Honor Rabbi Hyman Levine

Senate Resolution No. 4085 BY: Senator STAVISKY HONORING Rabbi Emeritus Hyman Levine upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after more than 60 years of dedicated service to the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center on May 12, 2018 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 honor Rabbi Emeritus Hyman Levine upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after more than 60 years of dedicated service to the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center, the community, and to klal yisrael, to be celebrated on Saturday, May 12, 2018; in addition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to wish him a very Happy 90th Birthday; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Hyman Levine has had a distinguished rabbinical career and has achieved esteem and recognition in the professional world; and WHEREAS, He is the founding Rabbi of the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center where he served as its spiritual leader for almost 45 years; through his astute leadership, the congregation grew to well over 500 families; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Hyman Levine was introduced into synagogue life at a very early age by his father, a well-known Cantor from Springfield, Massachusetts; he attended services on a regular basis and was a member of the synagogue choir when he was just 10 years old; and WHEREAS, Coming from a closely knit family, both he and his sister were raised with much love and kindness; his mother taught him his early prayers and as the years went by, it was she who influenced him to study Torah; and WHEREAS, At the age of 15, Young Hyman left his loving home and family to further his education; arriving in New York, he attended Yeshiva University, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree; and WHEREAS, He received his Bachelor of Religious Education degree from Hebrew Teachers College, and went on to obtained his Master of Arts degree from New York University; he continued his rabbinical education at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and was ordained a rabbi in 1955; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Hyman Levine has devoted his entire career and the most productive years of his life to his community; he developed an emotional attachment to his extended family at the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center, having been involved in all the life cycle events, both happy and sad as he responded to the needs of his congregation; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary religious leader has the unique ability to relate in a sincere and meaningful way and has gained the respect, confidence and affection well beyond the Bay Terrace community; and WHEREAS, While attending to the needs of his congregation, Rabbi Hyman Levine continued his educational studies and, in 1982, obtained the degree of MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work; and WHEREAS, His love of people and his burning desire to help the less fortunate is the essential hallmark of his character; he devoted his energies and skills at New York Hospital, and is currently the Chaplain at Gracie Square Hospital; and WHEREAS, Over the years, Rabbi Hyman Levine has been active in both local and national associations; he has served as a Director of the Fort Totten Community Corporation, was past president of the Long Island Commission of Rabbis, and past president of the Bayside Council of Churches and Synagogues; and WHEREAS, Rabbi Hyman Levine has never forgotten his allegiance to Yeshiva University, serving as Vice President of the Yeshiva Rabbinical Alumni Association and Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis; 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, 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 honor Rabbi Emeritus Hyman Levine upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after more than 60 years of dedicated service to the Bay Terrace Garden Jewish Center, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary service to God, 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 Emeritus Hyman Levine.