Does Modern Orthodoxy Have a Future?

It is undeniable that Modern Orthodoxy has changed since the early days of Torah Va'Avodah. But is it developing in a planned, desirable way? Do we need to intervene and change course? Is it fair to intercede or should we allow natural evolution to run its course?

Join us on Thursday Chol HaMoed Pessach, April 1st at the Begin Center in Jerusalem to weigh in on these questions.

This event, organized jointly by Ne'emanei Torah Va'Avodah and The Jewish Institute for Ideas and Ideals, will host a spectrum of organizations and personalities. Rabbi David Bigman, Rabbi Yehuda Gilad , Rebbetzin Chana Henkin, Rabbi Dr. Shaul Farber, Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber, Rabbi Yuval Cherlow - and you - will deliberate how Modern Orthodoxy can gain even greater influence as part of the Jewish voice both in Israel and abroad. Other influential members of HaKibbutz HaDati, Merkaz Herzog, Yeshivat Maale Gilboa, Memizrach Hashemesh, and Kollech will also share their opinions, visions, and hopes for the future.

Specific discussion topics for the day include: The influence of the "Israel Year" on students from abroad, The state of Israel's Religious Education, The woman's role in Orthodoxy, and much more. You will be able to choose what discussions interest you most, as several sessions will run in parallel and most will be conducted in English. "Is Modern Orthodoxy an Endangered Species", the question going through all our minds, is the title of the concluding plenary discussion facilitated by Gil Hoffman of the Jerusalem Post.

While you digest your new insights into the future of Modern Orthodoxy, treat yourself to some of Israel's finest gourmet foods and wines; meditate or activate yourself with one of the workshops; join a sidebar on sustainability or Jewish perspectives on social media. Most importantly, construct your own program to ensure yourself an utterly enjoyable and enriching morning.

We will start the day off on the right foot at 8am with a festive Shacharit led by Yehuda Solomon of the Moshav band. The conference will end at 1pm, leaving enough time for you to enjoy the beautiful spring weather during Chag Ha'aviv.

A symbolic entrance fee of 30 shekel will be collected upon registration. Limited room available (last conference was sold out in 3 days!).

There will be a great kids program with arts, crafts, music and face painting- please specify on registration form how many kids will be attending and their ages.

Conference Program
Sessions will be held in English, unless otherwise specified.

Classroom 1: Kids' programs
First floor Lobby: Booths and complementary coffee corner
Patio: Gourmet food festival

8:00-9:30 Main Auditorium
Shacharit and Hallel with Yehuda Solomon

9:45- 11:45 Main Auditorium:
Can Modern Orthodoxy Assume a Voice Autonomous from the Haredi World to Unchain the Agunah?
Screening of the Movie "Mekudeshet"
This Movie, Directed by Anat Zruia (2004) follows several women and their pursuit for divorce.
Discussion:
Ms. Susan Weiss, Executive Director, Center for Women's Justice
Dr. Elana Maryles Sztokman, Mavoi Satum

9:45-10:30 Parallel Sessions
Classroom 2 & 3 (bottom floor): Memizrach Shemesh: A Tradition of Social Responsibility (this panel will be held mostly in Hebrew)
Rabbi Yitzhak Chouraqui, Director of the Rabbinic Leadership Program
Tamar Zaken, Director of Youth Leadership and Development Coordinator

Lecture room (entrance floor): Yeshivat Maaleh Gilboa: Flip In or Flip Out? About the One-year Programs for American Students
Rabbi David Bigman, Rosh Yeshiva
Rabbi Yehuda Gilad, Rosh Yeshiva
Rabbi Shalom Berger, co-author, "flipping Out- Myth or Fact?"

Seminar Room (top floor): The Yaacov Herzog Center: Is There a Common Ground? Dialogue between Opposing Groups in the National Religious Community
Dr. Noach Hayut, Executive Director
Yaffa Epstein, Associate, Beit Midrash Rashut Harabim
Rachel Shpreker-Frankel, Associate, Beit Midrash Rashut Harabim

10:45-11:30: Parallel Sessions

Classrooms 2&3 (bottom floor) : Itim and Ne'emanei Torah Va'Avodah: Conversion in Chaos-Is This the Great Challenge of Modern Orthodoxy?
Rabbi Dr. Shaul Farber, Founder and Director, Itim
Rabbi Dr. Avi Kadish, Board Member, Ne'emanei Torah Va'Avodah
Yonatan Bennaroch, Chairman of the Board, Ne'emani Torah Va'avodah

Kibbutz Hadati (entrance floor) : Executive Panel- Where do we go from here?
Nechamia Raphel, Executive Director, Kibbutz HaDati
Dr. Dina Feldman, Executive Director, Kollech
Dr. Noach Hayut, Executive Director, TheYaacov Herzog center
Yonatan Bennaroch, Chairman of the Board, Ne'emani Torah Va'avodah
Shmuel Shatach, Executive Director, Ne'emanei Torah Va'avodah
Rabbi Yehuda Gilad, Rosh Yeshiva, Ma'ale Gilboa

Seminar Room (top floor): Jewlicious: Where are the Modern Orthodox Institutions in the Web 2.0 world?
Mr. David Abitbol, Founder, Jewlicious
Mr. Aharon Horowitz, Co-Director, Presentense
Mrs. Dena Greenspan, Founder, TagTeam marketing
Mr. Charlie Kalech, Founder, J-Town productions

11:45 -13:30 Main Auditorium: Closing Panel: Is Modern Orthodoxy an Endangered Species?
Moderator: Mr. Gil Hoffman, Jerusalem Post
Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Rosh Yeshiva, Petach Tikva Hesder Yeshiva
Rabbi Dr. Shaul Farber, Founder and Director, Itim
Rebbanit Chana Henkin, founder and dean, Nishmat
Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber, Bar Ilan University