RCA Appoints Rabbi Mark Dratch as its New Executive Vice President

Congratulations to our colleague Rabbi Mark Dratch, recently appointed as the new Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America, the professional organization of Orthodox Rabbis in the U.S.

Rabbi Dratch, a modern Orthodox Rabbi, has been a valued colleague of FaithTrust Institute for twenty years. As a national leader he has consistently addressed issues of domestic violence, child abuse and clergy abuse in Jewish communities and in multifaith efforts including the development of the National Declaration in 2005. He appears in the FaithTrust DVDs Broken Vows, To Save a Life, and Pastoral Care. We wish him well as he takes on this new responsibility and look forward to continuing to work with him on our common concerns. Below is the announcement from the Rabbinical Council of America:

The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), the largest group of Orthodox rabbis in the world, has named Rabbi Mark Dratch as its Executive Vice President. Rabbi Dratch succeeds Rabbi Basil Herring who will now serve as Editor-in-Chief of RCA Publications.

Rabbi Dratch comes to the RCA following a distinguished career in the pulpit rabbinate, education, and communal work. He served as a congregational rabbi for 22 years in pulpits in Stamford, CT; Toronto, and New York. Rabbi Mark Dratch, a respected leader in combatting domestic violence, child abuse, and professional abuse, founded JSafe: The Jewish Institute Supporting an Abuse-Free Environment in 2005. Rabbi Dratch served on the faculty of Yeshiva University as Instructor of Jewish Thought and Philosophy and in 2010 was named as one of Newsweek's Top 50 Rabbis in America. Rabbi Dratch was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and holds Masters Degrees in Jewish Education and Social Work. He has written extensively on issues concerning the interface between Jewish tradition and contemporary ethical issues.

Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, President of the RCA, said, "In Rabbi Dratch, The RCA is fortunate to have found a leader with great vision, skill, and experience. We are certain that his efforts will bring the RCA to even greater achievement in advancing the interests of the Torah world and in its service to its members and the greater Jewish community."

Rabbi Dratch stated, "I am honored by the opportunity to serve the Orthodox rabbinate and Jewish community as Executive Vice President of the RCA and appreciate the confidence and support of my colleagues. I am humbled by the task of continuing the work and strengthening the mesorah (tradition) passed on to us by our predecessors and mentors, including Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, of blessed memory and the many distinguished rabbis who have led our organization and shaped the contemporary Orthodox world. I look forward to working with my colleagues in strengthening the voice of Torah Judaism, enhancing our member rabbis' ability to meet the day-to -day responsibilities of their rabbinate, shaping the lives of the members of our communities, and addressing the vital issues of the day."