Fwd: Meeting the Moments; Planning Our Legacy; New OU Kosher Certified Restaurant in Israel

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From: Shabbat Shalom <shabbatshalom@ounetwork.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 5:01 PM
Subject: Meeting the Moments; Planning Our Legacy; New OU Kosher Certified Restaurant in Israel
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Plus: Lighting Shabbos Candles in Front of a Mirror PARSHAT VAYECHI January 2-3, 2026 / 14 Tevet 5786  FEATURED OU Mourns the Passing of Rabbi Julius Berman, zt"l The Orthodox Union mourns the passing of Rabbi Julius Berman, zt"l, a former OU president, chairman of the OU Kashrus Commission, founding chairman of OU Press, and one of the most significant lay leaders of twentieth century Orthodoxy. Read More Meeting the Moments: OU Year in Review Life unfolds in moments; some that test us, others that inspire and unite us. Our annual Impact Report highlights how we continue to meet these moments, from times of crisis to everyday needs, with research-backed solutions that strengthen the Jewish community. We invite you to explore the impact you helped make possible this past year. View Our Impact Report  AROUND THE OU OU Advocacy Make Religious Worship Sacred and Safe Again Attacks and disruptions targeting synagogues, from abroad to here at home, are becoming a dangerous new normal. OU Advocacy Center Executive Director Nathan Diament argues these incidents are acts of intimidation, not protected speech, and warns that freedom of worship is meaningless without safety. Protecting houses of worship, he urges, requires action from public leaders, not just words. Read in Deseret News Jewish Action Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt"l, The Loss of a Leader Featuring Rabbi Yaakov Glasser In this heartfelt episode of Jewish Action The Podcast, Managing Director of Communal Engagement Rabbi Yaakov Glasser joins Director of Jewish Media, Publications, and Editorial Communications Rabbi Gil Student for a poignant reflection on the enduring legacy and communal impact of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt"l. Watch on YouTube Institutional Advancement Planning Our Legacy: Insights from Vayechi In Parshat Vayechi, we see how our values and blessings are intentionally passed from one generation to the next. Our Planned Giving team is here to help you create a lasting legacy rooted in that same tradition. Read More NCSY Aspire Shabbaton Inspires Teens Over 175 Jewish teens in public schools across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico gathered in Long Branch, NJ, for NCSY's Aspire Shabbaton, spending five meaningful days immersed in Torah learning, chesed, inspiration, and fun, highlighted by dynamic educators, powerful speakers, and a high-energy Aryeh Kunstler concert. Watch on Instagram OU-JLIC One Flame, Many Communities: JLIC Chanukah 2025 Recap Under the theme "One Flame, Many Communities," 30 JLIC campuses and communities around the world spread the light of Chanukah through meaningful initiatives, including food drives, visits with seniors, communal menorah lightings, baking activities, and festive celebrations. View Our Chanukah Recap  UPCOMING EVENTS Yachad New Jersey Yachad New Jersey Gala Motzaei Shabbat, January 3, at 8:00 pm EST in Teaneck, NJ Register Now SPIRIT SPIRIT Enrichment Series for Lifelong Learning: Let's Get Organized Mondays, 11:00 am EST, starting February 2 Register Now OU Women's Initiative Save the Date: Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Third Cycle Siyum Sunday, February 15, in Woodmere, NY, and Wednesday, February 18, in Jerusalem Savitsky Growth Initiative The Savitsky OU Community Relocation Fair Sunday, February 22, at 9:00 am EST – Virtual Register Now  TORAH Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt"l Faith and Family In this d'var Torah, written a few months after October 7, Rabbi Hauer, zt"l, highlights the awakening of achdut and faith. Too often, we focus on one to the exclusion of the other. That is insufficient. We critically need both. Read More L'Kadsho Lighting Shabbos Candles in Front of a Mirror We're not allowed to daven in front of a mirror; does that include lighting Shabbos candles? Rabbi Akiva Willig investigates! Plus… Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon on the definition of "by hand," and more! Lighting Shabbos Candles in Front of a Mirror More on L'Kadsho Rabbi Menachem Genack The Sword and Bow Targum Onkeles explains Yaakov's reference of "sword and bow" as two distinct types of prayer. What is the basis for this interpretation and what is the nature of the prayers? Read in Hebrew Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman Becoming an Ish As Dovid HaMelech approaches the end of his life, he does not reflect on his accomplishments or offer comfort. Instead, Dovid offers a crucial lesson on leadership and life to his beloved son Shlomo. Read More Rabbi Norman Lamm, zt"l An Old Shirt for A Young Prince The test of Jewish maturity is to hold to the heart the old mantle, perhaps to polish it up, but never to exchange it. The Jew who is ashamed of it because it is so ancient looking is not an authentic Jew. Read More Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt"l Generations Forget and Remember Jacob's blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh had nothing to do with their ages and everything to do with their names. Read More Rabbi Jack Abramowitz Still More Questions About God Readers frequently ask about God. This week: questions about God speaking to the nation, miracles, and being created in His image. Read More Rabbi Ephraim Glatt, Esq. A Double Dose of Forgetfulness About Havdalah If we forget "Atah chonantanu" on motzaei Shabbat, we can still make it up with the havdalah over a cup of wine. But what if we forget "Atah chonantanu" and also eat or perform melacha before hearing havdalah? Listen Now Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb Each One Is One of a Kind In this week's Torah portion, Vayechi, just before Jacob dies, he blesses all of his sons and two of his grandsons. He bestows these blessings upon them separately, fully aware that no one blessing fits them all.