For Immediate Release: RCA Welcomes Rabbi Menachem Penner as Incoming Executive Vice-President

December 21, 2023 – The Rabbinical Council of America is excited to welcome Rabbi Menachem Penner as its new Executive Vice President-elect. Rabbi Penner brings his many talents and wealth of experience to the RCA, drawing from his decade serving as the Dean of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Yeshiva University, as well as his 20 years as a congregational rabbi at the Young Israel of Holliswood in Queens, NY. 

Rabbi Penner, as the incoming lead professional of the RCA, will be working to support member rabbis working in a variety of fields in service to the Jewish People, to represent the member rabbis of the RCA, in interactions with the broader Jewish community, government bodies, and the public.  In this work, Rabbi Penner will work to promote the cause of Orthodox Judaism through its member rabbis, champion the rights and dignity of the Jewish people everywhere, and help strengthen the State of Israel. Throughout, he will work closely with our partner organizations within the Orthodox community, especially the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU), Beth Din of America (BDA), Yeshiva University-RIETS, and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

Rabbi Penner will succeed our current EVP, Rabbi Mark Dratch, who moved to Israel several months ago after twelve years of dedicated service to the RCA. Rabbi Dratch made a great contribution to the RCA during his tenure, and will be honored at the upcoming RCA convention in the spring.

In consonance with his mission to support rabbis, Rabbi Penner becomes the Dean Emeritus of RIETS, where he will continue his role as a member of the faculty, as well as serving as the new RIETS Director of Strategic Initiatives.

The RCA is the leading membership organization of Orthodox rabbis in North America. Founded in 1935, the RCA serves to support and promote the welfare and development of its member rabbis. It gives voice to Jewish and general society of the outlook of Orthodox Jewish tradition and thought on contemporary issues.