By: TJVNews.com

The Igud HaRabbonim/Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) convened its Rosh Chodesh Kislev Conference and Seudah on Monday, November 24, 2025 (4 Kislev 5786), at Khilah Marine Park, located at 3605 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, New York. The event, hosted by RAA Chaver Rabbi Baruch Pesach Mendelson, the esteemed Rabbi of Khilah Marine Park, brought together rabbis and community leaders for a night of Torah, administrative reporting, communal appreciation, and remembrance.

Torah, Halacha, and Administrative Reports

The evening featured an erudite Dvar Torah on Akedas Yitzchok delivered by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Mordechai Rabbinical Seminary and RAA, vice-president.

The assembly was addressed by Rabbi Gil Student, Director of the RAA/Igud’s Halacha Commission, who shared insights into Jewish law. Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Presidium Chairman, then provided a detailed Administrative Report on the organization’s activities and future plans.

Community Appreciation and Honor for NYPD

A significant portion of the program was dedicated to recognizing the heroism and dedication of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), especially for their efforts in safeguarding the Jewish community.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the RAA, together with Chief Richie Taylor, recognized and honored the following members of the NYPD:

●        Detective Thomas Podd, Community Affairs Bureau, 63rd Precinct

●        Detective Tricia Navarro-Caraballo, Community Affairs Bureau, 63rd Precinct

●        Police Officer Meir Green, Community Affairs Bureau, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South

●        NYPD Clergy Liaison Avromi Brown, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South

Rabbi Mirocznik used the opportunity to emphasize the critical need to appreciate the tireless efforts of law enforcement in keeping the Jewish community safe during these tumultuous times. He underscored the community’s profound gratitude, citing the alarming rise in anti-Jewish hatred as documented by leading organizations:

“The Jewish community currently faces an unprecedented threat. When the ADL reports a record high of 9,354 antisemitic incidents in 2024—a 5% rise from the previous year—and the AJC’s survey shows that over one-third of American Jews were targets of antisemitism in the past year, it is clear that we are at a tipping point. We must recognize and unequivocally support the brave men and women of the NYPD for their dedication to our safety and security. Their vigilance is the essential shield that allows our communities to thrive amidst this surge of hate.”

Remembering Two Great Giants of the Jewish Community

The conference also included moving tributes, remembering two great giants of the Jewish community who recently passed.

Rabbi Moish Schmerler paid tribute to Rabbi Jay Marcus, zt”l, former long-standing Rabbi at Young Israel of Staten Island and founder of Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim in Israel. Rabbi Schmerler, who first met the Rabbi at his own bris and was taken under his wing at Young Israel, highlighted Rabbi Marcus’s lifelong accomplishments, including his profound impact during his 30-year tenure as Rabbi of the Young Israel of Staten Island, his role as a respected student (talmid) of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, zt”l, and his vision in founding Yeshiva Reishit Yerushalayim which has educated generations of students. His leadership also extended to Capitol Hill, where he led a longstanding Bible class for Jewish members of Congress.

Rabbi Moish Schmerler, RAA Menahel and Executive Director, spoke about a longtime Igud member, the esteemed Rav of the Young Israel of Staten Island, and the Founder of Yeshivat Reishit in Israel, Rav Jay Marcus zt”l.

Rabbi Schmerler, a native Staten Islander and member of one of the original classes of Yeshivat Reishit, shared his deep personal connection to Rav Marcus. He described Rav Marcus as one of his primary rabbinic mentors and reflected on the remarkable qualities that defined him. Rabbi Schmerler highlighted Rav Marcus’s extraordinary vision—both in the United States and in Israel—and the transformative impact he had across continents.

He introduced what he termed a “Marcussionainn” attribute: the ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible, to drive meaningful change, and to confront modern challenges with realism and courage. Rabbi Schmerler emphasized that Rav Marcus shaped generations of leaders, from Staten Island to Reishit, noting that there is virtually no corner of the world untouched by his influence.

Rabbi Schmerler encouraged all Rabbis to draw upon their own inner “Marcussionainn strength” to challenge the status quo and to lead with conviction. He reminded everyone that each generation of Rabbis has its own unique clarion call. While no one should claim to be Rav Marcus, each Rabbi can learn from his inner strength and commitment to making lasting change.

Rabbi Gil Student, Director of the Vaad Halacha of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, delivered a tribute to Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l, Executive Vice-President of the Orthodox Union (OU). As a friend and colleague, Rabbi Student offered his personal perspective on Rabbi Hauer’s tireless activity to spread Torah and advocate on behalf of Klal Yisrael. Rabbi Hauer was a man of soaring vision and sterling character. He was able to relate to the Torah scholar, the average Jew, the secular politician, and the Christian clergyman with equal ease. Because he was a man of firm principles, everyone respected him and looked up to him as a walking Kiddush Hashem.

The event concluded with the Rosh Chodesh Seudah, fostering camaraderie and unity among the assembled Rabbis and communal leaders.

Also participating in the Chodesh Kislev conference was, Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht, Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk Ct. and Presidium Member, RAA; and Rabbi Yirmi Levy, Mara D’Atra, Mill Basin Sephardic Congregation, Brooklyn, New York