LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rabbi Michael Weisser upon the occa-
sion of his designation for special recognition by the National Action
Network, West Nassau Chapter, on April 17, 2016

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 Michael Weisser 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 commend Rabbi Micha-
el Weisser upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
by the National Action Network, West Nassau Chapter, to be celebrated at
its 3rd Annual Women's Prestigious Gala Awards Dinner held on Sunday,
April 17, 2016, at the Chateau Briand Caterers in Carle Place, New York;
and
WHEREAS, The National Action Network's Annual Women's Prestigious Gala
Awards Dinner recognizes outstanding individuals who demonstrate excel-
lence in their work, service, and commitment to the Jewish, Nigerian,
Caribbean, Spanish, Haitian and American communities; and
WHEREAS, The West Nassau Chapter, under the able leadership of
District Chairperson, Pastor Emmanuel Asse, continues the mission of NAN
which fulfills a vital role in moving our Nation forward; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Michael Weisser studied at Hebrew Union College, the
Jewish Institute of Religion and the Rabbinical Academy of America; he
is ordained as a Rabbi and Cantor, and certified as an educator; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Michael Weisser is the respected spiritual leader of
the Free Synagogue of Flushing (FSF) in Queens, New York; for the past
eight years, he has focused on the Jewish value of welcoming the strang-
er, while continuing FSF's tradition of embracing freedom, diversity,
and its surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his arrival in Queens, Rabbi Michael Weisser served
as Rabbi of both Beth Shalom Synagogue in Auckland, New Zealand, and
Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Lincoln, Nebraska; he also taught in the
Philosophy and Religion Department of the Nebraska Wesleyan University
for 11 years; and
WHEREAS, During his time of service in Nebraska, this esteemed reli-
gious leader and his family were threatened by the Grand Dragon of the
area Ku Klux Klan; in response, Rabbi Michael Weisser reached out to the
klansman behind the threats, befriended him, and inspired the man to
change his life from one of hatred and bigotry to one of love and toler-
ance; this story became the subject of the book, NOT BY THE SWORD: HOW A
CANTOR AND HIS FAMILY TRANSFORMED A KLANSMAN; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Rabbi Michael Weisser has participated in the plan-
ning and execution of the Queens Unity Walk, and was involved in former
Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Interfaith Breakfast; he is also working on
the creation of an Interfaith Council which will serve the Queens commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and honors for his outstand-
ing service, Rabbi Michael Weisser has been named Person of the Year by
both the Lincoln Interfaith Counsel and NAACP Nebraska, Man of the Year
by ACLU Nebraska, Ecumenical Person of the Year by the United Methodist
Church, and a Pax Christi National Peacemaker; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Rabbi Michael Weisser has received an honorary
doctorate from Hebrew Union College and a Yogyakarta, Indonesia Citation
for Interfaith Understanding; he was also named an official delegate by

the Government of New Zealand at its Dialogue for Religious Harmony and
Cooperation; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Rabbi Michael Weisser has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Rabbi Michael Weisser has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Rabbi Michael Weisser upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the National Action Network, West Nassau Chapter;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbi Michael Weisser, and Pastor Emmanuel Asse, National
Action Network, West Nassau Chapter.