Long Beach Rabbi's 'Great Honor' Appointed Chaplain To Police Dept.

LONG BEACH, NY — BACH Jewish Center's Rabbi Benny Berlin has been appointed to serve as a chaplain to the city's police department.

As chaplain, Berlin will provide spiritual support to officers of the Long Beach Police Department and the communities they serve.

The rabbi calls it a "great honor" and said he looks forward to "working alongside those who tirelessly serve our community offering them support, guidance, and spiritual care as the needs arise and advocating for the emergent needs of our Long Beach community."

His duties will include counseling and participating in ceremonies.

"Since taking the helm at the BACH Jewish Center, Rabbi Berlin has worked in partnership with us to develop programming bringing together his congregation and our department," said Acting Police Commissioner Richard DePalma. "The synagogue’s annual Police appreciation barbeque and other communal events hosted by Rabbi Berlin and his community provide our officers with the opportunity to develop and foster relationships with the community we serve."