LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending RAJE, the Russian American Jewish
Experience, upon the occasion of its Third Annual Dinner on March 2,
2011, and honoring Alen Gershkovich, recipient of a Young Leadership
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 Alen Gershkovich, recipient of a Young Leadership
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, Alen Gershkovich, who exemplifies and supports this worthy
goal will be honored with a Young Leadership Award at the dinner; and
WHEREAS, Alen Gershkovich was born in Ukraine into a Jewish family; at
the age of 10, Alen and his family relocated to the United States; his
family had been decimated in the Holocaust and, as is the case in many
families, it took over 20 years to get all surviving family members to
the United States or Israel; and
WHEREAS, He completed his undergraduate studies at Union College,
graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial econom-
ics and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
degree in international business management from Union's Graduate
College and a master's degree in construction management from New York
University; and
WHEREAS, Alen Gershkovich began his career in construction and has
been in charge of various prominent construction projects in New York
City; last spring he was called on to serve as the Project Lead for the
construction of Coney Island Luna Park Site A and is currently the Prin-
cipal of Inspiron Construction which was just awarded the contract for
the construction of Coney Island Luna Park Site B, known as the Scream
Zone; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his many professional responsibilities, Alen
Gershkovich is active in both the Jewish and Russian communities; he has
been involved with RAJE for four years and was recently honored to be
asked to sit on its board; and

WHEREAS, Alen Gershkovich is well-known and admired as a strong
believer in giving back to one's community and to having a positive
impact on those around you; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Alen Gershko-
vich 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 Alen Gershkovich, recipient of a Young Leadership
Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to RAJE and to Alen Gershkovich.