Siyum Hashas tickets mailed out, excitement builds as Siyum nears.

The Siyum  tickets were mailed out to all those who ordered. Following a mass Ad campaign in the print media as well as Jewish radio stations, tickets are selling fast. Limited $18 tickets still  available. To order Siyum Hashas tickets call 1-877-Siyum-12 or click here. Organizers also reached out to kids who participated in the masmidei hashas to join in the Siyum. The program will begin with Mincha at 7:00 PM one united Minyan and will end with One united Mnyan for Maariv.

There is a possibility of Kidush Levana recital too (its an outdoor stadium) for those who wait till after Tisha B'av which wont be until Sunday night, than bad weather for a few nights may result in wed night being the first available to say kiddush levana.

There will be tight security in and around the stadium. According to Siyum literature everyone entering the stadium will be subject to a  pat down by security personel ( Men ,Women and Children). Hopefully not by the TSA!!

                                    The chart below has been reconfigured for the women's section.

Agudah applauds President Obama Immigration policy for the young.

The immigration policy enunciated by the Obama Administration regarding individuals who entered the United States in their youth was applauded by Agudath Israel of America, a national Orthodox Jewish organization. Under the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive, there would be “deferred action” for a period of two years in regard to some individuals who face removal from the country. Persons falling within this category will be eligible to apply for work authorization.

“The policy is both pragmatic and proper,” said David Grunblatt, Chair of Agudath Israel’s Legal Services Network Immigration Committee. “These foreign-born individuals were brought to this country as youngsters, were educated here, have contributed their talents here and continue to live here. They should not live in the shadow of being expelled from the U.S. to a country where they have never lived and might not even speak the language.”

The DHS’ policy is discretionary in nature and is intended to be applied on a case by case basis to persons not above age 30. Eligibility criteria include: entry into the U.S. under age 16, continuous residence for five years, and current enrollment in school, graduation from high school or honorable discharge from the Armed Forces. Persons will not be deemed eligible if they have been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

DHS has also made clear that “deferred action” confers no substantive right, immigration status, or pathway to citizenship.

“The policy addresses an urgent and unfortunate situation — one that has affected many members of the Jewish Community that have sought our help but for whom little could be done,” concluded Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel’s Vice President for Federal Affairs and Washington Director. “And, given our community’s history, we must be particularly sensitive that our immigration policies embody compassion and common sense. This is a positive step in that direction.”

Simchas in Klal yisroel, reporting the positive.

Walk to your fridge, look at your calendar, check out your scheduler on your cell phone, the boxes are full and scribbled in with reminders for the many Simchas during the month of June. Baruch hashem there are so many simchos in klal yisrael. We tend not to report on positive and good news. Yet how can we ignore the very fact that yidden are traveling every night to one, two, or even three weddings. Families are commuting throughout the Tri-state area, from Brooklyn to Lakewood, from Lakewood to Monsey, or from out of town. Many are traveling long road trips to or from the midwest or other places out of town to attened a family simcha.

We are witnessing the continuation and constant building of klal yisrael. The continuation of the promise of lo yomushu mpi zraacha. Yes we are getting home very late and than have a wedding the next night again. Not to forget the Shabbos aufruf and the excited family get together for Shabbos Sheva Brachos. 

Many yeshivos and mosdos are holding their annual fundraising dinners as well. We tend to take it for granted, however we must stop and pause and see what is going on around us. We should appreciate the kindness of hashem and to think about, and help those that are having a difficult time with shidduchim during theses times of Simcha.

Right now my mind is in shul Shabbos morning toward the end of Musaf. There's a kiddush in shul, the waiters are bringing out the bags of plastic ware and the smell of kugel fills the room. There is nothing I want to do more than crack open a bottle of Bourbon and drink a, Lechaim!

Agudah statement on Ruling of DOMA as unconstitutional

Agudath Israel of America released the following statment today in response to the Court of Appeals ruling on DOMA.
 Agudath Israel of America is deeply disappointed by the ruling handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit that found the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional. The decision will do much harm to traditional marriage, but its implications will have a much farther reach.

The court held that the moral justification for maintaining the historic definition of marriage was not a sufficient reason for the federal government to legislatively define marriage in the traditional manner. Agudath Israel argued in an amicus brief submitted to the court in this case that moral considerations are, and historically have been, a rational basis – indeed, even a compelling interest – for enacting social legislation.

The court’s rejection of this argument threatens to erase “morality” as a foundation for legislative action – a result with potentially severe and far-reaching societal effects.”

