Important communal issues, some timely and some timeless, were on the agenda of the latest monthly Rosh Chodesh (Teves) meeting of the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim. On Sunday, January 5, 2020, the organization met at Congregation Kahal Bnei Matisyahu of Flatbush, where Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman of the RAA, serves as rabbi. Rabbi Klass sponsored the festive meal and gathering in memory of his mother-in-law Mrs. Chana Spanier, a’h, yahrzeit 9 Teves; and in honor of his father Mr. Anshel Klass whose birthday is also 9 Teves.

Rabbi Yechezkel Eichenstein, the Ziditchov Rebbe, who serves as rabbi of Congregation Kahal Tiferes Avrohom of Brooklyn, NY, spoke in honor of the occasion about the importance of rabbinic collegiality, chevra. Rabbi Simcha Silverman, rabbi of Congregation Etz Chaim of Flatbush and member of the RAA’s Chaplaincy Commission, spoke about current healthcare issues in hospitals today. Rabbi Hanania Elbaz, presidium member RAA and rabbi of the Achi Ezer Synagogue School of Ocean Parkway, offered Torah insights in memory of his aunt.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the ,RAA welcomed Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, director of the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad HaRabbonim/Rabbinical Board of Queens and founder and president of NASCK, National Association of Chevra Kadisha, a national organization dedicated to supporting proper Jewish burial throughout the United States. Rabbi Zohn spoke of the importance of TEAM Shabbos, Parshas Vayechi, which will be observed on January 11, 2020. The weekly Torah portion discusses the passing of the patriarch Yaakov and has been traditionally dedicated by rabbis to discuss and reinforce the need for proper Jewish burial. Rabbi Zohn welcomed the RAA to join NASCK in TEAM Shabbos, which includes a full discussion of traditional end-of-life issues and a vibrant movement of clergy and laymen. This movement is dedicated to ensuring that every Jew regardless of religious level or affiliation receives the proper final respect and burial as required by Jewish law. Sadly, in some places such as Florida, close to 50% of Jews are cremated. Studies show that this sad number has the potential to escalate in a few short years to 80%. Rabbi Zohn’s message is clear that rabbis should discuss congregants the need for each individual to treat this as an issue of Meis Mitzvah, someone lacking proper burial that receives top religious priority. In our case, it means teaching our fellow Jew the need to properly prepare for a proper Jewish funeral long before it becomes an issue, because someone deathly ill has already made arrangements.

Rabbi Zohn said, “Many Torah Observant Jews wonder why I would ask Orthodox rabbis to help in spreading the awareness, since their congregants certainly arrange for a proper Jewish burial. The answer is that we all may have family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances and co-workers who are farther from tradition and need to be educated. These are good people, who often want a traditional Jewish burial, but do not know why and what a proper Jewish burial is. We need to ensure that our Nursing Home facilities that care for the forgotten people are approached respectfully and sensitively, to make certain that their patients are educated and that plans are made for a proper Jewish burial. We must also make certain that every Jew no matter what their observance has a living will that describes the desire to only have a proper Jewish burial.” Rabbi Zohn asked that the RAA/Igud join him in this mission and the organization passed a unanimous resolution presented by Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, the Menahel of the Bais Din of the Igud HaRabbonim and rabbi of Congregation Talmud Torah of Flatbush, granting Rabbi Zohn the full support of the RAA in spreading the awareness of this crucial mitzvah. The RAA proudly supports the work of Rabbi Zohn and its rabbis fully support TEAM Shabbos.

Rabbi Mirocznik then called upon Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, former NYPD Housing Chaplain and current director of Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs of RAA, to introduce Inspector Mark Molinari, commanding officer of NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force. Inspector Molinari leads the investigation and apprehension of the perpetrators of hate crimes throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

Inspector Molinari began his address by explaining that hate crimes in Brooklyn are up 56%. The bulk of the rise of hate crimes involve property crimes (approximately 80% are swastikas drawn on property) while assault, burglary and violent crime categories are down 20%. Many times, the perpetrator is ignorant of the historical and emotional significance of a Swastika. That failure to comprehend is no excuse and the pain that it causes the Jewish community is devastating.

Inspector Molinari made it clear that “from the Police Commissioner down, the Jewish Community has the full support of the NYPD and that the NYPD takes hate crimes seriously.” Inspector Molinari stated that fighting crime and in particular hate crimes has three prongs; 1) prevention, that is done by the Community Affairs and Crime Prevention of the NYPD with which the Rabbinical Alliance of America has a strong relationship and partnership. 2) Apprehension, that is where “the Hate Crimes Task Force comes and works in tandem with the five District Attorneys throughout the City of New York.” 3) Prosecution, which is in the hands of the District Attorney’s Office.

Inspector Molinari commented, “I know that I am preaching to the choir, but I am giving you rabbis of large major prestigious congregations homework and that is to relate to your congregants that we take these hate crimes seriously and the need for your synagogues and organizations to install security cameras and surveillance equipment. You must also make certain that they have the proper date and time, you know how to operate them and the key is to share them with the NYPD. This partnership in sharing this footage will help the NYPD apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators who commit hate crimes.”

