15 Tevet, 5765

 

The Fifth Orthodox General Assembly

Monday-Thursday, 15-18 Tevet    December 27 – 30, 2004

                 

STAFF

Name
Itzchack Shtiglitz	0509000587	General Director of the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora
Itzhak Dahan	0523927074, 0506333339	Organizer of the Assembly
Sipi Lolachi	0523847541	Senior Event Coordinator
Judith Tzenvirt	0523474224	Coordinator of Israeli Participants
Asi Aharonov	0545543699	Organizer of Israeli Participants & Technological Devices
Leeba Friedman	0505704000	Supervisor of Participants, Accommodations and Follow Up
Chagi Roth	0507833378	Coordinator of Sessions & Speakers
Limor Friedman	0524526474	Organizer of Registration and Payment
David Aviv	0523847979	Treasurer of the Assembly
Oshrit Sitbon	0507215228	Organizer of Events and Meals
Leah Goldstein	0523839736	Coordinator of Registration and Payment
Michal Salomon	0546797543	Seminar Coordinator & Assistant to Coordinator of Sessions
Kati Suranyi	0544514796	Follow Up & Coordination
Ori Bagano	0522214111	Assistant to the General Director
Matan Dahan	0523745578	Technical Assistant

 

PRESIDIUM OF THE ASSEMBLY

Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Shlomo Amar	Chief Rabbi of Israel
Rabbi Yonah Metzger	Chief Rabbi of Israel
Rabbi Sha’ar Yashuv Cohen	Chief Rabbi and Av Bet Din of Haifa
Rabbi Dr. Jonathans Sacks	Chief Rabbi of Great Britain
Rabbi Yosef Sitruk	Chief Rabbi of France
Rabbi Cyril Harris	Chief Rabbi of South Africa
MK Zevulun Orlev	Former Minister of Welfare
Mr. Richard Joel	President of Yeshiva University, NY
Rabbi David Messas	Chief Rabbi of Paris, France
Rabbi Simcha Krauss	President of “Mizrachi” USA
Mr. Harvey Blitz	Former President of the OU, USA
Mr. Shlomo Mostofsky	President of “Young Israel”
Mr. Kurt Rothchild	World Chairman of “World Mizrachi Organization”, Canada
MK Rabbi Yitzchak Levi	Co-President of World Mizrachi
Mr. Eleazer Sheffer	Co-Chairman of the "World Mizrachi"
Prof. Moshe Kaveh	President of Bar Ilan University, Israel
Mr. Larry Roth	Chairman “Torah M’Tzion” – Kollelim Tziyoniyim
Rabbi Shmuel Di Segni	Chief Rabbi of Rome, Italy

 

MONDAY, 15 Tevet, 5765 – December 27, 2004

DAY OF PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS

8:00	Registration
9:30	Refreshment
10:00–10:30	Opening Session to all the Professional Workshops Chairman: Organizer of the Assembly Mr. Itzhak Dahan, Deputy Director of the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora Remarks: Rabbi Avraham Guigui, Chief Rabbi of Belgium

RABBIS WORKSHOPS: MARRIAGE & KIDDUSHIN

10:30–11:30	Halacha and Civil Marriage Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Rabbi Yitzhak Erhenberg, Chief Rabbi of Berlin Participants:Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Haifa, & Rosh Av Bet Din Rabbi Pinchas Toledano, Av Bet Din of London
11:30-12:00	Alternative Marriages and Halacha Chairman: Rabbi Alberto Somekh, Chief Rabbi of Torino Shiur: Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi Doron, HaRishon LeZion
12:00 – 12:30	Marriage to a Divorcee or Widow by a Man who May or May Not be a Kohein Shiur: Rabbi Dov Lior, Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Arba and Rosh Yeshivat "Nir"
12:30–13:30	Forcing a Man to Give a "Get" According to the Rambam and its Implication in our Days Chairman: Rabbi David Yoshobeyeb, Moscow Participants: Dayan Rabba Ya'akov Lichtenstein, Av Bet Din of London Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat, and Head of Ohr Torah Institutes
13:30-15:00	Lunch Chairman: Mr. Reuven Davidman, Board Member of the Jewish Agency Remarks: Rabbi Yoseph Gliksberg, Chief Rabbi of Givatayim
15:00-15:15	Mincha
15:15-16:45	Conversion in Israel and the Diaspora: Comparison & Contrast Chairman: Rabbi Moshe Klein, Deputy Head of Conversion Framework, Prime minister's office Participants: Rabbi Ya'akov Ariel, Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan Rabbi Yisrael Rozen, Head of "Tzomet" Institute Rabbi Yitzchak Niazov, Chief Rabbi of the Sephardi Community in Vienna, Austria
16:45-18:30	Panel Discussion: Prenuptial Agreement and its Halachic Significance Chairman: Rabbi Yosef Carmel, Head of "Eretz Hemda" Institute Introductory Remarks: Rishon L'Zion, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Chief Rabbi of Israel Participants: Rabbi Shlomo Dichovsky, Chaver Bet Din HaGadol for Appeals Rabbi Dr. Ratzon Arrusi, Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Ono Prof. Attorney David Frummer, Hebrew University
18:30-19:15	Break

