President Moshe Katzav, US Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, Chief Rabbis Shlomo Amar and Yona Metzger, and Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski are among those who will address or have addressed the nearly 1,000 North Americans who are attending the weekend event. Other speakers include IDF Chief Rabbi Brig.-Gen. Yisrael Weiss and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin.
IsraelNN.com correspondent Yechiel Spira met with outgoing OU President Harvey Blitz and incoming President Stephen J. Savitsky at a pre-convention breakfast media event. The leaders were asked to comment on a number of pertinent topics being addressed by the OU. Following are some of the conclusions garnered from their comments:
Both gentleman say they are pleased with the outcome of the US election, explaining that while there are domestic issues of concern in the United States, US President George W. Bush’s re-election is good for Israel. They said that domestic issues can and will be addressed on other levels, via city and state elected officials.
Mr. Blitz was pleased to discuss the issue of Aliyah [immigration to Israel], explaining that statistics indicate that the overwhelming number of new immigrants from North America are members of the Sabbath-observant community. He commended the efforts of the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization, adding the OU must do more towards promoting Aliyah as well. He added that he feels the Orthodox community in the USA is generally closer to Israel than the other streams, as well as being more in tune to the war on terrorism.
Mr. Savitsky added that in the past, the OU hasn’t done enough concerning Aliyah, and that he plans to make it more of a priority in the future. “Ultimately, Aliyah is the answer for the Jewish community," he said.
When asked to comment on the OU’s position vis-a-vis the Gaza expulsion/withdrawal plan, both men explained this was one of the topics to be discussed during the convention. They said that an OU policy decision will involve consultations with rabbis on the political and security ramifications. They acknowledged that in the end, the organization might announce that it does not have a policy statement other than supporting the democratically-elected government of Israel.
Mr. Blitz explained that, as a rule, "we like to think the democratically-elected government of Israel knows best." He added that he and his colleagues are hopeful that the cabinet ministers will conduct themselves in a prudent fashion, realizing the country is split and that actions must also be geared towards national unity and not widening the gaps.
Mr. Blitz added that the issue is not as "highly debated among American Jews as it is here in Israel, but it is one that will demand the attention of the OU leaders and the matter will be discussed in depth."
“We will step gingerly… We generally support the democratically-elected government," Blitz said. He concluded that nevertheless, he believes American Jews do have the right to comment on events in Israel and express their concern.
Both gentlemen added that they met with Yesha area mayors, quoting them as agreeing to abide by the outcome of a national referendum on the Gaza plan, should one be held. The mayors, they explained, are in favor of abiding by the majority rule, but they feel this must be decided in a national referendum.
Blitz added that it "behooves the government to seek a less corrosive and objectionable way of dealing with the issue at hand."
"The OU," they explained, "is here to work towards assisting and improving Israel." They noted the Jerusalem-based Israel Center, a hub for Torah learning and outreach, as well as "programs around the country that promote Torah and a love for the Land of Israel."
On the commercial front, being the largest kosher supervision service in the world, the OU is seeking to assist Israeli companies in reaching markets abroad for their products. The OU currently provides kosher supervision for 250,000 products, and sends its rabbinical supervisors to 73 countries. Savitsky said that this is "an area in which the OU can offer significant assistance: working to place Israeli products on shelves around the world."
“It’s part of our patriotic responsibility,” he explained, adding that “every Jewish person in America should be buying some Israeli products."
The OU officials went on to explain that the organization maintains a political staff as well, pointing to the Institute of Political Affairs in Washington that employs tens of fulltime and part-time staff. It lobbies elected officials, petitions the courts and engages in other related activities. Just recently, a coalition headed by the United Jewish Communities, working hand-in-hand with the OU, succeeded in pushing through a law providing $25 million in federal funding for additional security for religious institutions. "This will assist institutions of worship in America of all faiths, including synagogues and Jewish organizations," they said.
The El Al issue also came up in the discussion with Mr. Blitz and Mr. Savitsky. They explained that the entire matter was one major misunderstanding on the part of the media.
The two stressed that above all, the OU is seeking every possible avenue to work with El Al, and would not intentionally do anything to harm Israel’s national carrier. That said, they explained that all food on flights from NYC to Tel Aviv are from the kitchen of Borenstein Caterers, under OU supervision. One who orders a “standard kosher" meal will receive such a meal - OU glatt - but should understand that the kosher supervision is only on the food and its preparation, and not on its handling, preparation, and serving once it leaves Borenstein’s hands.
One ordering a “regal kosher” meal, however, is ensured that both the hot portion heated in the plane oven, as well as the tray, cold food and utensils, are all double wrapped. If the seals remain intact, consumers are assured of an OU-supervised meal exactly as it left the Borenstein kitchen.
The OU maintains a comprehensive website which, they explained, boasts a wealth of information - from Sabbath candle lighting times around the world, to weekly Torah portion updates, and a great deal more.