Rabbi Mirocznik thanked Inspector Molinari and the Inspector encouraged the RAA and Rabbi Mirocznik to get the message out and the homework done.

Finally, Samuel Milestein from Census 2020 spoke of the “great need to make certain that the Jewish community is properly counted and participates in the census.” Mr. Milstein explained how only 49% of Jews living in Borough Park were counted in the 2010 census and that the lack of a proper count only hurts the needs of New York and the needs of the Jewish community. Important funding and infrastructure and security funding depends on the census figures. A more accurate census count will only help New York and the Jewish community obtain these important services.

Rabbi Mirocznik, closed the meeting and thanked all the speakers for their important and informative presentations.

Names in Pictures

Picture 1) a partial group shot of some of the Rabbis who attend the RAA’s Rosh Chodesh Teves Conference, standing, left to right is Rabbi Dovid Katz, Menahel, RAA; Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA/IGUD and Rabbi of Congregation Kahal Bnei Matisyahu, of Flatbush; Inspector Mark Molinari, commanding officer, NYPD Hate Crimes Task force; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, Menahel Bais Din of the Igud HaRabbonm and Rabbi of Congregation Talmud Torah of Flatbush; Rabbi Menachem Lichtenstein, public affairs chairman, RAA; Rabbi Gil Student, Director, Halacha Commission, RAA; Rabbi Hanania Elbaz, presidium member RAA and Rabbi of the Achi Ezer Synagogue School of Ocean Parkway; and Rabbi Moshe Schmerler, director, RAA; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski; and Rabbi David Toback. Sitting, left to right, Rabbi Mordechai Samuels and Rabbi Simcha Silverman

Picture 2, Left to Right, Inspector Mark Molinari, commanding officer, NYPD Hate Crimes Task force; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, former NYPD Housing chaplain, and current director of Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs, RAA; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Grand Rabbi Yechezkel Eichenstein, the Ziditchov Rebbe; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA/IGUD and Rabbi of Congregation Kahal Bnei Matisyahu, of Flatbush

Picture 3, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; opening the RAA Rosh Chodesh Teves Conference

Picture 4) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA, welcoming Inspector Mark Molinari, commanding officer, NYPD Hate Crimes Task force; sitting, Rabbi Moshe Y. Weiner, Rav HaMachshir Aleph K, Kashrus Alliance of the RAA, and Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, Menahel Bais Din of the Igud HaRabbonm and Rabbi of Congregation Talmud Torah of Flatbush

Picture 5) Left to Right, Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, former NYPD Housing chaplain, and current director of Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs, RAA; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA/IGUD and Rabbi of Congregation Kahal Bnei Matisyahu, of Flatbush; Inspector Mark Molinari, commanding officer, NYPD Hate Crimes Task force; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, Menahel Bais Din of the Igud HaRabbonm and Rabbi of Congregation Talmud Torah of Flatbush; and sitting is Rabbi Moshe Y. Weiner, Rav HaMachshir Aleph K, Kashrus Alliance of the RAA

Picture 6) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; welcomes and greets Grand Rabbi Yechezkel Eichenstein, the Ziditchov Rebbe at the Rosh Chodesh Teves Conference

Picture 7) Left to Right, Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, director of the Chevra Kadesha of the Vaad HaRabbonim/Rabbinical Board of Queens and founder and president of NASCK, National Association of Chevra Kadesha; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA/IGUD and Rabbi of Congregation Kahal Bnei Matisyahu, of Flatbush; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, former NYPD Housing chaplain, and current director of Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs, RAA; Grand Rabbi Yechezkel Eichenstein, the Ziditchov Rebbe; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, Menahel Bais Din of the Igud HaRabbonm and Rabbi of Congregation Talmud Torah of Flatbush; and sitting is Rabbi Moshe Y. Weiner, Rav HaMachshir Aleph K, Kashrus Alliance of the RAA

Picture 8) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; greeting and welcoming Rabbi Simcha Silverman, Rabbi of Congregation Etz Chaim of Flatbush and member of the RAA’s Chaplaincy Commission to the Rosh Chodesh Teves Conference

Picture 9) Left to Right, sitting is Rabbi Moshe Y. Weiner, Rav HaMachshir Aleph K, Kashrus Alliance of the RAA; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, former NYPD Housing chaplain, and current director of Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs, RAA; Rabbi Simcha Silverman, Rabbi of Congregation Etz Chaim of Flatbush and member of the RAA’s Chaplaincy Commission; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA/IGUD and Rabbi of Congregation Kahal Bnei Matisyahu, of Flatbush; and Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA

Picture 10) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; greeting and welcoming Rabbi Hanania Elbaz, presidium member RAA and Rabbi of the Achi Ezer Synagogue School of Ocean Parkway at the Rosh Chodesh Teves Conference.

Picture 11) Samuel Milstein from Census 2020 addressing the Rosh Chodesh Teves Conference, sitting is Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA