Rabbinical Alliance of America Remembers Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT’L at his 21st Yahrzeit Commemoration

Rabbinical Alliance of America Remembers Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT’L at his 21st Yahrzeit Commemoration

Discussion of Artificial Intelligence and the IHRA Definition of Anti-Semitism

Edited by: TJVNews.com

On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim, gathered together with family and friends at Congregation Beth Tikvah of Canarsie, where the venerable Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebyanski serves as rabbi, to commemorate the 21st yahrzeit of the organization’s legendary Executive Vice-President, Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT’L, HaRav Nachum Zvi Ben HaRav Chaim Josephy.

R’ Gil Cygler, a Board Member of the Jewish Community Council of Canarsie and of the American Jewish Committee opened the program by reciting Tehillim 130.

Rabbi Moish Schmerler, Executive Director of the Rabbinical Alliance of America described how, “Rabbi Josephy was beloved by all who met him. He dedicated his life to Klal Yisrael. One of Rabbi Josephy’s crowning achievements was his warm embrace of Jews from the Soviet Union and Uzbekistan. He single-handedly worked with Jews from Uzbekistan and helped to raise their level of observance and their integration into the Jewish community.

“The Gemara in Bava Kama (16b) relates the virtues of Chizkiyahu Hamelech. During the reign of King Chizkiyahu, the rabbis investigated across the country — from Dan to Be’er Sheva — and were unable to find a single person who was not well-versed in the laws of tumah and tahara, ritual purification. These intricate areas of Jewish law are difficult and even accomplished scholars find this area of Jewish law challenging to master.

“Rabbi Josephy’s reach was similarly broad. Wherever you go — from Mexico City to Houston, to Los Angeles, to Pittsburgh, to Borough Park — people will tell you that he was there for them. From the proverbial Dan to Be’er Sheva, Rabbi Josephy’s legacy lives on.

“The Gemara continues that after Chizkiyahu’s passing, the people made a yeshiva on his resting spot. This means that they perpetuated his tradition of excellence by continuing in the path of his devotion to Torah. The same with Rabbi Josephy, we continue in his loving ways.”

Rabbi Yaakov Klass, presidium chairman, Rabbinical Alliance of America, and a close family friend of Rabbi Josephy, asked a question on the Torah reading of Shelach. “What is the connection between the Mekoshesh Eitzim, the biblical sinner who desecrated the Sabbath by gathering wood, and the commandment to wear tzitzis?”

Rabbi Klass answered that Moshe attempted to defend the Mekoshesh Eitzim by arguing that he sinned on the Sabbath day because there is no positive command to don tefillin on Shabbos. Had there been such a mitzvah, perhaps he would never have violated the Sabbath. Hashem responded by commanding the mitzvah of tzitzis.

Rabbi Klass continued, “Talking about Rabbi Josephy is no simple task. It would take hours to even begin to do him justice. Rabbi Josephy was the tzitzis of America. Rabbi Josephy spoke softly and convinced people to embrace Yiddishkeit. He came to Los Angeles when Yiddishkeit was starting to grow and became one of its main architects. Rabbi Josephy proudly wore a shtreimel down the streets of Los Angeles at a time when observant people did not even own one. Rabbi Josephy made the shtreimel popular, fashionable, and trendy. He influenced people one on one. Many people are observant today thanks to his efforts.”

Rabbi Zvi Mandel from Kahal Bnai Yisrael recounts how he often visited Rabbi Josephy in his synagogue and saw that he had many members from Uzbekistan. “Rabbi Josephy told me that he has the highest admiration and respect for these Jews of Uzbekistan. They came from an area that for the last 400 years had no rabbis. Their Yiddishkeit came from the faith and respect that they had for their parents and grandparents. As a rabbi, I find their devotion to Yiddishkeit so admirable and strong that it strengthens my own connection to Yiddishkeit. I am honored to have such Jews as part of my synagogue. Rabbi Josephy was able to model and strengthen this faith by drawing everyone to him as if they were family.”

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebyanski commented that the greatest example of leadership was Moshe. His strongest character trait was thinking not that he was necessary and essential for Klal Yisrael, but asking what is needed of him. What can he do to advance Hashem’s mission of furthering and strengthening Torah and mitzvos? How can he further help accomplish this important objective, which is the purpose of Hashem creating the world? The Josephy family is renowned for being in the forefront of helping Klal Yisrael in any way they can. They come from the leadership perspective of Moshe, always asking where they are needed and where they can lend support to make Hashem’s will a reality.

