In Jewish tradition, the ner tamid (“eternal flame”) is the sacred lamp that hangs in synagogue sanctuaries around the world, symbolizing the continuously burning light in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. It represents the enduring presence of the divine.
At first glance, it might seem ironic that a fraternal organization of Jewish firefighters calls itself the Ner Tamid Society — after all, it’s their job to extinguish flames. But the irony fades when you consider the deeper meaning of the eternal flame’s purpose: to remind us of a constant divine presence and an unbreakable spirit.
That’s what the FDNY’s Ner Tamid Society is all about: creating everlasting friendship, community, and safety, all while proudly embracing their Judaism. This unique Jewish organization is protecting New York City residents while standing with Israel and fostering Jewish life within the fire department and across the city.
Camaraderie, advocacy, and Jewish identity run deep at Ner Tamid
Since its formation in 1926, Ner Tamid has served as a fraternal organization for firefighters of the Jewish faith. Today, the group boasts 250 members strong, including 14 women, in New York alone. In recent years, its reach has grown: Ner Tamid launched a chapter in San Francisco in 2023 and is set to open another chapter soon in Miami-Dade County.
Members meet monthly to discuss department-related issues, current events, and host guest speakers with expertise on topics like financial literacy and mental health, addressing both professional challenges and personal growth.
But at its core, the Jewish identity of the members is the beating heart of the organization. Members run from deeply observant to those still exploring what Judaism means to them. Whether someone has studied at a yeshiva in Israel for years or only recently watched “Fiddler on the Roof” for the first time, Ner Tamid welcomes and embraces members from across the Jewish spectrum.
“Every Jew has this responsibility to heal the world. So we’re all drawn to the fire department, while still serving those roles of advocacy and camaraderie,” said Ner Tamid’s president, Deputy Chief Yonatan Klein.
Where Jewish life meets public service
Outside the firehouse, you can find members of the Ner Tamid society bringing Jewish values to the broader community, especially around Jewish holidays.
Each Passover, it partners with local Jewish community leaders to perform the ritual burning of chametz — or foods with leavening agents prohibited during the holiday — while teaching the public on fire safety and how to treat burn injuries.
Each year, New York City sees a slight jump in house fires around Hanukkah. Ner Tamid gathers with residents in neighborhoods like Brooklyn’s Borough Park, home to a large Orthodox community. Together, they light a public menorah and share life-saving tips on fire prevention during the holiday season, when candles and cooking are common fire risks.
Jewish representation in public service doesn’t always show up in quite so obvious ways.
Recently, a retired Ner Tamid member passed away at home in Rockaway, Queens. His body was discovered by a religious NYPD officer responding to the call. The officer immediately recognized symbols of both the FDNY and Jewish life throughout the home.
Understanding the importance of Jewish burial customs, he reached out to an Orthodox EMS lieutenant he knew from the neighborhood and said, “I think one of your members passed away.”
In Jewish tradition, a deceased person is never left alone; a shomer, or guardian, stays with the body until burial. The police officer remained by the man’s side for over two hours until he could get 10 volunteers to transfer the body to a Jewish funeral home, run by another retired FDNY member.
It’s a story that never made headlines. But for the Ner Tamid Society and the Jewish first responders who quietly support each other behind the scenes, it’s a powerful example of what it means to live your values — even when no one’s watching.
Life as a Jewish firefighter
A day in the life of a Ner Tamid member can vary depending on their role in the fire department and their Jewish observance. More religious members make time in their mornings to attend synagogue and say shacharit, the morning prayer service. If they can’t make it to a synagogue before their shift, some don tefillin and pray at the station.
Keeping kosher on duty is another layer of complexity. Firehouses and department offices typically don’t have kosher kitchens, which means more observant members have to prepare their food in advance. This presents a challenge at the station, where many firefighters have 24-hour shifts, but they learn to adapt and navigate their unique situations.
Being a Jewish firefighter comes with challenges that go beyond logistical hurdles. In New York City, Ner Tamid members say antisemitism doesn’t come from inside the department. It’s out in public, on the job in uniform, that the tension is palpable.
Like other first responders in the city, Ner Tamid sometimes finds itself on the front lines of anti-Israel protests. But as they are a public entity tasked with problem solving while on duty, they don’t have the luxury of looking away, retreating to their homes or offices when a rowdy crowd spews hateful slogans, some of which can veer into antisemitism. As firefighters, Ner Tamid members are duty-bound to serve, even when the slogans being shouted feel deeply personal.
One officer recalled a protest he witnessed last June in Zuccotti Park in Manhattan’s Financial District. Hundreds of people were chanting and screaming with Palestinian flags; one even wore a Hamas headband. As he watched this protest unfold, eventually making its way to the Nova Music Festival exhibit to try to intimidate those who went there mourning the victims of Oct. 7, he couldn’t help but think, “They’re chanting for me to die.”
The FDNY’s directive in such moments is clear: Don’t engage, stay focused, and report what you see. And that’s exactly what Ner Tamid firefighters do.
For some, the rise in antisemitism in New York City has encouraged them to wear their Judaism proudly and visibly. After Oct. 7, Deputy Chief Klein made the decision to start wearing a kippah regularly, even while on duty. What Klein didn’t expect was how much his choice would inspire others who might not have previously done so out of fear or discomfort to do the same — whether by wearing religious symbols or embracing their Judaism in other ways. By wearing a kippah in a highly visible and public role, Klein has served as a beacon of hope for others.
Supporting Israel from abroad and on the ground
Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, Ner Tamid has stepped up in powerful ways to support Israel, sending both critical equipment and personnel overseas.
At the beginning of the war, the organization coordinated the shipment of over 250 sets of repurposed structural bunker gear — items like fire-resistant coats, pants, gloves, and boots — and delivered over $1 million worth of life-saving medical and emergency equipment, from body armor to drones.
But their impact extends beyond donations. In the past year and a half, Ner Tamid members have flown to Israel through the Emergency Volunteers Project, an initiative that deploys trained paramedics and firefighters to backfill emergency services., This allows Israeli first responders to be redeployed to the front lines where they’re most needed.
One Ner Tamid member — also an Israeli reservist — returned to active duty and spent seven weeks fighting in Gaza.
Here in the U.S., the group continues its support through education and remembrance. Ner Tamid launched the Nova Music Festival Memorial Scholarship, an annual college scholarship honoring the lives lost at the festival and empowering the next generation of Jewish leaders.
A bright light in the community
The Jewish people are a living testament to resilience, fortitude, and community. Ner Tamid has embodied these values within the fire department and beyond. The Ner Tamid Society brings those values to life every day. Within the fire department and far beyond, its members serve not only as first responders but as torchbearers of tradition, unity, and courage.
Through regular acts of service, shared educational opportunities with the wider community, and rising above hate, members continue to inspire and uplift each other and carry on traditions while serving the public with compassion and a deep sense of purpose.
