Rabbi Moish Schmerler

08/23/2026

07/19/2026

RABBINICAL ALLIANCE OF AMERICA HOLDS ROSH CHODESH AV CONFERENCE; MOURNS SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM AND CALLS FOR JEWISH UNITY AHEAD OF TISHA B'AV

BROOKLYN, NY — The Rabbinical Alliance of America (Igud HaRabbonim), a national rabbinic organization founded in 1942, held its monthly Rosh Chodesh Av Conference and Seudah on Monday, July 13, 2026 (28 Tamuz 5786). The prestigious gathering took place at Congregation Etz Chaim of Flatbush in Brooklyn, New York, hosted by its spiritual leader and RAA Chaver, Rabbi Simcha Silverman.

The Rosh Chodesh Av Seudah was dedicated l’zecher nishmas (in memory of) HaGaon HaChacham Shalom Ben HaGaon HaChacham Chayim Elbaz, Zt’l, the late father of RAA Presidium Member Rabbi Hanania Elbaz, who serves as the spiritual leader of the Ahi Ezer Yeshiva Synagogue in Brooklyn, New York, and RAA Chaver Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz, who serves as the Rabbi of the Sephardic Lebanese Congregation of Brooklyn.

Attendees were addressed by host Rabbi Simcha Silverman and Rabbi Hanania Elbaz, who shared words of Torah and inspiration. Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Presidium Chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, delivered the comprehensive administrative report, updating the member rabbis on the vital communal and halachic initiatives spearheaded by the organization.

Announcing the 38th Annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas and 84th Celebration convocation

A major administrative focus of the conference was planning for the fast-approaching end of the rabbinic calendar year. Member rabbis were urgently reminded to complete their chosen tractates of Gemara for the upcoming 38th Annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas and 84th Celebration of the Rabbinical Alliance of America. This historic double milestone and grand convocation is officially scheduled to take place on Monday, August 31, 2026, and will be proudly hosted at the Sephardic Lebanese Congregation of Brooklyn.

Mourning the Loss of Senator Lindsey Graham

A somber and profound moment during the conference was dedicated to honoring the memory of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who passed away suddenly over the preceding weekend on July 11, 2026.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, issued a poignant statement on behalf of the Rabbinical Alliance of America: “Senator Lindsey Graham was a great American statesman, an irreplaceable power broker in the United States Senate, and above all, a staunch, unwavering friend of Israel and the Jewish community. His life was defined by a fierce commitment to public service and a profound moral clarity when it came to defending freedom and standing by America's democratic allies. The Jewish community deeply mourns his sudden passing and remembers his legacy as a true champion of our people."

A Call for True Jewish Unity Ahead of Tisha B'Av

As the conference marked the onset of the month of Av and the traditional "Nine Days" leading into the fast of Tisha B'Av, the theme of collective Jewish responsibility took center stage.

Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, RAA Presidium Member, delivered a powerful address focusing on the absolute requirement of Jewish unity in contemporary times. Drawing upon classical Chabad philosophy, Rabbi Hecht reminded the assembly of the Chassidic teaching regarding the destruction of the Holy Temple.

"Our Sages teach that the Second Temple was destroyed due to sinat chinam—baseless hatred among our people. The Rebbe, beautifully illuminated the path forward by teaching that the ultimate spiritual antidote to baseless hatred is ahavat chinam—unconditional, baseless love. The Rebbe explained that the Temple was an 'unknown sin' type of calamity because people involved in internal strife rarely believe they are the ones at fault. We must look past our external, intellectual, and philosophical differences, and recognize the divine soul (neshama) in every single Jew. True unity does not demand conformity or that we all think alike; rather, it demands that we maintain one unified heart, bound by unconditional love and shared values. Rebuilding our national strength begins in our own communities by actively practicing this ahavat Yisrael."

Distinguished Attendance

The conference drew a stellar layout of prominent rabbinic leaders and organizational executives who actively participated in the deliberations on pressing communal topics. Among the distinguished RAA leadership in attendance were:

• Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, Presidium Member, Rabbinical Alliance of America
• Rabbi Moish Schmerler, Executive Director, Rabbinical Alliance of America
• Rabbi Yehuda Blank, Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs, and Chairman of the Chaplaincy Commission, Rabbinical Alliance of America
• Rabbi Jay Levy, Vice President, Rabbinical Alliance of America
• Rabbi Gil Student, Director of the Vaad Halacha, Rabbinical Alliance of America

The Rabbinical Alliance of America concluded the conference with a collective prayer for peace, the security of the land and people of Israel, and the ultimate transformation of the days of mourning into days of national joy.

