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.