Papal Visit

NYC Synagogue Readies For Pope's Visit

Now that Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in the United States, the anticipation surrounding his visit to New York City is increasing among many, including a group of youngsters at a Manhattan synagogue.

Twenty members of the youth choir at the Park East Synagogue, where the pontiff will visit early Friday evening, are preparing for the historic visit to a house of Jewish worship a day before the start of Passover.

"I'm very excited to meet such a big political figure," said Mordechai Shindler, one of the choir members. "I'm gonna be able to see the Pope in person!"

The pope's visit will be an important first: it's the first time any pope has visited a synagogue in the United States.

"It's a statement that will reverberate throughout history," said Rabbi Arthur Schneirer, a Holocaust survivor and rabbi at the synagogue. Schneirer said the pope's visit, especially in light of his past as a young boy living in Hitler's Nazi Germany, sends a strong message to Jews everywhere.

"What he is saying is, 'I want to make sure that these evil tragedies do not occur again,'" said Schneirer.

For choir members like Shindler and others, Pope Benedict's arrival will mark a magical moment.

"He's a big figure. He's huge. It's like one in a lifetime," he said.

The pope's visit is expected to last about 30 minutes before a group of 200, officials told CBS 2.

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