LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen upon the
occasion of celebrating his 13th Anniversary of service to the Shelter
Rock Jewish Center on May 26, 2016

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 commend Rabbi Martin
Samuel Cohen upon the occasion of celebrating his 13th Anniversary of
service to the Shelter Rock Jewish Center, to be feted at its Annual
Gold Plate Dinner on Thursday, May 26, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in New York City, Martin Samuel Cohen earned
his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from the City University of New
York; in 1978, he was ordained as rabbi at the Jewish Theological Semi-
nary (JTS); and
WHEREAS, In 1982, Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen furthered his education by
obtaining his Ph.D. in the History of Ancient Judaism from JTS; he also
successfully completed post-doctoral fellowships at the Hebrew Universi-
ty in 1983, and later at Harvard University in 1993; and
WHEREAS, Eager to share his extensive knowledge, Rabbi Martin Samuel
Cohen lectured on the history of religion at Hunter College of the City
University of New York, and taught Bible and Talmud classes at both the
Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York and at the Institute
for Jewish Studies attached to the University of Heidelberg in Germany;
and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen left Europe for Canada,
where he accepted the pulpit of the Beth Tikvah Congregation in Rich-
mond, British Columbia; after 13 years of service, he left Canada to
assume the pulpit of Congregation Eilat in Mission Viejo, California;
and
WHEREAS, Three years later, Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen accepted the
position of rabbi at the Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Roslyn, New York,
where he has now served for over a decade; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his work as teacher and rabbi, Rabbi Martin
Samuel Cohen is a prolific author; through the years, he has published
two scientific studies in the history of pre-kabbalistic Jewish mysti-
cism, four novels and four books of essays, including the Hebrew-lan-
guage "Sefer Ha`ikarim Livnei Zemanenu," as well as his own 2004 edition
of the Book of Psalms, called OUR HAVEN AND OUR STRENGTH: THE BOOK OF
PSALMS IN NEW TRANSLATION; and
WHEREAS, More recently, Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen has published a
two-volume prayer book entitled SIDDUR TZUR YISRAEL, ZOT NECHEMATI FOR
THE HOUSE OF MOURNING, a children's book called RIDING THE RIVER OF
PEACE, and THE BOY ON THE DOOR ON THE OX, an exploration of the
relationship between Torah study and service in the congregational
rabbinate; and
WHEREAS, From 1997-2000, Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen held the title of
Chairman of the Publications Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly, and
since 2003, he has chaired the Editorial Board of the quarterly journal,
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen served as Senior
Editor of the 2012 landmark volume defining Conservative Jewish life,

THE OBSERVANT LIFE: THE WISDOM OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM FOR CONTEMPORARY
JEWS, and has worked on his own Torah translation and commentary; and
WHEREAS, When he is not serving his congregation or writing, Rabbi
Martin Samuel Cohen enjoys playing the piano and spending time with his
beloved dogs; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, and his two sons and
daughter, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen has brought to his ministry an
overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional 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
commend Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen upon the occasion of celebrating his
13th Anniversary of service to the Shelter Rock Jewish Center, noting
his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary service to
God, man, and his community, and extending to him the heartfelt best
wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and
well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbi Martin Samuel Cohen.