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

Park East Synagogue, a prominent Modern Orthodox congregation in New York, announced a partnership with Chabad of the Upper East Side. Chabad rabbis will join the synagogue's staff, and Park East will host most Chabad activities. The collaboration, hailed as an 'important new chapter,' begins on Rosh Hashanah. It comes amid rising antisemitism and follows protests targeting the synagogue.

Park East Synagogue, a prominent Modern Orthodox congregation founded in 1890 on Manhattan's Upper East Side, announced a partnership with Chabad of the Upper East Side. The collaboration, announced in Friday statements to members, will see Chabad's Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski serve as associate rabbi at Park East, with Rabbi Yosef Wilhelm, director of Chabad Young Professionals Upper East Side, as assistant rabbi. Park East will host most of Chabad's activities, though some programs, including its mikveh and preschool, will remain at Chabad's current location. The partnership begins next month on Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi Arthur Schneier and president Les Lieberman called it an 'important new chapter' and a bringing together of 'two vibrant Jewish communities.' Chabad of the Upper East Side described it as a 'giant leap forward.' The collaboration comes as Chabad has seen significant growth in engagement among young Jews, while Park East offers prestige and a legacy institution. The announcement also follows increased antisemitic incidents and protests targeting Park East, including a protest last year where demonstrators chanted threats and slurs.