Ohr Torah Stone

Ohr Torah Stone
אור תורה סטון
Formation1983; 41 years ago (1983)
Founded atEfrat
ServicesJewish education and social justice
President
Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander
Founder, Chancellor and Rosh HaYeshiva
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin
SubsidiariesCenter for Jewish–Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC), Midreshet Lindenbaum
Websitewww.ots.org.il

Ohr Torah Stone (OTS) (Hebrew: אור תורה סטון) is an international Modern Orthodox organization that aims to develop Jewish life, learning, and leadership. The organization is led by Rabbi Kenneth Brander. OTS was founded by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in 1983. As of 2020, OTS included 27 educational institutions under its auspices.[1][2][3]

The organization also includes a network of over 300 emissaries who serve in positions of spiritual and educational leadership across North America, South America, Central America, Australia, and New Zealand.[4][5][6][7] The organization has implemented initiatives in Jewish women’s leadership and empowerment, leadership training, Jewish outreach, and social action. These programs have garnered national and international recognition for their innovative approach.[8] OTS has stated that its primary guiding principle is to ensure the accessibility of Judaism to every Jew—particularly addressing populations that have historically been marginalized, disenfranchised, or alienated.[9][10][11]

  1. ^ Edward Abramson, A Circle in the Square: Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Reinvents the Synagogue, Urim Publications 2008
  2. ^ http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100951 Archived 2019-02-02 at the Wayback Machine, Rabbinical Council of America Website, Unknown Author, Retrieved on April 23, 2017
  3. ^ "Ohr Torah Stone: Who We Are". OTS. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  4. ^ Rabbi Eliahu Birnbaum, "Rav Olami," First Source (Hebrew), October 4, 2013.
  5. ^ Koren, Rabbi Nir (23 September 2014). "Kshe'Kol haShofar Nishma Be'veit haKele Be'Meksiko" (in Hebrew). NRG. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  6. ^ Koren, Rabbi Nir (21 December 2014). "Chanuka be'Kolumbia" (in Hebrew). NRG. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  7. ^ Ravid, Shira (27 June 2016). "Emissaries in their Own Right" (in Hebrew). Kipa Website. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  8. ^ Isi Leibler, "The Incredible Rabbi Shlomo Riskin," The Jerusalem Post, Thursday, March 3, 2011,
  9. ^ Zev Eleff, Modern Orthodox Judaism: A Documentary History, University of Nebraska Press, 2016
  10. ^ Chagai Segel, First Source (Hebrew), January 1, 2012
  11. ^ "The Sound of the Shofar". TIME Magazine. 4 October 1971. Retrieved 23 April 2017.