Going above and beyond for all

To the editor:

(re: “Litter, overgrowth inspires volunteer clean-up on roads,” Aug. 17)

As the leadership team at the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale, we would like to express our gratitude to Briar Oaks building superintendent Angel Ortega and volunteers Juan de Luna and Eddie Pichardo for their recent act of kindness and generosity.

Their work in clearing the overgrowth and debris from the north service road of the Henry Hudson Parkway — even though it fell outside the scope of Mr. Ortega’s regular duties as building superintendent — did not go unnoticed. The clear pathway they created not only enables our congregants and visitors to make their way to synagogue more easily, it makes our neighborhood a cleaner and more accessible place for everyone.

Acts of kindness like Mr. Ortega’s are in harmony with the values we cherish at CSAIR. Our tradition teaches the importance of caring for one another and helping to make the world a better place.

Mr. Ortega’s act of service exemplifies these values in a wonderful way. We are blessed to have people like him in our community who make a difference with their actions.

Barry Dov Katz

The author is the rabbi at Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel. He writes on behalf of engagement and programming director Rabbi Katie Greenberg, operations director Eric Nussbaum, and synagogue president Ephraim Edelman