On Sunday, April 7, 2019, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, Rabbi of Congregation Beth Tikvah of Canarsie, opened his synagogue and hosted the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harabbonim’s Rosh Chodesh Nisan conference and seudah.

The Rosh Chodesh Nisan conference and seudah was sponsored by Rabbi Yaakov Klass, a presidium member of the RAA/Igud, Torah Editor of the Jewish Press and Rav of Kahal Bnei Matisayhu of Flatbush, and by his highly respected brother Mr. Arthur Klass, Director of Development of the Jewish Press. The conference and seudah was sponsored in memory of their grandfather Rabbi Simcha Kirschner, whose 73rd yahrzeit will be observed on the 19th of Nisan. Rabbi Kirschner was a principled Jew from the old school. In those days in America, it was not uncommon that those who refused to work on Shabbos to be fired. Rabbi Kirschner got the pink slip weekly and went from job to job over his refusal to abandon Shabbos observance.

Rabbi Kirschner, originally from Galicia, was known as a “Shas Yid,” someone expert in the entire Talmud. Perhaps one of Rabbi Kirschner’s greatest enjoyments was witnessing the establishment of the State of Israel. Sadly, Rabbi Kirschner passed away shortly thereafter. Rabbi Kirschner was a founder and a builder of Torah institutions such as the world renowned Chevra Shomrei Shabbos Anshe Sfard Shul in Borough Park. Rabbi Kirschner’s name is inscribed as the fourth name on the original memorial tablet in the Shul. Rabbi Kirschner and his daughter’s brother-in-law, Rabbi Shulem Frances, ZT’l, were among the early Magidei Shiur in the shul before the shul engaged a Rabbi. Rabbi Kirschner was also a founder of the Rabbi Shlomo Kluger Yeshiva, which later on incorporated into Yeshivas Chasan Sofer. The Yeshiva originally was located in the Lower East Side and is currently located in Borough Park. Rabbi Kirschner was also a founder of Yeshivas Toras Emes, which later merged with the Kamenitz Yeshiva.

Rabbi Klass dedicated his shiur in memory and in honor of his grandfather.

Rabbi Gil Student, director of the Halacha Commission of the RAA/Igud, opened the conference and seudah with the recitation of Tehilim. Rabbi Student also gave an update on the Igud’s retirement plan, as well as the other benefits for being a member of the Igud.

Rabbi Moshe Y. Weiner, the Rav HaMachshir of the Kashrus Alliance/Aleph K of the RAA/Igud, delivered a special shiur on Hilchos Pesach covering all aspects of preparation for Pesach, practice for Pesach, as well as post-Pesach transition.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski gave a scholarly discourse on Hilchos Pesach, which was well-received and enjoyed by the rabbis in attendance.

Rabbi Yehuda Blank, director of chaplaincy and external affairs of the RAA/Igud, gave a chaplaincy update and discussed some upcoming events including a collaborative event which is being planned with the National Council of Young Israel.

Also participating in the Rosh Chodesh Nisan conference and seudah was Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of RAA/Igud; Rabbi Dovid Katz, Menahel of RAA/Igud and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director of RAA/Igud.

(If you cannot play the video below, click here)