The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 American Orthodox Rabbis — congratulates its hard-working executive vice president, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, on his appointment by Mayor Bill de Blasio to the Coronavirus Advisory Council. The ten sector-based councils will help reopen New York City after the long pandemic lockdown. In his role, Rabbi Mirocznik will play an important role in deciding when schools and synagogues can safely reopen.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America stated, “The schools and houses of worship in our community serve essential roles in the spiritual well-being of our city. Their closure has deeply hurt us all. But we have seen too many funerals, too many overflowing hospitals and overloaded funeral homes, to move without proper caution. We must never return to those dark days of fear and mourning when so many of us lost loved ones. In consultation with medical authorities, we will reopen as soon as medically possible in order to reinstate the precious learning and prayer that serve as this city’s spiritual lifeblood. New York City will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever, reinvigorated with a renewed sense of purpose.”

Rabbi Ya’akov Klass, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America stated, “We are very proud of Rabbi Mirocznik’s accomplishments. He has a track record of serving the community tirelessly and fearlessly, generating consensus in order to move forward together. Rabbi Mirocznik understands well the profound need for communal prayer and Torah study, the foundation of Jewish existence. He also understands the primary importance to the Torah of saving life and preventing danger. With these two pillars of Jewish tradition, Rabbi Mirocznik is ready to bring this city back to life. We wish him and Mayor de Blasio success in carefully returning New York City to its former greatness, bringing back public life to the city that never sleeps.”