LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum upon the
occasion of their designation by the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns
and Rockaway as the recipients of the Yachad 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
Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum upon the occasion of their designation by the
Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) as the recipients
of the Yachad 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 proudly honor Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum as the
recipients of the Yachad Award; and
WHEREAS, Miriam Kestenbaum has lived in Cedarhurst all her life and
now, with Avi and their children, she lives around the corner from her
parents, Richard and Aliza Savetsky; Miriam is a graduate of Queens
College and also earned a masters degree in education from Columbia
University's Teachers College; she has taught kindergarten and first
grade in the New York City public school system for more than twelve
years and is this year serving as a physical education teacher; she was,
in addition, active with NCSY, formerly the National Conference of Syna-
gogue Youth, for many years; and
WHEREAS, Although Avi Kestenbaum did not grow up in New York, his
grandfather Joseph, a"h, and grandmother Hannah moved to the Five Towns
in 1950 and were pillars of the early Far Rockaway and Five Towns commu-
nities and were very active, along with other family members, in helping
to establish several local schools and yeshivas; and
WHEREAS, Avi Kestenbaum is a partner in the Tax Department of the law
firm Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP, where he co-chairs the
firm's Trusts and Estates Department; he is also an adjunct professor at
Hofstra University School of Law and in the Baruch College Master of
Business Administration degree program where he teaches several trusts
and estates and tax courses; in addition, he lectures nationally at
leading estate planning and tax conferences, writes articles for presti-
gious estate planning and tax journals and is often cited in top busi-
ness journals and newspapers; and
WHEREAS, Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum's children are, of course, their
greatest joy and source of pride; two of their three sons, Eli and Joey,
currently attend HAFTR and one year old Nate will happily enter HAFTR's
pre-school next year; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to extend its highest commen-
dation to Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum for their dedication and commitment
to their heritage and to their community and its children; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum upon the occasion of their designation
by the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway as the recipients
of the Yachad 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 Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum.