About the Orthodox Union

The Orthodox Union (OU) is one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for the disabled, localized religious study programs, and international units with locations in Israel and formerly in Ukraine. The OU maintains a kosher certification service, whose circled-U hechsher symbol, is found on the labels of many kosher commercial and consumer food products. Check our Impact Report

Our Programs

NCSY is proud to play an important and trusted role in the lives of thousands of Jewish teens each year. Immersive learning and social programs connect teens with their Jewish identity and foster self-confidence.

NCSY logo
NCSY

Yachad, an international organization, is dedicated to enhancing the life opportunities of Jewish individuals with disabilities.

Yachad logo
Yachad

OU Kosher combines expertise in halacha with an understanding of modern food production to ensure that kosher food meets the highest quality kashrut supervision.

OU Kosher logo
OU Kosher

Teach Coalition secures government funding for Jewish day schools and yeshivot.

Teach Coalition logo
Teach Coalition

Since 1979, OU Israel has been making a difference in Israel, touching the lives of children and adults, immigrants and native Israelis, visitors and residents, and soldiers and civilians.

OU Israel logo
OU Israel

The OU Women’s Initiative works with Orthodox communities worldwide to identify and address women’s spiritual, educational, and communal needs.

Women’s Initiative logo
Women’s Initiative

Torah Initiatives comprises a broad array of innovative and impactful Torah programming.

Torah Initiatives logo
Torah Initiatives

The OU Advocacy Center is the nonpartisan public policy arm of the OU that advocates on behalf of the Orthodox community nationwide.

OU Advocacy Center logo
OU Advocacy Center

Strengthening Parents, Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities

Community Projects & Partnerships logo
Community Projects & Partnerships

The OU Pepa and Rabbi Joseph Karasick Department of Synagogue & Community Services provides religious, educational, social, and operational support to synagogues and communities across North America.

Department of Synagogue Initiatives logo
Department of Synagogue Initiatives

Now in its 20th year, the OU-JLIC’s (Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) network of Torah directors provide support for students at 23 campuses in the United States, Canada, and Israel.

Seif OU-JLIC logo
Seif OU-JLIC

The Center for Communal Research evaluates the OU’s impact on the communities it serves, while producing actionable insights and growth opportunities for the organization’s professional staff.

Center for Communal Research logo
Center for Communal Research

Israel Free Spirit Birthright, the OU’s Birthright Israel program, aims to keep the Jewish community vibrant by connecting our young adults, sharing the magic of Israel, and strengthening engagement in Jewish life.

Israel Free Spirit logo
Israel Free Spirit

Built on mentorship-based growth and early-stage funding, the OU Impact Accelerator identifies and advances promising Jewish nonprofits that will strengthen our communal landscape.

Impact Accelerator logo
Impact Accelerator

OU Press publishes popular and scholarly works that reflect the broad spectrum of Orthodox Jewish values in the contemporary Jewish community.

OU Press logo
OU Press

Whether it’s the critically acclaimed Jewish Action magazine or the OU Guide to Passover, OU Publications has something for everyone.

Jewish Action logo
Jewish Action
Thank you for your generous support of our vital programs.
Benefactor Circle logo
Benefactor Circle
The annual Impact Report is a snapshot of where we’ve been. Here are some of the new initiatives that will show you where we’re going.
2023: What’s Next at the OU logo
2023: What’s Next at the OU
Show More

OU Impact Report 2024/5785

OU Lay Leadership – National Officers

President

Mitchel R. Aeder

Past Presidents

Mark (Moishe) Bane
Julius Berman
Harvey Blitz
Dr. Bernard Drachman*
Julius H. Dukas*
Moses I. Feuerstein*
Mandell I. Ganchrow, MD
Rabbi Dr. Herbert S. Goldstein*
William B. Herlands*
Harold M. Jacobs*
Rabbi Joseph Karasick*
Dr. Simcha Katz
Professor Sidney Kwestel
Martin Nachimson
Dr. Samuel Nirenstein*
Dr. Henry Pereira Mendes*
Sheldon Rudoff*
Stephen J. Savitsky
Charles H. Shapiro*

Chairman, Board of Directors

Yehuda Neuberger

Vice Chairman, Board of Directors

Morris Smith

Chairman, Board of Governors

Henry Orlinsky

Vice Chairman, Board of Governors

Jerry Wolasky

Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors

Howard Tzvi Friedman

Honorary Vice Chairmen, Board of Directors

Gary Torgow
Morry Weiss

Honorary Chairmen, Board of Governors

Elliott Gibber
Lee C. Samson

Honorary Vice Chairmen, Board of Governors

Emanuel J. Adler

Senior Vice Presidents

Lauri Barbanel
Etta Brandman Klaristenfeld
Shukie Grossman
Rena Kwestel
Manette Mayberg
Menachem Schnaidman

National Vice Presidents

Ezra Friedberg
Chaya Tova Hartman
Dr. Allan Jacob
Esti Kaminetzky
Laizer Kornwasser
Eli Levitin
Chuck Mamiye
Azi Mandel
Elliott Mandelbaum
Raphael Nissel
Moshe Sassover
Mark Silber

Associate Vice Presidents

David Gerstley
Josh Kuhl
Joel Mael
David Safier
Effie Zisblatt

Honorary Vice Presidents

Fred Ehrman
Dr. Michael Elman
Allen Fagin
Yitzchak Fund
Barbara Lehmann Siegel
Dr. David Luchins
Avery E. Neumark
Isabelle Novak
Henry I. Rothman
Gerald Schreck
Esther Williams
Michael Wimpfheimer

Treasurer

Avi Katz

Secretary

Zevy Wolman

Directors-at-Large

Ari Adlerstein
Natan Bane
Ahuva Basch
Aliza Bixon
Zev Blumenfrucht
Bluma Broner
Deborah Chames Cohen
Jeff Cohen
Jeff Eisenberg
Yechiel Eisenstadt
Josh Goldberg
Stacey Goldman
Miriam Greenspan
Stuart Hershkowitz
George Karasick
Daniel Lowy
Vivian Luchins
Morris Massel
Eitan Milgram
Cal Nathan
Dr. Joshua Penn
Yakov Polatsek
Yitzie Pretter
Dr. Rachel Rabinovitch
Nomi Rotblat
Dr. Roz Sherman
Jeffery Silver
Benzion Zlotnick

Board of Governors

Leon Achar
Max Berlin
Marvin Bienenfeld
Stuart Cantor
Daniel Chill
Dr. Ben Chouake
Pace Cooper
Shirley Feuerstein
Debra Hartman
Yosi Heber
Stanley Hillelsohn
Lance Hirt
Dr. David Hurwitz
Melanie Renchner Kaminetsky
Ira Kellman
Jonah Kupietzky
Albert Laboz
Deborah Schick Laufer
Jeffrey Lefkovits
Morey Levovitz
Mrs. Joseph K. Miller
Rabbi Michael Miller
Irwin Nachimson
David Novak
Terry Novetsky
Steven Orlow
Adam Parkoff
Dr. Harry Peled
Allen Pfeiffer
Paul Pinkus
Barry Ray
Dr. Howard Rosenthal
Rebecca Samson
Zvi Sand
Marsha Strazynski
Gary Weiss
Howard Wengrow
Joyce Werthheimer
Harvey Wolinetz
David Woolf
* Deceased