Los Angeles was host to an extraordinary event that left a profound impact on its many attendees. The H3West Business Halacha Summit, held on Tuesday, June 3, at the Hilton Los Angeles in Universal City, CA, was an unprecedented display of chizuk, camaraderie, and growth. Many locals declared that the West Coast had never seen anything like it before.

The H3 concept, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance business practices within the framework of Torah values, has been sweeping through the Torah world over the past few years. With H3 events taking place across the United States, the summit has become an invaluable opportunity for bnei Torah in the business world to refine their understanding of halacha, gain clarity in hashkafah, and receive guidance and chizuk from esteemed rabbonim and poskim. Beyond its enriching content, the summit offers attendees the chance to network and build connections with peers from diverse industries.

The West Coast had eagerly awaited such an event, and their pleas were heard by Agudath Israel of America. The Agudah’s H3 team worked tirelessly for months to coordinate H3West, and the result surpassed all expectations.

The inspiration began the night before with a gathering for women and girls of the community at Bais Yaakov of Los Angeles. Rabbi Daniel Glatstein and Dayan Aharon Dovid Dunner, who had both flown in for the H3 event, delivered words of hisorerus. Rabbi Glatstein spoke about a woman’s preparation for the exalted day of Matan Torah, highlighting the crucial role of nshei chayil in the avodah of Shavuos. Dayan Dunner, with his usual eloquence, focused on the importance of bein adam lachaveiro – interpersonal relationships – in a person’s life.

After the program concluded, Dayan Dunner immediately went to the home of R’ Chaim Freeman, where he addressed a group of Los Angeles mechanchim, offering powerful words of chizuk and inspiration.

The next morning, hundreds made their way to the Hilton Los Angeles in Universal City for the H3West Business Halacha Summit. After registering, attendees were treated to an uplifting opening session titled, “Elevated Excellence: True Success in Business,” chaired by Rabbi Yaakov Subar of Agudath Israel’s California office with divrei pesicha from Rabbi Shafir Roizman. The keynote presenters were Rabbi Daniel Glatstein and Rabbi Yekusiel Kalmenson.

A networking break was followed by concurrent sessions featuring Rabbi Ari Marburger on the topic of “Keeping Boundaries: Undermining Another’s Business Deal” and Rabbi Chaim Mayer Roth on “Mechusar Amanah: When a Word is a Word.”

Agudath Israel arranged a special morning session exclusively for local rabbonim featuring addresses from Dayan Aharon Dovid Dunner, Rabbi Chaim Mayer Roth, Rabbi Ari Marburger and Rabbi Yaakov Robinson. This session provided a unique platform for meaningful dialogue and the exchange of insights on pertinent issues facing kehillos and rabbonim today.

The day continued with a scintillating Spotlight Halacha Session, which opened with words of introduction from Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, who was introduced by Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, Director of Torah Initiatives at Agudath Israel of America. Rabbi Boruch Yehuda Gradon then delivered divrei bracha and introduced Dayan Aharon Dovid Dunner, who shared fascinating unpublished business halachic rulings from the gedolei hador. The massive crowd filling the large ballroom sat transfixed as Dayan Dunner discussed case after case and psak after psak with utmost clarity and depth.

A networking lunch was then held outdoors amidst the balmy California weather, giving attendees a chance to connect while enjoying the delicious fare served by Yossi’s Catering.

The program continued with a second set of concurrent sessions, featuring Rabbi Gershon Bess on “Can I Eat That? Kashrus in the Workplace and on the Road,” Rabbi Aryeh Adler on “Ribbis Concerns When Investing: Unraveling the Complexities,” and Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner on “The Crucial Role of Intention in Jewish Medical and Military Ethics.” The topics were fascinating and the presentations were captivating. This was captured in a comment made by one attendee, who asked, “Why do these sessions have to be held simultaneously? I want to attend them all!”

After Mincha, attendees gathered once again in the largest ballroom of the hotel for a Q-and-A panel discussion on the topic of “The Challenges of the Ben Torah in the Workplace.” Following divrei pesicha from Rabbi Elchonon Tauber, Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger moderated a discussion with Rabbi Chaim Mayer Roth and Rabbi Shragi Malinowitz, presenting practical and hard-hitting questions on topics and concerns that strongly resonated with the audience. What should one do when asked by his company to attend trade shows and conferences whose general environments leave what to be desired ruchniyus-wise and often feature Hollywood or sports stars? What should one do when working in a company where the ones who move up the ranks, and the ones who seem to get raises, are those who are good at chanifah, constantly fawning to the boss? If someone is not making ends meet living on the salary from one job, does hishtadlus require them to take a second, or third, job? If someone’s main limud every day is Daf Yomi, but he doesn’t seem to remember much of what he learns, what can he do to make the most out of the time he devotes each day to limud haTorah?

The audience sat in rapt attention listening to the questions and to the rabbonim’s insightful, instructive responses. No one wanted the session to end, but the program had to move along.

After another networking break, the final set of concurrent sessions were held, with Rabbi Moshe Kaufman speaking on the topic of “Running a Business with Integrity: Non-competes, Poaching and Lashon Hara,” and Rabbi Ari Marburger addressing the topic of “Running a Business on Shabbos: Practical Solutions to Common Challenges.”

A networking reception followed and attendees were treated to a free gift, a copy of the new book Living Emunah on Parnassah, in addition to other merch they had received earlier.

The crowd then made their way into the main ballroom for dinner and the closing keynote session on the topic of “A People with a Purpose: Embracing Our Role.” The chairman was Rabbi Yitzchok Ehrman, COO of Agudath Israel of America. He was followed by Rabbi Yaakov

Robinson, who stressed the need to make the most of the moments and opportunities that present themselves, as each decision and action can have wide-ranging ramifications in one’s life.

The keynote address was then delivered by Dayan Aharon Dovid Dunner, who, with his unparalleled oratory and powerful delivery, urged the H3 attendees to take the inspiration from the event and apply it in a real and tangible way. Dayan Dunner said that he can’t give a specific directive to such a large crowd, but instructed the attendees to assess themselves individually and find an area in which they can implement chizuk, growth, and improvement as they seek to live the life of an ehrliche Yid amidst the day-to-day challenges of the workplace.

Dessert was then served, and attendees departed the hotel commenting on what an incredible day they had just experienced, with many saying that it was the most uplifting such program they had ever attended. The most common question was: “When is the next H3West event?” Indeed, they can’t wait.

The H3West Business Halacha Summit was truly a transformative experience, leaving participants inspired and eager for more. As the West Coast community looks forward to future events, the impact of this extraordinary day will undoubtedly resonate during the weeks and months ahead.