Dear Rabbis:

Please mark your calendars for the Igud HaRabbonim/Rabbinical Alliance of America’s Rosh Chodesh Sivan Conference and Seudah which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 6, 2024, 29 Iyar 5784, 7:00PM at JCC of Marine Park (JCCMP), located at 3415 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, New York 11234, where our chaver Rabbi Shea Rubenstein serves as Executive Vice-President.

The theme of the Rosh Chodesh Sivan Seudah and Conference is dedicated to Kovod HaRabbonus and the presentation of how the Igud HaRabbonim continues to be the advocate and resource organization for the American Orthodox Rabbinate.

The Rabbinical Alliance of America also known as the Igud HaRabbonim was founded in 1942 by leading rabbonim and roshei yeshiva at Mesivta Torah Vodaath. Our primary purpose and mission over the course of the last 82 years has been to serve as advocates and as a resource center for rabbonim.

To this purpose, the RAA/Igud has developed a retirement plan which is an exclusive benefit for rabbonim who are members of the Igud HaRabbonim. The plan investment record keeper is Vanguard. Vanguard is ranked at the top of the list of US mutual funds by assets under management with over $7.7 trillion in global assets. The investment line-up gives you a diversified range of low-cost mutual fund options from which to choose. In addition, we have retained the services of Bruce Gelfand and Steven Dimino with RBC Wealth Management as the financial advisors for the plan. We also retained the services of ADMIN Partners, as the Plan’s third-party administrator, to provide plan administration and compliance services.

As rabbis, one of the most difficult issues we face is retirement. Although a rav never truly fully retires from learning and teaching Torah, we may retire from actively teaching, the pulpit or chaplaincy. When that happens, we must be financially prepared to have the means to live with Derech Eretz and Kovod. This retirement plan is especially designed to help the rav accomplish this important financial objective.

RAA/Igud provides the resources for a rav to develop professionally. Being a rav in the 21st century is different today than in any other time of Jewish history. The rav faces particular challenges and to help him navigate this difficult and tough terrain, a rav needs fellowship and dibuk chaverim of other rabbonim to seek advice and to discuss confidential issues and challenges he may face. From psak to an invocation to planning activities to contract negotiation, the Igud HaRabbonim is your organization to assist you. We have sage advice from seasoned rabbonim who are available just a phone call away.

One of the most important aspects of Rabbanus is the ability to develop a name as a talmid chacham, an orator and an amazing rebbe. To that end, the Igud HaRabbonim hosts a yearly Chai Elul Siyum HaShas, monthly Rosh Chodesh meetings, Chomer LiDrush opportunities, special events, and publication opportunities under the direction of HaRav Gil Student, Shlit’a, our highly respected Director of the Vaad Halacha, where a rav can present to his peers his Torah learning that will be shared with fellow rabbonim and used in their own shiurim and drashos. Just like a physician, attorney and other professionals join professional associations to develop a reputation as a scholar in their respective field, so too rabbonim use the Igud HaRabbonim to find the opportunity to shine within the rabbinic community and expand his professional reputation, gain additional respect from his congregants, obtain paid speaking opportunities and enhance his ability to gain a new rabbinic position.

The Igud HaRabbonim also sponsors a highly respected Beth Din that is available to service all needs of our chaverim. Our internationally renowned Beth Din is under the venerable leadership of our Av Beth Din, HaGaon HaRav Hershel Kurzrock, Shlit’a. Our Beth Din is recognized by the Israeli Rabbanut in Gittin, Gerus and all issues of Jewish Status and personal identity. The Igud enjoys a working relationship with the Rabbanut which is helpful to the constituency of the rav.

Finally, the Igud HaRabbonim helps alleviate poverty issues and social services by working with the Jewish Community Council of Marine Park (JCCMP), assisting rabbonim and their constituency in need. From food insecurity, food stamps to all benefits, we work closely with Rabbi Shea Rubenstein, the venerable Executive Vice-President of the JCCMP to assist in any way we can.

As your rabbinic organization, the Igud HaRabbonim is willing to explore ways to assist you in any way we can to make your job easier and more rewarding. Therefore, we implore you to consider joining the Igud HaRabbonim and by doing so you will be strengthening the voice of Torah and rabbonim, and empower yourself at the same time.

Please make every effort to attend this important Rosh Chodesh Sivan Igud/RAA Conference, as is our custom important topics will be discussed.

On behalf of the Igud/RAA Presidium and of the Bais Din, I extend greetings of Torah and we look forward to seeing you at the Rosh Chodesh Sivan Conference..

Sincerely,

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik
Executive Vice-President, Rabbinical Alliance of America