(Courtesy of OTS) On Wednesday evening, December 19, scores of friends and supporters of Ohr Torah Stone (OTS) heard from newly installed President and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander about his vision for Ohr Torah Stone and the future of Modern Orthodoxy both in Israel and abroad. The dinner reception celebrated the passing of the mantle of leadership from the network’s founder, Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, to his successor.

During his address, Rabbi Brander acknowledged the challenges and opportunities facing Modern Orthodoxy and shared how in addition to looking forward, we must look horizontally. Brander shared his vision for all of Ohr Torah Stone’s 27 institutions.

Brander lauded the institution’s success in building the largest beit midrash for women in the world. He shared that the next step is to parallel that intellectual engagement with pedagogic skills, proper coaching and professional placement, so that women can serve in leadership positions throughout Israel and the world. OTS plans to expand their opportunities for service in synagogues in Israel, as chaplains in hospitals and serving in roles of spiritual leadership in the IDF and the Israel police force.

Brander also highlighted the institution’s desire to revolutionize the experience Israelis have with the synagogue and its rabbinate. Brander announced that OTS plans to announce the creation of a program for rabbis who will take a year-long paid sabbatical to participate in a training program similar to what takes place in executive graduate programs in universities around the globe.