A Historic Moment for Jewish Life on the Upper East Side
Dear Friend,
Thirty-five years ago, in the summer of 1991, the Rebbe entrusted Chanie and me with an extraordinary mission: to establish Chabad of the Upper East Side and dedicate our lives to serving every Jew in our community.
The Rebbe's love for every single Jew knew no bounds. If it had been physically possible, he would have personally met every Jew himself. Instead, he sent his emissaries across the globe with one simple but revolutionary mandate: No Jew should be left behind.
When we arrived on the Upper East Side, we dreamed of building a Jewish home where every Jew, regardless of background, affiliation, age, or level of observance, would feel welcomed, valued, and inspired.
By the grace of G‑d, and because you believed in that dream, it has grown beyond anything we could have imagined. Today, that journey has taken a giant leap forward.
Beginning this Rosh Hashanah, Chabad of the Upper East Side and the landmark Park East Synagogue will begin an inspiring new chapter together, strengthening and expanding Jewish life throughout our community.
Rabbi Arthur Schneier, our community's most senior rabbi, the longest-serving rabbi in New York City history, and one of the world's most respected Jewish leaders, has invited Chabad of the Upper East Side to join with Park East Synagogue in a shared endeavor that will help shape the future of Jewish life on the Upper East Side. As part of this exciting collaboration, I will have the privilege of serving alongside Rabbi Schneier as Associate Rabbi of Park East Synagogue.
This is about far more than two institutions sharing a building. It is the coming together of two great Jewish legacies with one shared mission: to strengthen Jewish identity and Jewish pride in every Jew on the Upper East Side. Together, we will draw even more Jews closer to their heritage and their birthright.
Park East will become home not only to its distinguished congregation but also to many of Chabad's growing divisions, including our Young Professionals community, Friendship Circle, Young Families programming, the Upper East Side Kollel, Chabad of Hunter College, and many of our educational and communal initiatives.
Together, we are creating an even more dynamic center of Torah learning, Jewish education, community, compassion, celebration, and inspiration, a true home where every Jew will be welcomed, embraced, and empowered.
This historic collaboration is also a celebration of the extraordinary spirit of achdut that has long characterized our neighborhood. For more than three decades, we have been privileged to work alongside the many synagogues, rabbis, schools, and Jewish organizations of the Upper East Side. Each serves our community in its own unique and invaluable way, and together we have all helped create one of the most dynamic and vibrant Jewish neighborhoods in the world.
This milestone also belongs to an extraordinary team of devoted shluchim and their families who helped transform one small Chabad House into a vibrant network serving every segment of our community.
What began with one couple has, with Hashem's blessing, grown into an extraordinary family of shluchim, each bringing unique talents, unwavering dedication, and boundless love to this sacred mission.
Rabbi Boruch and Leah Jacobson established Chabad of Hunter, nurturing Jewish students on campus. Rabbi Uriel and Shevy Vigler built a thriving Hebrew-speaking community and later founded B'Lev Echad. Rabbi Yosef Y. and Devorah Wilhelm created one of New York's most dynamic communities for young Jewish professionals. Rabbi Shlomo and Sara Gutnick built Friendship Circle into an extraordinary organization serving children and adults with special needs, their families, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Rabbi Sholly and Goldie Freundlich established Chabad Care, bringing comfort, hope, and Jewish support throughout our world-class hospitals. Rabbi Moshe and Yocheved Krasnjansky have inspired hundreds of young families through Hebrew School, camp, holiday programming, and year-round educational experiences. Rabbi Yaakov Krasnianski has devoted himself to enriching the lives of our senior community.
With your steadfast support, friendship, and generosity, we were privileged to build the magnificent Schneerson Center for Jewish Life, home to the magnificent Jacques and Hanna Schwalbe Mikvah, the vessel mikvah, our flourishing Chabad Preschool, the Upper East Side Kollel, extensive adult education programs, and worldwide Torah initiatives, including TanyaClass.com and MyPrayerClass.com, reaching listeners in well over one hundred countries.
At this critical juncture in New York Jewish history, this coming together sends a powerful message: the Jewish people are here to stay. The more they attack us, the more we will unite, build, grow, thrive, and flourish.
There is also a remarkable measure of Divine Providence at this moment. Rabbi Schneier is a descendant of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad movement, and throughout the years often sought the Rebbe's counsel on matters affecting the Jewish people around the world. Clearly, this is a match made in heaven.
There are still thousands of Jews on the Upper East Side waiting for an invitation, a friendly overture, a class, a Shabbat meal, or a mitzvah that can change a life. Together with the Park East family, we can fulfill the Rebbe's vision by reaching every one of the 70,000 Jews on the Upper East Side and inspiring each individual to embrace Judaism with pride, one mitzvah at a time.
We ask you not to stand on the sidelines.
Join us this High Holiday season.
Bring a friend. Invite a neighbor.
Help another Jew reconnect with their heritage.
Today, more than ever, it is not enough for a Jew simply to live for himself. Every one of us has both the privilege and the responsibility to inspire another Jew.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the Board of Trustees of Park East Synagogue, and the entire Park East congregation for their extraordinary vision, trust, friendship, and shared commitment to the entire community.
To our devoted supporters who have stood beside us throughout these past thirty-five years, words cannot express our gratitude. Everything we have accomplished has been possible because of your faith, your generosity, your encouragement, and your friendship. We are honored that you continue to walk beside us as we embark on this exciting new journey together.
Above all, we thank Hashem for this extraordinary blessing and opportunity. We also express our heartfelt gratitude to the Rebbe, whose vision continues to illuminate our path. Thirty-five years after sending us to the Upper East Side, his call remains as urgent and inspiring as ever: to reach out with love, to unite our people, and to ensure that every Jew knows they have a home.
Our Sages teach us that the Second Temple was destroyed because of sinat chinam, or baseless hatred. How fitting, then, that at this pivotal moment we are privileged to witness such an act of genuine ahavat Yisrael: two historic institutions joining hands, not for themselves, but for the sake of every Jew. In this merit, may we merit to see the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash now.
With blessings for a sweet, healthy, and happy New Year,
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ben Tzion and Chanie Krasnianski