Their community service, their charity work and care and devotion for others, is voluminous. Their hard work is done quietly behind the scenes. They handle with pleasure and love the tedious work that is often less valued because they understand their purpose is to fortify Am Yisroel and to provide help wherever it is needed. They get this trait from their illustrious father. The imprint of Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy, ZT’L through his family, talmidim and friends lives in their achievements for Klal Yisrael, their work to further Torah and mitzvos.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, the executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America remarked that, “Rabbi Josephy gave faith to everyone. He gave faith to his family, friends, and the Jewish people. At the Igud HaRabbonim, he made every Rosh Chodesh conference special. He made every rabbi from the diverse Orthodox communities they represented feel welcome, special, and important. Through this unity and love, he helped his colleagues become better rabbis, spiritual guides, and leaders. We at the Igud HaRabbonim owe Rabbi Josephy a debt we can never repay. Only Hashem can reward Rabbi Josephy. Sadly, his absence has left a void that no one can fill. However, we try to emulate Rabbi Josephy the best we can in order to serve Klal Yisrael.”

New York Police Department Deputy Chief Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer, Community Affairs Bureau, described how Rabbi Josephy established, “the family’s noble and dedicated approach to Zedakah and Chesed.” Chief Taylor made special reference to, “the Josephy family’s recent restoration of the Hatzolah Ambulance of the Lower East Side that transported Reb Moshe, ZT’L. “What may appear as a simple ambulance is not so simple. This particular Ambulance had the merit of transporting the Gadol Hador, Reb Moshe Feinstein, ZT’L. Instead of allowing this ambulance to go the way of scrap metal, Rabbi Nusi Josephy after consulting with the family decided to restore this ambulance and may this ambulance in Zichus of Reb Moshe save and help many people.”

Also discussed at the Rosh Chodesh Av Conference were two important and timely issues, ethics in artificial intelligence (AI) and the issue of the New York University (NYU) Settlement and the usage of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.

Rabbi Gil Student, Director, Vaad Halacha, Rabbinical Alliance of America, presented an erudite halachic analysis on AI, and he pointed to the obvious and hidden dangers presented by AI. At the conclusion of Rabbi Student’s scholarly presentation and on behalf of the Halacha Commission, Rabbi Student presented a motion that the Rabbinical Alliance of America formally support the platform of the Rome Call for AI Ethics, which was discussed at the “AI Ethics for Peace: World Religions commit to the Rome Call” conference held between July 8 and July 10 in Hiroshima, Japan. The Rome Call brings governments, technology companies, and other organizations together to advance an ethical approach to AI in order to shape a responsible future that honors human dignity. Rabbi Student’s resolution passed unanimously.

Finally discussed at the Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Conference was the New York University (NYU) Settlement and the usage of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.

Our esteemed Chaver, Rabbi Benjamin G. Kelsen, esq., submitted testimony on June 20, 2024, supporting the adoption of IHRA definition of Antisemitism. before the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee of the Senate of the State of New Jersey. Among the strong arguments presented by Rabbi Kelsen in support of the adoption of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism by the State of New Jersey was the following key argument:

“Let us be crystal clear: Zionism, a fundamental component of Judaism, is the belief in the almost 4000-year-old dream of the Jewish people to a right of self-determination in our ancestral home, Israel. The prayer for a homeland in Israel is part of the daily prayers said at least three times a day. It is a fundamental part of what it means to be a Jew.  Those attempting to separate Judaism from Zionism are engaged in immoral, dishonest, and hypocritical mental gymnastics to support an anti-Semitic position. Having token Jews who have divorced themselves from the vast majority of the worldwide Jewish community and the almost 4 millennium-old basic tenets of Judaism does not make their statements honest or true.”

This is important as New York University (NYU) recently settled a case with some of its Jewish students in regard to campus security and safety. On July 9, 2024, NYU published a joint statement on the settlement of the suit. The statement includes an important reference to the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.

“As part of that commitment, and consistent with NYU’s existing Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy (NDAH), which incorporates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism, NYU, which takes seriously all allegations of discrimination, confirms that NYU treats all allegations of discrimination against Jews and Israelis in the same manner that it treats conduct prohibited under Title VI and other civil rights statutes when directed at other protected groups.”

Mirocznik commented, “clearly, the usage of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is an important tool in combating anti-Semitism and helping to set the moral calculus straight again on college campuses and help educate our college and university students that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitic. By doing so we will go a long way in combating the Jew hatred found in our colleges and universities. Once again the RAA reaffirms our commitment to seeing to it that the IHRA definition becomes the universal standard of defining anti-Semitism.”

Also participating in the Rosh Chodesh Av Conference was Rabbi Yehuda Blank, Vice-President, Professional Development and External Affairs, who described the success of his professional programs. “These programs were inspired in no small part by Rabbi Josephy’s ZT’L dedication to professionalizing the Orthodox Rabbinate. We respectfully plan to continue with these important programs and look forward to bringing the best we can to continue to give our member Rabbis to succeed in facing the challenges of today’s generation. May the memory of Rabbi Josephy be a blessing for his family and all of Klal Yisrael.”