Agudath Israel of America’s 90th anniversary convention

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Agudath Israel gave much assistance and support in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, but in turn, was also effected by the storm: its annual convention had to be postponed and Sandy and other events even changed the convention’s theme.

Normally held on Thanksgiving weekend, Agudath Israel of America’s 90th anniversary convention was held December 27th through the 31st, beginning sessions at 7:30 pm rather than the usual start of two or three on Thursday afternoon. “It’s usually on a legal holiday when people are off from work,” noted Leah Zagelbaum, director of communications of Agudath Israel of America. “It started on a regular work day so it started later.” It was held in the Hilton in East Brunswick, New Jersey and was broadcast to 30 cities around the country.

About 1500 men and women attended various lectures, sessions for the entire gathering and multiple breakout sessions throughout the weekend. “The original theme was to be the growth of klal Yisrael, as seen at the Siyum Hashas with 90,000 in attendance at Metlife Stadium and broadcast to 150 locations in 22 countries on six continents.” explained Rabbi Labish Becker, executive director of Agudath Israel of America. After Sandy and the Pillar of Defense war in Israel, with all the bombings of Israel, “people needed to talk about reaching out and needing each other as brothers and sisters, every Jew caring for each other.”

Many addressed the two themes of Shomer Achainu Anachnu—we are our brothers’ keeper—we care for our fellow Jew, and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the world movement of Agudath Israel. Rabbi Yehiel Kalish spoke of “how we can respond in times of crisis,” explained Becker, and Mordechai Ben David spoke of the devastation of the Seagate community where he lives and “what it’s like to go through this type of catastrophe.”

Agudath Israel was founded in 1912 in Katowice, Silecia by some of the greats of that generation including the Chofetz Chaim, the Imrei Emes, Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzenski, and the Czortkover Rebbe.

“We have the same issues today,” pointed out Rabbi Becker, “just a different form.” We still have the “need for Jews to unite and come together. It is the bottom line of everything that is Agudath Israel.”