‘Important new chapter’: NYC’s Park East Synagogue partners with local Chabad

NEW YORK — A local Chabad chapter and New York City’s Park East Synagogue have announced a partnership, highlighting the Chabad Hasidic movement’s growing influence and marking a step forward for the prominent Modern Orthodox synagogue.

Park East, founded in 1890 and located on the Upper East Side, and Chabad of the Upper East Side announced the collaboration in Friday statements to members.

Park East will host most of Chabad of the Upper East Side’s activities, Chabad’s Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski will serve as an associate rabbi at the synagogue and Rabbi Yosef Wilhelm, who directs Chabad Young Professionals Upper East Side, will be an assistant rabbi.

The synagogue’s Rabbi Arthur Schneier and president, Les Lieberman, said in a message to members that “this collaboration brings together two vibrant Jewish communities with a shared commitment to Torah, prayer, education, and acts of kindness.”

The message hailed the collaboration as an “important new chapter” for the synagogue.

The partnership will offer “enhanced” Shabbat programming, classes, lectures, holiday celebrations and opportunities for young professionals, the message said.

Chabad of the Upper East Side told members the collaboration was a “giant leap forward.”

The collaboration will begin next month on Rosh Hashanah.

Some of the Chabad chapter’s programs, such as its mikveh and preschool, will remain at its current location.

Both institutions could gain benefits from the partnership.

Chabad of the Upper East Side has developed a large network of engaged young people at a time when many young families are being priced out of neighborhoods like the Upper East Side.

And while Chabad often works with other Jewish institutions, Park East is an especially prominent and prestigious synagogue. The Hasidic movement has outposts around the US and other countries, but fewer venerable legacy institutions like Park East.

Chabad, known for its outreach to non-Hasidic Jews, has seen a larger growth in engagement than any other Jewish movement in the US in recent years, according to a survey last year.

The partnership also comes as mainstream Jewish communities in New York have come under increasing pressure due to increasing hate crimes against Jews and anti-Zionist politics.

Park East has been targeted in at least two protests over the past year.

During a protest targeting an Israel immigration event at the synagogue last year, demonstrators chanted, “We need to make them scared,” “Death to the IDF,” and harassed congregants with threats and antisemitic slurs.

That protest gained widespread attention, drew an outpouring of support for Jewish New Yorkers, and led to New York leaders pushing for buffer zone legislation meant to protect houses of worship.