LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Rabbi Yaakov Klass upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Lifetime Rabbinic Leadership Award
by the Foxman Torah Institute on June 17, 2015

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 custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish them-
selves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preemi-
nence of service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rabbi Yaakov
Klass upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Lifetime
Rabbinic Leadership Award by the Foxman Torah Institute, to be feted at
its 15th Anniversary Dinner Celebrating the Renaissance of Torah Study,
on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom, Coll-
ingswood, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Foxman Torah Institute was founded in 2000, with the mission
of bringing genuine Torah to as many local students as possible, eventu-
ally impacting the entire community through the power of having a great
makom Torah in its midst; and
WHEREAS, As a young boy, Yaakov Klass grew up in Boro Park, New York,
and was involved in Pirchei Agudas Yisrael and later, Zeirei Agudas
Yisrael; and
WHEREAS, Yaakov Klass attended Yeshiva Etz Chaim in Boro Park for
Elementary School, followed by Mirrer Yeshiva High School; he went on to
study in the Beis Hamedrash of the Mirrer Yeshiva, where he was a talmid
of the greatest Rebbeim, the Roshei Yeshiva of the Mirrer Yeshiva in
Brooklyn, and a musmach of the Mirrer Yeshiva; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Yaakov Klass continued in the Kollel for a short time
after his marriage to the former Judith Spanier, and then went on to
teach at the Yeshiva of Brighton, and Hebrew Schools on Long Island; in
addition, he is a member of the faculty of Kollel Ayshel Avraham,
Monsey; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man of God was one of the founders of the
Agudah of Boro Park/West-9th Avenue, Boro Park, Brooklyn; currently, he
serves as the Rav of Kahal Bnei Matisyahu, a young vibrant congregation
in the Flatbush, Brooklyn "Thirties", where he labors at disseminating
the word of Hashem; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, Rabbi Yaakov Klass is a Presidium member of
the Rabbinical Alliance of America - Igud Horabbanim, a Rabbinic organ-
ization comprised of over 800 Rabbis across America, Canada, and Eretz
Yisrael; and
WHEREAS, For many years, Rabbi Yakkov Klass held the position of
Advertising Director of THE JEWISH PRESS, America's leading independent
English language Jewish publication; the newspaper was founded by his
late uncle, Rabbi Shalom Klass zt', who served as its Publisher and
Editor; and
WHEREAS, Following the death of his uncle, Rabbi Yakkov Klass
succeeded him as Torah and Halacha Editor, and as author of the widely
read Halachic Responsa column, "Questions & Answers"; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Judith, their five
married children, Moshe Klass and his wife, the former Chaya Steinhardt;
Mrs. Tzirel Leah Burnes and her husband, Chaim Burnes; Mrs. Malkie Heis-
ler and her husband, Avi Heisler; Mrs. Chavie Warman and her husband,
Elly Warman; and Mrs. Ettie Gantz and her husband, Avi Gantz; as well as

their grandson, Yosef Simcha Burnes, a talmid of Foxman Torah Institute,
and their other grandsons who currently attend various Chofetz Chaim
affiliate Yeshivos throughout the country, all of whom feel privileged
to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Yaakov Klass has brought to his ministry an overwhelm-
ing spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlight-
enment 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
honor Rabbi Yaakov Klass upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of the Lifetime Rabbinic Leadership Award by the Foxman Torah Insti-
tute, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary
service to God, man, and his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbi Yaakov Klass, and Foxman Torah Institute.