The Straits of Hormuz & Tammuz
A Straight-ahead look on Navigating an Exit from Exile.
By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht
Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk CT
Presidium Member Rabbinical Alliance of America
Wednesday Eve – July 1st the Jewish world is entering into the straits of Tammuz. Known in Hebrew as Bein HaMetzarim literally “between the straits” of the 17th of Tammuz and concluding with the 9th of Av (Tisha B’Av) marking the breaching of Jerusalem’s protective walls by the ancient Babylonians, during the first temple period in 423 BCE and the rupturing of Jerusalem’s walls, by the Romans in 69 BCE, and three week later, the 9th of Av, marking the destruction of both the first and the second temple. [...Click headline above for more...]
Rabbinical Alliance of America Commemorates Legacy of Outreach Pioneer Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT’L, and Applauds Governor Hochul’s Landmark House of Worship Security Bill
On Sunday, June 14, 2026 (29 Sivan 5786), the Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA/Igud HaRabbonim) convened its Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Seudah and Conference at Kahal Bnei Matisyahu in Brooklyn, where Rabbi Yakov Klass, Presidium Chairman, serves as Rabbi. The gathering served as a powerful tribute to the life, vision, and enduring impact of its legendary, long-serving Executive Vice-President, HaRav Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT’L (HaRav Nachum Zvi ben HaRav Chaim, ZT’L), while also addressing critical advancements in community security and religious freedom. [...Click headline above for more...]
Rabbinical Alliance of America Addresses Local and International Security Concerns and Celebrates New Leadership at Rosh Chodesh Sivan Conference
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. [...Click headline above for more...]
Giving Thanks – Celebrating Liberty – Shabbos 250
By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht – Presidium Member, RAA
The Rabbinical Alliance of America, IGUD, applauds and supports, President Donald Trump’s proclamation, issued in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, calling upon Jewish Americans to observe a “National Sabbath” as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of America.
The President designated the Sabbath of May 15-16 as a day to strengthen Sabbath observance, bolster community, and to express gratitude to the Creator, for our great Nation and the personal liberty it represents.
The Rabbinical Alliance encourages the American Jewish community – its social and communal institutions – to unite in prayer and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, for the freedoms and opportunities afforded to every citizen of our great Republic.
With communal and individual participation, “Sabbath 250” will allow for reflection, gratitude & thanksgiving, thus arouse Divine blessings for America and Universal Peace for all humankind. May G-D bless America, Amen.
Rabbinical Alliance of America Observes 10th Yahrzeit of HaRav Gershon Tannenbaum, ZT’L, with a Vision of Hope, Healing, and Renewal
The Rabbinical Alliance of America — RAA/Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 rabbis across North America — gathered on Monday evening, April 20, 2026 (3 Iyar 5786), to observe the tenth Yahrzeit of its legendary Director and Menahel, HaRav Gershon Tannenbaum, ZT’L. The event, held in conjunction with the Rosh Chodesh Iyar Seudah and Conference, was hosted at Maimonides Medical Center, a vital partner in the RAA’s sacred mission of community welfare. [...Click headline above for more...]
Historic Coalition Unites at Touro University to Confront the “Crisis of Conscience” in Medical Aid in Dying
RAA, RCA, and NCYI Join Forces to Arm Rabbis, Rebbetzins, Chaplains, and Other Professionals with Halachic Firepower Against Assisted Suicide Legislation
In a landmark display of communal strength, the Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA/Igud HaRabbonim), the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), and the National Council of Young Israel (NCYI), in conjunction with the Orthodox Jewish Healthcare Chaplains’ Listserv, convened a powerful symposium titled, “Medical Aid in Dying / Physician Assisted Suicide: A Halachic Perspective.” [...Click headline above for more...]
Rabbinical Alliance of America Expresses Support for Rabbinic Maintenance of the Character of Prayer at the Kotel
February 26, 2026
The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 rabbis across North America — expresses strong support for the effort to entrust rabbinic authorities with maintaining the character of prayer at the Kotel HaMa’aravi, the holiest site accessible to the Jewish people, as it faces legal and political challenges. [...Click headline above for more...]
THE CALL OF ESTHER IS NOW!
Pre-Purim Observations to Act Upon
By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht
Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk CT
Member Presidium Rabbinical Alliance of America
We are in the age of the advent of the redemption for the Jewish people and the world at large. This will be through the righteous redeemer called MOSHIACH to arrive any day now. [...Click headline above for more...]
Rabbinical Alliance of America Convenes in Monsey for Rosh Chodesh Shevat; Condemns Mississippi Synagogue Arson and Raises Alarm on Daylight Savings Legislation
The Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA)/Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 Orthodox rabbis across North America, convened a powerful Rosh Chodesh Shevat Conference and Seudah on Monday, January 19, 2026. [...Click headline above for more...]
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