LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Donald and Rochelle Stracher upon the
occasion of their designation for special recognition by Congregation
Beth Israel

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging its
esteemed residents who have distinguished themselves in their community;
and
WHEREAS, Donald and Rochelle Stracher will be honored by Congregation
Beth Israel during its Gemilut Chasadim Awards Dinner to be held on May
17, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Donald and Rochelle have been dedicated members of Beth Isra-
el for many years; they met at the synagogue and were married in 1961;
and
WHEREAS, Donald is a graduate of RPI and has enjoyed tremendous
success as an architect, retiring from full practice in 2001 after 42
years; he is certified by the National Counsel of Architectural Regis-
tration Boards, is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and
a past president of its Eastern New York Chapter; and
WHEREAS, He designed many projects for the synagogue, including the
relocation of stained glass windows to the current synagogue and the
recently added handicap accessible ramp; he also designed the Maimonides
School and the Shabbos House, which will serve Jewish students at SUNY
Albany; and
WHEREAS, Donald serves as a member of the Board of Trustees, House
committee, and the Endowment committee for Beth Israel; he also chaired
the last Rabbinic search committee; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he served his country with honor as a member of
the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, Rochelle earned a BA from Albany State Teachers College,
where she served on the Founding Committee of Hillel, and went on to
receive both an MA and an MS from SUNY Albany; and
WHEREAS, She enjoyed a successful career as a high school teacher of
History and English as well as a licensed real estate broker; she is a
founding member of the Schenectady Property Management Division of the
National Association of Realtors; and
WHEREAS, Rochelle is a former president of Beth Israel Sisterhood, a
volunteer for Lunch and Learn, a delegate to the Union of Orthodox
Women, and Hebrew School teacher at Congregations Beth Emeth and Gates
of Heaven; she also contributed her time to the National N'shei Chabad,
the Vaad Hakaehrus of the Capital District; and
WHEREAS, She was also active with the Schenectady Affordable Housing
Task Force; and
WHEREAS, Donald and Rochelle are the loving parents of Daniel Strach-
er; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is pleased to join Congregation Beth
Israel in honoring Donald and Rochelle for their extraordinary efforts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Donald and Rochelle Stracher upon the occasion of their desig-
nation for special recognition by Congregation Beth Israel; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Donald and Rochelle Stracher.