LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Abe and Toby Kalker upon the occasion
of receiving the Hakaras HaTov Award from Congregation Ohaiv Yisroel at
its 29th Annual Journal Dinner on May 17, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who distinguish themselves in service to their faith and community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Abe and Toby Kalker upon the occasion of receiving the Hakaras HaTov
Award from Congregation Ohaiv Yisroel at its 29th Annual Journal Dinner
on May 17, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Abe and Toby Kalker have given not only of their time and
energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently have been designated for this special honor; and
WHEREAS, Abe Kalker was born in New York City and attended the Yeshiva
of Flatbush, then went to BTA before going on to Brooklyn College; Toby
Kalker was born in Brooklyn and attended the Yeshiva of Brooklyn and the
Esther Schoenfeld School before graduating from Lincoln High School and
Brooklyn College; and
WHEREAS, Since moving to Spring Valley from Brooklyn in 1984, Abe
Kalker has had a close association with Congregation Ohaiv Yisroel,
serving on the Board and as Vice President; he also maintained a unique
relationship with Rabbi Chait, Rabbi Schnall and Rabbi Cohen and was
actively involved in seeing to it that the shul acquired its own sefer
Torah; and
WHEREAS, At the same time, Toby Kalker was active in the Sisterhood at
Congregation Ohaiv Yisroel, running the Shavuot flower sale, helping to
prepare the annual Simchat Torah luncheons and working on the phone
squad; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Abe Kalker served on the Board of Trustees of
the Avenue N Jewish Center when the family lived in Brooklyn, and since
moving to Wesley Hills, has become Treasurer of Kehillas Bais Yehudah;
and
WHEREAS, Abe and Toby Kalker have been called upon to contribute their
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and have
always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, With Abe and Toby Kalker throughout have been their three
children, Elliot and his wife, Julie, Ayelet Mermelstein and her
husband, Eli, and Naavah Sztulwark and her husband, Arie, and six grand-
children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of their lives and
rejoice in their many achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Abe and Toby Kalker and to wish them
continued success in all of their future endeavors; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Abe and Toby Kalker upon the occasion of receiving the Hakaras
HaTov Award from Congregation Ohaiv Yisroel at its 29th Annual Journal
Dinner on May 17, 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Abe and Toby Kalker.