Agudath Israel has been a strong supporter of DOMA since its inception, having – among other things – testified in its support before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in 1996. We will continue to support this vital statute as it likely makes its way up to the United States Supreme Court for final review.

Daas torah should count in America too!

   While many Roshei Yeshiva attended the asifa in Citifield, leading up to it, many Roshei Yeshiva were not supportive of it or were outright against it. Many senior Roshei Yeshiva held the opinion that  yeshivos should not participate, and the event should be in a smaller venue for baalei batim. The organizers bypassed the opinion of the American Roshei Yeshiva and went directly to Eretz Yisrael seeking approval of the Gedolim there which they got. Letters were posted from the gedolei Eretz Yisrael calling on all to attened including bnei torah to take off from yeshiva. How can a letter have validity when they went to Rav Chaim kanievsky and only presented one side. He did not hear the opposing opinions of rav Shmuel Kaminetzky, senior Rosh Yeshiva in America amongst other roshei Yeshiva as well. Had Rav Chaim heared both sides and then side with one, than we can follow his psak. As it turns out the gedolim in EY were unaware and were not told of the opposing opinions of the American Roshei yeshiva.

   It was a little before the asifa when people went into Rav Chaim and explained to him the opposition of many American Roshei yeshiva. Is daas torah of American Roshei Yeshiva worthless as was shown by this asifa?
Why did we bypass it and run to Eretz Yisrael when the RY here are in tune with whats going on and had an opinion on the matter? I am Chas veshalom not questioning or undermining any of the gedolim both here and in eretz yisrael. Yet the message and events from the asifa clearly showed that the daas torah of the Roshei Yeshiva in America was ignored. Confused!!!

Noted Philanthropist buys Israeli Yated Ne'eman newspaper

   The Israeli Yated Ne'eman, founded by Maran Harav Shach, (with no affiliation to the American one) was purchased and bought by R' Shimon Glick, a supporter of Torah institutions in America and Eretz Yisrael and confidant of Rav Shteinman. Apparently the gedolim were not happy with the way the paper was run and the message it was advocating. After some back and forth negotiations and the threat of a competing newspaper, it was bought off by Mr.Glick.

   Changes were made immediately on the editorial board, with some editors fired, writers were replaced and new ones added to control the paper. The paper has lately experienced a decline in subscriptions, and had many in the yeshiva world at odds with the message it was projecting. Hopefully it will return to its glory of what it was meant to achieve.

Frum newspapers with shavuos editions,not all cover the Asifa.

The frum Papers all came out with their Shavuos editions. Interestingly while Ami ran with Post Asifa coverage and a shavuos interview with the rosh yeshiva of MTJ Staten Island Harav reuvain feinstein. The Yated Ne'eman had a special insert on the Asifa but, did not cover the Asifa at all except for paid advertisements from ichud hakehilos. It was not mentioned in the editorial or other news items.(The yated goes by the daas torah of the Philadelphia Rosh yeshiva who was did not support the Asifa).
 Mishpacha Magazine, had a cover story on the New Viznitz rebbe in EY Rav Yisrael hager,as well as an interesting article on the Posek of brisk Rav Simcha  Zelig Rieger. The Kulmus section which is included in the Tom Tov issue was informative with various articles such as what was told to Moshe rabbeinu on har sinai,and which Mitzvos were kept before matan torah.
Hamodia had the most Asifa coverage. Included in the magazine section were articles on 100 years since the Katowice conference in 1912 and the establishment of Agudas yisrael. In the spirit of Shavuis an article about a Ger tzedek from Poland who talks about his journey to Judaism.

 Zman magazine landed an interview with Michael Medved a Baal teshuva and one of the nations leading talk show hosts.

For "Achdus" I'm going to the Siyum Hashas

     Leading up to the Asifa, one thought of going to an event held up to its name "Ichud Hakehilos "  Kinus klal Yisrael, an event meant to benefit all yidden. An event where you will be together with all segments of the klal, with equal representation and proportionate speakers in both Yiddish and English, so all those who came can hear something inspirational in their own language. An event where the Gedolei Roshei Yeshiva in America will have their voice heard. That was not the case. Regarding opinions and interests, "Achdus" could not be further from the truth.

