LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending RAJE, the Russian American Jewish
Experience, upon the occasion of its Third Annual Dinner on March 2,
2011, and honoring Esther Lamm, 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 Esther Lamm, 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, Esther Lamm, who exemplifies and supports this worthy goal
will be honored with a Young Leadership Award at the dinner; and
WHEREAS, Born in Lvov, Ukraine, Esther Lamm immigrated to the United
States with her family as a young child; she grew up in Brooklyn, where
she currently resides; and
WHEREAS, Esther Lamm's educational background includes a dual Bachelor
of Science degree in marketing and Bachelor of Arts degree in litera-
ture, with a minor in American history, from St. Johns University; her
earlier studies were completed at Midwood High School and the Yeshiva of
Manhattan Beach and, she recently completed a year of study in Jerusalem
in Judaic studies; and
WHEREAS, Her diverse experience comes from her work with NatWest of
the Royal Bank of Scotland, Great Jakes Marketing, The Jewish Museum,
the September 11th Quilt Project, Battalia Winston International and
with Lamm Industries, Inc. as a brand manager, creating marketing
campaigns for high-end audio products; and
WHEREAS, Esther Lamm began her Jewish journey through the RAJE fellow-
ship program and became a dedicated member of the RAJE alumni community;
her passion for Jewish communal work developed into a full-time voca-
tion, when she accepted a full-time position as RAJE's Director of
Marketing and Development; and
WHEREAS, Esther Lamm is currently managing the UJA Federation of New
York's Russian Leadership Division; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Esther Lamm
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 Esther Lamm, 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 Esther Lamm.