Senate Resolution No. 2648

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of the
Greenburgh Hebrew Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
organizations that work to serve the health care needs of citizens of
the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Greenburgh Hebrew Center which
was celebrated on January 28, 2022; and

WHEREAS, The Greenburgh Hebrew Center (GHC) is a vibrant egalitarian
Conservative Jewish community in Westchester County which embraces
tradition while actively participating in the changing world; and

WHEREAS, The organization also focuses on building a family-like
community of social connectedness, educating children, themselves, and
the members of its community, engaging in the changing world, providing
for the future, and embracing tradition, religion, and spirituality; and

WHEREAS, The Greenburgh Hebrew Center was founded on January 28,
1947, with approximately 20 families attending the first meeting; the
families were primarily from the Rivertowns, which was the focus of the
founding members; its membership has since expanded to include Yonkers,
Scarsdale, White Plains, and other surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, All business and social meetings were held in the American
Legion Hall in Dobbs Ferry until April 19, 1949, when the GHC acquired
the property located at 515 Broadway, its current location; the
building, which was originally part of the Tyre Estate, was remodeled to
house the Sunday School, sanctuary, offices, and a home for the
caretaker; and

WHEREAS, With education as a pillar of the GHC, the first Sunday
School classes were held in September of 1948, with 15 children in
attendance; in 1952, a kindergarten group and the Dobbs Ferry Nursery
School were created; its current Early Childcare Center is now the
successor of that first nursery school; and

WHEREAS, During GHC's formative years, social activities were an
important feature of synagogue life; Sisterhood, also known as the
Women's Guild, was founded in 1948; the Men's Club was organized in
1952; both groups serve as means to form lifelong friendships and have
historically been important fundraising groups for GHC; and

WHEREAS, Due to increased membership, the GHC needed a larger space,
and as a result, a fundraising campaign was initiated in 1956 to raise
money for the construction of a new building; it culminated in the
dedication of a new building in September of 1959; the new building
housed the sanctuary, ballroom, and offices, and was attached to the
original building which remained; and

WHEREAS, Benefiting from an inclusive community, in 1981, the first
woman held the office of GHC President, paving the way for the many
other women who have since successfully held that esteemed position;
furthermore, GHC is an egalitarian congregation where women can
participate equally in religious services and operations; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1980s, Greenburgh went through another
expansion where the original building was demolished, and a new
structure was erected; GHC's new building would go on to serve the
religious school and early childcare operations, as well as providing
additional office space for the clergy, teachers, and other staff; and

WHEREAS, During the past 25 years, GHC has become more concerned
with the environment, attaching solar panels to their building,
composting, and participating as a member of the Hazon "Seal of
Sustainability" program, which certifies a Jewish organization's
commitment to sustainable values and practices, regarding its food and
environmental practices, waste and energy practices, and impact on
climate change; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Midchester Jewish Center of Yonkers merged with
GHC to form a larger, stronger, and more viable Jewish Community; and

WHEREAS, Today, this vital congregation welcomes and includes people
from all walks of life, including singles and families, traditional,
interfaith, blended, and LGBTQ+ people; the organization is accessible
to those with special needs, providing large prayer books, wheelchair
access and amplification devices for the hearing impaired; and

WHEREAS, For the past 75 years, GHC has carried out a long and proud
tradition of "Tikkun Olam," defined as acts of kindness performed to
perfect or repair the world; this has included feeding and clothing the
homeless, as well as participating in programs such as "The Midnight
Run"; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional organization and its vibrant role in
improving the quality of life in its community, and in communities
across the state, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Greenburgh Hebrew Center; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Greenburgh Hebrew Center.