    As the program concluded, it was apparent, that we were misled and duped. While some left inspired, many were disappointed. There was a disproportionate amount of Yiddish speakers, It was a chasidishe event. Even Rav Mattisyahu  Solomon, who saved the evening by reaching out to the mevakshei hashem and spoke in english, preceded his remarks saying he was asked to speak in Yiddish. Also, on the jumbotron all they kept showing were various Chasidishe Rebbes and Admorim. If not for the fact that the Skulener Rebbe spoke, you would not have known that Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel was present. The crowd of yeshivaleit that came did not hear a drasha from not even one American Rosh Yeshiva. A lot of effort was made to get people to come. Some were asked to come by their respected rabbonim, parents were told by schools to attend, yet once there, they were not represented. Either not enough thought went into planning the program or personal interests took over and the event was hijacked.

   The Siyum Hashas, as has always been, is a event where you are together with all segments of the klal, where the voice of the Gedolim is heard. Each participant feels at home as all tribes are represented. It's not an easy task, but that's what Agudah is all about: bringing all of klal yisroel together. From chasidish to litvish from sefardi to ashkenazi, women and children. For a true kinus klal yisroel I'm going to the Siyum Hashas.

Asifa brochure

The 100 page Asifa brochure was for some reason not distributed at the event. Below is a copy of the souvenir of attendance printed in the book. Click here for the full brochure.
                                                   
                                             Souvenir of Attendance

And record it in writing and seal it…
that it may last for many days. (Yirmiyahu 32)

Let it be recorded for posterity that I _________________________________
heeded the call of the Gedolim and participated in person at the historic Asifa
at which Klal Yisrael, with the Gedolim of America at the helm, gathered together at Citi Field on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5772, May 20, 2012, to unite in committing ourselves to facing the challenges of modern technology.
In the course of the evening I listened to and was inspired by addresses by:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
The following points in particular made an impression on me:
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
I was deeply moved by the following aspects of the program:
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
As a result of this event I have taken upon myself the following resolution/s:
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Impressions/Notes: ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
Signed: ____________________________________________

                       Kinus Klal Yisrael Citi Field Sunday, May 20th 2012

Klal Yisroel steps up to the plate

The historic Asifa  "kinus klal yisroel" ichud hakehilos hatzolas hadoros had many people wondering, speculating and guessing: what will be said there? who will speak? what will come out of it ? will anything change? will they ban social media outright? will they go after the blogs?

Asifa

The Asifa that took place did not actually live up to the fear of the skeptics. It was a true maamad, a Kiddush Hashem with many Yidden coming together in Achdus, looking to improve themselves and getting inspired. The weather was gorgeous, the stadium, the grass, was beautiful, decked in a sea of black and white and blue too! Rabbi wachsman hit one out of the park, as he elequently explained the dangers that we face and challenges that have creeped into our machaneh.

When was the last time so many chasidishe youngeleit were together with bnei torah from Lakewood, with baalei batim, all together davening in harmony. Yes, we may have our diffrences of opinion but none of that was evident at the Asifa. The thundering kabolas ol Malchus Shamayim, the singing of vetaher libeinu, and the Maariv all together was a perfect setting of achdus and tefillah as we get ready for kabbolas hatorah.
The mashgiach rav Matisyahu Solomon was quoted as saying, Now we can go on to the Siyum hashas. We have prepared ourselves for kabbolas hatorah.

Speakers and program for the Asifa in Citi Field

Updates on twitter @Thepartialview

Loudspeakers in brooklyn asking all to say tehillim in the shuls from 3-6 for the Hatzlocha of Asifa.


Rav Elye ber Wachtfogel will speak earlier at City Field. Rav Elya brudny will speak at arthur Ashe at 5:00


As it appears now, Mincha will be at 6:30 Asifa 7-9:15 The Speakers will be. the Mashgiach Rav mattisyahu Solomon ,The Skulener Rebbe, opening remarks by noted Lakewood askan Reb menashe Frankel. The main speaker will be the Mashgiach Harav Don Segal, who is coming from eretz yisrael as a Shliach for rav Shteinman and rav Chaim kanievsky. rabbi pesach krohn will speak in english and explain the asifa to the media as well. The djibo dayan" Satmar dayan" from montreal,  Rav dovid Feinstein from EY not the RY of MTJ, Rachmastrivker rebbe from eretz yisrael will recite the tefilas hashela, as the asifa is taking place on Erev Rosh chodesh Sivan. Rav Efraim wachsman will emcee. A video message from harav shmuel wosner shlita of bnei brak will air at the Asifa. There will be a hook up and live program as well at the Arthur Ashe stadium nearby. rav mattisyahu might speak live later on at Arthur Ashe stadium.


Due to limited parking the tzibbur is requested to use mass transit. busses from all locations or the subway, # 7 train from Manhattan to Citi field Mets/Willets Point Station.

