Rabbinical Alliance of America Addresses Urgent Communal Issues at Monthly Rosh Chodesh Conference

Edited by: TJVNews.com

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim (RAA/Igud) convened its monthly Rosh Chodesh Conference for the month of Sivan at Kahal Bnei Matisyahu in Brooklyn, New York. The host was Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Presidium Chairman of RAA/Igud and Rabbi of Kahal Bnei Matisyahu.

This month’s conference was sponsored by Rabbi Yaakov Klass and his brother Mr. Arthur Klass and family, in loving memory of their late father, Mr. Albert Klass (Reb Anshel ben Reb Moshe Feivel, Z”L). Rabbi Klass delivered a deeply insightful Torah discourse in his father’s memory. Mr. Arthur Klass was honored for his many achievements and remembered as a driving force, alongside his distinguished brother, Rabbi Sholom Klass, Z”L, former Vice President of RAA/Igud, in founding The Jewish Press. Rabbi Yaakov Klass proudly continues this legacy, serving as Torah Editor for the publication, where his weekly column is read and appreciated by thousands.

Defending Life and Halachic Values Amid Legislative Challenges

A central topic discussed at the conference was the Medical Aid in Dying Act, passed by the New York State Legislature on April 29, 2025, and currently pending Senate approval. This proposed legislation would legalize physician-assisted suicide under specific conditions. The RAA/Igud raised serious concerns about its potential to undermine the sanctity of life and open the door to dangerous cost-driven decision-making in healthcare settings.

Rabbi Yehuda Blank, Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs at RAA/Igud, stressed the critical importance of educating communities about Halachic Living Wills. “Every Jew must be prepared with a Halachic Living Will and a trusted rabbinic authority to guide end-of-life decisions,” Rabbi Blank said. “Without proper planning, the consequences can be devastating.” He urged rabbis to address this issue from the pulpit and proactively visit senior centers and engage unaffiliated Jews, emphasizing, “Our duty is to reach every Jew with compassion, dignity, and clarity.”

A Nation Mourns: Responding to Antisemitic Violence in Washington, D.C.

RAA/Igud Executive Vice President Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik spoke movingly about the tragic domestic terror attack in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2025. Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a young couple with plans to become engaged in Jerusalem, were brutally murdered after attending a Young Diplomats event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum.

The suspect, Elias Rodriguez—now charged with first-degree murder—was linked to radical, antisemitic ideologies. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) connected him to a manifesto titled “Escalate for Gaza, Bring the War Home,” highlighting that this was a calculated act of antisemitic terror, not random violence.

“This attack was an assault not just on two innocent lives or the Jewish community of D.C., but on all Jewish Americans, and all Americans,” said Mirocznik. “Tragically, it felt like only a matter of time.”

The ADL reported a 361% surge in antisemitic incidents in the three months following the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. According to the State of Antisemitism in America 2024 report, 33% of American Jews experienced direct antisemitism in the past year, and 56% reported altering their behavior out of fear. This is an alarming rise from previous years.

Condemnation came from national leaders. President Donald Trump said, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence… we will bring those responsible to justice.”

Despite Jewish Americans comprising only 2% of the U.S. population, they accounted for 68% of all religion-based hate crimes in 2023.

Community and Law Enforcement Response

Mirocznik thanked Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for swiftly increasing protection at Jewish institutions in New York following the attack. Mayor Adams described the shooting as “a depraved act of terrorism” and “antisemitic propaganda masquerading as activism.” Commissioner Tisch, visibly moved, joined diverse community leaders at a press conference wearing a Star of David pendant as a sign of solidarity.

“After 19 months of relentless attacks on Israel and vilifying it for defending itself, this tragedy is a heartbreaking result,” said Mirocznik. “Yet the unity shown across communities in denouncing this atrocity gives us hope. We must live our Jewish identity proudly, combat hate through education, and embrace Torah and acts of lovingkindness.”

Mirocznik also thanked Mayor Eric Adams for establishing and creating the new Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism headed by Rabbi Moshe Davis. Mirocznik stated, “In the current environment where the Jewish Community feels the rise in antisemitism, we appreciate the mayor’s decision to form the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism headed by Rabbi Moshe Davis who is a familiar face to the City’s Jewish community. It is only through these important and proactive steps will we be able to combat the scourge of antisemitism and restore a sense of safety and security for the Jewish community who call the city home.”

Education, Religious Freedom, and Legal Protections

Mirocznik expressed gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul for creating a framework allowing Yeshivas and Day Schools to meet “substantial equivalency” standards, which recognizes the value of Judaic studies in fulfilling state educational requirements. “This will allow our schools to continue their vital work educating responsible, engaged citizens,” he noted, thanking Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for their support.

He also commended Attorney General Letitia James for taking legal action against discriminatory zoning in Forestburgh, NY, aimed at excluding Orthodox Jews. Mirocznik said, “Discrimination disguised as local policy must be stopped. We deeply appreciate Attorney General James’s leadership.”

Celebrating Community Accomplishments

The conference concluded on a celebratory note, acknowledging the accomplishments of two distinguished members:

Rabbi Gil Student, Director of RAA/IGUD’s Halacha Commission, on his new role as Director of Jewish Media, Publications and Editorial Communications at the Orthodox Union.

Rabbi Tzvi (Harry) Berkowitz, retired Chief Chaplain of the MTAPD and National Chaplain of the National Conference of Shomrim Societies, for his leadership in establishing the First Responders Suicide Prevention Learning Center.

“These milestones highlight the extraordinary contributions of our members,” said Mirocznik. “Their dedication inspires us all to continue striving for excellence in service to the Jewish people.”

Also in attendance were Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, Vice President of RAA/IGUD, and Rabbi Abraham Hecht, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council of Canarsie and President of Project Lead.