Agudah Convention Concludes with Candid Discussion of “Off the Derech” Phenomenon (VIDEO & PHOTOS)

KeynoteBy Shimmy Blum. What Can We Do About the “OTD” Phenomenon? The highlight of the Sunday program – and, for many, the highlight of the convention – came at the closing keynote session. While not new, particularly for Agudah conventions, the topic of the off the derech phenomenon is always gripping. It is painful and real, and unfortunately shows no signs of subsiding. Every year brings new challenges, and new discussions are necessary. The packed hall, and the thousands who followed this discussion electronically, bore live testimony to that.

“OTD”: Why Is It Happening and What Can We Do About It? was moderated by Rabbi Avi Shafran, Director of Public Affairs at Agudath Israel of America. Rabbi Shafran opened the session discussing the importance of empathizing with the pain and confusion of teens and adults at risk, or those who have already R”l veered. “They are all our children,” Rabbi Shafran exclaimed, “and have no less a claim to our goodwill than anyone else.”

The first presenter, Rabbi Dr. Yitzchok Lob Psy.D, a private practice psychologist in Chicago, opened up about the pain that he and his parents, Holocaust survivors, endured when his lone sister abandoned yiddishkeit decades ago. Dr. Lob explained that contrary to even his own assumptions up until several years ago, it is not necessarily children who suffered significant trauma who leave the fold. There are many possible reasons, “sometimes a slow disconnect, sometimes an explosion.”

Just as there is no uniform cause, there is no uniform antidote. Dr. Lob stressed the importance of tefillah for good children – as emphasized by many gedolim – as well as the need for parents, mechanchim and rabbanim to offer even challenging children unconditional love and support. “Whether it is with a hug, or the right look, they must always feel like we are ‘holding’ them,” Dr. Lob implored.

Answering the Questions

Rabbi Mordechai Becher, senior lecturer at Gateways, noted author, and history professor at Yeshiva University, mused how even mainstream adult members of our community are wary to sign their names on an innocuous letter to the editor. The fear of saying the wrong thing, or asking the wrong question, is certainly a lot stronger amongst insecure youth wondering about some fundamental tenet of our emunah. Rabbi Becher cited the dictum of his rebbi, HaRav Moshe Schapira, that it is incumbent upon us to fortify the tree of emunah amongst our families. “It doesn’t get transmitted by osmosis anymore,” he warned.

Like other speakers before him, Rabbi Becher stressed that there are a variety of reasons that can “break the camel’s back” and drive a child away from his or her roots. In addition to enhancing the teaching of emunah, and answering questions, Rabbi Becher advised of the importance of promoting the truth and beauty of Torah, instead of harping with a dismissive attitude towards all that we don’t promote. Children often grow up and feel that something they were taught isn’t exactly so, and then are skeptical about everything else they were taught. “An attitude of bitul can come back to bite,” he said.

Root Prevention

Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff, Rav of Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin, delivered the final address on this topic, hitting on a broad array of vital notes. He noted that the contemporary culture and its potent nisayonos make it far more difficult for today’s children to remain ehrlich than it was in previous years. We must recognize their challenges, as well as their “heroism” when they prevail.

Citing the words of his rebbi, HaRav Shmuel Berenbaum zt”l, Rabbi Lieff stressed the importance of recognizing that unique contemporary challenges require different weapons than the battles of yesteryear. “We can’t just insulate our children; we must inculcate a pride in being Jewish,” Rabbi Lieff exclaimed. “They should feel like princes, and that going against the Torah is below their dignity.”

Rabbi Lieff also stressed the importance of recognizing that living the values of Torah is more important than the mere knowledge of Torah, or the test score of a child. Even a child who doesn’t excel in learning and/or hasmada can still appreciate living Torah values, and do good deeds on behalf of Hashem and his fellow yid. For parents, Rabbi Lieff advised, it is particularly important to constantly show children that it is they – and the time they need – that are more precious than the parents’ business or leisurely endeavors. If a child struggles in yiddishkeit, it is important for parents to validate their thoughts and feelings, even when the ultimate goal is to get them to overcome them.

The audience – in the room and around the world – listened intently, and gathered lots of food for thought. Ultimately, beyond our hishtadlus, the fate of our children is in the hands of Hashem. Before concluding his address – and the 93rd annual Agudah convention – Rabbi Lieff recited a simple tefillah at the podium: “V’heishiv lev avos al banim, v’lev banim al avosam.”

