For many people, the Orthodox Union is instantly recognizable for the small “OU” symbol on millions of kosher products worldwide. For more than a century, the organization has been synonymous with kosher certification, establishing itself as one of the most trusted and influential brands in Jewish life.

But while kashrut remains a cornerstone of its work, today’s Orthodox Union is far more than a kosher agency. Through programs that engage high school and college students, support individuals with disabilities, inspire adult learning, advocate on behalf of the Jewish community, strengthen synagogues, and develop the next generation of Jewish leaders, the OU has become one of the most significant communal organizations in North America and Israel.

Under the leadership of its professional and lay leaders, the OU touches the lives of tens of thousands of Jews every day through initiatives such as JLIC, NCSY, Yachad, Women’s Initiative/Torah Imecha Nach Yomi, OU Advocacy, and a wide range of synagogue and community programs. While almost everyone in the broader Jewish community is impacted by the work of an OU initiative, many remain unaware of the full scope and impact of these efforts.

To help shed light on this important work, I sat down with Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Orthodox Union. In our conversation, he discusses how the OU balances its historic role in kashrut with its expanding mission, the challenges and opportunities facing the Orthodox community today, and the vision guiding the organization’s future as it seeks to strengthen Jewish life across generations

Some people still primarily associate the Orthodox Union with kashrut certification. How do you think about reshaping that public perception to better reflect the OU’s broader mission and portfolio of communal programs?

Our vision is for more Jews to grow closer to Hashem through Torah and mitzvot, and with love and joy.  Finding ways to deepen Jewish engagement, strengthen communities, and build pathways for individual and communal growth is all a big part of what we do – and certainly kashrut is quite an important piece. But it also fits into the flywheel of our desire to develop communal solutions that meet the needs of........

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