LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ben Michaels upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Teen Leader Service Award by Schenectady
B'nai B'rith

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging its
esteemed residents who have distinguished themselves in service to their
community; and
WHEREAS, Ben Michaels will be honored as a Teen Leader during Schenec-
tady B'nai B'rith's Service Award Ceremony to be held on June 5, 2011,
at Congregation Agudat Achim; and
WHEREAS, Ben is a student at Hudson Valley Community College; and
WHEREAS, He hopes to continue his education in Judaic Studies to
become a Rabbi; and
WHEREAS, Ben has served as teacher's aide, Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor, and
Hebrew School teacher at Congregation Gates of Heaven; and
WHEREAS, He has also served as co-President of Temple TI's at Congre-
gation Gates of Heaven, as well as volunteered at its cemetery and many
other congregation events; and
WHEREAS, Ben contributes his time to the Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen,
Bethesda House, Capital Region Medical Research Foundation, and Gilda's
Club; and
WHEREAS, He has worked on behalf of the American Cancer Society, the
American Heart Association, and against human rights violations in
Darfur; and
WHEREAS, Through his involvement with PANIM: the Institute for Jewish
Leadership and Values, Ben has aided homeless individuals, taught disad-
vantaged children at the Washington Middle School for Girls, and visited
patients at Georgetown University's Lombardi Cancer Center; and
WHEREAS, He has exhibited the true spirit of this prestigious award
through his tireless dedication to the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ben Michaels upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Teen Leader Service Award by Schenectady B'nai B'rith; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ben Michaels.