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'''World Agudath Israel''' (The World Jewish Union), usually known as the '''Aguda''', was established in the early [[twentieth century]] as the political arm of Ashkenazi [[Torah Judaism]], in succession to ''Agudas Shlumei Emunei Yisroel'' (Union of Faithful Jewry). 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, but it included participation from Orthodox Jewry throughout Europe.

== History ==
World Agudath Israel 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 yeshivas. Its aim was to mobilize Torah-loyal Jews for the perpetuation of authentic Judaism, in order to establish the supremacy of Torah in all problems facing the Jew as individuals and as a nation.<ref> [http://www.ou.org/network/agudah/aboutagudah.htm About Agudath Israel]</ref>

Agudath Israel gained a significant following, particularly among Hasidic Jews, and even ran in [[Second Polish Republic|Polish]] elections winning seats in that country's [[parliament]] ([[Sejm]]). Among the elected representatives were [[Alexander Zusia Friedman]], Rabbi [[Meir Shapiro]], Rabbi Yosef Nechemya Kornitzer of [[Krakow]] and Rabbi Aharon Lewin of [[Rzeszow|Reysha]]. Great Torah luminaries of the day at the helm of Agudath Yisroel included [[Avrohom Mordechai Alter|the Gerrer Rebbe]] and the [[Chafetz Chaim]]. Also in Latvia in period 1922-1934 the Agudat Yisroel faction, led by Rabbi [[Mordechai Dubin]], was present in [[Saeima]] (The Parliament), and once Dubin also was proposed a prime-minister seat, but refused. Another prominent member of Agudath Yisroel was [[Chaim Michael Dov Weissmandl|Michoel Ber Weissmandl]].

In [[United Kingdom|Britain]], the Agudas Israel movement was represented by the [[Adath Israel Synagogue]], formed in 1909 and then the [[Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations]] formed in 1926, by 1943 representing some 5000 families. This was led by Rabbi Dr [[Solomon Schonfeld]]. The British secretary of the Agudas Israel World Organization, the political wing of the movement, was [[Harry Goodman]], publisher and editor of ''[[Jewish Weekly]]''. He played a key part in maintain Agudist organization through [[World War II]].<ref>Pamela Shatzkes (2002) ''Holocaust and Rescue: Impotent or Indifferent? Anglo-Jewry 1938-1945'' Basingstoke: Palgrave, p.13-14</ref>

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. Agudath Israel is guided by its [[Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah]] (Council of Sages) in Israel and the USA.

In the post-War period, Agudath Israel reached a [[modus vivendi]] with the State of Israel, which was predominantly led by secularists, 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]].

The World Agudath Israel Federation holds international conferences and Torah congressional meetings known as a ''Knessia Gdolo''.

==See also==
:[[Agudath Israel of America]]
:[[Agudat Israel]]
:[[Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/aguddat.html Agudat Israel] article from the Jewish Virtual Library

==Bibliography==
* Gershon C.Bacon , ''The Politics of Tradition: Agudat Israel in Poland, 1916-1939'', The Magnes Press, Jerusalem, 1996, ISBN 9652239623

{{OrthodoxJudaism}}

[[Category:Ashkenazi Jews topics]]
[[Category:Orthodox Jewish political parties]]

[[fr:Agoudat Israel]]
[[he:אגודת ישראל]]
[[yi:אגודת ישראל]]

World Agudath Israel - Revision history

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