Orthodox Union
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.
OU Programs
NCSY is proud to play an important and trusted role in the lives of tens of thousands of Jewish teens each year. Immersive learning and social programs connect teens with their Jewish identity and foster self-confidence.
Yachad is dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish individuals with disabilities and their families by enhancing their communal participation and connection to Judaism. Yachad gives people a sense of belonging and impacts entire communities.
OU Kosher combines expertise in halacha with an understanding of modern food production to ensure that kosher food meets the highest quality kashrut supervision.
Since 1979, OU Israel has enriched the lives of children, adults, immigrants, native Israelis, visitors and residents, soldiers and civilians, throughout Israel.
The OU Women’s Initiative aims to create and promote programming focused on Torah study, community leadership, and spiritual, personal, and professional development for women of all ages.
Torah Initiatives comprises a broad array of innovative and impactful Torah programming. With the vision of a community where every adult makes limmud ha-Torah a central part of their life, Torah Initiatives’ diverse approaches and formats provide study opportunities for those from every community and affiliation to further develop their relationship with Hashem.
The OU Advocacy Center is the nonpartisan public policy arm of the OU that advocates on behalf of the Orthodox community nationwide. Through its engagement with Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the OU Advocacy Center advances the values and interests of our community and ensures that Klal Yisrael thrives.
Contact the OU
Each and every day, countless Jewish individuals around the world are positively impacted by the work of the Orthodox Union, with its array of religious, youth, social action, educational, public policy and community development services, programs and activities.
Direct Line: Dial 212-613-8, followed by the extension number. Click here to access the intranet
Kashrut Hotline Number
212-613-8241