EAST MIDWOOD AND CITYWIDE — RABBI ALVIN KASS, WHO SERVED AS THE EAST MIDWOOD JEWISH CENTER’S SPIRITUAL LEADER FOR OVER THREE DECADES, DIED EARLY WEDNESDAY, according to severalsources. He was 89.
The East Midwood Jewish Center, in a statement released Wednesday, recalled, “In his 36 years at the helm of the East Midwood Jewish Center, Rabbi Kass led the synagogue through some of its most challenging times. He touched the lives of countless congregants, shepherding them through times of joy and times of sadness. In his 60 years with the [New York Police Department], his impact on the police force and on New York City was immeasurable. As the first Jewish chief chaplain of the NYPD, this impact was felt deeply in the Jewish community as well.”
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, recalled in a statement that when he joined the NYPD, he was the youngest chaplain at age 30.
The Brooklyn Jewish Historical Initiative honored Kass in 2018 as part of its annual Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame cohort. At the time, Kass was already the longest-serving NYPD chaplain. He said at the time, “The greatest pleasure of a rabbi—and the word rabbi means teacher—is to see your offspring achieve great things.”
Kass was quoted in a 2014 Brooklyn Eagle article on his being honored at the synagogue’s Dinner Dance, as recalling that the World Trade Center terrorist attack on 9/11 was unquestionably the “greatest challenge” that he has ever faced in his career.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
