LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman, Esq. upon
the occasion of his designation by the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns
and Rockaway as the recipient of a special Lifetime Achievement Award at
its 34th Annual Dinner on February 25, 2012

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in the Empire State are
greatly enriched by the faithful and generous service of those who
devote themselves to endeavors of family, faith and community, and to
the education of the youth of the community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals of such magnanimous conduct and bearing who demon-
strate a deep and continuing concern for others, and in so doing,
inspire others to do the same; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation
by the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) as the
recipient of a special Lifetime Achievement Award at its 34th Annual
Dinner, to be held at the Sands of Atlantic Beach on Saturday, February
25, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The greatest asset of any society is its children and the
hope and promise they represent for the future; the Hebrew Academy of
the Five Towns and Rockaway, of Lawrence, New York, has a proud and rich
history of providing its students with an educational and religious
foundation which is both strong and enduring; and
WHEREAS, Each year at its Annual Dinner, the Hebrew Academy of the
Five Towns and Rockaway honors members of the school community in recog-
nition and appreciation of their support of the yeshiva and its mission,
as well as of their dedication to Jewish life; this year at its 34th
Annual Dinner it will, in addition, proudly recognize and honor the
esteemed Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman, Esq. with a special Lifetime
Achievement Award; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Klaperman is widely recognized as being responsible for
much of the Jewish life in the Five Towns today; upon moving to
Lawrence, he became the first Rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom and was
instrumental in the building of the shul's current home in Lawrence;
shortly thereafter, realizing that the Five Towns lacked a modem ortho-
dox yeshiva, he, along with other community leaders, formed Hillel, the
predecessor of HAFTR and then led the effort to purchase the land which
is now the HAFTR Elementary School Campus; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being an ordained Rabbi, Rabbi Klaperman until
recently was a practicing attorney, a Professor of Law at Hofstra School
of Law and a Professor of Religion at the University of Iowa and Yeshiva
University; he has also written several books including, with his late
wife Libby, a four volume history of the Jews; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Klaperman has held many important leadership positions
in the Jewish Community as well and has represented American Jewry in
its relations with many heads of state and religious leaders of all
denominations; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, as head of the New York Conference on Soviet Jewry,
he met with the leaders of the USSR on a fact-finding mission on the
condition of Soviet Jews and, in 1987, as a member of a delegation of
religious leaders, he met with Pope John Paul II on the subject of
Jewish-Catholic relations; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Klaperman, in addition, served as Chairman of the Board
at the World Academy in Jerusalem and is a Past President of the Syna-
gogue Council of America, the Rabbinical Council of America, the Yeshiva

College Alumni Association, the Jewish Book Council of America and the
New York Board of Rabbis; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Klaperman and his wife, Susan Alter, a former member of
the New York City Council, have three children, four grandchildren and a
recently born great-grandchild; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to extend its highest commen-
dation to Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman, Esq. for his dedication and
commitment to HAFTR, to his heritage and to his community and its chil-
dren; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman, Esq. upon the occasion of his
designation by the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway as the
recipient of a special Lifetime Achievement Award at its 34th Annual
Dinner on February 25, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman, Esq.