Rabbi Moshe Kurtz
Since the arrival of Rabbi Moshe Kurtz and his family — wife Marisa and daughters Talya and Layla — in July, Congregation Sons of Israel in Allentown, Pennsylvania has experienced a renewed sense of energy and connection.
Allentown is just one and a half hours from Teaneck and has many elements typical of a Jewish community, including a mikvah, JCC, eruv, kosher bakery and a Jewish day school. This is in addition to having several universities, such as Muhlenberg College, and also hosting general attractions like Dorney Park, Da Vinci Science Center and the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Many medical professionals have moved to the area to work for the major health systems St. Luke’s and Lehigh Valley Health. Even with the economic boom, Allentown maintains very competitive home prices for a community of its caliber.
The enthusiasm was palpable on Nov. 2, when the congregation and the wider Lehigh Valley community gathered to officially welcome Rabbi Kurtz in a formal installation ceremony. The ceremony took place in the shul’s sanctuary, which was filled with members, friends and dignitaries, all eager to welcome the Kurtz family and commemorate this significant milestone. The atmosphere was warm and spirited, reflecting the deep sense of community that has flourished under Rabbi Kurtz’s leadership.
Attendees at Rabbi Moshe Kurtz’s installation included Allentown’s mayor and police chief.
Rabbi Jonathan Powers, the congregation’s president, kicked off the event with a rousing welcome address, setting the tone for an event rich with history, community and hope for the future. Dr. Noam Cohen then brought the legacy of Jewish Allentown and Sons of Israel to life in a historical presentation, reminding attendees of the congregation’s deep roots and enduring presence.
Reflecting the congregation’s active role in the broader Jewish community, Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, extended a heartfelt welcome to Rabbi Kurtz and highlighted the strong bonds between local Jewish institutions.
Civic partnership has been a strong facet of Rabbi Kurtz’s tenure thus far. Past visits from Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and state representative Michael Schlossberg have created a bond with public partners.
One of the evening’s highlights was a ceremonial signing of a proclamation/lease agreement (sechiras reshus) by Tuerk and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca, along with Rabbi Kurtz. The rabbi briefly described an important facet of Orthodox Jewish life, the eruv, which enables community members to carry on Shabbat by creating a marked boundary around the neighborhoods in which observant Jewish people reside. The eruv is dependent on cooperation with the municipality and a symbolic rental agreement is required covering the property across which the eruv extends. The renewed lease extends through the year 2100, ensuring this vital connection for generations to come.
Recently, road construction along the path of the eruv resulted in a breach requiring necessary connections. Rabbi Kurtz and community members who check the eruv weekly for breaks worked closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to remedy the breach.
PENNDOT road crews went above and beyond, installing a temporary fence to keep the eruv functional, demonstrating the power of teamwork between the Jewish community and public institutions.
To reach Rabbi Moshe Kurtz, email [email protected].