Potential legislative danger, what the kosher consumer needs to know for Pesach 2023, and terror in Israel were on the mind as the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim met on Sunday, March 19, 2023 for its Rosh Chodesh Nisan conference and seudah. The gathering was hosted and sponsored by the Lido Beach Synagogue, where the esteemed Rabbi Elly Krimsky serves as rabbi. Rabbi Krimsky is a widely respected expert on the shul rabbinate, a “rabbi’s rabbi,” whose guidance and advice is widely sought. His hosting of this conference offered attendees the opportunity to see him in action and gain from his expertise. The conference attendees prepared for Pesach with an overview of this year’s Pesach kosher concerns, a warning about the religious dangers of proposed Daylight Savings Time legislation, and a condemnation of terror in Israel.

At the request of Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman of the Igud Harabbonim, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, presented a resolution —which passed unanimously — calling on the United States Congress to stall any bill that would make Daylight Savings Time permanent throughout the year, across the United States.

Rabbi Mirocznik explained, “that key Orthodox organizations, such as Agudath Israel of America and the Orthodox Union, have already expressed the grave concern that the Jewish community faces over passage of legislation that would make Daylight Savings Time permanent in America. Such a change would force many Jews to make the impossible choice between prayer and work, between G-d and man, between religious obligation and family obligation. Jewish law mandates that daily morning prayers be recited with sunrise. The result of permanently establishing Daylight Savings Time year-round would make sunrise later, at times too late to allow for prayer and attending work on time. The impact would be felt most severely in the winter, when sunrise in some places in the United States would be after 9AM, making morning prayers extremely difficult. Additionally, workers who want to pray individually or with the mandatory quorum of ten may not be able to do so or face possible hostile reprisals at the workplace for doing so. Devout Jews risk being fired due to this legislation. In essence, if the legislation establishing permanency of Daylight Savings Time becomes the law of the land, it would have a chilling effect on the practice of religion, a fundamental right guaranteed by the United States of America’s constitution. By passing this resolution, the Rabbinical Alliance of America joins the lobbying efforts of our sister organizations and contributes our voice and opposition to the legislation that would establish the permanency of Daylight Savings Time in the United States. We pray that this proposed legislation is defeated, which would be a win for religious freedom and liberty for all Americans.”

Rabbi Eli Eleff, Managing Director, OU Kosher Community Relations, gave the annual pre-Pesach shiur on Hilchos Pesach. He covered a variety of topics ranging from preparation for Pesach, to practice on Pesach, through the post-Pesach transition. As food technology and market conditions change quickly, an annual pre-Pesach kosher update is essential for rabbis and consumers. Rabbi Eleff provided attendees expert updates on the latest changes in kosher for Pesach food supervision to help rabbis anticipate and manage the questions they receive from congregants.

Rabbi Elly Krimsky, the host rabbi, and Rabbi Yosef Serebryanski, Congregation Beth Tikva of Canarsie and Congregation AAA Sfard, greeted the guests with kind words of welcome and words of Torah about the intricacies of the laws of Pesach and practical applications. Both rabbis were well received by the attendees.

Rabbi Mirocznik also addressed the recent terror wave in Israel. Noting the tragedies, he said, “the Rabbinical Alliance of America calls upon the Israeli government take all necessary steps to secure its residents from terror. We also encourage Israelis not to back down and descend into fear from the terrorists and their supporters, who delight in death and destruction. Israelis should not feel a need to curtail their spirit for life and living but rather should continue engaging in their activity with pride and happiness.”

Rabbi Mirocznik called on worldwide Jewry to stand in solidarity with Israel, the true beacon of peace and democracy in the Middle East. He called on all peaceful people of all backgrounds to add their voice to the condemnation of the senseless violence and to send the message that terror, death and destruction has no place in the free world. Rabbi Mirocznik added that we must strengthen Torah study and the performance of mitzvot and good deeds in memory of the terror victims. Let us try to make this world a better place for all people.

Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman of the Igud HaRabbonim, gave a Dvar Torah in memory of his grandfather, Rabbi Simcha Kirschner, whose 75th 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 if you did not work on Shabbos, you would be fired. Rabbi Kirschner got a weekly pink slip and went from job to job due to his refusal to abandon Shmiras Shabbos.

Rabbi Kirschner was known as a Shas Yid and is considered to be among the pioneers of those who built Torah in America. He was a founder and builder of Torah institutions, such as the world-renowned Chevra Shomrei Shabbos Anshe Sfard Shul located on 13th Avenue and 53rd street in Borough Park. Rabbi Kirschner’s name is inscribed as the fourth name on the original memorial tablet in the shul. Rabbi Kirschner was also a founder of both the Rabbi Shlomo Kluger Yeshiva, which later incorporated into Yeshivas Chasan Sofer, and Yeshiva Toras Emes, which later merged with the Kamenetz Yeshiva.

PICTURES AFTER VIDEO

Names in Pictures:

Picture (1) Left to Right, Rabbi Yehuda Segal; Rabbi Gil Student, director, Halacha Commission, RAA; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director/Menahel, RAA; Rabbi Yosef Serebryanski; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Elly Krimsky; Rabbi Eli Eleff; Rabbi Benjamin Berlin; Rabbi David J. Toback; and Rabbi Gary Kopstick, special advisor, RAA

Picture (2) Left to Right, Rabbi Robert Blustein; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director/Menahel, RAA; Rabbi David J. Toback; Rabbi Gary Kopstick, special advisor, RAA; Rabbi Yosef Serebryanski; Rabbi Eli Eleff; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA; Rabbi Elly Krimsky; Rabbi Gil Student, director, Halacha Commission, RAA; Rabbi Yehuda Segal; Rabbi Benjamin Berlin

Picture (3) Left to Right, Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director/Menahel, RAA; Rabbi Elly Krimsky; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Eli Eleff; and; Rabbi Gil Student, director, Halacha Commission, RAA

Picture (4) Left to Right, Rabbi Yosef Serebryanski; Rabbi Eli Eleff; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA; and Rabbi Elly Krimsky

Picture (5) Left to Right, Rabbi Eli Eleff; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Elly Krimsky

Picture (6) ) Left to Right, Rabbi Eli Eleff; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Elly Krimsky; and Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA

Picture (7) Left to Right, Rabbi Yosef Serebryanski; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Eli Eleff

Picture (8) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Elly Krimsky

Picture (9) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Elly Krimsky

Picture (10) Left to Right, Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director/Menahel, RAA; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA; and Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA