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Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass to Be Honored

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By Francesca Norsen-Tate, Religion Editor – Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Rabbi Dr. Alvin KassRabbi Dr. Alvin Kass to Be Honored for 36 Years of Service To East Midwood Jewish Center at June 8 Dinner-Dance
Honoree Is Also Longest-Serving NYPD Chaplain

Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass will be honored at the East Midwood Jewish Center’s (EMJC) 90th Annual Dinner-Dance for 36 years of service as the Center’s esteemed and distinguished spiritual leader this coming Sunday, June 8.

“This event is the highlight of the Center’s social season,” said Toby Sanchez, co-president of EMJC. “It is a time to pay tribute to a leading rabbi, who is also chief chaplain of the New York City Police Department and who has contributed so much to our Center and city, enjoy each other’s company and, not coincidentally, it is a major fundraising event.”

Sanchez continued, “Rabbi Kass is a gifted orator whose uplifting, insightful and intellectually-stimulating sermons inspire us at Shabbat Services, the High Holidays and life cycles, as well as at community events.

Randy Grossman, co-president of the Center, pointed out, “Over the years, Rabbi Kass has exerted a powerful influence over the spiritual life of the synagogue and has devoted his entire professional life to ministering to the needs of others in the wider community, in the armed forces of our country and in the Police Department of our great city.”

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Rabbi Matt Carl Named New Spiritual Leader of East Midwood Jewish Center

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Published in the Jewish Voice – WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2014

Rabbi Matt Carl, the new rabbi at the East Midwood Jewish Center, a 90 year old conservative, egalitarian congregation.
Rabbi Matt Carl, the new rabbi at the East Midwood Jewish Center, a 90 year old conservative, egalitarian congregation.

Rabbi Matt Carl, a rabbi, educator and environmentalist, has been named as the new Rabbi of the East Midwood Jewish Center (EMJC).  The announcement was made by EMJC’s two presidents, Randy Grossman and Toby Sanchez. He succeeds Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass, who was the spiritual leader of EMJC for 36 years, and now becomes Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Kass is also Chief Chaplain of the New York City Police Department, the longest-serving chaplain in the history of the department, 48 years, and the first to achieve the rank of assistant chief. The Center is located at 1625 Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210.

Before joining EMJC, Rabbi Carl served as the part-time Rabbi of the Battery Park Synagogue, a 50 family unaffiliated synagogue in New York City from September 2010 until May, 2014. He created, counseled and collaborated with the synagogue’s 20’s and 30’s group, oversaw and supervised the Hebrew school and directed adult education programs.

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East Midwood Jewish Center – 90 Years

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Shalom! 90 years ago, a group of committed Brooklyn Jews came together to articulate a vision. They wanted to build a Jewish Center – a collective home to live their Jewish lives. It would be a uniquely American edifice; a place not only to pray, celebrate holidays, raise Jewish families, and explore the endless richness of Jewish text, history, and culture, but also a place to engage in social events… Read More »East Midwood Jewish Center – 90 Years