Seminar for Women:

Location: Hall C

10:30-10:45	Introductory Remarks: Mrs. Adi Samson, Head of "Likrat Shelichut" Program, Yad Avi HaYeshuv Member of Knesset Mrs. Gila Finkelstein, Knesset
10:45-13:30	Morning Workshop Active Listening: Tool for the Rabbanit Dr. Mordechai Reich, Clinical Psychologist Mrs. Adi Samson, Group Workshop Leader
13:30-15:00	Lunch in the Yonatan Hall
15:00-16:00	The Role of the Rebbetzin in the Community affairs, Family and Marriage Chairman: Mrs. Chanah Melamed, Chairman of "Emunah" Israel Dr. Tova Lichtenstein, Jerusalem
16:30-17:30	Analysis of an Incident Dr. Mordechai Reich, Clinical Psychologist
17:30-18:00	Summary

Seminar for Community Leaders

Location: Amos Hall

10:30-10:45	Introductory Remarks: Mr. Shimon Ohayon, Head of Dahan Center, Bar Ilan University Member of Knesset Rabbi Nissan Slomiansky, Knesset
10:45-11:30	Educational Leadership in the Diaspora: Then and Today Chairman: Mr. Allan Finlay, London Dr. David Resnick, Bar Ilan University
11:30-13:15	Workshop:Confronting Psychological Obstacles in Communal Affairs Dr. Zehavit Gross, Bar Ilan University
13:30-15:00	Lunch – in Yonatan Hall
15:00-15:30	Ways to Connect between the Community and Sources of Funding Chairman: Mr. Michael Glass, General Director of the Union of Orthodox Synagogues in South Africa Mrs. Miriam Barakai, General Director of "Keren Pinkus" and Educational Projects in the Diaspora
15:30-16:00	One Year Learning Programs in Israel for Students from the Diaspora Rabbi Betzalel Bornstein, Machon Gold
16:00-17:30	Predictions for the Coming Decades: The Jewish Nation and the Orthodox World Chairman: Dr. Rita Shloush, Baltimore, USA Dr. David Passig, Bar Ilan University
18:30	Ma'ariv
19:00	Farewell Reception: In Honor of Mr. David Ben Naeh, former General Director of the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora Greetings: Mr. Zevulun Orlev, former Minister of Welfare
20:30-22:00	Opening of the Assembly and Festive Dinner Location: Hall AB Chairman: Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman, Chairman of the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora Guests of Honor: Rishon L'Zion, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Yonah Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel Greetings: Mr. Sallai Meridor, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency Rabbi Uri Lopolianski, Mayor of Jerusalem Rabbi David Messas, Chief Rabbi of Paris Host: Mr. Avi Rat Musical Accompaniment by: "Kolot Min Hashamim" Conducted by Mr. Rafi Biton

