LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Andy Kastner upon the occasion of his
designation by the Riverdale Jewish Community Council as the recipient
of an Andrew Zucker Jewish Community Service Award at its Legislative
and Awards Breakfast on March 15, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life in the Empire State are greatly enriched by the faith-
ful and generous service of those who distinguish themselves in their
profession and in service to their faith, heritage and community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend Andy Kastner upon the occasion of his designation by the River-
dale Jewish Community Council as the recipient of an Andrew Zucker
Jewish Community Service Award at its 25th Annual Legislative and Awards
Breakfast, to be held at the Riverdale YM-YWHA on Sunday, March 15,
2009; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1978, the Riverdale Jewish Community Council
(RJCC) serves as the umbrella organization for more than 50 area syna-
gogues and Jewish organizations; it works to enrich Jewish communal life
and acts as an advocate for and representative of the
Riverdale/Kingsbridge Jewish community to New York City governmental and
Jewish communal organizations; and
WHEREAS, Each year at its Legislative and Awards Breakfast, the River-
dale Jewish Community Council proudly pays tribute to organizations and
individuals who have distinguished themselves in service to their commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Andy Kastner, a 4th year rabbinical student at Yeshivat
Chovevei Torah, and his wife Leslie, have lived in Riverdale for nearly
four years; and
WHEREAS, Andy Kastner is a certified Shochet (kosher slaughterer); he
serves as Director of The Jewish Youth Encounter Program at the Hebrew
Institute of Riverdale and is a member of the staff at PanimWorks, a
pluralistic program which brings Jewish high school students to work on
Navajo and Hopi reservations in the American southwest; and
WHEREAS, He has, in addition, helped start a community-supported agri-
culture cooperative which provides fresh and local produce to more than
70 families on a weekly basis; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Riverdale Jewish Community Council and to applaud Andy Kast-
ner upon the occasion of his designation by the Council as the recipient
of an Andrew Zucker Jewish Community Service Award at its 25th Annual
Legislative and Awards Breakfast on March 15, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Andy Kastner.