From the desk of Rabbi Leonard (Yehuda) Blank, MS,BCC
Director of Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harabbonim

In the past number of my articles, I shared how important we are as ambassadors of the Aibershta. It is interesting to note that Rav Yitzchok Eisenman of Ahavas Israel in Passaic, NJ sent a message to those who will be attending the Siyum Hashas should have nice smiles, be pleasant and nice to one and all. We might think that is a given, but we must always encourage our mispallim, relatives, friends and neighbors to set the examples as did Avraham Avinu and Sara Imainu by conveying sincere midos for one and all. I attended the Siyam Hashas Daf Yomi and every Met Stadium staff person, I encountered was truly grateful for the smiling thank you and have a good year expressed by the many participants who were nice to them.

It was amazing to be amongst the tens of thousands even with the cold weather which did not impede them from attending. It was also fantastic to see the live streaming of participants in many parts of the world that were shown on the huge stadium screens. Everyone received a package of information, hand, foot and body warmers with many warming areas and hot water and coffee available.

Many aspects of the entire program were inspiring. Especially, when touched upon how the Holocaust survivors who were present, continued to retain their faith and have been participating in their Torah learning. The holy words of the tefilos everyone recited together brought tears to many for those things we pray for to the Aibershta. In a poignant moment, HaGaon HaRav Kamenetsky thanked HaGaon HaRav Dovid Feinstein for giving over the zechus of making the Siyum. After he made the Siyum and the kaddish was said -the great energy of this simcha – the singing, the music and the dancing burst through the air. The spontaneous dancing and singing could be seen and heard from the ground level to the upper levels and throughout the stadium. It is interesting to note, that there were many who kept saying people will not attend the Siyum at Met Stadium because of the weather. Well, they were wrong. In fact, Agudah was receiving phone calls for tickets even as late as this week.

We heard from our Gedolim, in spite of the recent terrible acts of anti Semitisim, we cannot and must not give up in our faith and fortitude. For those who have ill feelings against the Jewish people it will be a hard nut to crack, but we must try to make inroads whether it be legal, law enforcement, prayers, achdus, and so on.

There are two due dates for registration. One for the special ABA program offered by TTI
ABA is a field that is suitable for many men and women in our community. Behavior Analysts are generally required to use a lot of analytical skills and smarts to succeed in their work. BCBA’s/LBA’s oversee the care and therapy given to the individuals that qualify for this therapy. Most people receiving this therapy fall under the autism spectrum. The goal of ABA therapy is to assist these individuals in leading functional and fulfilling lives.
TTI is the only frum program today with 4 pathways to becoming a BCBA/LBA!
1. BCBA–> LBA
2. BCBA Certificate
3. LBA Certificate ( Please see the attached TTI ad )
4. Masters in ABA

The program deadline is approaching on January 24th!

The other registration is for the YIEP degree programs. ( Please see the attached YIEP ad).

Please see RAA archives for articles and updates.

Don’t forget the forthcoming RAA monthly meeting this coming Sunday January 5th at 9:30 AM
at HaRav Yaakov Klass synagogue, Congregation Kahal Bnei Matisyahu 1235 East 35th Street,
Brooklyn, NY. Rav Klass is the Rabbinical Alliance of America/ Igud Harabbonim Presidium Chairman.