LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Westchester Jewish Center upon the
occasion of its 60th Annual Dinner Dance on March 6, 2010

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 nation to pay tribute
to institutions and individuals who have contributed to the ethical and
spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in honoring Westchester
Jewish Center upon the occasion of its 60th Annual Dinner Dance on March
6, 2010; and
WHEREAS, A Conservative, traditional egalitarian synagogue in Mamaro-
neck, New York, Westchester Jewish Center is a warm and welcoming commu-
nity which offers many different opportunities to grow and learn Jewish-
ly and to be a part of a supportive community; and
WHEREAS, The Westchester Jewish Center (WJC) grew out of the dreams
and vision of a small group of Jewish families in Mamaroneck at the
beginning of the 20th century; its origins can be traced to the Social
and Aid Society founded in 1905 to provide religious and social opportu-
nities and to help immigrants and others in need; and
WHEREAS, As they had no building of their own, the Society's members
gathered where they could to conduct religious services on holidays and
a traveling rabbi would come to Mamaroneck to hold classes for children
in a shed behind a building on Mamaroneck Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Fourteen years later, in 1919, as the small group began to
grow, it became known as the Hebrew Institute of Mamaroneck; land was
purchased on Halstead Avenue near the train station and the congre-
gation's first house of worship was completed in 1925; a year later,
land was purchased for a cemetery and, shortly thereafter, the Ladies
Auxiliary, or Sisterhood, was formed; and
WHEREAS, In 1943, the first of WJC's two full-time, long-term rabbis
came to the congregation; for more than four decades, Rabbi Irving
Koslowe and his wife, Marly, devoted themselves to enhancing the Jewish
life of the community; Rabbi Koslowe began to hold regular Shabbat
services and started youth groups; Marly Koslowe became the Sunday
School teacher and organized a children's choir and, over time, adult
education and sports were added; and
WHEREAS, It soon became clear that the Halstead Avenue building was
too small and, in 1948, a five-acre site, which continues to be the home
of the Westchester Jewish Center, was purchased at the corner of Rock-
land and Palmer Avenues; and
WHEREAS, On April 28, 1949, the congregation changed its name to the
Westchester Jewish Center and in September 1954 happily moved into its
new home consisting of a chapel, fifteen classrooms, an auditorium,
lounges, offices, and a social hall and, in 1968, reflecting the contin-
uing growth of the congregation and range of programs and activities
offered, a new Sanctuary was dedicated; and
WHEREAS, Since 1987, following the retirement in 1985 of the esteemed
Rabbi Koslowe after more than 40 years of distinguished service, the
Westchester Jewish Center has been ably led by Rabbi Jeffrey Segelman,
under whose leadership the WJC synagogue community has grown dramat-
ically as have the level of participation of its members and the welcom-
ing sense of community experienced there; and
WHEREAS, Remaining faithful to its mission of serving its congre-
gation, its community and Judaism, Westchester Jewish Center may look

with pride and satisfaction upon its many years of purposeful service;
and
WHEREAS, Today Westchester Jewish Center 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 the Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Westchester Jewish Center, Mamaroneck, New York, upon the occa-
sion of its 60th Annual Dinner Dance on March 6, 2010, confident that
this tribute reflects its 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 Westchester Jewish Center.