The Agudah’s annual convention has long been the key venue for members of the Jewish community to convene together with Torah leaders and community askanim to discuss and address the critical issues facing the klal today. A direct descendent of the First Knessia Gedolah in 1923, the Agudah Convention’s content may have changed, but its mission has remained the same: To gather under the banner of our Gedolei Yisroel to advance the interests of the Jewish community.
This Thursday, Agudists from around the country will gather again for the very same purpose. They will be joined by tens of thousands listening on the phone or watching the livestream.
This year’s theme is Speaking Up. The ability to speak up is a gift from Hashem that is unique to man. For Klal Yisroel it is the greatest gift: hakol kol Yaakov. It enables us to bring sanctity into the world.
Each of us has a unique voice which can be used as part of our personal avodah and in the service of Klal Yisroel. The Agudah Convention is a place where the Gedolei Torah and Rabbinic leadership speak up and provide hadracha to the tzibbur. It is a place where lay leaders gather to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the community. It is a place for each and every participant to speak up and make a difference.
The four keynote sessions – Thursday night, Friday, Motzai Shabbos, and Sunday morning – have traditionally been a venue for Rabbanim and community leaders to address some of the issues that are foremost in our minds.
This year, Thursday night’s keynote speakers will include Rabbi Shimon Yehuda Svei, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Gedolah of Philadelphia, Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah; Rabbi Yeruchim Olshin, Rosh HaYeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah; Rabbi Yoir Adler, Rav, Shoavei Mayim, Toronto; Rabbi Shlomo Farhi, Senior Rabbi of the Edmond J Safra Synagogue, Founder of Chazak International; Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Rav, Congregation Knesses Yisroel (The White Shul); and Rabbi Nosson Levine, Rav, Bais Medrash of Somerset Walk, Lakewood. The session will be chaired by Mr. Yaakov Klugmann.
The pre-keynote sessions will be ‘Religious Rights: What Is It All About?’ with Rabbi Eytan Kobre and Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky, moderated by Rabbi Ariel Sadwin; ‘The Secret Sauce to Klal Ventures’ with Reuven Wolf, Rabbi Shlomo Farhi, and Mendy Reiner; and ‘Technology: Addressing the Challenge’ with Rabbi Joey Haber and Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, moderated by Eli Samuel.
The post-keynote sessions will be ‘Q&A: “I am Asking for a Friend…”‘ with Rabbi Uri Deutsch and Rabbi Aron Lopiansky, moderated by Rabbi Yisroel Besser; ‘Handling Life Stresses: The Interface of Bitachon and Psychology’ with Dr. Yossi Shafer and Rabbi David Sutton; ‘Shidduchim: Coaching for Parents and Daters’ with Rabbi Bentzion Kokis and Rabbi Reuven Epstein; and a women’s session, ‘Caring for All Yidden,’ with Mrs. Ellen Wolfson, Mrs. Shifi Lieberman, and Mrs. Bluma Barhorin, moderated by Mrs. Chana Laniado.
The Convention will be available to attend virtually by going to agudahconvention.org or call in at 718.298.2077. To view the full Convention program go to agudahconvention.org.