Rav Chaim kanievsky issues letter to upcoming Asifa.

In a special letter dated chof daled Iyar for those attending the Asifa, Rav Chaim kanievsky writes about the danger of the internet. It has taken many from the best homes and caused them to transgress. It is the Yetzer hora of avoda zara and Giluy arayos of our times. We must come together and formulate concrete ideas and solutions and figure out a way  how to combat and get rid of this yetzer hora. He commends the gedolim in america for arranging an Asifa bringing together tens of thousands yereim and shleimim to be mechazek and combat this yetzer. The letter concludes that there is absolutely no heter to use the internet without a filter even for parnasah or anything else. One must use guidance  as to what kind of filter is proper and kosher for his internet use. Hopefully they will work on a Kosher internet in the near future so and find ways how to avoid this michshol.

Oorah radiothon this motzei shabbos

With all the hype over the Internet asifa please keep in mind that the famed oorah radiothon will be going on this Motzei shabbos May 19th. Starting at 10:00 pm with a live drawing of over $200,000 in prizes. A special feivish hour will air 10-11 followed by by live musical entertainment, inspiring kiruv stories and more excitement.

watch it live here at Oorah.org

Donate here to the oorah auction.
Listen in on the hotline 212-990-8000 pin #7587

Satmar rebbe Rav Aron Teitelbaum reiterates his position that his chasidim should not attend the Asifa as well as the Siyum Hashas

Click here for audio in Yiddish


 free translation in english:


I  would like to say, the medrash in this weeks parsha says "each day I would think to go to a certain place but my feet drag me to the bais hamedrash". There is a world out there full of propoganda telling me to go to a certain place, a world of propoganda saying one must go to this and this place (Internet asifa) but my feet drag me to the Bais hamedrash. I remember in the  bais medrash  the fiery Shalosh Seudos torah that was said as well as the drashos of  which I heard from my uncle  Zichrono Livracha (Satmar rebbe Rav Yoel). Anyone who walked through his doorstep understands what the holy rebbes position is regarding this matter. A heimisher yingerman, his place is not there (at the asifa) and not at the siyum of daf yomi (Siyum hashas). Those who understand will understand  and those who dont wont. Have a good day.

The rebbe was alluding to the fact that the Satmar Rebbe Reb Yoel was against any gatherings of rabbis belonging to the Agudah.

Arthur Ashe stadium added as Second venue for sold out internet asifa, klal yisrael

Due to overwhelming response and a sold out Citi Field stadium, The Ichud hakehilas are in the final stages of arranging for a second nearby location  at Arthur Ashe stadium, enough to seat an additional 22,000. All those who ordered tickets will receive on a first come first serve basis. There will be live speeches at each location as well as satellite hook ups between both arenas. for ticket info click here.
many Gedolim from all international communities will attend. the full list and program will be made available.


Tickets will not be available through email or phone order, they will be sold at specific locations  in the tristate area since many will first be allocated for those who purchased tickets already.


for updates and important asifa information call the Asifa hotline at 732-551-3351 option 6


1. Call 855-Asifa-72 (855-274-3272)

Internet Asifa update, tickets sold out, the expo portion has been canceled,hook ups in many areas

Update : 5/20/2012  Tickets for Arthur Ash are only being sold in lakewood at the ichud office ,in brooklyn at the ichud ofice on 13th ave.


Update: 5/17/12 organizers are finalizing plans for another venue to accommodate more seating for the many that want to join. for info click  here   and here.


Mishpacha magazine article about Asifa here.


Update : 5/16/12  Misaskim issues security message regarding Asifa at Citi Field Here.


Update: 5/16 the ichud is working feverishly to find more seating for the sold out event. There might be a tent in the adjacent parking lot. For updated Asifa information call 732-551-3351 after 4 pm today. Rav Aaron Schiff from belgium will attend the Asifa with his kehilah. No word yet on any litvisher RY attending from outside the US.


update: 5/15/12 Organizers are looking into  possibility of added seating in the parking lot or renting out a nearby stadium. Rachmastrivka rebbe from EY said to attened the asifa. Admor Pshevorsk from belgium will iyh attend as well.


The event is sold out, you can try calling the office and get on a waiting list here. There will  be live hook ups for men in all out of town cities. To setup a hook up in your area call 732 300 4382. The tri state area will only have hook ups  for women, not for men as they want all who have tickets to physicaly come to the stadium. The expo part of the asifa has been cancelled in order to accommodate the many attendees that have no internet, in addition the focus has been shifted to more of a yom tefillah and prayer rally. There will be various technology expos held in individual communities following the Asifa. The program will start with mincha  at 6:30. Each attendee will receive a set of binoculars regardless of where they sit, along with a bag of refreshments and a drink. The speakers will be a mix of yiddish and english, there will be a live translation of the speech on the screens. The full schedule and list of speakers has not  been made public.

