LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the righteous contributions to the
people of Western New York and the outstanding achievements of Rabbi
Harry Rosenfeld, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Zion, Buffalo, New
York

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, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld has given not only of his time and
energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the righteous
contributions to the people of Western New York and the outstanding
achievements of Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth
Zion, Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, After 11 years of exemplary service to the residents of West-
ern New York, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld will depart Congregation Beth Zion
on June 17, 2011, to become the next Head Rabbi of Congregation Albert
in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld
received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from John Carroll Universi-
ty in 1976; his education continued with a master's degree in Hebrew
Letters and Rabbinic Ordination from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati,
Ohio in 1981; he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Jewish Studies degree
through Spertus Institute of Judaica; and
WHEREAS, After serving as Assistant Rabbi in Memphis, Tennessee for 3
years, Rabbi Rosenfeld arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1984, to serve
as the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom until the summer of 2000; in
September of 2000, Rabbi Rosenfeld was called to the position of Senior
Rabbi of Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld was instrumental in
the expansion of the Temple's outreach to its members in need, as well
as social justice programs within the Western New York community includ-
ing Mitzvah Day, a day of caring in the community; and
WHEREAS, Under Rabbi Rosenfeld's luminous leadership, Temple Beth Zion
became the first synagogue in the country to expand its Mitzvah Day
partners to include a church and two mosques; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Active in the Anchorage Human Services Community, Rabbi Harry
Rosenfeld served as a member of the Municipal Health and Human Services
Commission; he was co-chair of the Municipal Social Services Block Grant
Allocation Task Force, a member of the Mayor's Special Taskforce on the
Homeless, Chair of the Municipal Forum on the Homeless, Board Member of
Catholic Social Services of Anchorage, Community Advisory Board Member
to the Anchorage Daily News, and mentor for the Leadership Anchorage
Program; and
WHEREAS, Today, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld serves on the Buffalo Board of
Rabbis, of which he was President from 2005-2007, the Jewish Federations
of North America Rabbinic Cabinet Executive Committee, and the board of
the National Federation of Just Communities of Western New York; and
WHEREAS, Recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Rabbi Harry
Rosenfeld has been honored with the NFJC Interfaith Community Leadership
Award, United Jewish Communities National Rabbinical Award in 2004, and
the Interfaith Council of Anchorage Inaugural Harry L. Rosenfeld Award,
to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this remarkable man was listed in WHO'S WHO IN
AMERICA, WHO'S WHO IN AMERICAN RELIGION, and OUTSTANDING YOUNG MEN OF
AMERICA; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld has lived his life with great dignity
and genuine grace, always demonstrating a deep and continuing concern
for others; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld displayed
throughout his life and throughout his leadership of the Temple Beth
Zion for last 11 years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the righteous contributions to the people of Western New York and
the outstanding achievements of Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld, Senior Rabbi of
Congregation Beth Zion, Buffalo, New York, and to wish him continued
success in all his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld.