Dayanim Conferences

Special conferences are periodically convened for dayanim that are part of the network of Batei Din that are recognized by EJF. The purpose is to exchange experiences and to hear halachic dissertations by leading dayanim, rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva.

Upcoming Conferences

Please check back soon for new conferences

Past Conferences

2008

Philadelphia, PA

3rd Dayanim Conference
November 2-4, 2008
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

The third in a series of dayanim conferences will gather dayanim that are part of the network of Batei Din that are recognized by EJF. The conference will be graced with the presence of Harav Shmuel Kaminetsky, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Philadelphia as well as special guests from Europe and Israel.

The purpose of the conference is to exchange experiences and to hear halachic dissertations by leading dayanim, rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva. The dayanim will also discuss many practical issues on geyrus that relate to the Botei Din.

Newark, NJ

2nd Dayanim Conference
January 2008
Newark Sheraton Airport Hotel

“It is unfortunate that Geyrus, one of the most important tenets of the Jewish nation, has suffered from so much abuse even at the hands of Orthodox rabbonim,” said Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, the Rosh Yeshiva of Zichron Moshe in South Fallsburg. In a surprise appearance before an impressive group of leading dayanim from the US, Europe and Israel, Rav Wachtfogel praised the efforts of the Eternal Jewish Family (EJF) for taking the initiative in “bringing this whole geyrus process under the direction and guidance of Gedolei Yisroel. The 2-day conference held at the Sheraton Newark Airport, January 21-22 was sponsored by the Eternal Jewish Family and the Lillian Jean Kaplan Jewish Pride Through Education Project of Horizons, an internationally recognized institute of Jewish education and outreach based in Monsey, New York, headed by Harav Leib Tropper, Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Yaakov.

In opening the conference, Harav Tropper praised the dayanim for their unyielding loyalty to the “principles of geyrus as dictated by the teachings of such leading Torah luminaries “ as Harav Sholem Yosef Elyashiv, considered the leading halachic authority of our time and the psokim of the late venerable sage Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, as is conveyed by his son Harav Reuven Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Staten Island, who serves as the chairman of the halachic committee of EJF.

The dayanim, Roshei Yeshiva and rabbonim at the conference represented all segments of the community, including Harav Akiva Grunblatt, Rosh Yeshiva of Chofetz Chaim, Harav Shlomo Gross, Belzer Dayan, Harav Eliyahu Levine of the Lakewood Bais Din, Harav Nochum Eisenstein (of the Bais Din of Harav Eliyashiv), Harav Pinchus Rabinowitz (Rosh Beis Din, Ezer Mishpat, Monsey), and Harav Avrohom Union (Rosh Beis Din RCC, Los Angeles). Harav Aharon Felder (Rosh Beis Din, Philadelphia), Harav Mendel Senderovic (Rosh Beis Din, Milwaukee), Rav Yisroel Falk (Rosh Yeshiva, Beis Medrash Elyon, Monsey), Harav Yisroel Dov Webster (Dayan, Emek Halacha), and Harav Ehrentrau (London).

There was broad consensus of the need for follow-up with the couples involved in geyrus assuring that they are properly absorbed into the community. Several dayanim spoke of the huge problems of shidduchim of single converts, which the EJF leadership has pledged to address with a new program.

The dayanim meeting is a continuation of the series of conferences that EJF has sponsored in Newark NJ, Hollywood FL, Boston and Washington DC. An international conference took place in July 2006 in Jerusalem The conferences have for the first time gathered more than 500 rabbinic authorities from across the Orthodox spectrum in forming common ground on a growing number of intermarried couples that opt for a universally accepted conversion.

Founded in 1995, EJF/Horizons provides comprehensive programming aimed at people of all ages who may be searching for answers to life's most difficult questions. The programs offered through Horizons provide meaningful and rich ways of responding to these issues based on Torah values and leading to fuller more active Jewish lives.

2007

Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn, NY
1st Dayanim Conference
January 2007
Renaissance Ballroom

The first conference of leading dayanim from the US, Canada and Israel was held at the Renaissance Ballroom in Boro Park, January 29-30th. The dayanim conference took a major step in developing universally accepted standards in conversions, in accordance with the dictates of leading Torah authorities.
The opening session dealt with such topics as the Responsibilities of a Dayan, Composition of a Bais Din and Qualifications of the Dayan, Development of Beis Din Procedures, Ger Koton, and What Expectations are Demanded from an Applicant. Speakers included Harav Hershel Berger (Chicago), Harav Feinstein, Harav Shmuel Dishon (Rosh Mosdos Yad Yisroel, Karlin-Stolin), Harav Hillel David, Harav Yonoson Binyomin Weiss (Rosh Beis Din, Montreal), Harav Nochum Eisenstein (Jerusalem), Harav Pinchus Rabinowitz (Rosh Beis Din, Ezer Mishpat, Monsey), and Harav Avrohom Union (Rosh Beis Din RCC, Los Angeles). The meeting was also graced with the presence of Harav Aaron Schechter (Rosh Yeshiva, Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin), a member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudath Israel of America and Rabbi Moshe Heinemann (Baltimore)

On the second day of the conference, some of the topics included Contemporary Havchana Questions, Defining "Chutz M'dvar Echad", Kabbalas Hamitzvos: What exactly is Expected? What Defines a Gerus L'chumra or Safek Gerus, and Problematic Gerus: What are the Worrying Signs. Speakers included Harav Aharon Felder (Rosh Beis Din, Philadelphia), Harav Mendel Senderovic (Rosh Beis Din, Milwaukee), and Harav Yisroel Dov Webster (Dayan, Emek Halacha).