LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rabbi Howard Diamond as he is honored
by Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth David at its 1st Annual Journal
Dinner on March 31, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to individuals of firm faith and commitment who have devoted
their untiring energy and purposeful lives in service to their faith;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is pleased to commend Rabbi
Howard Diamond as he is honored by Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth
David at its 1st Annual Journal Dinner on March 31, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Howard Diamond was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
on March 1, 1955; he attended Public School and Hebrew School at Temple
Shalom of Philadelphia; his high school years were spent at Northeast
High School in Philadelphia, and beginning in 1969, at the Talmudical
Academy of Baltimore; he graduated with honors in 1972 and went on to
Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and, at the same time, he
attended Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and, in addition, studied
at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, he graduated from the State University of New York
at Stony Brook, with a degree in comparative studies encompassing
philosophy, biology and religious studies; he received his Rabbinic
Ordination from the Orthodox Bet Din of Israel, and Yeshiva Tiferes
Yisroel in 1993; and
WHEREAS, During his years as a student, he met and married Francine
Marks; they currently reside in Rockville Centre, New York, have been
married for 33 years and have seven children, six girls and one boy,
ranging in age from 32 to 16 years old, and five grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Diamond has had many professional affiliations and has
served various temples in Philadelphia and on Long island in different
capacities; he has been an adult education instructor, Hebrew School
teacher, and has personally tutored scores of students through their Bar
and Bat Mitzvah; and
WHEREAS, He has also served as the Educational Director of Temple Beth
El, North Bellmore; Rabbi of Tiffereth Israel Synagogue, Greenport;
Chaplain for the Fire Department of the Village of Lynbrook; and as
Principal of Central Hebrew High School, Oceanside; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Diamond began serving as the Rabbi of Congregation Beth
David of Lynbrook in 1998, where he spearheaded the exciting revitaliza-
tion and rapid growth in membership of the 82-year-old institution;
re-established the Hebrew School; organized and led the first adult Bat
Mitzvah class in the history of the synagogue; and created a number of
ongoing children's and teen programs, as well as many new educational,
spiritual and cultural special events; and, since August 2010, he has
ably served Congregation B'nai Sholom - Beth David as its Rabbi; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his worthy endeavors, this Legislative Body
is proud to extend its highest commendation to Rabbi Howard Diamond for
his commitment to his faith and his heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Rabbi Howard Diamond as he is honored by Congregation B'nai
Sholom - Beth David at its 1st Annual Journal Dinner on March 31, 2012;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbi Howard Diamond.