The Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) / Igud HaRabbonim, a national rabbinic organization representing over 950 American rabbis, convened its monthly Rosh Chodesh Sivan Conference and Seudah today at Kahal Bnei Matisyahu in Brooklyn, New York.

The conference and festive meal were generously sponsored by RAA Presidium Chairman HaRav Yaakov Klass, alongside his brother Mr. Arthur Klass and family, Liluy Nishmas their father, Reb Anshel Ben Reb Moshe Feivel, Z”L (Mr. Albert Klass, Z”L). In honor of his father’s enduring legacy and memory, Rabbi Klass delivered a profound and inspiring Torah discourse to the gathered assembly of rabbinic leaders and delegates. 

Leadership Appointments and Tribute to the Founders of American Orthodoxy

A major highlight of the conference was the official announcement made by Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, appointing Rabbi Jay Levy, Rabbi of the Mill Basin Sephardic Congregation, as a newly appointed Vice-President of the RAA.

In announcing the appointment, Rabbi Mirocznik praised the new Vice-President’s exceptional credentials, stating:

“Rabbi Jay Levy is a first-class Talmid Chacham, a true scholar, and a rising star within rabbinical circles. We are incredibly fortunate to have him join our leadership as a Vice-President. We look forward to working closely with him to build a strong, dynamic Rabbinical Alliance of America—one that will be even better able and equipped to advocate for the Rabbinate, the Land of Israel, and all of Klal Yisroel.”

Rabbi Mirocznik further offered a powerful tribute to the sponsor’s father and the pioneering generation he represents, stressing that if Orthodox Jewry in America is flourishing today, it is due entirely to the generation of Rabbi Klass’s father, whose unwavering commitment to Yiddishkeit, Torah, and Mitzvos refused to surrender religious values for greener pastures.

“The Mesiras Nefesh (self-sacrifice) of Reb Anshel, Z”L, and those like him, serves as the very foundation of what we call the frum communities of America today,” Rabbi Mirocznik declared. “We owe this legendary generation an eternal debt of gratitude for holding down the fort. They made the path of a Torah Jew a proud and popular one to follow. Against all historical odds, this has resulted in the largest demographic growth within the North American Jewish community today. It is a true American success story born of courage, conviction, and vision.”

 

Rabbinic Ordination Celebration

The convocation also celebrated the graduation and rabbinic ordination (Semicha) of two distinguished scholars from the Kollel Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary. Rabbi Herschel Baum and Rabbi Aaron Ceder were presented with their certificates of ordination. The presentation was presided over by:

  • Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and Vice-President of the RAA.
  • Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Presidium Chairman of the RAA, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press.

 

Addressing Anti-Israel Protests and Local Security

A significant and solemn portion of the conference was dedicated to serious deliberations regarding the rising tide of antisemitism globally and locally. The Presidium and membership engaged in a critical discussion regarding recent disruptive anti-Israel protests occurring across New York City, and specifically closer to home within the Flatbush-Midwood community.

Media reports have highlighted a disturbing escalation in these actions, noting that within a single six-day period, organized mobs targeted local houses of worship, including Park East Synagogue in Manhattan and, most recently, the Young Israel of Midwood on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. Media and eyewitness accounts from the Midwood demonstration detailed aggressive crowds marching through the heavily populated Orthodox Jewish neighborhood waving Hezbollah flags, displaying Hamas-linked target symbols, and chanting “Globalize the Intifada” and “Zionism will fall.” The hostile demonstrations resulted in physical scuffles, the assault of local residents—including a young Jewish girl and an elderly veteran—and multiple arrests by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for disorderly conduct and violence.

In light of these hostile demonstrations targeting the religious and residential heart of the community, the RAA issues an urgent call to local synagogues, yeshivas, and community members to exercise a heightened state of vigilance and diligence. The organization emphasizes the necessity of robust security partnerships to ensure the safety and peace of our neighborhoods.

A Call for Unity, Action, and Spiritual Strength

Moving forward, the Rabbinical Alliance of America issues a definitive call to action to the broader Jewish community. The RAA emphasizes that the community must refuse to remain silent, urging all people of conscience to be strong and completely unafraid in voicing their concerns against targeting Jewish neighborhoods and institutions.