An Array of Sessions Wrap Up the Agudah Convention

Before Sunday’s keynote session began, there were several special early morning programs: a Daf Yomi shiur; an Agudah Women of America breakfast; a film presentation on the life and legacy of HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l; and a Yarchei Kallah on the halachos of websites and drone delivery on Shabbos by Rabbi Avrohom Lefkowitz, Rav of Kollel Bnei Torah of Lakewood.

In addition, attendees participated in four concurrent sessions, once again featuring leading community figures tackling pertinent topics. Dayan Yonason Abraham of the London Bais Din discussed the leadership profile of HaRav Avrohom Pam zt”l, and particularly his role in the foundation and development of the Shuvu network of schools for Russian Jewish olim in Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi A.D. Motzen, National Director of State Relations for Agudath Israel of America, led a captivating discussion on the growing political force of the Orthodox community. He was flocked by Aron Wieder, Majority Leader of the Rockland County Legislature; Village of Lawrence Trustee Michael Fragin; and Chaskel Bennett, member of Agudath Israel of America’s Board of Trustees.

Rabbi Bentzion Klatzko, North American College Outreach Education Director, Olami, and founder of Shabbat.com, tackled a core challenge for individuals aspiring to lead: “I want to change the world but don’t know where to turn.” A special session for women focusing on improving relationships was hosted by Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Rav of Congregation Kneseth Israel of Far Rockaway and his wife, Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner, Rebbetzin of the shul and Menaheles of Machon Basya Rochel Seminary.

Many would agree that Sunday morning at the 93rd annual Agudath Israel of America convention was the grand finale of a powerful, intriguing convention – one whose impact is sure to be felt throughout the coming year and beyond.

KPICASA_GALLERY(AgudahSunday#)

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6 COMMENTS

  1. There are five reasons kids go OTD
    A. When there parents are too tough
    B. When they think their parents don’t love them
    C. When they are exposed to negative images
    D. Bad friends
    E. When they don’t feel good about themselves scholastically or in any area

  2. Really ?! You mean personal or family trauma is never a factor ?! You’re obviously not a regesh network staff member so don’t use their name for ur ineptitude. And , you can at least spell correctly when commenting on such a raw emotion issue.

  3. To editor. Why is my comment still in moderation? Are you afraid of the truth? Is it too hard to bare?? Show some guts & put in the truth! Denial never gets you anywhere

  4. @ jog a thon – With no idea if you attended the session on OTD or even watched it in live stream or recorded, and certainly with no knowledge of your personal connection to this very sensitive topic, I post this with some degree of hesitation.

    It was very encouraging to hear speaker after speaker – both trained professional and experienced askan (i.e. Rav) – downplay, almost ignore, the trauma source of OTD. In spite of those who wish to say it accounts for up to 90% of OTD cases, these experienced individuals offered many other causes; which are arguably far more common than the trauma certain groups wish to blame. “Regesh Worker” never said trauma is never a factor. He merely listed those factors discussed at the closing keynote session for the benefit of those who didn’t hear/watch. And even if one neshama can be saved through addressing the five points he brought, is it not worth it? I don’t know your personal pain, but I can relate to the anguish a parent feels when he/she wonders which one of their family or friends caused their child trauma. Isn’t it criminal if all that anguish could have been focused on bringing more love and joy into the child’s life possibly bringing him/her back home?

  5. Mordechai – no – I did not attend or listen to the speeches. I also, BH, do not have any personal anguish with OTD. However, for the panel of experts to ignore trauma, is shocking. Trauma doesn’t only mean a death of a lived one or divorce, Ch”V, changing schools, moving to a different neighborhood, mistreated by a Rebbe or Menahel, is also trauma. I can’t go on and on in this forum. Maybe I should present next yr at the convention !!! You could be on the panel !!

  6. @ jog a thon – They did not ignore trauma. It was mentioned numerous times. What the experts were brining out is that there is much we can do not only. Many – dare I say most – OTD neshamos were, as Rav Matisyahu said publicly (I heard it personally), are push outs not dropouts. We can do so much to avoid this tragic, traumatic event in so many of our loved ones lives and in the lives of our friends’ and neighbors’ loved ones, by making everyone know they are holy, loved, important. . . Such feelings can give many the tools to avoid becoming victims of other sorts of trauma as well. Divorce is not new. Abuse is not new. Death is not new. Tragedy is not new. What is new is the way we view it, and react to it. We need to know, and teach our children, that we are all special we are royalty, we are loved. . .

Comments are closed.