(Courtesy of OU) Thousands of participants from around the world are expected to participate in Orthodox Union’s (OU) virtual Torah Yerushalayim, which brings a blue-ribbon list of rabbinic scholars, educators and Jewish communal leaders for three days of learning online from September 22 through September 24.
While precautions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have forced the annual event online this year, it has also created new opportunities for the program. The virtual event now enables Jews from around the world to participate, whereas last year, it was only participants who could attend sessions in Israel. Early registrants hail from Israel, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
“While the pandemic has unfortunately limited the size of in-person events, it’s also served as a catalyst to evolve our programming and allow us to transcend regional borders. The opportunity we have to showcase so much Torah knowledge to so many people around the world is very exciting,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane.
Torah Yerushalayim will feature keynote addresses from Rabbi Hershel Schachter, OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer, OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon, Charlie Harary and Jewish music sensation Rabbi Shlomo Katz.
The list of scholars teaching sessions throughout the event includes Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Rabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Rav Meir Goldwicht, Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Rabbi Baruch Taub, Rabbi Dr. Alan Kimche, Rabbi Moshe Taragin, Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, Rabbanit Racheli Fraenkel, Sivan Rahav Meir, Rebbetzin Dina Schoonmaker, Rebbetzin Shira Smiles and Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller, among many others.
The program is offered to the community free of charge, with the event being dedicated in loving memory of David and Norma Fund, z”l, by their children and with the assistance of the Jerusalem municipality. For more information or to register, please visit https://tickchak.co.il/OU.
