World Agudath Israel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

World Agudath Israel (The World Israeli Union) was established in the early twentieth century as the political arm of Ashkenazi Torah Judaism. Its base was in Eastern Europe, where the Torah and its principles were strong before the Second World War and was undergoing a revivial due to the Hasidic movement. It was established at a conference held at Kattowitz (Katowice) in 1912 after the Tenth World Zionist Congress had defeated a motion by Torah Zionists Mizrachi for funding for Yeshivot. Agudath Israel gained a significant following, particularly among Hasidic Jews, and even ran in Polish elections winning seats in that country's parliament (Sejm). Among the elected representatives was Alexander Zusia Friedman. Great Torah luminaries of the day were also involved with Agudat Yisrael, such as Rav Kook and the Chafetz Chaim. However, it was a predominately Ashkenazi organisation and looked after Ashkenazi Jewish needs, where as Sephardim and Mizrahim were looked after by their respective communities, rather than having an actual representive front in the World Zionist Congress.

Agudath Israel reached a modus vivendi with the State of Israel, which was predominately led by secularists at first, and thus the need to secure a Status quo between Ashkenazi Rabbinical leaders and David Ben-Gurion which ensured Ashkenazi Rabbinical co-ordination with the state, as well as the implementation of such guarantees, such as state being Shomer Shabbat and Shomer Kashrut, and has thus established itself as an Israeli political party winning seats in the Knesset either as the Agudat Israel or in coalition with other Orthodox groups running under the name United Torah Judaism.

Prior to World War II and the Holocaust, Agudath Israel operated a number of Jewish educational institutions throughout Europe and continues to do so in both the United States as Agudath Israel of America and in Israel.

The World Agudath Israel Federation continues to hold regular international conferences and Torah congressional meetings known as a Knessiah.