Rosh Chodesh Av: A Powerful Gathering Of American Rabbinic Leaders for Reflection, Transformation, And Future Building
The Igud HaRabbonim/Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) convened its impactful Rosh Chodesh AvConference at Ahi Ezer Yeshiva Congregation on Ocean Parkway this past Thursday, July 24 (28 Tammuz 5785). Under the distinguished guidance of Rabbi Dr. Hanania Elbaz, a respected presidium member of the RAA, the event brought together leading American rabbis for a day of deep introspection, scholarly discourse, and forward-looking discussions.
The conference began with a poignant Rosh Chodesh Av seudah, a meal that serves as both a physical and spiritual gathering. This particular seudah was held in cherished memory of HaGaon HaChacham Shalom benHaGaon HaChacham Chayim Elbaz, zt’l. As the beloved father of Rabbi Dr. Hanania Elbaz and Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz (a RAA chaver and the rabbi of the Sephardic Lebanese Congregation of Brooklyn), his memory imbued the gathering with an additional layer of reverence and continuity. Serving as a prelude to Chodesh Av, a month traditionally associated with reflection on loss and the potential for rebuilding, underscored the conference’s themes of transformation and growth.
A defining moment of the conference was the powerful ceremony of semicha ordination bestowed upon Rabbi Mendel Kaplan. This significant milestone marks Rabbi Kaplan’s formal entry into the rabbinate, signifying his readiness to lead, teach, and guide communities. The ordination was proudly presented by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, Rosh Kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Yaakov Rabbinical Seminary and RAA Vice President, and Rabbi Yaakov Klass, Rav HaKollel, RAA Presidium Chairman, and Torah Editor for The Jewish Press. Such ordinations highlight the RAA’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of spiritual leaders, ensuring the continuity of Torah scholarship and communal service.
The conference was a testament to the diverse and profound wisdom within the RAA. A prestigious roster of participants engaged in discussions and offered insights, demonstrating the collaborative spirit that defines the organization. Notable attendees included: Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, RAA presidium member, known for his incisive scholarship; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, RAA executive vice president, a driving force behind the organization’s initiatives; Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Cohen, shaliach to the United Nations, bridging spiritual values with global affairs; Rabbi Yehuda Blank, RAA vice president for Professional Development and External Affairs, focused on enhancing rabbinic impact; Rabbi Moish Schmerler, RAA executive director, orchestrating the organization’s vital work; Reb Joseph Morgenstern, a respected figure within the community; and R’ Chaim Schneider, director of constituent services, Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein.
The collective presence of these esteemed rabbis underscored the depth of leadership and dedication within the RAA.
From the heartfelt memorial to the joyous ordination and the insightful deliberations, the Rosh Chodesh Av Conference was lauded by participants as both deeply informative and profoundly inspirational. It served as a powerful demonstration of “top American rabbis in action,” actively engaged in shaping the spiritual landscape and addressing the evolving needs of their communities. The event reinforced the RAA’s role as a vital force in strengthening Jewish life and ensuring a vibrant future.
