Lau visits OU

As part of his whirlwind tour of New York’s Jewish organizations and institutions, Rabbi David Lau, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel visited Orthodox Union headquarters to learn about OU Kosher and to be the guest of honor at a luncheon. Rabbi Lau is in New York for a week, in his first official visit as Chief Rabbi.

Rabbi Lau met with the OU Kosher staff and viewed the OU Direct online interface between OU Kosher and its clients. He was interviewed by Jewish Action Editor Nechama Carmel, met OU Board members and was introduced by OU Executive Vice President Allen Fagin.

Rabbi Lau stated that his relationship with the OU goes back 21 years, when he first met Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher.  “It’s not just in the shuls that you hear about the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Lau stated.  “In every corner of the world you hear people saying, ‘OU.’”

When OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb mentioned the more than 1,000 teenagers – half of whom do not have Jewish knowledge – who will be visiting Israel on NCSY’s summer programs, Rabbi Lau said that he has formed an organization of hundreds of young rabbis whom he will call on to visit with these groups.

Rabbi Lau pledged to work closely with the Orthodox Union.