Chaplain Lauds Heroism of Jewish Police Officers

There is a bronze plaque in the lobby of Police Headquarters in scribed with the names of men who died in the performance of duty. The names include those of John Singer, Morris Borkin and Sergeant Sam Cantor. The circumstances of their death are part of the annals of the department.

In an interview yesterday the Jewish chaplain for the Police Department, Rabbi Isidore Frank, reminisced about the three heroes and his twelve years in the department, which he joined during Comissioner Enright;s term. He told in simple manner how the three detectives met death.

“Borkin and I came from a meeting of the Shomrim Society, made up of Jewish members on the force,” said Dr. Frank. “We went in for coffee and a sandwich. We spoke of many things, most of them inconsequential.

“He had to get back on duty that evening, and was sent on a scouting tour of the neighborhood around Forsythe Street. He was Accompanied by Sergeant Cantor. I remenber that Borkin used to tell me tha if ever he got into a tight spot, he would get in a ‘good shot.’

“The two men were shot in a restaurant holdup which they had anticipated bunking into that night. One of the thieves escaped. Two were caught . one of them was kiiled by Borkin, I think it was the same man who put a bullet into his body.”

TALKS OF SINGER

Dr. Frank performed the wedding ceremony of John Singer, a detective on the force. Three years later Singer succeeded in capturing a Negro automobile thief, whom he found in virtual starvation. Before takin the culprit to police headquarters, Singer bought him a meal, Then both proceeded to police headquarters.

“The colored man told Singer that he wanted to get up for a drink of water,” said Dr. Frank. “As soon as the policeman’s back was turned, the Negro tore the piostol out of his pocket. and shot him in the back, killing him. Singer died instantly. The nurderer was declared insane.”

The major job of Isidore Frank is to direct the destiny of the Shomrim Society, Which he founded nearly ten years ago with an initial membership of seventeen men. At that time there were hardly

RABBI ISIDORE FRANK

more than two score Jewish policemen on the force, and they didn’t know each other very well. Fellowship, only possible in an organized group with well-defined activities, is non-existent.

750 MEMBERS

The society today boasts an enrollemnt of 750. It does its share for charity, Zionism, and takes a deep interest in Jewish, and takes a deep interest in Jewsih affairs. A cemetery is maintained for deceased members at Springfield, L.I, and regular monthly meetings are held where there is general discussion and acarefully planned agenda. The highlight of its program is to promote a religious spirit among Jewish police.

AIDED PALESTINE PROJECT

One of the things of which the Shomrim Society is proud is its contribution to a fund for planting eucalyptus trees in Palestine as a George Washington memorial at the Bi-centennial celebration in 1932.

William R. Wittenberg is president of the Shomrim, Jacob Levit, recording secretary; hyman Weinstein and Joseph Goldstein, Vice presidents; Samuel Pierson, financial secretary; Harry Schreiber, treasurer, and albert Pollack, sergeant-at-arms.

Dr. Frank is the assistant rabbi at Mount Neboh Congregation, 130 West Seventy-ninth street. He was born in Poland and was the son of Rabbi Eleazer Frank. He came to the United States at the age of thirteen and studied for the rabbinate under private tutelage. In addition to his routine work in the Police Department, he is chaplain at Randall’s Island and worked for the interest of immigrants with the Hebrew immigration Aid Society.