LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth David
upon the occasion of its 1st Annual Journal Dinner on March 31, 2012

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 commending Congre-
gation B'nai Sholom - Beth David upon the occasion of its 1st Annual
Journal Dinner, to be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth David proudly represents the
recently merged congregations of Temple B'nai Sholom of Rockville Centre
and Congregation Beth David of Lynbrook; the Plan for Merger was entered
into in August 2010, and officially approved on March 4, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Congregation B'nai Shalom - Beth David's home is the former
Temple B'nai Sholom, located at 100 Hempstead Avenue in Rockville
Centre; and
WHEREAS, Temple B'nai Sholom was started as a minyan in 1907 by ten
Jewish families living in Rockville Centre who came together and estab-
lished the "Nassau Hebrew Congregation"; the founders of the Congre-
gation were merchants who had moved their businesses to Rockville
Centre; and
WHEREAS, For the first few years, Temple B'nai Sholom held its
services in private homes; it's first Rosh Hashanah services were held
at the Church of the Ascension in Rockville Centre; the Church also
hosted High Holy day services for several years until the congregation
was able to build its own house of worship; services were also previous-
ly held in the Bates Opera House in Lynbrook; and
WHEREAS, Congregation Beth David was established by a group of seven
men and their families who in the early 1920s were determined to start a
traditional house of worship in Lynbrook, New York; on March 11, 1924,
The House of David of Lynbrook, Inc. was formally established, and on
May 24, 1927, its name was officially changed to Congregation Beth
David; its members, too, initially met in each others' homes, just as
Temple B'nai Sholom's members originally had; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Howard Diamond, formerly Congregation Beth David's
Rabbi, is proudly and ably serving as the spiritual leader of Congre-
gation B'nai Sholom - Beth David; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with its mission of serving its congregation, its
community and Judaism, Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth David may look
forward with pride and satisfaction to many years of purposeful service;
and
WHEREAS, Today Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth David stands on the
threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming
decades while retaining its spiritual resolve; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
significant occasions of religious institutions and to bring such insti-
tutions to the attention of the people of the Empire State; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth David of Rockville Centre, New
York, upon the occasion of its 1st Annual Journal Dinner on March 31,
2012, fully 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 Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth David.