Orthodox Union

Orthodox Union National Convention
Confirmed speakers include:
• Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth
• Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Former Chief Rabbi of Medinat Yisrael
• Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Noted Rosh Yeshiva, lecturer, and author
• Rabbi Zev Leff, Rav of Matityahu, noted Rosh Yeshiva, lecturer, and author
• Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, OU Executive Vice President
• Rabbi Steven Weil, Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills, California and OU Executive Vice President-designate
• Mrs. Shira Smiles, Popular lecturer, teacher and curriculum developer

Learning opportunities include Daf Yomi, Nach Yomi and mishmar.

Tentative Tour Itinerary
(Subject to Change)
Track A: ‘3000 Yrs/36 Hrs’
We will spend our week exploring the fascinating route of Jewish history, from the earliest days of Tanach, until the miracles of the modern State of Israel. Besides touring the relevant sites, many of them new even to seasoned visitors, we will enrich our trip with speakers ranging from archaeologists to experts on the Beit HaMikdash, to people who experienced the War of Independence personally.
Monday, 11/24/08 Jerusalem: THE Eternal City:
Highlights include:
• The newest excavations at the City of David,
• A peek into the troubled world of Second Temple Jewry, in many ways so similar to our own time.
• An in depth look at the Second Temple with a presentation of a model of the Bet HaMikdash,
Tuesday, 11/25/08 Wanderings:
A day in the footsteps of the Jewish people after the fall of Jerusalem.
Highlights include:
• The new excavation at Tel Yavne,
• The incredible site of Tzippori, home of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi,
• Bet Shearim, the necropolis of the Tannaim and Amoraim.
Wednesday, 11/26/08 In the Days of the Judges:
Highlights include:
• Visits to the Mishkan site in Shilo
• “Blessings & Curses” on Mt Gerizim and Mt. Eival,
• A tour of Shmuel HaNavi’s stomping grounds.
• Explore the journey needed to reach the “menucha venahala,” the final holy place in Jerusalem.
Thursday, 11/27/08 JERUSALEM DAY:
The People, The Politics & The Paratroopers…
Visiting w/ Political and Non-Political People and places to further inform our thinking on our capital city.
• In the footsteps of our soldiers in ’67
• ‘Storm the city through Lion’s Gate’
• The Supreme Court building
• The Foreign Ministry
• Ammunition Hill
• The Security Fence
Friday, 11/28/08 Yad Vashem

Track B: ‘Because It is an Exceedingly Good Land; Adventures all over Israel’
Each day we will tour a different region of the country, understanding its historic roots in Tanach and history as well as meeting its people and seeing what new delights it has to offer today. Discover parts of the country you never see on the usual tour!
Monday, 11/24/08Northern Negev:
Highlights include:
• A visit to Sderot & the Hesder Yeshiva
• ‘Honey and Heroism’ in Kibbutz Yad Mordechai
• The historic and natural wonders of the Besor Park.
Tuesday, 11/25/08 Norther Coast:
A day in the footsteps of the Jewish people after the fall of Jerusalem.
Highlights include:
• Diving for the “techelet snail” at the Dor beach
• A visit to the illegal immigration detention center in Atlit
• Meeting the kids and staff at the Yemin Orde youth village, a center for “kibbutz galuyot” in the Carmel Mountains
• A cultural encounter in the Druse village of Daliyat al Carmel.
Wednesday, 11/26/08 Tel Aviv and the Center:
Highlights include:
• Tours of the early neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, celebrating its centennial in 2009
• A visit to the Yemenite community of Rosh HaAyin
• The deaf and blind theater and restaurant complex in Jaffa.
• Shopping and Hi Tech in Herzliya
Thursday, 11/27/08 JERUSALEM DAY:
The People, The Politics & The Paratroopers…
Visiting w/ Political and Non-Political People and places to further inform our thinking on our capital city.
• In the footsteps of our soldiers in ’67
• ‘Storm the city through Lion’s Gate’
• The Supreme Court building
• The Foreign Ministry
• Ammunition Hill
• The Security Fence
Friday, 11/28/08 Jerusalem Walking Tour



Register online!

Pricing

Sign up by July 15th for the "Early Bird Special"!

DATES & PRICES:

Convention Only Package: Wednesday evening, November 26th - Sunday morning, November 30th
$799 per person, double occupancy*
$1009 per person, single occupancy*

Pre-Convention Touring and Programming with Convention Package: Sunday evening, November 23rd - Sunday morning, November 30th
$1159 per person, double occupancy*
$1369 per person, single occupancy*

*Flights and registration not included (registration fee of $54/person or $100 maximum/family)

"EARLY BIRD SPECIAL": $100 discount per person through July 15th!

Packages include lodging at the Jerusalem Renaissance Hotel, all weekday meals (except pre-Convention day dinners on your own), all Shabbat meals, Melave Malka, and taxes.
Additional nights may be booked at the hotel before and/or after the mission at a special OU rate.

Reservations held only when accompanied by payment.

Featured Guests

FEATURED GUESTS:

Rabbi Yona Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel

Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rishon leZion of Israel

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Former Chief Rabbi of Medinat Yisrael

Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth

Rabbi Zev Leff, Rav of Matityahu, noted Rosh Yeshiva, lecturer, and author

Rabbi Hershel Schachter, noted Rosh Yeshiva, lecturer, and author

Rabbi Steven Weil, currently Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation, Beverly Hills, California; OU Executive Vice President-designate

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, OU Executive Vice President

Contact

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONVENTION, PLEASE CONTACT:
- Frank Buchweitz, Director, Community Services & Special Projects, 212-613-8188


TO REGISTER NOW FOR THE "EARLY BIRD SPECIAL" (expires July 15th), PLEASE CONTACT:
Miriam Ganz at 212-613-8198 or self-register online using our "Register Now!" link

Reservations held only when accompanied by payment.


FOR CELL PHONE RENTALS IN ISRAEL PROVIDED BY TALK N SAVE, PLEASE VISIT:
http://www.talknsave.net/groups/oum.asp

If you live in the U.S. and wish to receive your cell phone before your departure to Israel, that option is available for a fee of $12 for ground delivery or $25 for UPS overnight. You must bring the cell phone back to the U.S. with you after the trip to return it to the American Talk n Save office.
For those who pick up their cell phones in Israel, you must return them in Israel. A return envelope is provided for easy mailing. A $5 deduction will be taken from your security deposit for postage. There is also an option to return the phones at the Giv'at Sha'ul office of Talk n Save (a short ride from the Jerusalem Bus Station) to save the $5 fee.