With Eretz Yisroel in the midst of crisis, how does the Torah world in the United States move forward? Speakers at this year's Agudah Convention in the Armon Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut, addressed questions pertaining to the situation in Eretz Yisroel, its effects on American Jewry, and what our response should be.
The convention, 'Call to Action,' began Thursday, November 30, and emphasized the need for American Jews to take action in response to the current situation. With presentations from leading Rabbonim and askonim, participants received direction from our Gedolim and directions to put practical solutions into effect.
Among the many sessions, and emblematic of the focus on our responsibility in this time of tzoroh, was this year's Thursday night keynote, titled, 'Reb Yisroel Bein Ha'Amim: Challenges, Opportunities, Issues, and Solutions.'
Rabbi Gershon Miller, Rosh Hamosad of Yeshiva Beth Yehuda, said, "We would assume that the first casualty of what happened would be emunas Yisroel... and get the very opposite took place. Everywhere in the world we ran into Hashem's Hands!"
In the words of Rabbi Shmuel Dishon, Menahel, Yad Yisroel, Karlin Stolin, "We are responsible for every single yid in the world — if we have the ability to help him, we have to help him."
"How can you be a Yid and not want to help? How can you be a Yid and not cry out to Hashem?" said Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Rabbi Yosef Frankel, Vyelepoler Rebbe.
The session included a presentation of Agudah's Keren Yeshuah's efforts to assist those displaced because of Hamas' terror attacks, both during this trying time and for the long-term.
HaRav Elya Brudny, member of the Moeztes Gedolei HaTorah
HaRav Aharon Feldman, of the Moeztes Gedolei HaTorah
All Friday, Motzei Shabbos, and Sunday sessions were open to the public.
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Attendees of the 2023 Agudah Convention walked away with a feeling of purpose, a sense of duty, and clear guidance according to the convention theme: "A Call to Action." Members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, along with Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva, and lay leaders, presented at the convention to provide direction to the attendees.
Walking the hallways at the convention, or sitting around the table at the Shabbos seudas, one heard a buzz, a sense of communal achrayus, and a seeking of opportunities to help the Klal. Many who attended were active participants in that conversation, raising questions and voicing concerns, exchanging ideas and comparing notes on the struggles we face and how to combat them.
‰Foremost on speakers' minds was our responsibility for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel. One aspect of that, said Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Rabbi Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn, is our strengthening our support of limud Torah: "What's the call to action?" he asked. "Our brothers who have to fight on the front — we are their support system. The four amos of halachah worldwide are the support system la'amod bamilchamah!"
Motzei Shabbos keynote attendees were also addressed by Rabbi Yitzchok Kolodetsky of Bnei Brak, who spoke of the importance of crying, from the heart, in tefillah, and who then led the attendees in Tehillim for acheinu kol bais Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel and the many hostages who are still in captivity.
Rabbi Yosef Elefant, R"M, Yeshivas Mir Yerushalaim, described the thirst for Yiddishkeit possessing Eretz Yisroel since the horrific massacre on October 7th. "Now is the time everybody should step up and answer this call to bring kedushah," he said, this being an integral part of our responsibility to our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel.
This hearkened back to an earlier session, where attendees were addressed by a group of panelists, moderated by Rabbi Shlomo Landau, Director of Community Mentors, Olami, who answered this call. A positive by-product of the war in Eretz Yisroel is that while students on American college campuses may be singled out negatively for their Jewishness, they may be feeling a connection to their Yiddishkeit for the first time. The panelists, Shmuli Dembitzer, Mayer Gold, Eitan Pfeiffer, and Shmuel Sherman, are working to capitalize on the spirit of the times and be mekarev our brothers and sisters on American college campuses.
Rabbi Binyomin Eisenberger, Rav, Khal Heichal Hatefillah, spoke about Kiddush Sheim Shomayim and bringing Hashem into our lives, and also noted that it is not enough for us to have sympathy from afar for our brethren in Eretz Yisroel — we must see what we can do for their benefit.
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president, Agudath Israel of America, emphasized the importance of our connection to Hashem especially during this eis tzoroh in his Motzei Shabbos keynote session: "The barbarians came Shemini Atzeres — the day symbolizing the love between Hashem and Klal Yisroel — because they want to cut that love. Our answer is: Uvechol zos Shimcha lo shachachnu — even so, we remembered Your Name. That is what gives us the ability to ask You — na al tishkacheinu — do not forget us!"
Indeed, our obligation towards Eretz Yisroel is deep, as convention attendees were reminded by Rabbi Reuven Feinstein, Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshiva of Staten Island, who indicated during a special Shabbos Q&A, that we must remember that our home — where a Yid should aspire to live — is ultimately in Eretz Yisroel.
