Rabbinical Leaders Gather for a Trauma Seminar in Brooklyn to Enhance Support and Services for Rabbis

Brooklyn, New York – On February 20, 2024, a landmark seminar titled “When Trauma and Fear Surround Us: Current Challenges and Opportunities Facing Rabbinic Leaders” brought together the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim, the Rabbinical Council of America, the National Council of Young Israel, and Chai Lifeline. Hosted at the historic Sephardic and Lebanese Congregation, Kol Eliyahu, the event aimed to explore avenues for providing support and services to rabbis amidst a landscape of unprecedented trauma.

Keynote speaker Rabbi Dr. David Fox, Director of Crisis and Trauma Services at Chai Lifeline, alongside a special presentation by Rabbi Simcha Scholar, founder, and CEO of Chai Lifeline, highlighted the seminar. Rabbi Yehuda Blank, Vice-President of Professional Development and External Affairs and Chairman of the Chaplaincy Commission at the Rabbinical Alliance of America, moderated the program. Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, introduced Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz of the Sephardic and Lebanese Congregation, Kol Eliyahu, who offered his greetings and blessings.

Rabbi Mirocznik remarked on the critical need for the seminar, noting, “The world has faced back-to-back trauma from COVID-19 to urban upheaval, including the events of October 7, at an unprecedented level. Rabbis are navigating traumatic experiences and issues beyond their traditional training, all while trying to avoid personal burnout and ensure self-care.” He stressed the importance of understanding trauma, preventing re-traumatization, and providing rabbis with the necessary tools to cope and assist their congregants effectively.

The seminar emerged from a collaborative effort led by Rabbi Blank, who, after discussions with colleagues from the Rabbinical Council of America, National Council of Young Israel, and Chai Lifeline, recognized the urgent need for addressing trauma within the rabbinic community. The successful organization and hosting of the event at Kol Eliyahu underscore the community’s commitment to supporting its leaders.

Rabbi Blank highlighted the seminar as an example of the Rabbinical Alliance of America’s dedication to developing programs that enhance rabbis’ professional skills and enable them to better serve their communities. He expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations and the continued development of resources to empower rabbis in their sacred work.

This seminar marks a significant step forward in addressing the mental health and support needs of rabbis, ensuring they have the resources and skills to guide their communities through challenging times.

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Names in Pictures

Picture (1) Group Photo of the Trauma Committee Organizing Committee, Left to Right, Rabbi Tzvi Schnall; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski; Rabbi Avrohom Gold; Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox; Rabbi Yaakov Klass; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank; Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz; Rabbi Simcha Scholar; Rabbi Dr. David Fox; Rabbi Yochanan Ivry; Rabbi Michoel Chazan; Rabbi Abraham Hecht; and Rabbi Moshe Cohen

Picture (2) Left to Right, Rabbi Yaakov Klass; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank; Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz; Rabbi Simcha Scholar; and Rabbi Dr. David Fox

Picture (3) Left to Right, Rabbi Dr. David Fox; Rabbi Yaakov Klass; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank; Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz; Rabbi Simcha Scholar; Rabbi Dr. David Fox; Rabbi Yochanan Ivry; and Rabbi Michoel Chazan

Picture (4) Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; Rabbi Yaakov Klass; Rabbi Dr. David Fox; Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox; and Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank

Picture (5) Rabbi Moish Schmerler; Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; Rabbi Abraham Hecht; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank; and Rabbi Bruce Oachs

Picture (6) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; and Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz

Picture (7) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; and Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank

Picture (8) Rabbi Moish Schmerler

Picture (9) Rabbi Abraham Hecht; Rabbi Michoel Chazan; Rabbi Simcha Scholar; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz; Rabbi Yaakov Mizrahi; and Rabbi Moish Schmerler

Picture (10) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; greeting ands welcoming Rabbi Avrohom Gold; to the Trauma Seminar

Picture (11) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik

Picture (12) Rabbi Dr. David Fox

Picture (13) Left to Right, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik; Rabbi Yaakov Klass; Rabbi Dr. David Fox; Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox; and Rabbi Yehuda Blank