Agudath Israel, The Awareness Center, Blogging and Speaking Out Against Sexual Violence

Vicki Polin / Rabbi Avi Shafran

The following message comes from Vicki Polin at The Awareness Center, Inc. It's a response to comments made by Agudath Israel and blogging.

Vicki Polin:
It's interesting that Agudath Israel is concerned about individuals speaking out publicly on blogs. Most bloggers speak about the problems within their communities. It's sad to know that those who speak out do not feel their voices would be heard any other way. Instead of Agudah Israel trying to encourage their members not to read blogs, perhaps they should be paying attention to what is being said and make that changes need to address the problems?

I also wonder if The Awareness Center is having an influence on Agudah Israel? Don't you think it's about time they have workshops at their conference on sexual violence (child sexual abuse, sexual assault, professional sexual misconduct and clergy abuse)?

Perhaps in the future they will become the financial sponsor of The Awareness Center's certification program for Rabbis, Cantors and other community leaders. I'm sure that Agudah Israel really wants to do the right thing and change their policies in the way they deal with children being sexually abused or adults being sexually violated. Please feel free to contact Rabbi Avi Shafran and let him know it's time for a change.


Agudah Israel:
"In recent years, though," the Agudah leader observes, "due to a variety of factors, the authority of daas Torah has been significantly undermined, even within our own chareidi circles. Most troubling has been the proliferation of Internet 'blogs' where misguided individuals feel free to spread every bit of rechilus and loshon hora about rabbonim and roshei yeshiva, all with the intended effect of undermining any semblance of Torah authority in our community. It is most appropriate for an organization like Agudath Israel, whose very essence was built on the recognition of the authority of Torah leaders, to address this issue head on, and formulate concrete plans to reinvigorate public awareness of this essential element of the Torah way of life."

Sample of Blogs

• Jewish Survivors of Sexual Violence Speak Out
• Jewish Whistleblower
• New Hempsted News
  
• The Unorthodox Jew

Agudath Israel Convention at New Location
by Yated Ne'eman Staff
Yated Ne'eman
November 1, 2006

Agudath Israel of America's 84th National Convention is to be held November 23-26 at a new location: The Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut. Well-known community askan Dr. David Diamond will serve as the chairman.

According to organizers, this year's convention program will focus on a number of important topical issues, each of which will be explored from practical, halachic and hashkafic perspectives throughout the weekend. The innovative format, introduced last year to popular acclaim, is designed to maximize the time delegates can interact with roshei yeshiva, rabbonim and special presenters in working to devise plans of action for dealing with particular problems.

"Last year's convention, which dealt with issues like tuition, shidduchim, political activism, and kids-at- risk proved to be the springboard for a number of exciting new initiatives which are already bearing fruit," says Agudath Israel associate executive director Rabbi Labish Becker.

Organizers have also announced that the Keynote session, held for the last several years on Thursday night, will once again take place on motzei Shabbos. Each year, the convention keynote session attracts thousands of outside guests from throughout the tri-state area.

There are many reasons to attend an Agudath Israel of America national convention, observes Dr. Diamond, noting that the opportunity to benefit from the thoughts and hadracha of gedolei doreinu and the chance to make a real difference by participating in planning sessions and discussions are not least among them.

But there is another important reason to participate in a convention, he says, one that has to do with empowering Agudath Israel to realize its maximum potential in the realm of shtadlonus both within the larger Jewish world and outside of it — in the halls of courts and the corridors of Congress.

"Our annual convention is a major yardstick by which our strength as a movement is measured. When there is widespread recognition of the vast number of people who support this organization and share its ideals, the potential for accomplishment is unlimited."


Thursday Night at the Agudah Convention

Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, mashgiach, Bais Medrash Govoha; Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman, rosh hayeshiva, Maor Yitzchok, Monsey; and Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Agudath Israel of America executive vice president for government and public affairs, will be the featured speakers at the Thursday night plenary session of Agudath Israel of America's upcoming convention.

The Thursday night session is entitled "Torah Wisdom/Torah Authority: Are We Losing the Connection?"

"Klal Yisroel has always understood that its true leaders are the gedolei Yisroel, the einei ho'eidoh whose uniquely refined vision enables them to guide the Jewish people through the darkest of situations," says Rabbi Zwiebel.

"In recent years, though," the Agudah leader observes, "due to a variety of factors, the authority of daas Torah has been significantly undermined, even within our own chareidi circles. Most troubling has been the proliferation of Internet 'blogs' where misguided individuals feel free to spread every bit of rechilus and loshon hora about rabbonim and roshei yeshiva, all with the intended effect of undermining any semblance of Torah authority in our community. It is most appropriate for an organization like Agudath Israel, whose very essence was built on the recognition of the authority of Torah leaders, to address this issue head on, and formulate concrete plans to reinvigorate public awareness of this essential element of the Torah way of life."