Arutz-7 will be broadcasting live from the convention, Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6 p.m. (8-11 a.m. Eastern time). Certain OU sessions will be available via Arutz-7's ‘On Demand’ broadcast page. All broadcasts can be heard online at www.IsraelNationalRadio.com.
IsraelNN.com correspondent Yechiel Spira met with outgoing OU President Harvey Blitz and incoming President Stephen J. Savitsky at a pre-convention breakfast media event. The leaders were asked to comment on a number of pertinent topics being addressed by the OU. Following are some of the conclusions garnered from their comments:
Both gentleman say they are pleased with the outcome of the US election, explaining that while there are domestic issues of concern in the United States, US President George W. Bush’s re-election is good for Israel. They said that domestic issues can and will be addressed on other levels, via city and state elected officials.
Mr. Blitz was pleased to discuss the issue of Aliyah [immigration to Israel], explaining that statistics indicate that the overwhelming number of new immigrants from North America are members of the Sabbath-observant community. He commended the efforts of the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization, adding the OU must do more towards promoting Aliyah as well. He added that he feels the Orthodox community in the USA is generally closer to Israel than the other streams, as well as being more in tune to the war on terrorism.
Mr. Savitsky added that in the past, the OU hasn’t done enough concerning Aliyah, and that he plans to make it more of a priority in the future. “Ultimately, Aliyah is the answer for the Jewish community," he said.
When asked to comment on the OU’s position vis-a-vis the Gaza expulsion/withdrawal plan, both men explained this was one of the topics to be discussed during the convention. They said that an OU policy decision will involve consultations with rabbis on the political and security ramifications. They acknowledged that in the end, the organization might announce that it does not have a policy statement other than supporting the democratically-elected government of Israel.
Mr. Blitz explained that, as a rule, "we like to think the democratically-elected government of Israel knows best." He added that he and his colleagues are hopeful that the cabinet ministers will conduct themselves in a prudent fashion, realizing the country is split and that actions must also be geared towards national unity and not widening the gaps.
Mr. Blitz added that the issue is not as "highly debated among American Jews as it is here in Israel, but it is one that will demand the attention of the OU leaders and the matter will be discussed in depth."
“We will step gingerly… We generally support the democratically-elected government," Blitz said. He concluded that nevertheless, he believes American Jews do have the right to comment on events in Israel and express their concern.
Both gentlemen added that they met with Yesha area mayors, quoting them as agreeing to abide by the outcome of a national referendum on the Gaza plan, should one be held. The mayors, they explained, are in favor of abiding by the majority rule, but they feel this must be decided in a national referendum.
Blitz added that it "behooves the government to seek a less corrosive and objectionable way of dealing with the issue at hand."
"The OU," they explained, "is here to work towards assisting and improving Israel." They noted the Jerusalem-based Israel Center, a hub for Torah learning and outreach, as well as "programs around the country that promote Torah and a love for the Land of Israel."
On the commercial front, being the largest kosher supervision service in the world, the OU is seeking to assist Israeli companies in reaching markets abroad for their products. The OU currently provides kosher supervision for 250,000 products, and sends its rabbinical supervisors to 73 countries. Savitsky said that this is "an area in which the OU can offer significant assistance: working to place Israeli products on shelves around the world."
“It’s part of our patriotic responsibility,” he explained, adding that “every Jewish person in America should be buying some Israeli products."
The OU officials went on to explain that the organization maintains a political staff as well, pointing to the Institute of Political Affairs in Washington that employs tens of fulltime and part-time staff. It lobbies elected officials, petitions the courts and engages in other related activities. Just recently, a coalition headed by the United Jewish Communities, working hand-in-hand with the OU, succeeded in pushing through a law providing $25 million in federal funding for additional security for religious institutions. "This will assist institutions of worship in America of all faiths, including synagogues and Jewish organizations," they said.
The El Al issue also came up in the discussion with Mr. Blitz and Mr. Savitsky. They explained that the entire matter was one major misunderstanding on the part of the media.
The two stressed that above all, the OU is seeking every possible avenue to work with El Al, and would not intentionally do anything to harm Israel’s national carrier. That said, they explained that all food on flights from NYC to Tel Aviv are from the kitchen of Borenstein Caterers, under OU supervision. One who orders a “standard kosher" meal will receive such a meal - OU glatt - but should understand that the kosher supervision is only on the food and its preparation, and not on its handling, preparation, and serving once it leaves Borenstein’s hands.
One ordering a “regal kosher” meal, however, is ensured that both the hot portion heated in the plane oven, as well as the tray, cold food and utensils, are all double wrapped. If the seals remain intact, consumers are assured of an OU-supervised meal exactly as it left the Borenstein kitchen.
The OU maintains a comprehensive website which, they explained, boasts a wealth of information - from Sabbath candle lighting times around the world, to weekly Torah portion updates, and a great deal more.
Arutz-7 will be broadcasting live from the convention, Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6 p.m. (8-11 a.m. Eastern time). Certain OU sessions will be available via Arutz-7's ‘On Demand’ broadcast page. All broadcasts can be heard online at www.IsraelNationalRadio.com.