06/14/2026

Rabbinical Alliance of America Commemorates Legacy of Outreach Pioneer Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT’L, and Applauds Governor Hochul’s Landmark House of Worship Security Bill

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — On Sunday, June 14, 2026 (29 Sivan 5786), the Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA/Igud HaRabbonim) convened its Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Seudah and Conference at Kahal Bnei Matisyahu in Brooklyn, where Rabbi Yakov Klass, Presidium Chairman, serves as Rabbi. The gathering served as a powerful tribute to the life, vision, and enduring impact of its legendary, long-serving Executive Vice-President, HaRav Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT’L (HaRav Nachum Zvi ben HaRav Chaim, ZT'L), while also addressing critical advancements in community security and religious freedom.

The conference and memorial luncheon were generously sponsored by his children and families: Rabbi Nusi Josephy and family, Mrs. Rechel Schor and family, and Mr. Ken & Mrs. Ricky Carter and family.

A National Legacy of Optimism, Inclusivity, and Transformation

Drawing on biographical history preserved by the Igud, speakers highlighted how Rabbi Josephy’s dynamic leadership left an indelible footprint on American Orthodoxy. Born in the Bronx to parents who exemplified absolute mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) for keeping Shabbos, he was ordained at the Bialystoker-Novardoker Beth Joseph Rabbinical Seminary and went on to obtain a graduate degree from Loyola University. His rabbinic career spanned the continent—from helping architect the early growth of traditional Jewish life in Los Angeles, to serving communities in Houston and Pittsburgh, and ultimately leading Bais Medrash HaGadol of Borough Park. He was famously remembered as an ultimate visionary who, when needing to secure Cholov Yisroel milk for the children of Pittsburgh, single-handedly reshaped local school board policies to make it a reality.

The entire essence of the Igud was enhanced and elevated by Rabbi Josephy’s legendary warmth and unmatched outreach. He instituted a sacred organizational culture that remains a defining practice of the Rabbinical Alliance of America to this very day: ensuring that every single rabbi, regardless of the size of his community, has a revered seat at the table. To Rabbi Josephy, every member of the rabbinate was a prince of Klal Yisrael, and he made certain each one was treated with the profound respect, dignity, and reverence due to a vehicle of Torah.

A true pioneer of Jewish outreach, Rabbi Josephy’s crowning achievement was his warm, historic embrace of Jewish immigrants fleeing the Soviet Union and Uzbekistan. Long before kiruv (outreach) became an organized movement, he welcomed thousands of Russian and Bukharian families, building the famous "Mishkan" program to ensure their children received a proper Torah education. His rabbinic colleagues frequently recalled his exceptional lev tov (good heart), which allowed him to seek out and find the spark of good in every single human being.

This boundless chesed (loving-kindness) extended beyond the living to honoring the giants of the past. In what stands as a historic act of chesed shel emes (true kindness)—and perhaps the final, crowning good deed for which he is eternally remembered—Rabbi Josephy single-handedly undertook the holy mission to find and rebuild the neglected resting place of HaRav Shlomo Ganzfried, ZT'L, the revered author of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, in Uzhhorod (Ungvar), Ukraine. By beautifully restoring the gravesite of one of Halacha’s greatest codifiers, Rabbi Josephy ensured that a lineage of Torah law would be preserved with the ultimate dignity.

Addressing the assembly, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the RAA, delivered a profound theological discourse connecting the weekly Torah portion of Parshas Shlach—specifically the account of the Ten Scouts and their failed reconnaissance mission—to the philosophy that defined Rabbi Josephy’s life. Rabbi Mirocznik posed a timeless question: How could the Almighty permit such a monumental national calamity to occur, the devastating effects of which the Jewish people still feel today through the mournful observance of Tisha B'Av?

"The answer lies in the sacred gift of free choice," Rabbi Mirocznik explained. "The Almighty allows us to choose our own course. When Moshe Rabbeinu sent the twelve princes, they were men of the highest stature. Tragically, ten of those scouts succumbed to fear and hidden agendas, returning with a defeatist report designed to sabotage the nation's entry into the Promised Land. Yet, even as they planned their presentation, they retained the absolute ability to self-reflect, repent, and set the record straight right up until the final moment they spoke. Had they been denied that chance, free will would cease to exist. Tragically, they chose poorly, and a generation was lost in the wilderness.

