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Twenty students in the fourth class of Boston’s Beis Midrash for Shlichus and Rabbanus successfully completed a comprehensive test on the halachos of Chuppah and Kiddushin, administered by Rabbi Eliezer Brod, Rav of Karmi Yosef, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel, and head of Beis Midrash Ohr Menachem at Yeshivas Ohr Simcha in Kfar Chabad.

The Beis Midrash is headed by Rabbi Shlomo Noginski, Shliach of the Rebbe in Boston. Rabbi Noginski is certified for rabbinic ordination by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and is also certified as a dayan. The Semicha program operates under Shaloh House, headed by Rabbi Dan Rodkin, Shliach of the Rebbe in Brighton and director of Shaloh House.

Among the Beis Midrash’s rabbinic faculty is Rabbi Chaim Pross, Shliach of the Rebbe to Massachusetts, who delivers Chassidus classes and serves as a source of inspiration to the students.

Rabbi Noginski and Rabbi Rodkin established the Semicha program with the vision of preparing a new generation of Rabbanim and Shluchim who combine deep Torah knowledge with practical experience, genuine Ahavas Yisroel and responsibility toward Jewish communities.

The examination marked the culmination of a year of intensive learning and hands-on experience. Alongside their rigorous Semicha studies, the students gained practical experience in Rabbanus and Shlichus throughout Greater Boston. They assisted with Chuppahs, checked and established Mezuzahs, kashered kitchens, delivered Torah classes, visited Jewish homes, worked with children and teenagers, and brought Torah, encouragement and support to hospitals, nursing homes and community centers.

Throughout the year, Rabbi Brod delivered an extensive series of classes and personally prepared the students for the examination.

During the test, the students demonstrated not only impressive knowledge of the halachos of Chuppah and Kiddushin, but also halachic judgment, responsibility and maturity befitting young Rabbanim.

Following the examination, Rabbi Brod praised the students’ high level of knowledge and said:

“It is evident that the students studied these sugyos with great effort and in depth. They demonstrated excellent knowledge of the halachos of Chuppah and Kiddushin and answered the questions clearly and systematically. It is inspiring to see young Rabbanim and Shluchim preparing so seriously for their future Shlichus.”

Eight Stabbings, One Extraordinary Response:

The story of the Semicha program began with an event that changed everything.

On 21 Tammuz 5781 (July 2021), Rabbi Shlomo Noginski was stabbed eight times while protecting children at a Shaloh House summer camp during an antisemitic attack.

Following the attack, Rabbi Noginski and Rabbi Rodkin made an extraordinary decision: if an attacker had attempted to kill one Rabbi, the response would be to train eight new Rabbanim each year—one for every stab wound.

Inspired by the Rebbe’s timeless directive to respond to darkness by adding light, Torah and good deeds, the Boston Beis Midrash for Shlichus and Rabbanus was established.

Today, nearly five years after the program was founded, the fourth class joins a growing network of graduates already serving Jewish communities around the world.

One student described his experience:

“We didn’t just learn the halachos—we learned how to live them. Every class and every opportunity to help another Jew taught us what true Shlichus means and what it means to take responsibility for a community. The Semicha program became a family for us, and by the end of the year I felt prepared not only to pass an exam, but to go out on Shlichus.”

Over the past four years, the Semicha program has trained dozens of Rabbanim, many of whom now serve as Rabbanim, Mechanchim and Shluchim in Jewish communities around the world.

Rabbi Shlomo Noginski said:

“Every Rabbi serving a community must be thoroughly knowledgeable in the halachos of Chuppah and Kiddushin. But Semicha is much more than passing examinations. Our goal is to prepare Rabbanim and Shluchim who combine deep Torah knowledge with practical experience, personal responsibility, genuine Ahavas Yisroel and the ability to lead. We strive for every student to complete the program ready to begin his Shlichus from day one.”

As part of the program’s continued development, the Beis Midrash’s administration is also developing a dedicated digital platform, including a website and app, providing students in Yeshivos around the world with access to classes, study materials, review resources and additional tools.

The Beis Midrash expressed its deep appreciation to Rabbi Eliezer Brod for his dedication, comprehensive classes, personal guidance and the extensive time he devoted to preparing and examining the students.

With the successful completion of the fourth class, registration is now underway for the fifth class of the Boston Beis Midrash for Shlichus and Rabbanus.

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