Collaboration between OU Israel and its North American equivalent, led to the establishment of a new five-minute daily lesson throughout the entire Three Weeks period leading to Tisha B'Av. The program, called "Chiddushim - Israeli Torah Innovations for the Three Weeks" incorporates 21 different organizations that deal with agriculture, technology, Hebrew law and more, in the light of Halacha (Jewish law) and Judaism.
The initiative was born out of desire from the Jews of North America to connect more with what is happening in Israel. Following a conversation between the heads of the Jewish communities and the director general of OU Israel, Rabbi Avi Berman, the idea to establish short lessons of about five minutes arose, on various topics that would deal with the destruction of the Temple and the "Bein Hameitzarim" days.
OU Israel explains that the period of the Three Weeks was not chosen in vain. During this period the Jewish People slightly changes its behavior and different customs that help Jews feel the pain of the destruction of the Temple are practiced. In order for the people to feel change and progress during this period from year to year, the organization decided to present Israeli innovation in light of Halachah.
As mentioned, the program incorporates 21 different organizations, together with many listening members, the Temple Institute, Machon HaMikdash, the Torah and Haaretz Institute, the Tzomet Institute, Torah in Zion and more organizations. Each day, a different organization will broadcast the video and link its day-to-day work to the Three Weeks thus presenting the vast progress the Jewish People has made since the destruction of the temple.
OU Israel CEO Rabbi Avi Berman says: "It is precisely in the three weeks that we seek to utilize the OU's broad platform to expose the English-speaking public to the various and important organizations operating here in Eretz Israel for the promotion of Ge'ula. It is a great privilege for us to show the Jews of the world the work and progress of these factories that work every day to make the future of Jews, here in Israel and around the world, better".