Fwd: OU Leaders Meet Top Officials in DC; Shabbat Meals to Syria; Addressing Food Tariffs

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From: Shabbat Shalom <shabbatshalom@ounetwork.org>
Date: Thu, May 8, 2025, 5:09 PM
Subject: OU Leaders Meet Top Officials in DC; Shabbat Meals to Syria; Addressing Food Tariffs
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Plus: When a Child Cannot Read PARSHAT ACHAREI MOT / KEDOSHIM May 9-10, 2025 / 12 Iyar 5785   SPECIAL DAY Pesach Sheini is celebrated on Monday, May 12.  FEATURED OU Leaders Meet Top Officials in DC OU Advocacy and Teach Coalition This week, more than 120 leaders of the OU and communities across the country participated in the annual OU Mission to Washington. The group met with leaders of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Congress to advocate for policies that combat antisemitism, support Israel, and promote school choice. You can read more about it in the extensive coverage from Jewish Insider.   DOJ Officials Tell Orthodox Leaders They Have Launched Probes into Antisemitic Discrimination   Lankford Airs Frustration with Senate Impasse Over Antisemitism Awareness Act   Hawley Insists on Iranian Nuclear Dismantlement, Vows to Push to Revive AAA  AROUND THE OU NYC Mayor Orders Oversight of Public School Communications After Antisemitic Newsletters Our EVP Rabbi Moshe Hauer responded to NYC Mayor Adams' call for oversight of public school communications after a second newsletter with antisemitic content was sent out to public school staff. Read in JNS Ashiva and OU Women's Initiative The New Chesed Hub WhatsApp Group The Chesed Hub WhatsApp group is a new project by Ashiva and the OU Women's Initiative. Leveraging the OU's extensive networks, the Hub serves as a platform for individuals involved in their community's chesed efforts to share successful ideas and strategies. Join the Chesed Hub WhatsApp Group OU-JLIC How JLIC's Shabbat Meals Found Their Way Into Syria Sixty-five IDF soldiers in Syria recently received hot Shabbat meals from JLIC Tel Aviv. Discover the mission that's redefining community support. Read More OU Israel Over 1,000 Celebrate at OU Israel's Annual Musical Yom Ha'atzmaut Tefila Two hours before OU Israel's annual mega Leil Yom Ha'atzmaut Tefila, all outdoor celebrations in Israel were canceled due to strong winds and fires. OU Israel pivoted on a moment's notice, and over 1,000 olim and visitors gathered at the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel for a powerful night of prayer, reflection, and celebration. Watch Recap on YouTube OU Women's Initiative K'Isha Achat Join communities worldwide for the OU Women's Initiative Shavuot K'Isha Achat. Gather the women in your community, divide the Torah by parsha, and complete the entire Torah together. Register Now SPIRIT and the Savitsky Communal Growth Initiative Missed the Retire & Relocate Fair? The Virtual Fair venue is still open and available. Find out about communities with housing and amenities that are appropriate for older adults who have retired and are looking to relocate. Visit the Fair Order the Retire & Relocate Fair Booklet Jewish Action The Second Time Around: Secrets to a Successful Second Marriage Just as Pesach Sheini offers a second chance to those who missed the first Pesach, second marriages offer a powerful chance to begin anew. Read this article from the archives by Rabbi Reuven Bulka z"l. Read in Jewish Action 18Forty When a Child Cannot Read In this episode of the 18Forty podcast, Bayla Gopin and her mother, Chana, share their experiences at Yeshivat Shalshelet, a program that empowers children with language-based learning differences to thrive. Listen on the 18Forty Podcast  UPCOMING EVENTS Halacha Initiatives Women's Chevra Kadisha Leadership Conference Monday, May 12, in Iselin, NJ Apply Now Yachad NY Yachad New York Gala Wednesday, May 21, in Woodmere, NY Register Now  TORAH L'Kadsho Caffeinating K'Halacha We all want to enjoy our morning coffee on Shabbos, but can we put our coffeemakers on a timer? Rabbi Shmuel Silber investigates! Plus, Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz on lip balm and hand cream, and more! Caffeinating K'Halacha – Listen Now More on L'Kadsho Rabbi Moshe Hauer Tears and Joy "Those who plant with tears, joyfully will harvest" (Tehillim 126). A classic Hasidic commentary suggests that both the planting and the harvesting must be accompanied by a blend of tears and joy. Read More Rabbi Menachem Genack Be Holy What is the difference between human holiness and divine holiness? Read in Hebrew Shlomo Schwartz Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai – Transcending the Physical One of the initial teachings of Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai is the profound impact of Torah on our physical world and the lofty goal of elevating the mundane – an appreciation of "shulchan domeh l'mizbeach." Watch Now Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman The Strength of a Sukkah The closing words of Sefer Amos offer a vision of restoration and hope – a time when the broken remnants of Jewish sovereignty will be rebuilt. Read More Senator Joseph Lieberman a"h The Tenth Commandment God's laws are hopeful, because they imply that positive change is possible, and more likely, among people governed by a good legal system. Read More Rabbi Jack Abramowitz Orthodoxy Without Hebrew What is one to do when he identifies with Orthodoxy but doesn't understand the liturgy? Another real-life Q&A! Read More Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l Love Is Not Enough The "golden rule" is considered universal. This is a mistake. "Do unto others…" is about justice, not love. The Torah doesn't say, "Be nice to your neighbor," it says, "Love your neighbor."