The Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA/Igud HaRabbanim) celebrated its 83rd anniversary with its 37th annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas on Tuesday, September 16. The distinguished event, held at the historic Sephardic Lebanese Congregation under the spiritual guidance of its Mara D’atra, Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz, brought together esteemed rabbis, community leaders, and public servants to honor the collective completion of the Talmud and celebrate the organization’s enduring legacy.

The tradition of the annual Siyum HaShas was originally suggested to the RAA’s late president, Rabbi Avraham Hecht, ZT” L, by the Rishon L’Tzion, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, ZT” L. The esteemed Rabbi Meyer Shapiro, ZT” L, former Chief Rabbi of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was set to serve as the event’s first chairman. Tragically, he passed away prior to the inaugural Siyum. In a poignant tribute, the first event was held to commemorate his shloshim (the 30-day period of mourning), and the Siyum has been dedicated to his memory ever since. This legacy is carried on by his family, led by R’ Pinny Shapiro, who continues to sponsor the annual gathering. The event also honors the memory of his mother, Rebbetzin Pearl Yita Shapiro, ZT” L, as well as Rabbi Avraham Hecht, ZT” L, and Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT” L.

Event Leadership and Highlights

The evening was a testament to communal partnership, sponsored by Rabbi Moish and Sorah Schmerler in memory of Rebbetzin Shelly Schmerler, ZT” L, and HaRav Shmuel Borenstein, ZT” L.

The program was skillfully chaired by Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the RAA. The evening’s leadership included:

  • Rabbi Moish Schmerler, Executive Director of the RAA, as Dinner Chairman.
  • Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Presidium Member, as Convocation Chairman.
  • Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Founder and Chairman of Eretz HaKodesh, as Siyum HaShas Chairman.
  • Rabbi Yitzchok Bistrizky, Founder and President of Mikvah USA, who led the Siyum.
  • Rabbi Leibel Wulliger, Rosh HaKollel of Nachlas Dovid, Yeshivah Torah Vodaath, who led the Hascholas HaShas (the beginning of the new study cycle).

A key highlight was the conferral of Semicha (rabbinical ordination) from the Kollel Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary. The ordination was presented by the Rosh Kollel, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, and the Rav Hakollel, Rabbi Yaakov Klass. The new ordinands were Rabbi Mordecai Schmerler, son of RAA Executive Director Rabbi Moish Schmerler and grandson of longtime RAA member Rabbi Isaac Schmerler, and Rabbi Dr. Labbish Mordechai (Len) Laponson, a respected internal medicine physician from Arizona.

Honoring Community and Public Service

The RAA celebrated a number of distinguished public servants and community leaders for their outstanding dedication and service:

  • Hon. Robert S. Tucker, FDNY Commissioner
  • Deputy Assistant Chief David S. Simms, Staten Island Borough Commander, FDNY
  • Assistant Commissioner Alden Isiah Foster, Community Affairs Bureau, NYPD
  • Chief Chaplain Dr. Alfred Correa, Metropolitan Transportation Authority
  • Assistant Chief Mellissa A. Eger, Staten Island Borough Commander, NYPD
  • Deputy Chief Richard S. Taylor, Commanding Officer, Community Affairs Bureau, NYPD
  • Rabbi Jacob Eisdorfer, Liaison to Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso
  • Mark Meyer Appel, Founder and President of The Bridge Multicultural Project
  • Annesa Ali, Chief of Staff to the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island and Founder of Making A Change With Kindness
  • Rabbi David Heskiel, NYPD Clergy Liaison

Key Convocation Resolutions

Led by Convocation Chairman Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, the RAA passed several resolutions affirming its position on key issues:

  1. Support for Israeli Sovereignty: A call for Israel to formally annex and recognize Judea and Samaria (Yehuda and Shomron) as integral parts of the Land of Israel.
  2. Protecting Family Values: A call to launch a “Nation-wide Federation of Parents” to advocate for traditional family values and protect students from ideological indoctrination in schools.
  3. Support for the Chief Rabbinate of Israel: Reaffirming strong support for the Chief Rabbinate as the exclusive authority on matters of conversion, personal status, and kashruth in Israel.
  4. Support for the U.S. Administration: Applauding the administration of President Donald J. Trump for its support of Israel in the war against Hamas.
  5. Recognition of Eretz HaKodesh: Thanking Rabbi Pesach Lerner for his vital contributions to Israeli and American Jewry through his work with Eretz HaKodesh.
  6. Congratulations to Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik: Congratulating the RAA’s Executive Vice-President on his appointment as a Judge of the New York State Court of Claims.
  7. Recognition of the Coalition of Jewish Values (CJV): Applauding the CJV and its managing director, Rabbi Yaakov Menken, for effectively representing Torah views on major social issues in the national media.

The celebratory evening concluded on a hopeful note, with attendees sharing blessings for a good and sweet New Year and offering prayers for a year of peace and redemption.

About the Rabbinical Alliance of America: Founded in 1942, the Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA/Igud HaRabbanim) is a national organization with over 950 Orthodox rabbis serving in pulpits, schools, and communities across the country. The RAA is dedicated to promoting the values of Torah-true Judaism and serving as a vital voice for the American Orthodox rabbinate.

Names in Pictures

Picture (1) Rabbi Yitzchok Bistrizky, Founder and President of Mikvah USA, making the Siyum HaShas, Left to Right, Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA; Rabbi Yehuda Blank, vice-president, professional development and external affairs, RAA; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, newly appointed vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Rabbi Pinny Shapiro, Siyum HaShas sponsor and son of Rabbi Meyer Shapiro, ZT’L; Rabbi Yitzchok Bistrizky; Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht, presidium member, RAA; Rabbi Avraham Kirsch, Dayan, Igud HaRabbanim Bais Din; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz, Mara D’Atra, Sephardic Lebanese Congregation; Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island; and Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, RAA

Picture (2) Rabbi Tzvi Mandel, Khal Bnai Yisroel, making the Invocation in honor of the Hon. Robert Tucker, FDNY commissioner and New York’s Bravest, Left to Right, Chief Richard Taylor; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Tzvi Mandel; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA; Hon. Robert Tucker; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Hon. Ray Rodriguez, administrative judge of the Criminal and Civil Terms, New York State Supreme Court, Richmond  County; and Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island 

Picture (3) Presentation of Smicha to Rabbi Dr. Labbish Mordechai (Len) Laponson, a respected internal medicine physician from Arizona; Left to Right, Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Rabbi Dr. Labbish Mordechai (Len) Laponson; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA and Rav  Hakollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical  Seminary Zichron Yaakov; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Tzvi Mandel

Picture (4) Presentation of Smicha to Rabbi Mordechai Schmerler, Left to Right, three generations of Schmerler Rabbonim, Rabbi Isaac Schmerler; Rabbi Mordechai Schmerler; and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, vice-president, RAA and Rosh Kolle of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA and Rav  Hakollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical  Seminary Zichron Yaakov; and Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA

Picture (5) Honoring Hon. Robert Tucker, FDNY commissioner, Left to Right, Rabbi Yehuda Blank, vice-president, professional development and external affairs, RAA; Rabbi David Heskiel, NYPD clergy liaison; Chief Richard Taylor; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Hon. Robert Tucker; Chief David S. Simms, FDNY Staten Island borough commander; and Rabbi Eli Slavin, community liaison to Congress Member Yvette Clarke

Picture (6) Honoring Rabbi Jacob Eisdorfer, community liaison to Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso; Left to Right, Rabbi Yehuda Blank, vice-president, professional development and external affairs, RAA; Chief Richard Taylor; Rabbi Jacob Eisdorfer; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA

