Senate Resolution No. 1736

BY: Senator MARTINS

HONORING Jane and Joel Ronis upon the occasion of
their designation for special recognition by HEARTS
Port Washington on February 9, 2024

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jane and
Joel Ronis upon the occasion of their designation for special
recognition by HEARTS Port Washington, to be recognized at its Annual
Red Party on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Polish American Hall in
Port Washington, New York; and

WHEREAS, HEARTS (Helping Enrich the Arts of Port Washington) is an
independent, grassroots not-for-profit 501(c)3 community organization
whose mission is to add meaningful value to children's lives and our
community by supporting, promoting, and enriching the arts in Port
Washington and its public schools; and

WHEREAS, HEARTS funded over 180 grants district-wide since its
founding in 2011, as well as scholarships for art and music students for
college; the non-profit also provides interactive high-quality
programming in theater, music, fine arts, creative writing, dance and
much more; and

WHEREAS, HEARTS has created PortFest, a community art and music
festival celebrating arts in Port Washington, as well as Curtains Up, an
after-school musical theater program for elementary school students; and

WHEREAS, The organization also created Dancing Classrooms, a
partnership with the Creative Arts Department, HSA/PTAs, and The Ed
Foundation, and college and the Port Washington Summer Music Program;
and

WHEREAS, After graduating with a Masters in Directing from The
University of Pittsburgh, she embarked on a 15-year career as a
professional stage manager working in opera, dance and theatre here and
abroad, eventually spending five years as the production stage manager
at the prestigious Pittsburgh Public Theatre; and

WHEREAS, She moved to New York, where she met Joel, and worked
off-Broadway while starting and raising a family of three children
together; a talented culinary master, she is the proud owner of Chef for
a Night, a well-regarded catering company with over 10 years of success;
and

WHEREAS, Jane Ronis was a founding board member of HEARTS Port
Washington (PW) and served as the events chair for many years; she also
continued to support the arts in Port Washington as the stage manager
for the Community Synagogue Theatre Company, while running the
synagogue's Time for Dinner program which addresses food insecurity; and

WHEREAS, Joel Ronis served not only as board member of HEARTS PW,
but also as president of the organization; during his tenure, he was
proud to introduce local merchant and arts populations to HEARTS PW,
working in tandem to raise awareness for critical funding of the arts;
and

WHEREAS, He was also responsible for advancing the non-profit's
executive and administrative needs, including evaluating, establishing,
and maintaining platforms to manage donor relationships; for many years,
he owned Minuteman Press in Port Washington, providing printing and
design services for a wide-range of clients in and beyond the community;
and

WHEREAS, A dedicated theater lover, Joel Ronis continues to perform
on Port Washington stages as part of the Community Synagogue Theater
Company, Landmark Radio Theater, and others; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, has stood constant in dignity, good
grace, and humor; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Jane and Joel Ronis has
displayed throughout his/her life; and

WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body
to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their
commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to
Jane and Joel Ronis, that future generations may know and appreciate
their admirable character, their many benevolent deeds, and the respect
and esteem in which they are held by their peers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Jane and Joel Ronis upon the occasion of their designation for
special recognition by HEARTS Port Washington on February 9, 2024; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jane and Joel Ronis.