LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Madison
Jewish Center of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on Sunday, May 22,
2011

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 this 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 is justly proud to commemorate the 80th
Anniversary of the Madison Jewish Center of Brooklyn, New York, to be
observed at its Anniversary Journal Celebration, at the Rockwood Park
Jewish Center in Howard Beach, New York, on Sunday, May 22, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Madison Jewish Center (MJC), located in the heart of Brooklyn
in the Madison/Marine Park neighborhood, serves the Madison, Marine
Park, Sheepshead Bay and Midwood communities; and
WHEREAS, An egalitarian Conservative congregation affiliated with The
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Madison Jewish Center offers a
variety of programs for its congregants, including a vibrant Talmud
Torah and Parents Association, Social Club, United Synagogue Youth and
Kadima chapters, a Minyanaire's Club, and an active Sisterhood and, in
addition, sponsors B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Chapters Ruach AZA
and Ruach BBG; and
WHEREAS, Madison Jewish Center's proud history began in 1931 when 25
families rented a store on Nostrand Avenue determined to bring a Jewish
Center to the Madison/Marine Park area; with President Edward I. Herbet
at the helm, Madison Jewish Center was born; two years later,
construction began on the new home of MJC on Nostrand Avenue off Burnett
Street; and
WHEREAS, MJC's first spiritual leader, Rabbi Mordicai I. Simkes, was
engaged in 1935; by 1942 about 150 families were affiliated with the
Center; the Hebrew School had four full-time teachers, including the
Rabbi; a Cantor was engaged, and a volunteer choir had been formed; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Madison Jewish Center's doors were open
at all hours of the day in support of the community's endeavors in the
war effort; Rabbi Ralph Silverstein, who was appointed in 1945, intro-
duced a Jewish War Veterans group, as well as an American Veterans
Committee; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of over 200 families, and a school with 250
students, Madison needed to expand; on April 2, 1949, Madison Jewish
Center joyfully celebrated its Chai (18th) year by beginning to build a
new sanctuary; the cornerstone of the new building, adjacent to the
original synagogue, was laid in 1951; and
WHEREAS, In 1952 Rabbi Joshua Lindenberg was called to the pulpit of
Madison Jewish Center; during his 30 year tenure, Madison continued to
grow; Cantor Leslie Rimer joined the MJC staff in 1973, adding his
musical talents to the Center's services; and
WHEREAS, In 1990 President Howard Madans initiated the securing of a
Holocaust Torah from Pisek, Czechoslovakia; members Elayne and Burt
Schildkraut flew to England to bring the Torah back for the congre-
gation; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, October 7, 1990, Madison Jewish Center celebrated
the return of this Torah to Judaism with a parade through the community
during which the emancipated Torah was in the forefront; services in the
sanctuary included not only the MJC community but the participation of

elected officials, a Catholic Monsignor and a Methodist Priest as well,
further emphasizing the significance of the occasion; and
WHEREAS, Madison Jewish Center's "new" sanctuary underwent a facelift
in the year 2000, getting new furniture for the bimah and restoring the
doors of the Aron Kodesh, the holy ark, continuing the dreams of the
original 25 families; and
WHEREAS, As Madison Jewish Center evolved, it embraced egalitarianism,
including women in every facet of its religious services, as well as in
its administration; and
WHEREAS, Madison Jewish Center justly and proudly continues to be
enthusiastically involved in community activities, holding Mitzvah Days,
collecting food for the poor, and toys and clothing for children in
local hospitals; its youth group has partnered with the Knights of
Pythias to raise funds for a variety of charities, including the Juve-
nile Diabetes Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association; and
WHEREAS, Madison Jewish Center is proud to have been at the center of
Conservative Judaism in the Madison/Marine Park area for the past 80
years and plans and fervently hopes to continue as such for many years
to come; and
WHEREAS, The Madison Jewish Center stands on the threshold of tomor-
row, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retain-
ing that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
such enduring religious institutions as the Madison Jewish Center and to
bring such institutions to the attention of the people of this Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Madison Jewish Center of Brook-
lyn, New York, to be observed on May 22, 2011, fully confident that this
commemoration reflects the 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 the Madison Jewish Center.