This echoed the theme of an earlier session, where Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried, Rosh Kollel, Dallas Kollel (DATA) and Rabbi Yonoson Rosenblum, noted author and lecturer, discussed halachic considerations and practical challenges of yishuv Eretz Yisroel.
Highlights of this year's keynote session included a video presentation of Shmuel and Akiva Litov, who spoke about their respective experiences on the night of October 7 and the miraculous stories that happened to them. They were greeted by tremendous applause as, following the video, both appeared on the stage live at the convention. Attendees were deeply inspired by the Litovs' stories of clear Hashgochoh protis.
Another high note was a presentation to Reb Itche Rosenbaum, founder, Adopt-a-Kollel and member, Board of Trustees, Agudath Israel of America marking the tenth anniversary of the Adopt-a-Kollel imitative. Adopt-a-Kollel took off largely through discussions that took place at the Agudah Convention ten years ago; it is only fitting to acknowledge Reb Itche's tremendous work and even greater impact in the same forum, ten years later.
Among the many other topics addressed during the convention were kashrus, and combating the explosion of antisemitism in America. The latter was emphasized by the repeated exhortations to participate in Agudah division KnowUs: One Hundred Thousand Letters campaign and urge our elected officials to maintain their strong stance in support of Israel, releasing of the hostages, and working to end antisemitism.
HaRav Yosef Frankel the VyelopolerRebbe,
member of the Moeztes Gedolei HaTorah
HaRav Malkiel Kotler and HaRav Aharon Dovid Goldberg,
members of the Moeztes Gedolei HaTorah
"Klal Yisroel came together to make a difference," said Rabbi Naftali Miller, CDO, Agudath Israel of America. "We have special hakaras hatov to our convention chairmen, R' Ari Stern and R' Chaim Rajchenbach. Their involvement made a significant impact."
Other Chavrei Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah who spoke at the convention, giving guidance and clarity to the attendees, included Rabbi Aharon Feldman, Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Baltimore; Rabbi Yosef Frankel, Vyelepoler Rebbe; Rabbi Aharon Dovid Goldberg, Rosh Hayeshiva, Telshe Yeshiva, Cleveland; Rabbi Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Hayeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha; Rabbi Shlomo Eliyahu Miller, Rosh Kollel and Av Beis Din, Kollel Avreichim Toronto; Rabbi Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Rosh Hayeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood and Telshe; and Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Svei, Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Gedola of Philadelphia.
Those distinguished speakers were joined by Rabbi Yehoshua Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe; Rabbi Yisroel Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe; and by Rabbi Shloime Mandel, Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva of Brooklyn, as well as by Rabbi Labish Becker, executive director, Agudath Israel of America; Chaskel Bennett, member, Board of Trustees, Agudath Israel of America; Rabbi Yisroel Besser, editor of Mishpacha Magazine and best-selling author; Rabbi Nochum Binder, Rav, Khal Hampshire Heights; Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, executive vice president emeritus, Agudath Israel of America; Rabbi Shlomo Cynamon, Rav, Khal Bnei Torah and Maggid Shiur, Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Yaakov Feiner, Rav, Agudas Yisroel of 18th Avenue; Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Kashrus Administrator, Chicago Rabbinical Council and Executive Director, AKO (Association of Kashrus Organizations); Rabbi Menashe Frankel; Rabbi Yitzchok Frankel, Rav, Agudas Yisroel of the Five Towns; Rabbi Eliezer Gewirtzman, Rav, Congregation Zichron Yekusiel Mordechai and member, Machon Chayim Aruchim; Rabbi Joey Haber, Rav, Kehillas Magen David, Brooklyn; Rabbi Ben Tzion Kokis, Rav, Khal Zichron Mordechai, Monsey; Rabbi Paysach Krohn, author of the Maggid Series; Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky, Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva of Greater Washington; Rabbi Shrage Malinowitz, Director, Toraso B'Umnaso; Rabbi Yaakov Robinson, Menahel, Midwest Agudas Yisroel Rabbonim Council and Rav, Beis Medrash Mekor Hachaim, Chicago; Rabbi Moshe Rotberg, Rav, Khal Zichron Yechezkel, Toms River; Rabbi Ari Senter, Kashrus Administrator, Kof-K Kosher and Rav, Kehilas Yesharim, Wesley Hills; Rabbi Ariel Shoshan, Rav, Ahavas Torah, Scottsdale, Arizona; Rabbi Yosef Sonnenshein, Rav, Khal Bnai Shalom; and Avrohom Weinstock, Director, KnowUs, Agudath Israel of America, among others.
The women's program included sessions by Mrs. Yael Kaisman, life coach; Mrs. Brenda Katina; and Rebbetzin Dina Schoonmaker, noted writer and lecturer.
Convention session recordings can be listened to on Torah Anytime at 718-289-2077 or viewed at www.agudahconvention.org/program
