LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Scher Family upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of the Pillars of the Community Award by
the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Scher Family upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the
Pillars of the Community Award by the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Commu-
nity Center; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the Center's
14th Annual Pillars of the Community Awards Brunch to be held on Sunday,
April 6, 2014; and
WHEREAS, The Schers, Paul and Elaine, Martin and Barbara, and Mark and
Beth, are a family with deep roots in the professional and Jewish commu-
nities of the Capital Region; they share the common interests and goals
of giving back to their community; their philanthropy and community
involvement are extensive, yet they prefer to work behind the scenes,
giving of their time and money often anonymously and without fanfare;
and
WHEREAS, Paul and Elaine Scher have been married 57 years and have
raised two sons, Mark (Beth) and David (Corinn), as well as four grand-
children, Michael, Rachel, Benjamin and Andrew; and
WHEREAS, Paul Scher is a Principal in M. Scher & Son, Inc., an elec-
trical utility contracting firm that has worked on many prominent
projects including upgrading and installing the main electric infras-
tructure for the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics and, more recently, install-
ing the electrical distribution system at the University of Albany Nano-
tech campus; and
WHEREAS, Elaine was a co-owner of Monkey Business, a high-end clothing
boutique located in Albany in the 1970s and 1980s; and
WHEREAS, The two have been involved in many community outreach organ-
izations including the Workshop for the Handicapped, the B'Nai Brith
Senior Citizens Housing Project, the Hadassah and PAP Corps; their help
has been vital in construction and fundraising projects for the Jewish
community over the years; and
WHEREAS, Barbara and Martin "Marty" Scher have been married for 50
years and have two sons, Todd (Jimmy) and Eric (Stacey), as well as, two
grandchildren, Nathan and Alexandra; and
WHEREAS, Martin Scher, is also a Principal in M. Scher & Sons, Inc.,
and in the mid-1980s, became President of the Eastern Contractors Asso-
ciation; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Scher is a graduate of the Russell Sage College in
Troy, New York, and has utilized her business acumen in partnering with
Elaine Scher to run the Monkey Business boutique; and
WHEREAS, Both are extremely active members of Temple Israel; Martin
has served on its Board of Directors and Chair of its Finance and
Investment Committee; Barbara has participated in philanthropic organ-
izations such as Hadassah, Abagail and PAP; and
WHEREAS, Married since 1982, Beth and Mark Scher have two children,
Michael and Rachel, and are members of Congregation Beth Emeth; and

WHEREAS, Mark Scher is a graduate of Siena College in Loudonville, New
York and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York; he is a
Professional Engineer (PE) in many states, and is currently a Principal
in Applied High Voltage, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Beth Scher received her degree in Studio Art from the Univer-
sity at Albany and recently earned her Masters of Fine Arts degree at
the University of the Arts in Philadelphia; she has worked as a Vice
President of the Municipal Bond Department of First Albany Corporation
for 17 years; and
WHEREAS, Together they have made tremendous contributions to their
community; Mark Scher has been the Albany Jewish Community Center boys
basketball coach and led his team to their first Maccabi Games in St.
Louis; Beth Scher is as a member of the Albany JCC Board since 1999,
serving on many committees, including Finance and Endowment; she is a
lifetime member of Hadassah; she has also been a board member of Upper
Hudson Planned Parenthood, the Daughters of Sarah Foundation, and
National Association of Women Artists; and
WHEREAS, Throughout their entire period of their professional and
community service, a period of constructive involvement, Paul and
Elaine, Martin and Barbara, and Mark and Beth have stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor, and have earned the respect and admira-
tion of their colleagues; family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which the Scher family has displayed through-
out their lifetimes; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Scher family upon the occasion of their designation as recipi-
ents of the Pillars of the Community Award by the Sidney Albert Albany
Jewish Community Center; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Scher family, Paul and Elaine, Martin and Barbara, and
Mark and Beth.