"The vital lesson for us today is that no matter how deep the failure, honest self-reflection always leaves room for positive change," Rabbi Mirocznik continued. "Achieving it is a difficult, uphill task, but it can happen if we have the courage to be completely honest with ourselves. That was the very essence of Rabbi Josephy. Where others saw a barren spiritual wilderness, he saw a land flowing with milk and honey. He was the ultimate, contagious optimist who, like Yehoshua and Calev, refused to look for flaws or limitations. He fought constantly to find the path of positive change under the most grueling circumstances, possessing a rare, God-given ability to lift people out of despair and transform absolute failure into resounding success."

RAA Applauds Governor Hochul’s Decisive Action and Met Council's Leadership on House of Worship Security

Turning to pressing contemporary communal issues, Rabbi Mirocznik expressed the profound, heartfelt appreciation of the Rabbinical Alliance of America to New York Governor Kathy Hochul for signing the landmark "Keeping New Yorkers Safe" security legislation into law. Signed at the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty’s annual legislative breakfast, the newly enacted statute establishes a protected 50-foot safety buffer zone around houses of worship, making it a crime to knowingly interfere with or intimidate congregants entering or exiting.

Met Council

"The Rabbinical Alliance of America extends its deepest gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul for her unwavering moral clarity, her fierce defense of religious freedom, and her decisive leadership in signing this vital legislation into law," stated Rabbi Mirocznik. "In an era of rising anxiety, this bill provides an essential, ironclad shield, ensuring our synagogues, churches, mosques, schools, and sanctuaries remain safe spaces of peace, dignity, and holiness. We commend the Governor for standing firmly with our communities and making it clear that intimidation at the doors of prayer will never be tolerated in the State of New York."

Furthermore, the RAA expressed robust praise for David G. Greenfield, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Met Council, and his outstanding executive leadership team for their instrumental role in anchoring this historic milestone.

"We command the ultimate respect and appreciation for David Greenfield and the leadership team at the Met Council," Rabbi Mirocznik emphasized. "David Greenfield is a visionary advocate whose brilliant legislative insight and tireless devotion continue to transform the communal landscape. Hosting this monumental bill signing at the Met Council breakfast underscores the organization’s unparalleled status as a premier vanguard of both social services and communal protection. Through their unmatched advocacy, David Greenfield, Managing Director of Legal & External Affairs Aaron Cyperstein, Chief of Staff Benjamin Segal, and the entire team have provided a historic service to New York's faith communities, ensuring that the right to worship in safety is fiercely protected."

The landmark conference concluded with active participation and organizational reporting from Rabbi Yehuda Blank, Vice-President for Professional Development and External Affairs, and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, Executive Director of the RAA, who both reaffirmed the Igud's ongoing commitment to strengthening rabbinic advocacy, yeshiva education, and community security across North America.

Photo Credit: Ariel Mirocznik

05/18/2026

RABBINICAL ALLIANCE OF AMERICA ADDRESSES LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS AND CELEBRATES NEW LEADERSHIP AT ROSH CHODESH SIVAN CONFERENCE

BROOKLYN, NY — May 17, 2026 — The Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) / Igud HaRabbonim, a national rabbinic organization representing over 950 American rabbis, convened its monthly Rosh Chodesh Sivan Conference and Seudah today at Kahal Bnei Matisyahu in Brooklyn, New York.

The conference and festive meal were generously sponsored by RAA Presidium Chairman and Rabbi of Bnei Matisyahu HaRav Yaakov Klass, alongside his brother Mr. Arthur Klass and family, Liluy Nishmas their father, Reb Anshel Ben Reb Moshe Feivel, Z”L (Mr. Albert Klass, Z”L). In honor of his father’s enduring legacy and memory, Rabbi Klass delivered a profound and inspiring Torah discourse to the gathered assembly of rabbinic leaders and delegates.

Leadership Appointments and Tribute to the Founders of American Orthodoxy

A major highlight of the conference was the official announcement made by Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, appointing Rabbi Jay Levy, Rabbi of the Mill Basin Sephardic Congregation, as a newly appointed Vice-President of the RAA.

In announcing the appointment, Rabbi Mirocznik praised the new Vice-President's exceptional credentials, stating:

"Rabbi Jay Levy is a first-class Talmud Chacham, a true scholar, and a rising star within rabbinical circles. We are incredibly fortunate to have him join our leadership as a Vice-President. We look forward to working closely with him to build a strong, dynamic Rabbinical Alliance of America—one that will be even better abled and equipped to advocate for the Rabbinate, the Land of Israel, and all of Klal Yisroel."
Rabbi Mirocznik further offered a powerful tribute to the sponsor's father and the pioneering generation he represents, stressing that if Orthodox Jewry in America is flourishing today, it is due entirely to the generation of Rabbi Klass's father, whose unwavering commitment to Yiddishkeit, Torah, and Mitzvos refused to surrender religious values for greener pastures.

