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.