LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Cantor Victor Wortman of the Bay Terrace
Jewish Center for 40 years of distinguished service

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Cantor Victor
Wortman of the Bay Terrace Jewish Center for 40 years of distinguished
service to be celebrated on Saturday, June 18, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Bay Terrace Jewish Center is dedicated to providing mate-
rial, and both emotional and spiritual support to the Jewish community;
and
WHEREAS, Cantor Victor Wortman was born in New York City to Holocaust
survivors; as a child he was inspired by his grandfather, Shlomo
Nadrychny Z"L, to learn the meaning behind the various prayers in the
Siddur; and
WHEREAS, Cantor Wortman began his formal music training at the young
age of eight at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, studying piano and music
theory; he was considered a child prodigy by those who saw him perform,
and at the age of nine, he was given the honor of singing with Cantor
Moshe Koussevitzky; and
WHEREAS, At that time, he made his first public appearance in the
UJA-sponsored "Night of the Stars" at Madison Square Garden; by the time
he was 10, Cantor Wortman had officiated at the pulpit, chanting
passages of the liturgy in the local synagogue; and
WHEREAS, Cantor Wortman attended 12 years of Yeshiva and Yeshiva High
School, then enrolled in a post-graduate school for higher Talmudic
study while simultaneously studying at Brooklyn College, majoring in
music and continuing to study with musicians such as David Kusevitsky
and Professor D'Auria; and
WHEREAS, Cantor Wortman joined the Bay Terrace Jewish Center 40 years
ago, quickly getting involved in all aspects of the shul and its commu-
nity needs; he has taught more than 1,000 students in preparation for
their bar and bat mitzvahs, conducted and taught various music curricula
and programs for the Hebrew school children, and tutored adult bat mitz-
vah and adult education classes; and
WHEREAS, Cantor Wortman's wife, Susan (Melanie) Wortman, is also an
integral part of the Bay Terrace Jewish Center as a member of the staff,
teaching the Aleph class; together, they are the proud parents of two
wonderful children, Scott and Stacie; and
WHEREAS, Cantor Wortman has brought to his ministry an overwhelming
spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlightenment
in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties, while always
displaying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity
and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is

appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Cantor Victor Wortman, noting his unremitting and compassionate
faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and his community, and
extending to him the heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body for
a future of purposeful success and well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Cantor Victor Wortman, the Bay Terrace Jewish Center, Rabbi
Shlomo Blickstein, Rabbi Emeritus Hyman Levine and President Michael
Katz.