account of a lone Jew whose faith and perseverance beat a ruthless global superpower. Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, director of the Od Avinu Chai Foundation and R"M in Yeshiva Machon Meir of Yerushalayim, recounted his 11 years in Soviet prisons and his fight to free Soviet Jewry from the Iron Curtain.
Rabbi Mendelevich related in vivid detail the beatings, interrogation, solitary confinement, slave labor, death threats and other consequences he endured in order to keep Shabbos and kosher, daven and learn Torah, and even just wear a yarmulke (made from a patch off his pants). The mesiras nefesh displayed by Rabbi Mendelevich and other heroic Russian Jews who refused to bow to the Soviet regime was rewarded as the Russian Jewry was gradually let out from behind the Iron Curtain even before the communist regime's eventual collapse.
While leading Rabbi Mendelevich on his trip out of prison - to the airport to go to Eretz Yisroel - a burly Russian colonel remarked, "I could never have believed that you Jews have such a strong will." Rabbi Mendelevich concluded with the lesson we can all draw from his ordeal: "If you want to be a hero... do the ratzon Hashem."
Following the keynote session, attendees joined in a festive Melave Malka, interacting warmly and discussing all the food for thought that was served in the previous hours. Live music, dancing, and the voices of the Mezamrim choir, enhanced the spirit of achdus and simcha that was the hallmark of the convention.
