LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Mary Greenfield as she is honored by
the Merrick Jewish Centre at its Torah Fund Breakfast on March 18, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals who
distinguish themselves in their profession and in service to their
community and their faith merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize
and commend Mary Greenfield upon the occasion of her designation for
special honor by the Merrick Jewish Centre at its Torah Fund Breakfast
on Sunday, March 18, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The Merrick Jewish Centre, the oldest congregation in the
Merrick-Bellmore, New York area has served the community with dedication
and commitment since 1929; and
WHEREAS, Mary Greenfield truly merits the recognition and appreciation
of the Merrick Jewish Centre and its members; and
WHEREAS, Mary Greenfield was born in Webster Groves, Missouri, outside
St. Louis; she went to Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where she
met her husband Steve, and did graduate work at Northwestern University
in Evanston, Illinois; after graduating with a Master of Arts in Teach-
ing degree, she and Steve worked as United Methodist Volunteers in
Camden, New Jersey for two years; and
WHEREAS, They then moved to Schenectady, New York, where they raised
their two daughters, Tamara and Sara; Mary worked as the Director of
Education and Training at Planned Parenthood and as a teacher in the
Hebrew School and Community High School teaching a Jewish Lifecycle
course to 8th graders; and
WHEREAS, During this period, Mary Greenfield also began to enjoy
storytelling as part of her work and at congregational events; she and
Steve were the recipients of a B'nai B'rith Youth Services Award while
they lived in Schenectady, and Mary served as the Chair of their congre-
gation's School Board for two years; and
WHEREAS, Mary and Steve Greenfield moved to Baldwin, New York 12 years
ago for Steve's job and to be nearer to their daughters, who live in
Brooklyn; they joined the Merrick Jewish Centre 11 years ago and quickly
became involved and valued members of the congregation and community
and, may be justly proud of having been honored by the Jewish Theolog-
ical Seminary in 2007; and
WHEREAS, Mary Greenfield became a Co-chair of the School Board in
2001, along with Rena Kozin, and continued to ably serve in that posi-
tion until she was given the opportunity to work with Rabbi Klein coor-
dinating family programming for three and one-half years; and
WHEREAS, Since Steve and Mary Greenfield moved to Long Island in 1999,
Mary Greenfield has been working part-time as the sexuality educator on
the Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities
(ACLD) staff; she works primarily with adults with intellectual disabil-
ities, helping them sort out the confusing world of relationships and
sexuality; and
WHEREAS, For the past few years, Mary Greenfield has, in addition,
felt privileged to serve, along with Elaina Corwin, as a Co-Vice Presi-
dent for Membership of Merrick Jewish Centre's Sisterhood and to be able
to tell Jewish stories, especially during High Holiday and Shabbat Alive
services; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its high-
est commendation to Mary Greenfield for her exemplary personal and
professional achievements and for her contributions to her community and
to the community of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Mary Greenfield as she is honored by the Merrick Jewish Centre
at its Torah Fund Breakfast on March 18, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Greenfield.