With profound sadness, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Jewish Theological Seminary mourned the October 29, 2025, passing of Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass z”l, a man whose nearly six decades of service made him not just the longest-tenured chaplain in NYPD history, but its spiritual cornerstone.
Rabbi Kass’s journey began at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), where he graduated from Seminary College in 1957 and was ordained from the Rabbinical School in 1962. After serving two years as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, he embarked on a rabbinic career that would touch countless lives across New York City. He led congregations at the Astoria Center of Israel in Queens until 1978, then served for 36 years at the East Midwood Jewish Center in Brooklyn.
But it was his appointment to the NYPD in 1966, at age 30, that would define his extraordinary legacy. As only the third Jewish chaplain in the department’s history, he became its youngest chaplain at the time and would go on to become its longest-serving, working under eight mayors and 21 police commissioners. He also was the first three-star chaplain in NYPD history.
Impact Beyond Faith
Rabbi Kass’s impact transcended religious boundaries. Jamiel Altaheri, a retired NYPD Deputy Inspector, credited him with helping found and gain official recognition for the Muslim Officers Society. This interfaith leadership exemplified his belief that the NYPD should be “a place where people of every race, religion, color, and creed can pursue their individual destinies untrammeled, unafraid”—words from the blessing he offered at every Police Academy graduation.
His ministry extended far beyond ceremonial duties. In 1981, he famously negotiated the peaceful resolution of a hostage situation by trading two pastrami sandwiches from the Carnegie Deli for the hostage-taker’s weapons, a story he would recall with fondness years later as an example of creative problem-solving in the service of saving lives.
Standing Tall on September 11
Perhaps no moment better captured Rabbi Kass’s dedication than his response to 9/11. He rushed to Ground Zero immediately, becoming one of the first to console the families of the 23 NYPD officers lost that day. Less than a week later, while still ministering to traumatized first responders, he led Rosh Hashanah services both for his Brooklyn congregation and at a makeshift synagogue at LaGuardia Airport for emergency workers who had flooded into the city.
“It was the most meaningful religious service in my career,” he later reflected.
A Life of Service
Throughout his career, Rabbi Kass balanced his chaplaincy with roles as an educator and lecturer at Columbia University, Long Island University, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He provided counsel to officers of all ranks, offering spiritual guidance through the department’s darkest hours and most joyous celebrations.
Last spring, JTS honored him with the Pastoral Care Leadership Award at a ceremony attended by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, former congregants, and supporters. Rabbi Kass spoke of his “tremendous sense of thanksgiving and nostalgia” and his deep pride in the NYPD and its officers.
Commissioner Tisch, who described knowing Rabbi Kass as “a real privilege,” captured his essence in her statement following his death: “Few people have lived a life more fully in service of others. He was among the first to respond after 9/11, consoling the families of the 23 officers we lost that day. And for more than half a century, he stood beside our members through moments of tragedy and triumph alike.”
She added: “Today, that prayer belongs to all of us. And as we carry his words forward, we know he will still be watching over the city and the Department he loved. His loss is immeasurable. His example is everlasting.”
An Unbreakable Spirit
Even in his final years, Rabbi Kass’s commitment never wavered. In 2020, at age 84, he was mugged during his morning walk on the Upper West Side. The attacker fled when he discovered Kass’s police badge in his wallet.
The Police Benevolent Association called him “a true pillar of the NYPD”—words that barely capture the depth of his impact.
Rabbi Kass is survived by three children and three grandchildren. His wife, Miryom Kass, predeceased him in 2017.
As the sea of blue uniforms at his October 31 funeral demonstrated, Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass leaves behind not just a legacy of service, but a model of compassionate leadership that transcended denominational lines to serve the greater good. May his memory be a blessing.