On Sunday, April 7, 2019, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, Rabbi of Congregation Beth Tikvah of Canarsie opened his Synagogue and hosted the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harabbonim’s Rosh Chodesh (Nisan) conference and Seudah.

The Rosh Chodesh Nisan Conference and Seudah was sponsored by Rabbi Yaakov Klass, a presidium member of the Igud Harabbonim and Torah Editor of the Jewish Press and Rav of Kahal Bnei Matisayhu of Flatbush, and by his highly respected brother Mr. Arthur Klass , director of development of the Jewish Press.  The Conference and Seudah was sponsored  לעלוי נשמת their grandfather  ר’ שמחה בן ר’ צבי הירש הלוי קירשנער ז”ל Rabbi Simcha Kirschner’s 73^rdyahrzeit will be observed on the 19^th of Nisan. Rabbi Kirschner was a principled Yid from the old school. In those days in America it was not uncommon that if you did not work on Shabbos you would be fired.  Rabbi Kirschner got the pink slip weekly and went from job to job over his refusal to abandon Shimiras Shabbos.

Rabbi Kirschner a Yid from Galicia was known as a Shas Yid and is considered to be among the pioneers of those who built Torah in America. Perhaps one of Rabbi Kirschner’s greatest enjoyments was witnessing the establishment of the State of Israel, sadly Rabbi Kirschner was Niftar shortly thereafter.  Rabbi Kirschner was a founder and a builder of Torah institutions such as the world renown Chevra Shomerei  Shabbos Anshe Sfard Shul located on 13^th Avenue and 53^rd street in Borough Park.  Rabbi Kirschner’s name is inscribed as the fourth name on the original memorial tablet in the Shul.  Rabbi Kirschner and his daughter’s brother in law Rabbi Shulem Frances, ZT’l were among the early Mageday Shiur in the Shul before the shul engaged a Rabbi. Rabbi Kirschner was also a founder of the Rabbi Shlomo Kluger Yeshiva which later on incorporated into Yeshivas Chasan Sofer.  The Yeshiva originally was located in the Lower East Side and is currently located in Borough Park.  Rabbi Kirschner was also a founder of Yeshivas Toras Emes which later merged with the Kamenetz Yeshiva.

Rabbi Klass dedicated his Shiur in memory and in honor of his Grandfather.

Rabbi Gil Student, director of the Halacha Commission of the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harabbonim opened the Conference and Seudah with the recitation of Tehilim.  Rabbi Student also gave an update on the igud’s retirement plan as well as the other benefits for being a member of the Igud.

Rabbi Moshe Y.  Weiner, the Rav HaMachshir of the Kashrus Alliance, Aleph K of the Igud Harabbonim, delivered a special Shiur on Hilchos Pesach covering all aspects of preparation for Pesach, practice for Pesach as well as post Pesach transition.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski gave a scholarly discourse on Hilchos Pesach which was immensely received and enjoyed by the Rabbis in attendance.

Rabbi Yehuda Blank, director of chaplaincy and external affairs of the Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harrabonim gave a chaplaincy update and discussed some upcoming events including a collaborative event which is being planned with the National Council of Young Israel.

Also participating in the Rosh Chodesh Nisan Conference and Seudah was Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harabbonim; Rabbi Dovid Katz, Menahel, Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harabbonim and Rabbi Moish Schmerler, director, Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harabbonim.