Compounding this call, Rabbi Mirocznik added an essential spiritual and communal charge:

“As a community, we must embrace one another and treat each other with deep love, genuine compassion, and as true family. Now more than ever, we should actively engage in Torah, Mitzvos, and Gemiluth Chasadim (deeds of loving-kindness). It is in that collective merit that we pray the Almighty will have mercy on us, and it is through this spiritual and communal fortitude that we will ultimately overcome this current wave of antisemitism.”

Following these vital community policy resolutions, Rabbi Mirocznik also reminded all members to continue completing their chosen sections of Gemara in preparation for the RAA’s customary Chai Elul Annual Siyum HaShas. 

Global Advocacy for Religious Freedom: The Fight Against European Bans

The RAA also turned its attention to grave infractions on religious liberties occurring across the Atlantic. Rabbi Yaakov Klass raised deep concerns regarding European assaults on fundamental Jewish practices, specifically highlighting the ongoing bans on ritual slaughter (Shechita) and the escalating legislative restrictions on circumcision (Bris Milah) in Belgium and other European jurisdictions.

In response to these developments:

  1. Consular Outreach: Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Cohen announced that he will be actively contacting the relevant European consulates to demand formal meetings regarding these discriminatory policies.
  2. Resolution Passed: The RAA body unanimously passed a resolution to draft and present a formal, urgent letter explicitly addressing these religious freedom violations. This document will be shared with the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) to form a unified global front.

“We cannot sit idly by while our communities face intimidation at home, and our most sacred religious traditions face legal existential threats abroad,” stated the RAA leadership. “The Rabbinical Alliance of America stands resolute in defending Torah values, securing our local institutions, and advocating for the unalienable rights of Jews worldwide.”

 

Names in Pictures

Picture (1) Celebrating the newly Ordained Rabbis, Left to Right, Newly Ordained Rabbi Hershcel Baum; Rabbi David Ceder, proud father of newly Ordained Rabbi Aaron Ceder; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Newly Ordained Rabbi Aaron Ceder; Rabbi Gil Student, director, Halacha Commission, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press

Picture (2) Left to Right, Rabbi Robert Blustein; Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Jay Levy, Newly Appointed, vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov David Cohen; Rabbi David Ceder; Newly Ordained Rabbi Aaron Ceder; Rabbi Gil Student, director, Halacha Commission, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; and Rabbi Kalman Sodden

Picture (3) Presenting Rabbi Aaron Ceder with his certificate of Ordination; Left to right, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Aaron Ceder; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; Rabbi Yaakov David Cohen

Picture (4) Left to Right, Rabbi Robert Blustein; Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Jay Levy, newly appointed, vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov David Cohen; Rabbi David Ceder, newly ordained Rabbi Aaron Ceder; Rabbi Gil Student, director, Vaad Halacha, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; and Rabbi Kalman Sodden

Picture (5) Celebrating newly Ordained Rabbi Aaron Ceder, Left to Right, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi David Ceder; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Aaron Ceder; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Rabbinical Alliance of America; and Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press

Picture (6) Left to Right, Rabbi Jay Levy, Newly Appointed, vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov David Cohen; and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America

Picture (7) Left to Right, Rabbi Jay Levy, Newly Appointed, vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov David Cohen; and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America

Picture (8) Celebrating newly Ordained Rabbi Hershel Baum; Left to Right, Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Rabbinical Alliance of America, Rabbi Hershel Baum; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; Newly Ordained Rabbi Aaron Ceder; and Rabbi Yaakov David Ceder

Picture (9) Left to Right, Newly Ordained Rabbi Hershel Baum; Rabbi David Ceder; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Newly Ordained Rabbi Aaron Ceder; Rabbi Gil Student, director, Halacha Commission, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive director, Rabbinical Alliance of America; and Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press

Picture (10) Congratulating Rabbi Jay Levy, on his appointment as a vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Left  to Right, Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Jay Levy; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America

Picture (11) Congratulating Rabbi Jay Levy, on his appointment as a vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Left  to Right, Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Jay Levy; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press

Picture (12) Congratulating Rabbi Jay Levy, on his appointment as a vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; Left  to Right, Rabbi Robert Blustein; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Jay Levy; Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary Zichron Yaakov, presidium chairman of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; Rabbi Moish Shulman, executive director, Rabbinical Alliance of America; Rabbi Yaakov Shulman, presidium member, Rabbinical Alliance of America; and Rabbi Gil Syudent, director, Vaad Halacha, Rabbinical Alliance of America