The Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA / Igud HaRabbonim), representing more than 950 Orthodox rabbis across North America, marked its 84th anniversary on August 31 at the Sephardic Lebanese Congregation in Brooklyn with its 38th Annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas and 84th Annual Convocation Dinner.

Hosted by Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz, the gathering brought together rabbinic leaders, public officials, law enforcement personnel and interfaith advocates for an evening devoted to Torah scholarship, communal leadership and public service.

The Siyum HaShas was chaired by Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the RAA, together with Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Chairman of Eretz HaKodesh. Rabbi Yitzchok Mayer Tzvi Leizerowski, Rosh Bais Din D’Philadelphia, completed the Talmud, followed by the commencement of the new cycle by Rabbi Leibel Wulliger, Rosh HaKollel of Nachlas Dovid at Yeshivah Torah Vodaath.

In his keynote address, Rabbi Mirocznik reflected on the organization’s 84-year history and called for renewed communal vigilance in response to rising antisemitism.

“For eighty-four years, the Rabbinical Alliance of America has stood as a guardian of Torah authenticity and communal unity,” he said. “At a time of rising antisemitism and continuing challenges facing Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, Torah leadership must be matched by active communal responsibility.”

A central moment of the evening was the installation of Rabbi Jay Levy, spiritual leader of the Mill Basin Sephardic Congregation – Tiferet Ovadia, as Vice-President of the RAA. Rabbi Levy was nominated by Rabbi Mirocznik and formally installed by RAA Presidium Chairman Rabbi Yaakov Klass.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to assume this role,” Rabbi Levy said. “I look forward to working with the RAA’s leadership to strengthen our rabbis and serve our communities with vigor and devotion.”

The RAA also recognized civic, law enforcement, interfaith and communal leaders for service to the Jewish community, public safety and the fight against antisemitism. Honorees included Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Rev. Kimberly Council; Sheikh Imam Musa Drammeh, president of the Muslim-Israel Dialogue Project; Bishop Dr. Maxon Gaspard of the USA Chaplain Corps Ministry; MTA Police Deputy Inspector Ryan Russel; Robert and Lillian Orlando of the 121st Precinct Community Council; NYPD Officer Meir Green; Rabbi Ari Weiss of Staten Island Shomrim and Hatzolah; and photographer Debbie Killen.

The program also included remarks from NYPD Deputy Commissioner Alden Foster, NYPD Assistant Commissioner Fred Kreizman, New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse and community leader Mark Meyer Appel. Speakers emphasized cooperation among religious communities, law enforcement and civic organizations in protecting New Yorkers and combating hate.

Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, Vice-President of Professional Development and External Affairs and chair of the RAA Chaplaincy Commission, delivered the invocation, stressing the importance of Jews, Christians, Muslims, public officials and law enforcement standing together in mutual respect.

During the convocation, Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, a member of the RAA Presidium and Convocation Chairman, presented five policy resolutions adopted by the organization:

The RAA commemorated America’s 250th anniversary and offered prayers for the United States and its elected leaders.
The organization urged synagogues and yeshivas to encourage voter participation, citing the Jewish communal obligation to protect public welfare.
The RAA called for a National Federation of Parents to advocate for parental rights and traditional family values in public education.
The organization called for Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, opposed the creation of an independent Palestinian state and supported reintegrating Gaza into Israel’s security and territorial framework.
The RAA expressed support for the Chief Rabbinate of Israel retaining halachic authority over conversion, personal status, kashruth, marriage and divorce.

The convocation concluded with prayers for the safety of Israel’s defense forces, frontline first responders and Jewish communities worldwide, along with blessings for a healthy and peaceful New Year.

Media Background Sheet After Pictures

MEDIA BACKGROUND SHEET

Rabbinical Alliance of America 84th Anniversary Convocation and 38th Annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas

Event Date: August 31, 2026 / 18 Elul 5786
Location: Sephardic Lebanese Congregation, Brooklyn, New York
Organization: Rabbinical Alliance of America / Igud HaRabbonim
Membership: More than 950 Orthodox rabbis across North America

The Rabbinical Alliance of America marked its 84th anniversary with its annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas and Convocation Dinner, bringing together rabbis, public officials, law enforcement leaders, emergency responders and Christian and Muslim communal leaders.

