Senate Resolution No. 2367

BY: Senator KAPLAN

HONORING Linda Mirels, on behalf of the Kirsh
Foundation, upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Barbara and Ira A. Lipman Community
Security Award by the Jewish Community Relations
Council of New York

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Linda
Mirels, on behalf of the Kirsh Foundation, upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Barbara and Ira A. Lipman Community
Security Award by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, to
be celebrated at its Annual Spring Gala on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at
The Plaza, in New York City; and

WHEREAS, Linda Mirels is truly proud to be a part of the Jewish
Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC) which diligently works to
build relationships within the Jewish community and with New Yorkers of
all backgrounds and faiths to advance the values, interests, and
security of the Jewish community and to create a more interconnected New
York for all; and

WHEREAS, Born in South Africa and raised in Eswatini, Linda Mirels
maintains a deep connection to both nations; she earned her degree in
social work with honors from the University of Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of
Washington, Seattle; she is a Wexner Graduate Fellow and has a
certification in organizational consulting from the William Alanson
White Institute; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to making her community a better place to live,
work, and play, Linda Mirels is an honorary lifetime member of the Board
of UJA-Federation of New York and served as Chair of the Board; she was
appointed to the position of co-Chair of the New York-Israel Commission,
responsible for creating a framework to strengthen economic and cultural
ties between New York and Israel; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Linda Mirels serves as a member of the Boards of
Directors for the American Jewish Committee, the Israel Campus
Coalition, the Tony Blair Foundation, and The Metropolitan Opera; and

WHEREAS, Linda Mirels also serves on the advisory board of her
family's foundation, the Kirsh Foundation, which engages in a range of
philanthropic endeavors designed to foster self-sufficiency and
entrepreneurship primarily in Sub Saharan Africa and Israel; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Linda Mirels has truly lived by her
family's philanthropic philosophy, "give a man a fish, you feed him for
a day: teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime"; and


WHEREAS, When she is not helping someone, Linda Mirels serves as the
Chair of Ki Corporation, a family holding company which manages a
portfolio of diversified investments including major holdings in food
distribution and real estate; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefits of others which Linda Mirels has displayed
throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Linda Mirels, on behalf of the Kirsh Foundation, upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of the Barbara and Ira A. Lipman
Community Security Award by the Jewish Community Relations Council of
New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Linda Mirels, Kirsh Foundation.