congratulates Rabbi Menachem Penner on his appointment as Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), the largest membership organization of Orthodox rabbis in North America. In his new position at the RCA, Rabbi Penner will continue his life-mission to support the rabbinate, strengthening the voice of Torah Judaism, enhancing educational programming and professional development, and advocating for the Jewish people on a national stage.
As he moves into this new chapter, Rabbi Penner will maintain his decades-long relationship with as RIETS Dean Emeritus and Director of Strategic Initiatives, directing new RIETS educational initiatives while teaching and mentoring rabbinical students.
“Rabbi Penner has inspired and educated a generation of rabbis, guiding their vision and their leadership of our collective Jewish future,” said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of . “We are proud that he has been tapped for his extraordinary talent and skill, and I know he will continue to be a force at and the world, sustaining and energizing Torah Judaism, and shaping our students and community through passion, commitment and vast knowledge.”
Known for his strong leadership and innovative educational approach, Rabbi Penner brought RIETS to a new level of professionalism. He developed its world-class rabbinic training program, which includes cutting-edge training to meet the real-world challenges faced by today’s generation of rabbis. Initiatives include the Lev LaDaat Personal Development Program for emotional intelligence and the joint RIETS-Ferkauf Graduate Program in Mental Health Counseling. He has also laid the seeds for certificate and master’s degree programs and has helped facilitate a leadership pipeline in Jewish education with the Chinuch Incubator.
RIETS will continue to be led by our stellar leadership team, including Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, the Director of Semicha, Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, Director of Professional Training, and Rabbi Yosef Kalinsky who will oversee the administrative needs during this time of transition.
“Everything I have done at RIETS has prepared me for this new role, and it is my natural next stage,” Rabbi Penner said. “Having worked with so many wonderful young men training to serve in avodas ha-kodesh, it is an honor to now work with those serving the community professionally, and to tackle 21st century-challenges together as a rabbinic community. I am excited for this new challenge and opportunity. At the same time, I look forward to continuing and expanding some of the most exciting initiatives we have undertaken at RIETS.”
In his dual roles at RCA and RIETS, Rabbi Penner will have an unprecedented opportunity to guide and support the rabbinate of North America and beyond. He will assist rabbis in their professional training while mentoring them at RIETS and will then support them through their careers in his new role at the RCA. This collaborative approach will contribute to ’s reach and influence while enriching the platform of the rabbinate on a global scale.
