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K01011 Summary:

BILL NOK01011
 
SAME ASNo Same As
 
SPONSORPheffer Amato
 
COSPNSR
 
MLTSPNSR
 
 
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K01011 Text:

 
Assembly Resolution No. 1011
 
BY: M. of A. Pheffer Amato
 
        LEGISLATIVE    RESOLUTION  commemorating  the  100th
        Anniversary  of  Congregation  Kneseth  Israel,  The
        White  Shul,  of  Far  Rockaway, Queens and the Five
        Towns
 
  WHEREAS, The quality and character of life  in  New  York  State  is
greatly  enriched  by  its  religious  institutions and the faithful and
generous service of those who devote themselves to endeavors of  family,
faith, and community; and
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend institutions of  such  magnanimous  conduct  and  bearing  which
demonstrate  a  deep and continuing concern for others, and in so doing,
inspire others to do the same; and
 
  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Congregation  Kneseth  Israel,  The
White Shul, of Far Rockaway, Queens and the Five Towns; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  theme  for  this momentous milestone is "A Century of
Achdus.  A Legacy of Community. A Place to Learn, Daven, and Grow."; and
 
  WHEREAS, Congregation Kneseth Israel,  widely  known  as  The  White
Shul,  was  established in 1922, in the Far Rockaway Chamber of Commerce
building; eight years later, the Congregation moved to  the  old  Temple
Israel  building, which was a white marble building, hence the name "The
White Shul"; later, in 1964,  the  Congregation  moved  to  its  current
building on Empire Avenue; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Rabbi  Abraham Kahan became the first rabbi of the shul in
1928, followed by Rabbi Shimshon  Fortman  in  1931,  and  Rabbi  Rafael
Pelcovitz who served for over 70 years, and then Rabbi Tzvi Flaum; since
2008,  Rabbi  Eytan  Feiner  has  been shul Rabbi, first with Rabbi Shay
Schachter as associate rabbi, and currently, with Rabbi Motti  Neuburger
as associate rabbi; and
 
  WHEREAS,  During  the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, with many homes
destroyed and a widespread power outage, The  White  Shul  opened  as  a
recovery  center  for  the  community,  providing  free  food,  creating
charging stations for phones and other electronic devices, and housing a
doctor's practice whose office was destroyed; and
 
  WHEREAS, For a century, The White Shul has served as the  anchor  of
the  Jewish  community  of  Far Rockaway and the Five Towns, maintaining
stability in times of urban blight and upheaval, and it continues to  be
a magnet for youth; and
 
  WHEREAS,  From  its humble beginnings with 20 families, Congregation
Kneseth Israel has grown to over 600 families; and
 
  WHEREAS, Members of The White Shul are involved in  all  aspects  of
the community, maintaining strong civic and Zionist values; and
 
 
  WHEREAS,  Under  the  able leadership of Head Rabbi Eytan Feiner and
Associate Rabbi Motti Neuberger, Congregation Kneseth Israel, The  White
Shul,  now  stands  on  the  threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the
challenges of the coming decades, while retaining that spiritual resolve
which has so characterized its glorious past; and
 
  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take  note  of
enduring  religious  institutions  and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  100th  Anniversary of Congregation Kneseth Israel, The
White Shul, of Far Rockaway, Queens  and  the  Five  Towns;  and  be  it
further
 
  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to  Head  Rabbi  Eytan  Feiner  and  Associate  Rabbi  Motti
Neuberger, Congregation Kneseth Israel, The White Shul.
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