"The Mesiras Nefesh (self-sacrifice) of Reb Anshel, Z”L, and those like him, serves as the very foundation of what we call the frum communities of America today," Rabbi Mirocznik declared. "We owe this legendary generation an eternal debt of gratitude for holding down the fort. They made the path of a Torah Jew a proud and popular one to follow. Against all historical odds, this has resulted in the largest demographic growth within the North American Jewish community today—a true American success story born of courage, conviction, and vision."

Rabbinic Ordination Celebration

The convocation also celebrated the graduation and rabbinic ordination (Semicha) of two distinguished scholars from the Kollel Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary. Rabbi Hershcel Baum and Rabbi Aaron Ceder were presented with their certificates of ordination. The presentation was presided over by:

• Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and Vice-President of the RAA.

• Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Presidium Chairman of the RAA, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press.

Addressing Anti-Israel Protests and Local Security

A significant and solemn portion of the conference was dedicated to serious deliberations regarding the rising tide of antisemitism globally and locally. The Presidium and membership engaged in a critical discussion regarding recent disruptive anti-Israel protests occurring across New York City, and specifically closer to home within the Flatbush-Midwood community.

Media reports have highlighted a disturbing escalation in these actions, noting that within a single six-day period, organized mobs targeted local houses of worship, including Park East Synagogue in Manhattan and, most recently, the Young Israel of Midwood on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. Media and eyewitness accounts from the Midwood demonstration detailed aggressive crowds marching through the heavily populated Orthodox Jewish neighborhood waving Hezbollah flags, displaying Hamas-linked target symbols, and chanting "Globalize the Intifada" and "Zionism will fall." The hostile demonstrations resulted in physical scuffles, the assault of local residents—including a young Jewish girl and an elderly veteran—and multiple arrests by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for disorderly conduct and violence.

In light of these hostile demonstrations targeting the religious and residential heart of the community, the RAA issues an urgent call to local synagogues, yeshivas, and community members to exercise a heightened state of vigilance and diligence. The organization emphasizes the necessity of robust security partnerships to ensure the safety and peace of our neighborhoods.

A Call for Unity, Action, and Spiritual Strength

Moving forward, the Rabbinical Alliance of America issues a definitive call to action to the broader Jewish community. The RAA emphasizes that the community must refuse to remain silent, urging all people of conscience to be strong and completely unafraid in voicing their concerns against targeting Jewish neighborhoods and institutions.

Compounding this call, Rabbi Mirocznik added an essential spiritual and communal charge:

"As a community, we must embrace one another and treat each other with deep love, genuine compassion, and as true family. Now more than ever, we should actively engage in Torah, Mitzvos, and Gemiluth Chasadim (deeds of loving-kindness). It is in that collective merit that we pray the Almighty will have mercy on us, and it is through this spiritual and communal fortitude that we will ultimately overcome this current wave of antisemitism."

Following these vital community policy resolutions, Rabbi Mirocznik also reminded all members to continue completing their chosen sections of Gemara in preparation for the RAA's custom-mandated Chai Elul Annual Siyum HaShas.

Global Advocacy for Religious Freedom: The Fight Against European Bans

The RAA also turned its attention to grave infractions on religious liberties occurring across the Atlantic. Rabbi Yaakov Klass raised deep concerns regarding European assaults on fundamental Jewish practices, specifically highlighting the ongoing bans on ritual slaughter (Shechita) and the escalating legislative restrictions on circumcision (Brit Milah) in Belgium and other European jurisdictions.

In response to these developments:

1. Consular Outreach: Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Cohen announced that he will be actively contacting the relevant European consulates to demand formal meetings regarding these discriminatory policies.

2. Resolution Passed: The RAA body unanimously passed a resolution to draft and present a formal, urgent letter explicitly addressing these religious freedom violations. This document will be shared with the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) to form a unified global front.

"We cannot sit idly by while our communities face intimidation at home, and our most sacred religious traditions face legal existential threats abroad," stated the RAA leadership. "The Rabbinical Alliance of America stands resolute in defending Torah values, securing our local institutions, and advocating for the unalienable rights of Jews worldwide."

Photo Credit: Ariel Mirocznik