Honor Rabbi Freedman’s 25th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 1803 BY: Senator LARKIN COMMENDING Rabbi Larry Freedman upon the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of his Ordination to be celebrated on May 7, 2017 WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of service; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Rabbi Larry Freedman upon the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of his Ordination to be celebrated at a party held in his honor on Sunday, May

7, 2017, at Temple Beth Jacob in Newburgh, New York; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Larry Freedman grew up in Plattsburgh, New York; as a teenager, he was very involved with both WeFTY and Eisner Camp; and WHEREAS, After earning his degree from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, he attended Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio; he learned his Hebrew grammar in Jerusalem, and then took a year off, volunteering at the Leo Baeck Community Center in Haifa; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Larry Freedman then went to Los Angeles, where he served as a student Rabbi for Chaverim, a group of developmentally delayed adults before returning to New York to finish his studies; and WHEREAS, While in New York, Rabbi Larry Freedman ministered two congregations of deaf individuals; he then held the position of Associate Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Roslyn, New York, for four years; and WHEREAS, As the Rabbi-Educator at Temple Sinai in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he realized his passion for working with the young people in the congregation; after a brief stay in Newton, Massachusetts, he took a customary pulpit position at Temple Beth Jacob in Newburgh, New York, a title he continues to hold today; and WHEREAS, In addition to his work with Temple Beth Jacob, Rabbi Larry Freedman serves as a Chaplain in the New York Air National Guard holding the rank of Major; along with his team, he mentors thousands of people from every religious background; and WHEREAS, After 25 years of service, Rabbi Larry Freedman received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Larry Freedman has brought to his ministry an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties, while always displaying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and dedication; and WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Deborah, and their two children, Ethan and Lev, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Rabbi Larry Freedman upon the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of his Ordination, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and his community, and extending to him the heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Rabbi Larry Freedman.