Aug 1, 2005 -- The Orthodox Caucus, a leadership group whose mission is to address challenges facing the Orthodox community and the Jewish community at large, will relocate to Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus and be hosted by the Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) of Yeshiva University (YU). The Orthodox Caucus brings together prominent rabbis, roshei yeshiva (professors of Talmud), educators, and lay leaders in common cause. “Bringing the Orthodox Caucus into the YU sphere of influence will allow top-tier Jewish leaders to draw upon the intellectual, spiritual, and educational resources of YU and strengthen their contribution to the Jewish community,” President Richard M. Joel said. The Orthodox Caucus offers programs in approximately 10 communities in the New York metropolitan area and beyond, as well as initiatives that serve the community at large. Fred Ehrman, chairman of the Orthodox Caucus, viewed the move to YU as an important opportunity for the organization and the Jewish community. “Our goal is to catalyze the Jewish community and its organizations in practical and meaningful ways,” he said. “Over the past 13 years, we have succeeded in spurring communities to action by raising awareness and finding creative solutions to sensitive and pressing issues. By partnering with YU, we hope to broaden the scope of our efforts to strengthen Jewish life.” The issues the Caucus has focused on include assisting parents with developmentally disabled children; formulating policies for schools regarding substance abuse; development of prenuptial agreements in cooperation with the Beth Din of America and the Rabbinical Council of America easing the plight of agunot (chained women); educating communities about issues concerning the singles phenomenon; and guiding parents and students in selecting yeshivot and seminaries in Israel for post-high school studies. The Orthodox Caucus has always challenged the Jewish community to improve itself; creating initiatives that have helped strengthen our moral constitution and commitment to the values articulated in our mesorah (tradition),” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, inaugural dean of the Center for the Jewish Future (CJF). “The synergy created between the Caucus and YU through CJF will enable us to deliver a more effective message of leadership to our student community and at the same time enhance the Center’s ability to serve the Jewish people.”