Category: News

Rabbi Arthur Schneier appeared on the United Nations “Awake at Night” podcast, hosted by  Melissa Fleming, the United Nations’ Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.

In the interview, Rabbi Schneier shares his experience as a Holocaust survivor who, after emigrating to the United States in 1949, has devoted his life to interreligious understanding, peace and human rights, as both Senior Rabbi at Park East Synagogue and the Founder and President of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. He discusses his work as Deputy Permanent Representative for the United Nations General Assembly, his concerns about technology and the resurgence of anti-Semitism, and his hopes for the future.

Click here to listen to the episode.

On June 8, 2021, the Park East Synagogue and Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School communities gathered to celebrate at the Annual Dinner at Park East Synagogue.

Rabbi Arthur Schneier opened the program with a reflection on the community’s perseverance amid the COVID-19 pandemic and shared a message of optimism, stating, “The prescription for the year ahead: be confident and don’t give up. Because the impossible is possible.” 

Israel Nitzan, Acting Consul General of the state of Israel, addressed the Park East community and underscored the need for public officials to continue to combat anti-Semitism. Senator Chuck Schumer, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations and Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, joined the celebration virtually, sharing their well wishes for the honorees.

S. Daniel Abraham was honored with the Humantarian Award and as Patron of Higher and Jewish Education in the United States and Israel. Lindsey Dresbach, granddaughter of Rabbi Arthur Schneier, accepted the award on Mr. Abraham’s behalf.

Dayna Langfan and Lawrence Heller were honored with the L’Dor V’Dor Award for Jewish Continuity and Education.

Rebecca and David Zwillinger were honored as Patrons of Education. 

The teachers of the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School were honored collectively as educators of the year for their commitment to their students, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

View the video highlights from the 2021 Annual Dinner.

View the photo gallery:

Photography by Heidi Green.

On Monday, March 15, 2021, Rabbi Arthur Schneier delivered a special address to the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) at their meeting on Exploring Holistic Approaches to Combating Anti-Semitism. 

Following an introduction by High Representative Miguel Moratinos, Rabbi Schneier, who serves as UNAOC Goodwill Ambassador, reflected on his experience as a Holocaust survivor and highlighted the prevalence of anti-Semitism today. “Anti-Semitism has survived millennia because it constantly adapts… United, we must rise to counter its latest form,” he stated, pointing to the spread of hatred on social media and digital platforms and highlighting the need for greater governance.  

Rabbi Schneier recognized the hero diplomats who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust, and acknowledged the United Nations for its 2008 resolution, adopted by 120 countries, to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day each year on January 27. 

Closing with a blessing for a joyful and peaceful Easter and Passover holiday, he said, “May they usher in healing for a wounded world and a divided humanity. And, united, we will prevail.” 

Rabbi Schneier’s remarks can be viewed at the 18:28 mark in the video below.

Park East Synagogue and the United Nations hosted an International Holocaust Remembrance virtual service marking the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on January 25, 2021. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Senior Rabbi at Park East Synagogue and founder and President of the Appeal of Conscience foundation, delivered remarks. The service included music by Chief Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky and the Park East Synagogue Choir, led by Conductor Maestro Russell Ger, and the participation of students at Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School and the UN diplomatic corps.

Rabbi Arthur Schneier pointed to the rise of hate and anti-Semitism in the world today and underscored the importance of Holocaust education in schools, stating, “Children are not born with hatred. They are taught how to hate. When infected, they become carriers of hatred. The antidote is education, education, education.”

In his remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres encouraged “coordinated global action, on the scale of the threat we face, to build an alliance against the growth and spread of neo-Nazism and white supremacy, and to fight propaganda and disinformation… Prevention is key to the fight against anti-Semitism, and I sincerely thank Rabbi Schneier and all those who work with and for the Appeal of Conscience Foundation for their efforts to promote interfaith understanding.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 13, 2020 – Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President and Founder, Appeal of Conscience Foundation and Senior Rabbi, Park East Synagogue receives the highest award of the Foreign Ministry of Bulgaria, the “Golden Laurel Branch,” in recognition for “his outstanding merit to the promotion of interreligious and intercultural understanding,” presented by Ambassador Georgi Velikov Panayotov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Nations on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ekaterina Zakharieva.

Rabbi Schneier and the interfaith Appeal of Conscience Foundation provided a lifeline of hope and support to all religious communities during the Communist Era, with particular help to sustain the Jews of Bulgaria who survived the Holocaust. Their survival was due to the heroic stand of the Patriarch and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and prominent intellectuals supported by the Bulgarian people who prevented their deportation demanded by Nazi Germany. “For me, the response of the Bulgarian people to the cry of the oppressed and not to remain silent in the face of tyranny is a role model of courage to save lives and an inspiration for others to follow.” said Vienna-born Holocaust survivor, Rabbi Arthur Schneier whose family perished in Auschwitz.

As we enter this New Year, we can only reflect on this past year and pray for the world to return to normalcy. What a difficult year this has been. Hopefully you and your loved ones have been safe and secure; but regardless, the year has certainly affected our lives in many difficult ways. With 5781 about to begin, our thoughts turn to our prayers and worshipping.

We at Park East have prepared our Synagogue for this year’s worshipping, both virtual and in-person. We have with all our efforts and not sparing any expense have made our House of Prayer as safe as can be. The preventive measures we have implemented include the hiring of airflow experts, top technicians, engineers and architects; as well as purchasing and installing the latest top quality equipment, including video temperature testing equipment, infrared panels in our ductwork to purify the airflow, stand-alone air purifiers throughout the building, and the finest disinfectants.

During these Holidays we are obligated to do Tzedakah. This year, more than ever, we are spending well over our budget to offer you virtual services as well as safely facilitate in-person services. Thus, I am requesting support for our 131-year-old Synagogue that has been serving the Upper East Side. For us to continue in this crisis, we would need your help by matching at least what you gave last year, or if possible, a bit more, to help us continue to be an anchor of Torah values and service to the Jewish people, assuring Jewish continuity through education of our children.

During this most difficult time, we were fortunate to have the steadfast spiritual leadership of Rabbi Arthur Schneier, his Rabbinic and Cantorial team, supported by the Administration led by Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky, and our dedicated teachers. They have helped us sustain faith and hope.

I wish you and your families a safe, healthy, prosperous, and most happy and fulfilled G’Mar Tov.

Herman Hochberg

Herman Hochberg, President

Dear Members,

As we enter the 5781 High Holy Days we are reminded of the importance of tzedakah. Our historic 131-year-old community continues with our mission of L’dor V’dor, providing from generation to generation a fine Jewish education to hundreds of children from all backgrounds every week.  The COVID 19 crisis has forced us to deal with unprecedented needs in our community, beyond our continued need to meet our ongoing commitments to our valued members and families. we have had to spend Hundreds of thousands of dollars preparing our institution and facilities to physically accommodate our schools, prayers and programs. In addition to rising expenses on security, as our concerns for safety is unparalleled, we also are investing in technology for live streaming programming, services and classes to keep everyone connected during these times.

We ask for you to send your generous contribution early to our Kol Nidre Campaign.  We hope you can match last year’s contribution.   We are grateful for the early contributions already received.

Herman Hochberg, President