Picture (7) Honoring Rabbi David Heskiel, NYPD clergy liaison; Left to Right, Rabbi Yehuda Blank, vice-president, professional development and external affairs, RAA; and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Rabbi Moish Cohen; Chief Richard Taylor; Rabbi David Heskiel; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island 

Picture (8) Honoring Chief Chaplain Dr. Alfred Correa, Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Left to Right, Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Yehuda Blank, vice-president, professional development and external affairs, RAA; Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Hon. Ray Rodriguez, administrative judge of the Criminal and Civil Terms, New York State Supreme Court, Richmond  County; Rabbi Tzvi (Harry) Berkowitz, chief chaplain, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Retired); Chief Richard Taylor; Chief Chaplain Dr. Alfred Correa; Captain Ryan Russel, commanding officer, New York State MTA Police, District 9, Staten Island; Ben Nezhberg; board chairman, Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island; and Rabbi Abe Friedman, community liaison

Picture (9) Group Photo of some of the Rabbis in attendance at the RAA/IGUD HaRabbanim 37th Annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas and 83rd Anniversary Celebration

Picture (10) Left to Right, Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Rabbi Pinny Shapiro, Siyum HaShas sponsor and son of Rabbi Meyer Shapiro, ZT’L; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island 

Picture (11) Left to Right, Rabbi Avraham Kirsch, Dayan, Igud HaRabbanim Bais Din; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island; and Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, RAA

Picture (12) Left to Right, Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Rabbi Avraham Kirsch, Dayan, Igud HaRabbanim Bais Din; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Aharon Zeev, Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island

Picture (13) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; welcoming and greeting the Hon. Robert Tucker, FDNY Commissioner at the 83rd Celebration of the Rabbinical Alliance of America

Picture (14) Honoring Hon. Robert Tucker, FDNY commissioner; and Deputy Assistant Chief David S. Simms, Staten Island borough commander, FDNY; Left to Right, Rabbi Yosef Elishevitz; Rabbi Chaim Prussman; Rabbi Yehuda Blank, vice-president, professional development and external affairs, RAA; Rabbi David Heskiel, NYPD clergy liaison; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, RAA; Chief Richard Taylor; Rabbi Chesky Blau; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA; Hon. Robert Tucker; Ben Nezhberg, board chairman, Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island; Chief David S. Simms; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Eli Slavin, community liaison to Congress Member Yvette Clarke; and Chief Chaplain Dr. Alfred Correa, Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Picture (15) Left to Right, Chief Richard Taylor; Hon. Robert Tucker, FDNY commissioner; Deputy Assistant Chief David S. Simms, Staten Island borough commander, FDNY; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Eli Slavin, community liaison to Congress Member Yvette Clarke

Picture (16) Honoring Assistant Commissioner Alden Isiah Foster, Community Affairs Bureau, NYPD; Left to Right, Rabbi David Heskiel, NYPD clergy liaison; Chief Richard Taylor; Hon. Fred Kreizman, commissioner, Community Affairs Unit, Office of the Mayor of the City of New York; Assistant Commissioner Alden Isiah Foster; Hon. Ray Rodriguez, administrative judge of the Criminal and Civil Terms, New York State Supreme Court, Richmond  County; Chief Chaplain Dr. Alfred Correa, Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, RAA

Picture (17) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; greeting and welcoming Assistant Commissioner Alden Isiah Foster, Community Affairs Bureau, NYPD at the 83rd Celebration of the Rabbinical Alliance of America

Picture (18) Honoring Mark Meyer Appel, Founder and President of The Bridge Multicultural Project; Left to Right, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Mark Meyer Appel; and Hon. Ray Rodriguez, administrative judge of the Criminal and Civil Terms, New York State Supreme Court, Richmond County

Picture (19) Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; greeting and welcoming Chief Chaplain Dr. Alfred Correa, Metropolitan Transportation Authority at the 83rd Celebration of the Rabbinical Alliance of America