TUESDAY, 16 Tevet, 5765 – December 28, 2004

7:00	Shacharit Location: Hall C Halacha Yomit: Rabbi Menachem Hadad, Brussels, Belgium
8:00	Breakfast
9:00-15:00	Special Program for Women Guided tour of "Yad Sarah" Tour and Lunch at Michlelet "Emunah" Visit to the Jerusalem City Hall
9:00-11:30	Assimilation & Intermarriage as a Danger to Jewish Continuity Location: Queen of Sheba Hall
9:00-10:00	Demographical Trends in the Jewish World – With a Special Focus on Intermarriage in the Diaspora Chairman: Rabbi Shlomo Noah Mandel, Head of "Reichman Fund", Canada Lecturer: Dr. Sergio De La Pergola, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
10:00-11:30	Panel Discussion: Leaderships Way of Confronting Intermarriage in their Communities Chairman: Mr. Harvey Blitz Esq., Former President of the OU, USA Remarks: Rabbi Yonah Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Dr. Shmuel Di Segni, Chief Rabbi of Rome Rabbi Pinchas Goldshmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow Prof. Binyamin Ish Shalom, Rector of Beit Morasha Questions and Answer Reaction from the Younger Generation: Mr. Shimon Borshtein, Chairman of the Jewish Students Union in Holland Rabbi Rafi Austrof, Former Director of Conversion Framework
11:30-11:45	Coffee Break
11:45-13:15	Panel Discussion:Medinat Yisrael – Land of Destiny or Land of Shelter? In Marking of the 100th Anniversary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohein Kook Zt"l Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Rabbi Pesach Lerner, President of "Young Israel", US Remarks: Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi Rabbi Yuval Sharlo, Rosh Yeshivat HaHesder Petach Tikva Prof. Ela Belfar, Bar Ilan University Rabbi Chaim Eisenberg, Chief Rabbi of Vienna
13:15-15:00	Lunch Location: Yonatan Hall Chairman: Rabbi Jacky Dreyfus, Chief Rabbi of Colmar, France Dvar Torah: Rabbi David Tabachnik, General Director of "Ariel" Institutions Greetings: Mr. Meir Shpigler, Esq., Advisor to the Prime Minister
15:00-15:15	Mincha
15:15-17:00	Terror and Anti-Semitism as a Threat to the West and World Jewry Chairman: Dr. Yisrael Singer, Chairman of "The World Jewish Congress", USA Guest of Honor: Mr. Dan Kurtzer, Ambassador of the United States to Israel Opening Remarks: Mr. Nathan Sharansky, Minister for the Diaspora Affairs and Jerusalem Prof. Moshe Kave, President of Bar Ilan University Prof. Julien Klener, President of the Consistoire, Belgium Questions and Answers
17:00 – 17:15	Coffee Break
17:15-19:00	Panel Discussion:The Legacy of the Rambam as the Cornerstone of our Spiritual World: the Rambam from a Historical Perspective until Today Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Rabbi Dr. Yigal Shafran, School of Medicine – Jerusalem, & Technion Prof. Avi Ravitsky, Hebrew University Rabbi Prof. Shlomo Havlin, Bar Ilan University Rabbi Prof. Nachum Rabinowitz, Rosh Yehivat HaHesder "Birchat Moshe"
19:00	Ma'ariv
19:45-21:15	Dinner sponsored by "Keren HaYesod" Location: Hall AB Chairman: Mr. Eliezer Sheffer, Co-Chairman of the World Mizrachi Greetings: Mr. Avi Pezner, Chairman of "Keren HaYesod" Mr. Izi Liebler, Jerusalem Rabbi Itzhak Haleva, Chief Rabbi of Turkey Rabbi Gershon Garelik, Head Of Chabad Institutions in Milan Distribution of Honorary Awards and Certificates to Rabbis Concluding Their Terms: Rabbi Avraham Piatelli, Italy Rabbi Roger Touitou, France Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen, England
21:30 – 23:00	"Tisch" with Rabbi Mordechai Elon Location: Hall C Chairman: Mr. Gael Greenwald, Secretary General of World Bnei Akiva Rabbi Mordechai Elon, Rosh Yeshivat HaKotel Musical Accompaniment: "Ayalah Shlucha" Conducted by: Mr. Naftali Abramson

