LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending RAJE, the Russian American Jewish
Experience, upon the occasion of its Second Annual Banquet on February
9, 2010, and honoring Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, Israel's Permanent
Representative to the United Nations

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend organizations of high purpose and worthy accomplishment whose
endeavors have a significant impact on the lives of those they serve;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
RAJE (Russian American Jewish Experience) of the Russian Division of
Gateways, upon the occasion of its Second Annual Banquet, to be held at
Sotheby's on February 9, 2010, and to honor Ambassador Gabriela Shalev,
Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, Since 1998, the Gateways Organization has dedicated itself to
education in values and ethical living, and to reconnecting people with
their Jewish heritage; and
WHEREAS, Nearly a million Jews from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) have
made their home in America, including thousands upon thousands in New
York City and New York State, and given the opportunities of our great
nation, many have flourished; and
WHEREAS, Yet the seeds of spiritual and communal destruction implanted
by the Soviet regime helped create a crisis of Jewish and communal iden-
tity which, if left unabated, could jeopardize the survival of this
important Russian American community; and
WHEREAS, To address this monumental challenge, the RAJE Leadership
Fellowship was created to train and inspire a new generation of communi-
ty leaders; and
WHEREAS, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, Israel's Permanent Representative
to the United Nations, will present Opening Remarks at the Dinner; and
WHEREAS, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev has served as Israel's Permanent
Representative to the United Nations since September 8, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Previously, Professor Shalev served as President of the
Academic Council and Rector of Ono Academic College in Israel; until her
early retirement in 2002, she was a full professor of contract law at
the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and
WHEREAS, Professor Shalev was the Chief Legal Editor of the Judgments
of the Supreme Court of Israel and Legal Editor of the Hebrew Encyclo-
pedia; she has been recognized with numerous awards for her academic
legal research; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her academic achievements, Professor Shalev
has substantial experience in the public and private sector; prior to
her appointment to the UN Mission, she served as Chairperson of the
Audit Committees of Bank Hapo'alim and the Israel Electric Company, as
well as on the boards of Ma'ariv; the Hadassah Medical Organization and
others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend RAJE for its
purposeful endeavors and commitment to the preservation and enhancement
of the rich religious, ethnic, and cultural heritage of the Russian
American Jewish community which has become such a valued and integral
part of the community of the City and State of New York; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend RAJE upon the occasion of its Second Annual Banquet on February
9, 2010, and to honor Ambassador Gabriela Shalev, Israel's Permanent
Representative to the United Nations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to RAJE and to Gabriela Shalev.