Agudah statement on Obama's approval of same gender marriage

The following statement was released by Agudas Yisroel of America following President Obama’s statement in support of same-gender marriage:

In the wake of President Obama’s sharing of his personal feeling that the millennia-old institution of marriage should be redefined in contemporary America, National Jewish Democratic Council chair Marc R. Stanley declared his admiration for the president’s demonstration of “the values of Tikkun Olam.”

A political group is entitled to its opinion, no less than a president is to his. But to imply that a religious value like “Tikkun Olam” - and by association, Judaism - is somehow implicated in a position like the one the president articulated, is outrageous, offensive and wrong.

We hereby state, clearly and without qualification, that the Torah forbids homosexual acts, and sanctions only the union of a man and a woman in matrimony.

The Orthodox Jewish constituency represented by Agudath Israel of America, as well as countless other Jews who respect the Jewish religious tradition, remain staunch in their opposition to redefining marriage.

Ticket information for Internet Asifa @ citifield, may 20th

 For asifa updates click here.
Update: As of Thursday May 10th Tickets have been sold out. People have been told to call the Ichud office after Shabbos and they might have more tickets. you can E-mail and be placed on a waiting list.
UPDATE: Rav Matisyahu Solomon on a 24 hour visit to Eretz yisrael  Invited Rav Chaim kanievsky and Rav Shteinman to attend the historic asifa. Neither of them outright declined, creating much speculation on weather they will actualy attened the asifa.


Tickets must be purchased in advance due to security reasons. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
 Do to security all bags will be checked and food will not be allowed, those coming from far should make arrangements and plan accordingly, as supper will not be served. A snack bag with a drink and a mezonos will be given to all who attend.

 Expo hours 5-7 pm   Asifa 7-9:15 pm
the full Schedule of speakers has not been announced yet. Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman will be speaking.

$10 a ticket.
To Order:

1. Call 855-Asifa-72 (855-274-3272)

2. Email: asifatickets@yeshivanet.com, a pdf form will automaticaly be emailed for you to fill and send back.

3. Mail to: 4205 13th avenue ,Brooklyn, NY 11219

4. Fax 855-274-3272

For SIYUM HASHAS tickets click here.

Frum newspapers with expanded Pesach issue

The frum nespapers all came out with expanded Yom tov editions. Hopefully its enough to keep readers entertained as well as providing some spiritual meaning and simchas yom tov for the mishpacha. The Yated has feature articles on Rubashkin interviews with the Magid Rav pesach krohn and Rav Uri Zohar and divrei Zikaron on rav Eizik Ausband. Hamodia features articles on the upcoming Internet Asifa and on Yerushalayim from Rav Nebenzahl and on the Titanic. Ami landed an Interview with Rebbetzin Richel kotler on rav shneur zatzal and a halacha feature on kos shel eliyohu with a yom tov supplement. Mishpacha has a article on Rav Lazer Silver and an interesting piece on the Titanic. Zman came out with an expanded Yom tov edition too.


Have a Chag Kosher vesameach.

End of an era, the European roshei yeshiva from pre churban Europe.

The recent petirah of the telzer rosh hayeshiva Harav Hagaon Rav Eizik Ausband zatzal, has marked the end of an era. Not only was he the last RY from pre war telz, but he was the last remaining of the European Litvisheh Roshei yeshiva in the united states from pre churban Europe. These Roshei yeshiva came over after the war and transmitted the mesorah they received from their rebbeim and built torah in america. They were bochurim and youngerleit at the time, yet they defied the odds and with great mesiras nefesh in a country desolate of torah they proved the havtacha that torah will not be forgotton Lo yomushu mipi zaracha.


 The entire litvisher Yeshiva world today in the united states is all in the zechus of the europeisher roshei yeshiva. They brought over the mesorah of torah preserved from their rebbeim from Mir , Slabodka, Telz,kelm, Kletzk, etc.. from Rav Aaron Kotler to the telzer roshei yeshiva who transplanted torah in america. Going back to Rav chaim volozin and the vilna gaon. While we no longer have the europeisheh roshei yeshiva, their eidelkeit and varmkeit, they did leave over children and talmidim who are continuing in their ways transmitting torah to the next generation.