WEDNESDAY, 17 Tevet, 5765 – December 29, 2004

7:00	Shacharit Location: Hall C Halacha Yomit: Rabbi Aaron Gulman, Mexico
8:00	Breakfast
9:00-11:00	Changes in the Middle East Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Mr. Oded Winer, General Director of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate
9:00-9:45	Geo-Political Changes in the Area and their Consequences on the Future of Israel Chairman: Dr. Uzi Arad, Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy, Interdisciplinary Center
9:45-10:15	The Political Conflict of the Middle East - In Light of International Political Changes MK Mr. Zevulun Orlev, former Minister of Welfare
10:15 – 11:00	Response and Reaction: Brigadier Uzi Dayan, President of the Zionist Council in Israel Colonel Rabbi Moshe Hagar, Rosh "Mechinat Yatir"
11:00 – 12:00	The Religious Zionist Society Facing the Disengagement Plan – Group Discussion Track A: - The Philosophical Dispute in the Religious Zionist Society Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Rabbi Avi Geiser, Chief Rabbi of Ofra Participants: Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Rosh Yeshivat "Ateret Kohanim Rabbi Yoel Ben-Nun, Rosh Yeshivat "HaKibutz HaDati" Track B: The Struggle Against the Disengagement Plan Location: Hall C Chairman: Brigadier General MK Effie Eitam, Chairman of the Religious National Zionist Party (Mafdal) Participants: Rabbi Zalman Melamed, Chief Rabbi of Bet El Rabbi Yehudah Gilad, Rosh Yeshivat Ma'aleh Gilboa and Rabbi of Kibbutz Lavi
12:00-13:30	Panel Discussion:The Role of the Woman in the Modern Religious Society Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Rabbi Dr. Beni Lau, Head of Midrasha for Women "Bet Morasha" Participants: Dr. Esti Rosenberg, Rosh Midreshet "Migdal Oz" Mrs. Leora Minka, Chairman of "Emunah" in Israel Rabbi Dr. Rafi Fauerstein, Fauerstein Institute Rabbi Eli Abergel, Av Bet Din Baer Sheva
13:30-15:00	Lunch Location: Hall AB Chairman: Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman, Chairman of the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora Guest of Honor: Mr. Binyamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Remarks: Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Haifa, President of "Ariel Institutions"
15:00-16:30	Tools and Proficiency to the Diaspora Leader to Explain the Israeli Position Chairman: Dr. Avi Becker, Tel-Aviv University Mr. Gidon Meir, Deputy Director of Media and Explanations of the Foreign Ministry Mr. Yitzchak Meir, former Ambassador of Israel to Switzerland Prof. Gilbert Kahn, Kean University, USA
16:30-17:00	The Centrality of the State of Israel in Forging the Identity of the Jew in the Diaspora Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Mr. Zeev Schwartz, General Director of "Kollelim Zionim", Torah MiTzion Lecturer: Mr. Richard Joel, President of Yeshiva University, New York
17:00-18:30	Poverty and Unemployment as Danger to the Unity of the Israeli Society Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: MK, Shaul Yahalom, Chairman of the Welfare Committee Opening Lecture: Prof. Chaya Yitzchaki, Bar Ilan University Remarks: Dr. Yigal Ben Shalom, Head of the National Insurance Agency Participants: Rabbi Yitzchak Grossman, Rabbi of "Migdal Ha'Emek" Mr. Eli Allaluf, Head of "Keren Rashi"
19:30	Ma'ariv
19:45-21:30	Dinner and the Conclusion of the Assembly – "All Jews are Responsible for One Another" Location: Hall AB Chairman: Mr. Avraham Duvdevani, Board Member of the Jewish Agency and Chairman of the Department of Settlements Greetings: Mr. Shai Hermesh, Treasurer of The World Zionist Organization and The Jewish Agency MK, Rabbi Yitzchak Levi, Co-President of the World Mizrachi Musical Accompaniment by Tzemed Yerushalmo Distribution of Certificates of Honor and Recognition: Kollellim Tziyoni'im, under the auspices of Mr. Larry Roth Mr. Mark Blassberg, Chairman of "Mishpacha Achat" Movement Rabbi Chaim Sabbato, Yeshivat HaHesder "Birchat Moshe"
22:00-23:30	Screening the film – Ushpizin, followed by a discussion Location: Queen of Sheba Hall

THURSDAY, 18 Tevet, 5765 – December 30, 2004

7:00	Shacharit Location: Hall C Halacha Yomit: Rabbi Albert Gabbai, Philadelphia USA
8:00	Breakfast
9:00-10:30	Change and Development in the Role of the Jewish Leadership in the Community in Our Days Location: Malkat Sheeba Hall Chairman: Rabbi Alfredo Goldshmidt, Columbia Participants: Rabbi Kotel Dadon, Chief Rabbi of Croatia Mr. Stuart Taylor, Chairman of the Mizrachi, England Dr. Shlomo Gendelman, Moscow, Russia Rabbi Chalom Benizri, Brussels Rabbi Motti Ma'aravi, Uruguay Questions and Answers
10:30-12:30	Fairs of Ideas and Initiatives Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Mr. Itzchack Shtiglitz, General Director of the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora Using the Internet for a Variety of Purposes, Mr. Moshe Chassid Torah Websites and Responsa, Rabbi David Lau, Chief Rabbi of Modi'in Circumcision Free of Charge, Rabbi Yaron Amit, General Director of Bris Yosef Yitzchak Gesher Shel Zahav (Golden Bridge) – a national challenge, Attorney Yehudah Zaritski, General Director "Yashfah" Institute, Mr. Chaim Falk Zomet Institute, Mr. Dan Morantz Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, Rabbi Chaggai Gross, General Director "Ot Institute", Rabbi Yitzchak Goldstein
12:30-13:00	The Duel Relationship Between Israel and the Diaspora in Times of Crisis Location: Queen of Sheba Hall Chairman: Mr. Soly Sacks, Chairman of the World Mizrachi Presenter: Mr. Ephraim Lapid, Director of the Israel Region, The Jewish Agency
13:00	Lunch and Conclusion of the Assembly Location: David Hall Chairman: Mr. Itzhak Dahan, Organizer of the Assembly
14:00	Mincha

For further information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press
The Jewish Agency for Israel
Cell: 050-7601706
Voicemail: 02-6202780
e-mail: michaelj@jafi.org