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Rabbi Alvin Kass, ‘soul of NYPD,’ longtime police chief chaplain, dies at 89

Rabbi Kass

Rabbi Alvin Kass

Rabbi Emeritus Dr. Alvin Kass was the spiritual leader of East Midwood Jewish Center for 36 years until his retirement in 2014. He was a former head of the New York Board of Rabbis. Rabbi Kass was a chaplain for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) since 1966 and was the longest serving chaplain in department history. Rabbi Kass was inducted into the BJHI Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame in 2018. 

Condolences have poured in from the city’s fire department, former governor and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo, New York City Speaker Adrienne Adams, state attorney general Letitia James, and national and local lawmakers.