What’s the Deal With; The Lineage of Jewish Police Chaplains in the NYPD?

What’s the Deal With; The Lineage of Jewish Police Chaplains in the NYPD?

After posting the last article “What’s the Deal With; The “Genesis” of the NYPD’s Police Chaplains,” ( <– click on link to open in a new browser window) the author received an inquiry from the Dr. Rabbi Alvin Kass., Rabbi Emeritus, and Chief Rabbi Kass Chief Chaplain of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Chief Chaplain Kass was interested in knowing more about the appointment of the first Jewish Rabbi in the NYPD. What the author learned and related to Rabbi Kass came as quite a surprise (to the author that is).

In the previous article, we learned that Police Commissioner (PC) Theodore A. Bingham instituted the title of Police Chaplain, by issuing General Order 20 on February 8, 1906. Four Chaplains were appointed, none of them of Jewish faith.

Five years later, in 1911, Rabbi Abraham Blum was appointed as the NYPD’s first Jewish Chaplain and in doing so, assumed the rank of Inspector of Police. 

Blum was born in 1845 in Alsace, France where he attended “country” schools and in 1857 entered the Theological Seminary in Paris. Blum served in the French Military and, at age 20, emigrated to the United States, settling in Galveston, Texas where he led a Jewish congregation for six years. After moving to Los Angeles, California for six years, Blum moved to New York City and led a congregation called “Hand to Hand” in the Bronx. Hand to Hand received a large financial donation from the Baron and Baroness de Hirsch, Paris, and Blum’s work garnered him wide recognition. Blum was a Chaplain for Bellevue Hospital, and others for ten years prior to his appointment as Police Chaplain. A Freemason, Rabbi Blum was a member of the NYPD’s Square Club, a fraternal Masonic organization comprised of police officers.

After serving the men of the NYPD for ten years, Chaplain Blum died, as a result of a surgical procedure, on August 9, 1921. After Masonic Rites by the NYPD’s Square Club, Chaplain Blum’s body, escorted by hundreds of officers, was brought from the Temple Emanu-El, Fifth Avenue, Manhattan and interred at Cypress Hills Cemetery, Queens.

PC Richard E. Enright (1918-1925) gave the following, eloquent, eulogy at the Temple Emanu-El.

The American Hebrew, August 12, 1921

In 1922, PC Enright appointed Rabbi Isidore Frank as Police Chaplain. Chaplain Frank served as the NYPD’s second Jewish Chaplain until his death in 1966.

The third Police Chaplain of the NYPD was appointed by PC Howard R. Leary (1966-1970). That man remains in the position to this day! 

Dr. Rabbi Alvin Kass, Rabbi Emeritus, and Chief Chaplain of the NYPD has served through seven NYC Mayoral administrations, and sixteen NYPD Commissioners of Police! Chief Kass passed away on October 29, 2025. 

On October 29, 2025, PC Jessica Tisch posted the following on “X.”

“I am deeply saddened to share the passing of Rabbi Alvin Kass, our Chief Chaplain, and one of the longest-serving members of the New York City Police Department. Rabbi Kass joined the NYPD in 1966, at the age of 30, becoming the youngest chaplain in the Department’s history. Nearly six decades later, he remained its spiritual heart — a source of strength, guidance, and faith for generations of police officers and their families. A U.S. Air Force veteran and Columbia graduate, Rabbi Kass devoted his life to service, to this city, and to the women and men of the NYPD. He comforted the grieving, counseled the troubled, and reminded all of us of the deeper purpose in what we do. 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. At every Police Academy graduation, Rabbi Kass offered his familiar blessing — a prayer that New York be “a place where people of every race, religion, color, and creed can pursue their individual destinies untrammeled, unafraid, and in obedience to Thy will.” 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. May his memory be a blessing.”

What’s the Deal With; The Lineage of Jewish Police Chaplains in the NYPD? In 114 years, there have been only three Jewish Police Chaplains in the NYPD!  “Long life!”

 As is the case with all of his articles, the author welcomes, comments, suggestions, edits, and constructive criticism. Sources of all information and images are available upon email request.

NOTE: Updated October 29, 2025 to include Rabbi Kass’s death.