LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Phyllis Silverman upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Carlyle Adams Ecumenical/Interfaith
Award by the Capital Area Council of Churches on October 11, 2012

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, Phyllis Silverman has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Phyllis
Silverman upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Carlyle Adams Ecumenical/Interfaith Award by the Capital Area Council of
Churches, to be celebrated at its Fall Banquet on Thursday, October 11,
2012, at the Albany Country Club in Voorheesville, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Carlyle Adams Ecumenical/Interfaith Award is presented to
someone who has worked to bring the message of ecumenical or interfaith
unity and harmony to his or her congregation and the wider community
through activism and participation in programs and projects that exhibit
the inclusive spirit of the late Dr. Carlyle Adams; and
WHEREAS, As Co-chair of the Jewish-Catholic Dialogue Committee, Phyl-
lis Silverman has been a strong advocate and frequent participant in
interreligious dialogue in the Capital Region; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Silverman was born in Manhattan and grew up in Brook-
lyn in an Orthodox Jewish home with wonderful values; and
WHEREAS, Educated in the New York City Public Schools, Phyllis Silver-
man graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College and
became an elementary school teacher; and
WHEREAS, She taught in New York City, Long Island, Cincinnati, and
Chicago before moving to Albany when her husband came to Congregation
Beth Emeth; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Silverman returned to teaching when her children were
grown, took post graduate courses at the College of Saint Rose and the
University at Albany, and retired from teaching in Albany; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Silverman has been called upon to contribute her time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Interfaith activities have always been a part of Phyllis
Silverman's adult life; she was involved in them with her husband, the
late Rabbi Martin Silverman of blessed memory, who was a pioneer in
interfaith relations and social action wherever they lived; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Silverman has also been involved with Congregation
Beth Emeth's Sisterhood and served as its President; she was head of
Women's Philanthropy and still serves on its board, and was active in
the Women's Interfaith Observance for many years; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Phyllis Silverman served on the boards of the
Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, the PTA of School 16, the
Daughters of Sarah, and B'nai Brith Apartments; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Phyllis Silverman has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her late husband, with her throughout have
been her children, Sara, Amy, and Ethan, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Phyllis Silverman has displayed
throughout her life; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Phyllis Silverman upon the occasion of her designation as recip-
ient of the Carlyle Adams Ecumenical/Interfaith Award by the Capital
Area Council of Churches on October 11, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Phyllis Silverman.