LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending RAJE, the Russian American Jewish
Experience, upon the occasion of its Third Annual Dinner on March 2,
2011, and honoring Michael H. and Judy Steinhardt, recipients of the
Builders of Israel Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend organizations and individuals of high purpose and worthy accom-
plishment whose endeavors have a significant impact on the lives of
others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
RAJE (Russian American Jewish Experience), the Russian Division of Gate-
ways, upon the occasion of its Third Annual Dinner, to be held at
Bridgewaters on Fulton Street in New York City on Wednesday, March 2,
2011, and to honor Michael H. and Judy Steinhardt, recipients of the
Builders of Israel Award; and
WHEREAS, Since 1998, the Gateways Organization has dedicated itself to
education in values and ethical living, and to reconnecting people with
their Jewish heritage; and
WHEREAS, Nearly a million Jews from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) have
made their home in America, including thousands upon thousands in New
York City and New York State, and given the opportunities of our great
nation, many have flourished; and
WHEREAS, Yet the seeds of spiritual and communal destruction implanted
by the Soviet regime helped create a crisis of Jewish and communal iden-
tity which, if left unabated, could jeopardize the survival of this
important Russian American community; and
WHEREAS, To address this monumental challenge, RAJE, a comprehensive
educational umbrella organization, whose goal is to spark Jewish life
and ensure Jewish continuity for the next generation of Russian American
Jews, was created to train and inspire a new generation of community
leaders; and
WHEREAS, Michael H. and Judy Steinhardt, who exemplify and support
this worthy goal, will be honored with the Builders of Israel Award at
the dinner; and
WHEREAS, Michael H. Steinhardt is a legendary money manager turned
philanthropist who is dedicated to creating a renaissance in American
Jewish life; after he graduated from the Wharton School of Business in
1960, he began his financial career as a research associate, staff writ-
er and securities analyst; and
WHEREAS, In 1967 he formed his own hedge fund company, Steinhardt
Partners L.P., where he made his fortune in one of the most spectacular
careers in the history of Wall Street; and
WHEREAS, Michael Steinhardt has always believed that wealth and finan-
cial achievement alone are not sufficient to give full value and meaning
to life and has experienced growing alarm over the erosion of Jewish
Life in the Diaspora; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Michael Steinhardt stunned the financial world by
announcing that he would close his lucrative hedge fund to devote his
time and fortune to the causes of the Jewish world; he directs his
Jewish philanthropic activities through The Steinhardt Foundation for
Jewish Life and, in 2001, he published his memoirs, NO BULL: MY LIFE IN
AND OUT OF THE MARKETS; and
WHEREAS, Michael Steinhardt is, in addition, a co-founder of Birth-
right Israel and continues to be a major supporter of this program; he
also serves as Co-Chair of the Areivim Philanthropic Group and, in addi-
tion, The Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative, New York Univer-

sity's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development,
the University of Pennsylvania, Brandeis University, Tel Aviv Universi-
ty, and the Israel Museum are among the many other organizations,
programs and institutions which benefit from his interest, counsel and
generous support; and
WHEREAS, Michael Steinhardt and his wife, Judy, are the proud parents
of David, Daniel and Sara, and the grandparents of Jacob, Joshua, Kira,
Talia, Nathaniel, Theodore, Lila, Aetien and Infinity, all of whom are
proud to be part of their lives and rejoice in their many accomplish-
ments; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Michael H. and
Judy Steinhardt and to commend RAJE for its purposeful endeavors and
commitment to the preservation and enhancement of the rich religious,
ethnic, and cultural heritage of the Russian American Jewish community
which has become such a valued and integral part of the community of the
City and State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend RAJE upon the occasion of its Third Annual Dinner on March 2,
2011, and to honor Michael H. and Judy Steinhardt, recipients of the
Builders of Israel Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to RAJE and to Michael H. and Judy Steinhardt.