Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass, z”l
Rabbi Alvin Kass served the NYPD for nearly six decades, becoming the longest-serving chaplain in department history.
On 9/11, he rushed to Ground Zero. Twenty-three NYPD officers were killed at the World Trade Center, leaving 23 families to be notified and 23 funerals to follow. Kass attended the funerals and ministered to the grieving families. Two of those 23 officers were Jewish.
Less than a week after the attacks, Rosh HaShanah arrived. Kass conducted services in a makeshift synagogue at LaGuardia Airport for emergency workers who had flown to New York to assist police officers, firefighters, and medical personnel.
He also served for decades as spiritual leader of the NYPD Shomrim Society.
He passed on October 29, 2025.