On April 10, 2024, the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim convened its monthly Rosh Chodesh (Nisan) conference at Congregation Beth Tikvah, Brooklyn, New York, where our esteemed member Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, is the Rabbi.
Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman of the Igud HaRabbonim, dedicated the Rosh Chodesh Nisan Conference and presented an erudite Dvar Torah in memory of his grandfather, Rabbi Simcha Kirschner, ZT’L whose 76th 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 Kaminetz Yeshiva.
In honor of Rabbi Kirschner’s memory and as a merit for Klal Yisrael, Rabbi Yaakov Klass made a call to action to strengthen Torah learning in America especially during the Bein Hazmanin, known as the off periods, such as between Purim and Pesach. Yes, we have a responsibility to help our families with Yom Tov preparation, but we also have a responsibility to strengthen Torah and to constantly bring it up. To this end, the Rabbinical Alliance of America leads by example, and on behalf of the Igud HaRabbonim, I thank Rabbi Gil Student, Director of our Vaad Halacha, for releasing the Halacha Commission’s recent publication on Gun Control in Halacha. This publication demonstrates that as busy as our Rabbis are, they took the time from their hectic schedules to produce a compilation of scholarly essays on a timely contemporary Halachic issue. We ask the same of our Yeshiva Bochrim. It is laudable that you are helping the family during Bein Hazmanim, but you can also balance that need with learning. This learning will strengthen Torah and be a true Zichus for Israel as it battles Hamas and Iran in a war for her survival.
Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Igud HaRabbonim, highlighted the distressing climate of fear experienced by Jewish students, parents, faculty, and staff in public schools. “Although the Rabbinical Alliance advocates that all Jewish children be educated in Yeshivas and Day Schools, the reality is that there are Jewish teachers, staff, and students in public schools. As Rabbis we demand that no Jewish person on a public school campus should ever face antisemitism, hate, or intimidation,” said Mirocznik. He stressed the need for clear and unequivocal action against antisemitism, mirroring the intolerance shown towards other forms of hate, bigotry, and racism.
Mirocznik, emphasized the backdrop that is the root of the issue: “Since the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, there has been a surge in antisemitic incidents across the United States and right here in New York City.” He cited alarming statistics from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), noting a 361% increase in recorded antisemitic incidents in the three months following the October 7 attack, compared to the same period in 2022. “These incidents are not only pervasive but escalating, particularly in educational environments,” said Mirocznik, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The ADL’s data reveal that these incidents, ranging from assault and vandalism to verbal harassment and antisemitic rallies, are not only pervasive but are also increasing in educational settings. In New York City alone, the NYPD recorded 669 hate crimes in 2023, with nearly half targeting the Jewish community. .
As Rabbis, we urge the community and educational institutions to actively address and rectify issues of antisemitism and hate. Mirocznik highlighted the problematic influence of external agitators at educational institutions. “We are witnessing outside influencers stirring up trouble by agitating students with an antisemitic agenda that pushes an anti-Israel narrative. This is not only inflammatory but also is factually and educationally incorrect, feeding students lies about the realities of the Israel-Hamas conflict,” he explained. As a society, we must insist that the external agitators be barred from public schools and held accountable for the disruptions and problems that they have caused to the educational environment at our public schools and that the public schools take corrective steps to clear up misconceptions and the falsehoods that have been spread about Israel. This misinformation not only distorts the students’ understanding of the Israel-Hamas conflict but also perpetuates harmful antisemitic stereotypes and biases.
It is important for educational institutions and community leaders to work together to provide accurate information and foster an environment where healthy, informed discussions can take place. This might include educational programs that offer honest factual presentations on international conflicts, including the complex history and current events in the Middle East.
As antisemitism challenges the security and well-being of Jewish communities, the Rabbinical Alliance of America underscores the urgency of solidarity and the need for systemic change to ensure safety and respect for all on school campuses. The message is clear: the community cares deeply, and collective action is essential to foster a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
The Rabbinical Alliance of America further stressed that, as Rabbis, we stand in solidarity with the students, faculty, and staff on the public school campuses. They need to know that the community cares and will not stop until proper change is effectuated. We also need to spread the message that the truth is being lost in the conversation and that Israel is being maligned and its right to exist and legitimacy as a Jewish state is being questioned. As Rabbis, we said at the start of the conflict with Gaza that we must make certain the media reports accurately and does not distort the truth. Israel finds herself in a war for her survival against Hamas, which refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist and has sworn that it seeks the ultimate destruction of Israel. As ludicrous as it seems to have to say this, Israel is not engaged in genocide. On the contrary, it is defending itself against a genocidal enemy that seeks the destruction of Israel and all Jews globally. As antisemitism poses ongoing challenges to the security and well-being of Jewish communities, the Rabbinical Alliance of America underscores and highlights the urgency of community solidarity and the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the safety and dignity of all students, faculty, and staff within the public school system.
Mirocznik concluded, as the world marks the six-month anniversary of the taking of the hostages, there is an urgency for the international community to hold Hamas accountable for its actions, which are recognized as acts of terrorism and crimes against humanity. He underscored the necessity for the immediate release of all hostages, highlighting the collective longing for their safe return to their families and homes in Israel. Mirocznik’s call to action reflects a broader appeal for global intervention and support to address and resolve these humanitarian issues effectively.
Also participating in the Rosh Chodesh Nisan Conference was Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Igud HaRabbonim; Rabbi Gil Student, director Vaad Halacha, Igud HaRabbonim; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director/Menahel, Igud HaRabbonim; and Rabbi Avraham Hecht, executive director, Jewish Community Council, Canarsie
PICTURES AFTER THE VIDEO
Names in Pictures
Picture (1) Group photo of some of the Rabbis in attendance by the Rosh Chodesh Nisan Conference of the Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (2) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (3) Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (4) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Igud HaRabbonim; and Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (5) Left to right, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Igud HaRabbonim; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, Congregation Beth Tikvah, Brooklyn, New York; and Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (6) Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (7) Rabbi Avraham Hecht, executive director, Jewish Community Council of Canarsie
Picture (8) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Igud HaRabbonim; and Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (9) Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (10) Left to Right, Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Igud HaRabbonim; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, Congregation Beth Tikvah, Brooklyn, New York; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, Igud HaRabbonim; and Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Igud HaRabbonim
Picture (11) Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, Congregation Beth Tikvah, Brooklyn, New York
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