On July 24, 2019, Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger, chairman of the Executive Board of UJCare (United Jewish Community Advocacy Relations and Enrichment), and president and CEO of ParCare Community Health Network, hosted an emergency Executive Committee meeting of the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim. Rabbi Schlesinger, a highly respected member of the Igud HaRabbonim’s Executive Committee, convened this special meeting at the state of the art ParCare medical facility to address the lack of respect and civility towards law enforcement in general and the NYPD in particular. Rabbi Schlesinger stated, “As rabbis, we have an obligation to speak up and protest when members of law enforcement are disrespected as they carry out their duty in protecting the residents of New York City. I therefore felt compelled to convene a special session of the RAA’s Executive Committee to address this problem and to reaffirm the broad base support of the Jewish community for law enforcement.”

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, thanked Rabbi Schlesinger for his hospitability and support for the Rabbinical Alliance of America. Rabbi Mirocznik further stated, “The job of the police is to protect the diverse communities that comprise the city of New York. The police watch over us 24/7, 365 days a year, having a careful eye on not only crime, but the additional threat of terrorism. The last thing law enforcement needs is to be concerned with disrespectful mischief. I am proud that the Rabbinical Alliance of America is taking a strong position in declaring and reaffirming our continued support, respect and appreciation for law enforcement.”

Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium member of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, together with Rabbi Dovid Katz, Menahel of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, presented a motion declaring that pouring water and acting disrespectful towards law enforcement is unacceptable, and that we as rabbis and educators fully and unequivocally condemn this malicious behavior. The resolution called on member rabbis of the Rabbinical Alliance of America to speak from the pulpits and to advise their congregations to thank an officer when they see one and that as a rabbinical association, the Rabbinical Alliance of America condemns any disrespect and lack of civility to a police officer. The resolution passed unanimously.

Also participating in the meeting were New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal, Jr.; Jonathan Shabshaikhes, representing Attorney General Letitia James; David Z. Klestzick, representing Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzales; and Dr. Paul Rosenstock, Chief Medical Officer of ParCare Community Health Network.

NAMES IN PICTURES
Picture (1) Names Left to Right, standing, Israel Goldberg, Esq.; Jonathan Shabshaikhes, representing New York State Attorney General Tish James; Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger; Dr. Paul Rosenstock; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Yisroel Kahan; and Rabbi Akiva Homnick. Sitting, David Z. Klestzick, representing Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzales; Rabbi Yehuda Blank, Director RAA/IGUD Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium member, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Menachem Lichtenstein, chairman Public Affairs, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Dovid Katz, Menahel, RAA/IGUD; and Rabbi Menashe Silber.
Picture (2) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD thanking Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger for hosting the RAA/IGUD special Executive Committee meeting at the ParCare facility.
Picture (3) Names Left to Right New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal, Jr., and Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD.
Picture (4) Names Left to Right Rabbi Chesky Blau; New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal, Jr.; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD; and Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger.
Picture (5) Names Left to Right Rabbi Yisroel Kahan; Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD; New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal, Jr.; Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger; and ; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium member, RAA/IGUD.
Picture (6) Names Left to Right Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD; New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal, Jr.; and Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium member, RAA/IGUD.
Picture (7) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD; and Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger catch a quick Schmooze.
Picture (8) Names Left to Right Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger; Jonathan Shabshaikhes, representing New York State Attorney General Tish James; and Israel Goldberg, Esq.
Picture (9) Names Left to Right Rabbi Menachem Lichtenstein, chairman Public Affairs, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium member, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Yisroel Kahan; Rabbi Yehuda Blank, Director RAA/IGUD Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs; Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger; New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal, Jr.; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Dovid Katz, Menahel, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Gil Student, director, Halacha Commission, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director, RAA/IGUD; and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director, RAA/IGUD; and Rabbi Akiva Homnick.
Picture (10) Names Left to Right Rabbi Menachem Lichtenstein, chairman Public Affairs, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Gershon Schlesinger; New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal, Jr.; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA/IGUD; Rabbi Dovid Katz, Menahel, RAA/IGUD.