David Halpern

Dr. David Halpern (d. October 16th, 2016), served as rabbi of the Flatbush Park Jewish Center from its inception in 1952. He stepped down from the pulpit and became Rabbi Emeritus in July 2012 after 60 years, possibly the longest tenure in the United States of any rabbi at a single pulpit since its founding. Rabbi Halpern graduated from Yeshiva College in 1949, and received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University in 1952. The Smicha was signed by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Rabbi Samuel Belkin, and Rabbi Moshe Shatzkes. At age 23, the newly minted Rabbi began holding services in storefronts on Mill Basin Avenue, and later on Avenue N. Beginning in 1956, Rabbi Halpern served for six years as the Jewish Chaplain of the 71st Infantry, 42nd Rainbow Division of the N.Y. National Guard. He was an active member of the Rabbinical Board of Flatbush, serving for ten years as the chairman of its Kashrus Committee and two years as its president.

https://www.fpjc.org/rabbi-bio.html