Responding to a Misguided “Call for Moral Clarity”

Our friends at the Coalition for Jewish Values have authored an important letter, and the Igud joins them in asking for your signature.

This is coming in response to a misguided and contrary statement, with 80 signatures, entitled “A Call for Moral Clarity, Responsibility, and a Jewish Orthodox Response in the Face of the Gaza Humanitarian Crisis.” It was featured in the JTA and elsewhere.

That statement does not provide full and appropriate context regarding the situation in Gaza or the current war, and does not represent the Orthodox mainstream — and that is why a response needs your signature.

Although the statement claims to be a “Jewish Orthodox Response,” the “rabbinic” signatures include numerous Open Orthodox figures, including women, proponents of alternative lifestyles, etc. Sadly, a notable few are indeed known to be Orthodox.

Moreover, the “moral” letter on the “Gaza Humanitarian Crisis” blames Israel for having “devastated Gaza” and contributing to the “profound suffering of Gaza’s civilian population.” The signatories claim to know that “our [Israel’s] government’s actions contradict the Torah’s moral imperatives” and that Jewish values obligate them to speak out.

We invite you to read and sign the CJV’s “Rabbinic Response” letter, which they hope to publicize after we have double or triple the 80 signatures on the statement to which they are responding.

Please do not share this link with anyone who is not an Orthodox rabbi whom you hope will sign the letter. The final form with signatures will be published on a different, public-facing page on our website.

Yours sincerely,

Chai Elul Invitation

The Rabbinical Alliance of America
37th Annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas, 83rd Celebration RAA/Igud
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Host Congregation:
Sephardic Lebanese Congregation
805 Avenue T, Brooklyn, New York 11223
Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz, Mara D’atra

Registration 5:00 p.m. Mincha 5:45 p.m.
Siyum HaShas & Dinner Convocation 6:00 pm

Event Sponsor- Rabbi Moish & Sorah Schmerler
In Memoriam: Rebbetzin Shelly Schmerler Zt’l, HaRav Shmuel Borenstein Zt’l

Siyum Sponsor- R’ Pinny Shapiro and family
In Memoriam: HaRav Meir Shapiro Zt’l, Rebbetzin Pearl Yita Shapiro Zt’l

• Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President, RAA/Igud; Event Chairman
• Rabbi Moish Schmerler, Executive Director, RAA/Igud; Dinner Chairman
• Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Presidium Member, RAA/Igud; Rabii Congregation Beth Israel Chabasd Norwalk, CT; Convocation Chairman
• Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Chairman, Eretz HaKodesh; Siyum HaShas Chairman
• Rabbi Yitzchok Bistrizky, Founder and President, Mikvah USA: Siyum HaShas
• Rabbi Leibel Wulliger, Rosh HaKollel, Nachlas Dovid, Yeshivah Torah Vodaath, Brooklyn, NY; Hascholas HaShas

At the dinner we will be celebrating our 82nd Anniversary and will be honoring:

Hon. Robert S. Tucker, FDNY Commissioner
Chief Richie Taylor will preside over our awards presentation to NYPD Officers who will be honored for their valiant service.