The program combined Torah scholarship with recognition of public service and interfaith cooperation, the installation of new RAA leadership and the adoption of five organizational policy resolutions.

Siyum HaShas

The 38th Annual Chai Elul Siyum HaShas was chaired by Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, together with Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Chairman of Eretz HaKodesh.

The completion of the Talmud was delivered by Rabbi Yitzchok Mayer Tzvi Leizerowski, Rosh Bais Din D’Philadelphia. The new cycle of Talmud study was begun by Rabbi Leibel Wulliger, Rosh HaKollel of Nachlas Dovid at Yeshivah Torah Vodaath.

The event was hosted by Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz, Mara D’Asra of the Sephardic Lebanese Congregation.

Installation of Rabbi Jay Levy

One of the central events of the convocation was the installation of Rabbi Jay Levy as Vice-President of the Rabbinical Alliance of America.

Rabbi Levy serves as spiritual leader of the Mill Basin Sephardic Congregation – Tiferet Ovadia. He was nominated for the RAA leadership position by Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik and formally installed by Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Presidium Chairman of the RAA.

Rabbi Klass praised Rabbi Levy for his Torah scholarship, communal leadership, warmth and integrity, describing him as an important addition to the organization’s executive leadership.

Rabbi Levy said that he looked forward to working with the RAA Presidium, Rabbinical Court and broader leadership to strengthen rabbis and serve their communities.

Honorees

Hon. Reverend Kimberly Council

Deputy Brooklyn Borough President

Rev. Kimberly Council was honored for her leadership across Brooklyn and her work connecting faith communities with municipal government.

An ordained minister as well as a public official, she has been active in faith-based initiatives, community security, youth development and social welfare. The RAA particularly recognized her support for Orthodox Jewish communities, her opposition to antisemitism and bias crimes and her advocacy for religious freedom and cooperation among Brooklyn’s diverse communities.

Sheikh Imam Musa Drammeh

President, Muslim-Israel Dialogue Project

Sheikh Musa Drammeh was recognized for his public opposition to antisemitism and his support for Israel from within the Muslim community.

Following the October 7 Hamas attacks, Drammeh publicly condemned the massacres and stated that Hamas did not represent Islam. He subsequently participated in solidarity missions to Israel, visiting the Nova festival site, southern Israeli communities and Yad Vashem.

In May 2026, he organized a Muslim delegation to participate in New York’s Israel Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. He has also participated in interfaith leadership initiatives addressing antisemitism, radicalism and campus extremism and has promoted Muslim support for Israel Bonds.

Bishop Dr. Maxon Gaspard

Overseer, Assembly of the Firstborn Ministries; Chief Chaplain, President & CEO, USA Chaplain Corps Ministry

Bishop Maxon Gaspard was recognized for more than three decades of clergy and chaplaincy leadership and for his efforts to build relationships among Christian, Caribbean, Jewish and law enforcement communities.

Bishop Gaspard traveled to Israel with veteran MTA Chief Chaplain Rabbi Harry Berkowitz, meeting Israeli police officers, security personnel and first responders. His chaplaincy network has sought to strengthen cooperation among clergy, police and emergency personnel while publicly opposing antisemitic violence and expressing solidarity with Israel.

Deputy Inspector Ryan Russel

Commanding Officer, District 9, MTA Police Department

Deputy Inspector Ryan Russel was honored for his work protecting New York’s transportation network and for his relationship with Orthodox Jewish communities.

The RAA highlighted his coordination with the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island on pre-holiday security and transportation planning as well as enhanced attention to transit hubs during Jewish holidays and major communal events.

Russel has also participated personally in COJO Food Pantry distributions, assisting volunteers in preparing and distributing food packages to families in need.

