LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the land-
mark building occupied by The Brotherhood Synagogue to be celebrated
with a Rededication Gala on December 3, 2009

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
150th Anniversary of the landmark building occupied by The Brotherhood
Synagogue to be celebrated with a Rededication Gala on Thursday, Decem-
ber 3, 2009; its staff and members will rededicate themselves to the
values and ideals that their Quaker predecessors pursued, as well as the
values and ideals followed by their own congregation within their
historic building over the last century and a half; and
WHEREAS, In addition, on Friday, December 18, 2009 -- the start of the
Jewish Sabbath, the final night of the holiday of Hanukkah and 150 years
to the day of the first Quaker service in the building -- The Brother-
hood Synagogue will be conducting a very special rededication service,
with clergy and representatives of other religions, and governmental and
community leaders, joining its congregation in worship; and
WHEREAS, The Brotherhood Synagogue is an egalitarian congregation of
Conservative denomination, founded by Rabbi Irving J. Block in 1954; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable Synagogue has always resided at 28 Gramercy
Park South, New York, New York, in a landmark building erected in 1859,
as a Quaker meeting house, which records indicate, may have been a stop
on the Underground Railroad as the Quakers afforded runaway slaves with
shelter and work within the building; and
WHEREAS, The Brotherhood Synagogue was one of the first synagogues in
New York City to establish a homeless shelter within its edifice; it has
been running the shelter annually in the winter for more than two
decades; and
WHEREAS, A highly recognized Jewish studies program for students with
special needs, The Brotherhood Synagogue also operates and participates
in a multitude of additional outreach programs designed to assist both
the Jewish community and the New York City community at large; and
WHEREAS, In the year 2009, The Brotherhood Synagogue stands on the
threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming
decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its
past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the landmark building occupied by
The Brotherhood Synagogue, fully confident that this commemoration
reflects the belief in those values which enhance the dignity and
purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Debbie Pearlstein, President, The Brotherhood Synagogue, 28
Gramercy Park South, New York, New York 10003.