LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Temple
Sinai of Saratoga Springs, New York, to be celebrated on June 14, 2015

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 those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of Temple Sinai, to be celebrated at numerous events
throughout the year, culminating with a Gala Celebration on Sunday, June
14, 2015, in Saratoga Springs, New York; and
WHEREAS, Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs is a reform synagogue offer-
ing spiritual outreach and contemporary approaches to traditional
values; it offers a friendly, warm atmosphere, and programs which seek
to meet the needs of members as well as the larger Jewish community; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed religious institution began in the early 1960s
as a study group composed of 12 families whose love of learning nurtured
a growing cadre of individuals interested in forming their own Jewish
congregation; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, Temple Sinai was established as Saratoga's first
Reform synagogue; since then, the congregation has grown to include more
than 210 families and individual members representing a diversity of
life styles, professions and religious observances; and
WHEREAS, Today, Temple Sinai offers a wide variety of programs and
activities, including religious education, youth programs, Hebrew
language instruction, and many other committees and clubs which offers
an array of opportunities for the community; and
WHEREAS, Committed to helping those in need, Temple Sinai runs Slice
of Heaven Breads, a non-profit bakery operated from the synagogue's
kitchen which helps those less fortunate; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Temple Sinai's young members are encouraged to
donate their time and energies to such charities as Shelters of Sarato-
ga, the Franklin Community Center, and local hospices; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Rabbis Linda Motzkin and
Jonathan Rubenstein since 1986, Temple Sinai stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve of its founders; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions 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 50th Anniversary of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs,
New York, 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 copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbis Linda Motzkin and Jonathan Rubenstein, Temple Sinai,
Saratoga Springs, New York.