Thank you for your reference to the Fort Tryon Jewish Center in the article, “Washington Heights Jews Caught In A Growth Bind” (Aug. 13).
As executive director of the Jewish Center, and as a member for over 35 years, I am deeply gratified by the renewed growth of our congregation, and by the decision of so many of its newer members to make their homes here in the Heights. I believe this reflects the kind of Jewish community that is evolving in the Heights: open, inclusive, observant and egalitarian.
Our congregation, under the leadership of Rabbi Micha’el Rosenberg, reflects this demographic and these values. The majority of our younger families send their children to Jewish day schools, attend our egalitarian services every Shabbat and participate in religious services, educational, social and fundraising activities. Although some in the greater community may view the Heights as no more than a steppingstone to the suburbs, something I deeply regret, I do not believe this situation characteristic of the Heights as a whole, and I know from my own congregation’s positive growth curve, that it is not true of the Fort Tryon Jewish Center community in particular.
Executive Director
Fort Tryon Jewish Center
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