| Over 700 businessmen and rabbanim from across the country gathered at the Westin Hotel in Lombard, Illinois on December 27-28 for the 5th annual H3 National Business Halacha Summit for an opportunity to improve business hanhagos while networking in a Torahdik environment. This project of Agudath Israel of Illinois is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for bnei torah in the business world, where they can gain knowledge of halacha, clarity in hashkafa and chizuk in hanhagah for elevated excellence in the workplace. This year's event, with the theme "Business Elevated", is likely the most successful and thought-provoking conference to date.
As with every H3 Summit, the presenters included leading poskim and well-known businessmen, all sharing the common goal of providing proper halachic information and guidance as well as inspiring the attendees to continue improving their integrity in business. The rabbonim spoke about timely topics and answered the questions facing many of the participants while the baalei batim shared personal experiences and perspectives. The sessions were relatable, informative, and relevant, and during the breaks and first-class meals, many of the attendees took advantage of the opportunity to meet and connect with peers in their industry.
Harav Yisroel Reisman, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and Rav of Agudas Yisroel of Madison in Flatbush, set the tone for this year's Summit with an address at the opening luncheon on Wednesday. In addition, this year's highlights included the presence of Harav Uren Reich, Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshivas Ohr Zechariah and Rav Uri Deutsch, Rav of the Forest Park community in Lakewood, NJ. Rav Reich delivered the keynote address Wednesday evening, while Rav Deutsch spoke at the closing luncheon Thursday afternoon. In addition, they both participated in powerful Q & A session Thursday morning, where the participants heard clear daas Torah on the topics of bitachon, tefilla and other business-related matters.
Recognizing the current crisis in Eretz Yisroel, the question arose of whether H3 should take place at all; the psak of daas Torah was that now more than ever, we need to work on improving our behavior as frum Jews in the business world. To keep the tzaros of our brothers and sisters in the forefront of everyone's minds, a dedicated half-hour learning seder was added to the program and extra tehillim was said in their zechus. Additionally, no alcoholic drinks were served at this year's H3 Summit. Rabbi Chaim Kohn, founder, Mechon L'Choshen Mishpat/Business Halacha Institue, Dean and Av Bais Din, Bais Hora'ah Eitz Chaim, began his session Wednesday afternoon by tearfully informing the attendees that three Israeli soldiers had just passed away in combat, and that it was the responsibility of the participants to do better in their businesses in their memory. New this year was the inclusion of a group of JX students from Rutgers, NYU, and Columbia Universities, coordinated by local kiruv professionals with the Meor organization. They participated in portions of the program, and many of the rabbonim and business personalities took time during the summit to meet with and speak to the group. Although not yet fluent in the myriad halachos that pertain to the workplace, the young men absorbed the atmosphere with excitement, with many even taking on new commitments to strengthen their yiddishkeit. Rabbi Yitzchok Ehrman, COO, Agudath Israel of America, addressed the Summit during the closing luncheon. "We may have different professions – we may be employers, we may be employees; we may be accountants, in healthcare, or in the real estate industry – but we are all one. We are coming out of the H3 Summit ... making sure that our individual mission concurs with the singular mission of Klal Yisroel. We are leaving empowered with an understanding that every action we take has an effect on all of Klal Yisroel", he said. Other notable presenters were Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan, Agudath Israel of Illinois and Rav, Agudas Yisroel of Peterson Park in Chicago, Rabbi Dovid Zucker, Rosh Kollel Zichron Shneur in Chicago, and it was a special privilege to be joined by Rabbi Zev Cohen, Rav of Congregation Adas Yeshurun of Chicago and Rosh Kollel of the Choshen Mishpoat Kollel in Chicago, who interrupted his sabbatical in Eretz Yisroel to attend. Prominent baalei batim R' Barry Lebovits and R' Itche Rosenbaum, both members of the Board of Trustees of Agudath Israel of America, also presented during the summit, along with R' Moshe Gelbtuch of Roth & Co. and R' Yosef Tabak, CEO of Princeton Real Estate Partners.
"Going to H3 completely changed my outlook on how to conduct business like a true ben Torah. The growth that I gain year to year is remarkable." said Yosef Meyers, a nursing home administrator who has attended H3 the last few years. Dov Greenberg of Apex Global Solutions in New York remarked, "The summit is so healthy and refreshing, an opportunity to connect with others that keep their focus on their Avodas Hashem and understand that business success is a means and not a goal." The success of H3 is evident in the fact that several similar but smaller H3 conferences have been organized over the last two years in other cities, including Toronto, Mexico City and London, UK. As was announced at this year's summit, plans are underway to expand the program to south Florida and the Tri-State area in the coming months. "Every year, the H3 Summit attracts businessmen from across the country and across the fields of business," said Rabbi Yaakov Robinson, Menahel, Midwest Agudas Yisroel Rabbonim Council and Rav, Beis Medrash Mikor Hachaim. "But despite the diverse backgrounds, each one of them walks away inspired, empowered, and with tangible changes to incorporate into their daily lives." | 
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