LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Elise and Richard Kestenbaum upon the
occasion of their designation for special recognition by the Temple
Israel of Great Neck, New York

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Elise and Richard Kestenbaum have given not only of their
time and energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leader-
ship and consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Elise and
Richard Kestenbaum upon the occasion of their designation for special
recognition by the Temple Israel of Great Neck, New York to be cele-
brated at its 47th Annual Journal Dinner Dance on Sunday, June 12, 2011;
and
WHEREAS, Richard Kestenbaum works as an attorney specializing in civil
and criminal tax litigation and is a founding member of the firm of
Kestenbaum and Mark; and
WHEREAS, As a result of her work as an education lawyer for the firm
of Frazer & Feldman LLP, Elise Kestenbaum is currently on the Education
Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association and a newly appointed
Impartial Hearing Officer for the New York State Education Department;
and
WHEREAS, Elise and Richard Kestenbaum have been called upon to
contribute their time and talents to countless civic and charitable
endeavors and have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Richard Kestenbaum began his involvement at Temple Israel as
a member; he then joined the House Committee, directed the Finance
Committee, and eventually became a member of the Board of Trustees and
the Executive Committee for the last five years as Temple President; and
WHEREAS, An active member of the community, Richard Kestenbaum serves
as a member of the Board of Zoning and Appeals, Village Prosecutor and
Acting Village Justice of the Village of Great Neck Plaza; he is also a
long term member of the Ethics Board of the Town of North Hempstead; and
WHEREAS, Elise Kestenbaum has been involved with Temple Israel since
joining the synagogue in 1988; she was active in both the Beth Hagan and
Religious School PTAs and was instrumental in developing the Rapping
with the Rabbi and Pre-College Jewish Identity Program for high school
students; and
WHEREAS, Most recently Elise Kestenbaum was involved with the Afula
Conservatory's visit to Great Neck North High School; she has served on
the UPTC Board, the PTA Board, and the Lulav Board of Great Neck Hadas-
sah; moreover, she is currently President of the Great Neck Student Aid
Fund, an organization that provides scholarships for Great Neck students
in need so that they can attend college; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Elise and Richard Kestenbaum have
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Elise and Richard Kestenbaum have
displayed throughout their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Elise and Richard Kestenbaum upon the occasion of their desig-
nation for special recognition by the Temple Israel of Great Neck, New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Elise and Richard Kestenbaum.