Robert and Lillian Orlando

President and Vice-President, 121st Precinct Community Council

Robert and Lillian Orlando were recognized for their longstanding work strengthening cooperation between law enforcement and the Staten Island Jewish community.

Their work with the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island has included pre-holiday security and logistics briefings involving the NYPD, FDNY and Department of Sanitation.

They have also been active volunteers with the COJO Food Pantry and related community programs, including holiday food distributions, school supply programs and National Night Out Against Crime.

Police Officer Meir Green

NYPD Community Affairs Bureau

Officer Meir Green was honored for his community affairs work, hate-crime prevention efforts and relationship-building between the NYPD and Jewish communities.

The RAA also cited his record of direct public service, including a previous incident in which he rescued a disoriented civilian from active subway tracks.

His work includes engagement with synagogues, yeshivas and visibly identifiable Orthodox Jewish residents throughout New York City.

Rabbi Ari Weiss

Coordinator, Staten Island Shomrim; Senior Hatzolah Medic

Rabbi Ari Weiss was honored for his work in communal security and emergency medicine.

As coordinator of Staten Island Shomrim, he has been involved in responding to vandalism, street crime and threats to community safety.

The RAA also recognized his emergency response during a medical crisis at National Night Out, when artist and activist Scott LoBaido suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Rabbi Weiss joined other first responders in administering CPR and using an automated external defibrillator.

Debbie Killen

Official Photographer

Debbie Killen was recognized for documenting Jewish communal, civic and heritage events throughout New York and for her work preserving a visual record of important community milestones.

Civic and Law Enforcement Participants

The event included participation and remarks from a number of New York civic and law enforcement leaders.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Alden Foster emphasized the importance of relationships between law enforcement agencies and community organizations and praised the work of Officer Meir Green, Deputy Inspector Ryan Russel and the RAA.

NYPD Assistant Commissioner Fred Kreizman spoke about the importance of direct communication between government, law enforcement and community leadership.

New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse praised the evening’s honorees and congratulated Rabbi Jay Levy on his installation.

Mark Meyer Appel, founder of The Bridge Multicultural Project, emphasized cooperation among different communities in confronting antisemitism and other forms of hatred.

Other participants assisting with the awards included Rabbi Abe Friedman, a law enforcement activist and communal leader, and Rabbi Jacob Eisdorfer, Senior Advisor to Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

The evening’s invocation was delivered by Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, RAA Vice-President of Professional Development and External Affairs and Chair of the RAA Chaplaincy Commission. He emphasized the significance of Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders joining civic officials and law enforcement representatives in a common commitment to peace, public safety and mutual respect.

Five Policy Resolutions

The convocation address and policy resolutions were presented by Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, a member of the RAA Presidium, Convocation Chairman and Senior Rabbi of Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk, Connecticut.

America’s 250th Anniversary

The RAA commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and offered prayers for the United States, the President and the country’s elected leadership.

Voting and Jewish Communal Responsibility

The organization urged synagogues and yeshivas to encourage voter registration and participation.

The resolution cited a 1984 ruling of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and the biblical injunction to seek the welfare of the society in which Jews live. The RAA characterized political participation as an important means of protecting Jewish communal welfare and public safety.

National Federation of Parents

The RAA called for the establishment of a National Federation of Parents devoted to parental rights and the preservation of traditional biblical family values in public education.

Israeli Sovereignty

The organization called for Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, opposed the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and supported incorporating Gaza into Israel’s security and territorial framework.

The resolution cited Jewish legal principles concerning the defense and security of Jewish communities.

Chief Rabbinate of Israel

The RAA expressed support for Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Kalman Ber, and Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Dovid Yosef.

The organization called for the Chief Rabbinate to retain halachic jurisdiction over conversion, Jewish personal status, kashruth, marriage and divorce, arguing that centralized standards are important to preserving Jewish communal unity.

Closing

The 84th Anniversary Convocation concluded with prayers for members of Israel’s defense forces, police officers, emergency personnel and other frontline responders, together with prayers for the safety of Jewish communities and for a healthy and peaceful New Year.