FULL RECAP: The 2018 Agudah Convention “Moving Forward” [VIDEOS AND LARGE PHOTO GALLERY]

(by Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Gluck)

“If we were to immerse ourselves in everything that Agudas Yisroel stands for, we’d be better people!” This call to action, stated with feeling by Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudas Yisroel, resonated among the packed crowd at Motzoei Shabbos’s keynote session of the Agudah Convention.

Over 35,000 people took part in this year’s Agudah Convention, whether in person or over the livestream broadcast, held this last weekend in Stamford, Connecticut. This year’s convention theme, “Moving Forward,” was the common thread of the convention: Moving forward in Torah learning, moving forward in Avodas Hashem, and moving forward in our relationships with others. But also, moving forward with askanus, moving forward with advocacy, and moving forward in combating the threats to Klal Yisroel.

The Agudah Convention is the place where the Torah world in the United States goes to discuss its challenges, find solutions, and forge a path forward. Indeed, the convention sessions included, among others, such diverse topics as anti-Semitism, connecting with Hashem, the state of mental health in the frum world, audience submitted Q & A for gedolei Yisroel, Chinuch, acting as Bnei Torah in the secular work environment, and exploring difficult family situations.

Convention co-chairman Sruly Bornstein, introducing Thursday night’s keynote speakers, noted that “Moving Forward” means attempting to do what one might otherwise think is impossible. In that vein, Rabbi Shmuel Kamentsky Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva Gedola of Philadelphia, explained that the last Siyum HaShas of Daf Yomi sparked many people’s limud haTorah, and even inspired entirely new learning programs such as Daf Hashovua. He also encouraged the assembled to strengthen their Torah learning in preparation for the upcoming 13th Global Siyum HaShas. Consistent with that message, the Agudah presented the Chavrei HaSiyum program, which encourages kehillos and individuals to make their own siyumim in conjunction with the Siyum HaShas. (More information about the Chavrei HaSiyum program is available at http://www.chavreihasiyum.org.)

At the Convention on Sunday morning, Rabbi Kamenetsky’s message was embraced at the Daf Yomi Siyum, with presentations by Rabbi Shlomo Besser, Rav, Congregation Bnei Israel Chaim, Yossi Gleiberman, Daf Yomi Maggid Shiur, and Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Rav, Congregation Keneseth Israel, Far Rockaway.

Echoing Rabbi Kamenetsky’s message, Rabbi Yeruchum Olshin, Rosh HaYeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, encouraged everyone attending to move forward by growing in Torah learning: “The only way we can shteig, the only way we can grow, is through Torah!” Rabbi Binyomin Eisenberger, Rav, Khal Heichal Tefillah, added that an individual’s learning sedorim must be a chok for them – not to be interrupted or cancelled for anything. “This is my pikuach nefesh,” he said, meaning that one’s regular learning sessions are what protects his soul. Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, Rav, Agudath Israel of Madison and Rosh Yeshiva, Torah Vodaath, explained that a person’s learning keeps him fresh. Chazal tell us, he said, to learn areas of Torah that we find interesting. But that’s not intended as a kulah: “It’s an obligation, a person has to find a makom shelibo chofeitz, he has to find a place of hischadshus in his learning.”

Motzoei Shabbos brought a crowd, including many who drove in specially for the evening’s keynote session. Rabbi Perlow, reminded everyone that personal growth is something that needs constant and consistent strengthening: “We should learn mussar every day, and look at the ikar of life,” he said.

[WATCH: Novominsker Rebbe Speaks Out Against Those Causing Machlokes in Klal Yisroel in America]

Chinuch, too, was addressed, with Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rosh HaYeshiva Ateres Yisroel and Member of the Degel HaTorah Moetzes Gedolei Yisroel, quoting the Avnei Neizer, passionately proclaiming, “The principle of tumah hutrah b’tzibur doesn’t apply in Chinuch!” Speaking of the challenges of learning Torah correctly, and the rewards when one succeeds, Rabbi Uri Deutsch, Rav, Forest Park Shul, Lakewood, told the attendees, “Torah learned correctly provides a person with a physical pleasure.”

But other challenges facing Klal Yisroel come from the outside: The Kedushah of Eretz Yisroel is under threat. Society’s increasingly secular value system is seeping into our community. Speaking about the attacks on our Yeshiva system, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel, said in his keynote address: “Government is coming into yeshivos and saying, ‘Let’s look at your curriculum, let’s look at how you spend your day.’”

Appropriately, Agudah’s activity working on threats to Klal Yisroel’s spiritual integrity was also addressed. Given the recent “blue wave” in New York and New Jersey, the sessions about promoting our hashkafic priorities in a progressive political environment (“Protecting Jewish Values When Society’s Values Change”) and about grassroots advocacy (“Advocacy Made Simple: How You Can Make a Difference”) were attended by entranced assemblages.

In Sunday’s keynote session, moderated by Rabbi Labish Becker, Executive Director, Agudath Israel of America, Rabbi Yosef Elefant, R”M, Yeshivas Mir, Yerushalayim, and Dr. David Pelcovitz, Professor in Psychology, Azrieli Graduate School, discussed the challenges technology is bringing to our schools, our marriages, and our children. Noting that “Seven out of ten children worry that their parents are spending too much time in front of a screen,” Dr. Pelcovitz encouraged parents to set boundaries, both for themselves and their children. Discussing marriage, Rabbi Elefant said that social media – even kosher content – destroys intimacy between couples. “If one shares everything with everyone all the time, what is special about “us”?”

A notable but not well-known aspect of the convention was the third annual two-day exclusive track for 130 mental health professionals. Addressed by distinguished Rabbonim and recognized mental health professionals, the completely sold-out event gave participants a chance to seek guidance for helping their clients and an opportunity to network with colleagues.

A poignant and bittersweet moment of the Motzoei Shabbos program was a tribute to Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin, Agudath Israel’s Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration, on his upcoming retirement. Mr. Shlomo Werdiger, Chairman of Agudath Israel’s Board of Trustees, lauded Rabbi Gertzulin, saying that he never confined himself to the traditional job description of CFO in the 38 years he served in Agudah. After enumerating a long list of Agudah activities and accomplishments Rabbi Gertzulin is credited with, Mr. Werdiger and Rabbi Zwiebel presented Rabbi Gertzulin with a letter of appreciation written and signed by the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah.

Mr. Shimon Lefkowitz, son of Agudah stalwart Rabbi Yisroel Lefkowitz z”l, and – together with the illustrious Lefkowitz family – supporter of the Lefkowitz Leadership Initiative – was this year’s convention chairman. “For the past few days,” he said, “we have been zocheh to a momentous knessiah l’sheim shamayim. The Agudah looks to the future, forward thinking and forward moving.” Mr. Lefkowitz asked the assembled to get involved: “Together let us be zocheh to continue the mission; together let us be zocheh to expand the Agudah and its important work for Klal Yisroel!”

To view recordings of this year’s Agudah Convention, please see https://www.agudahconvention.org/program. For more information about the Agudah Convention, please see https://www.agudahconvention.org/.