LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Cantor Lisa Hest upon the occasion of
her retirement after 26 years of distinguished service to Temple Beth-El
of Great Neck, New York

WHEREAS, The spiritual guidance and nurturing of the citizens of the
State of New York is of great importance to the vitality and well-being
of our communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those men and women of religious commit-
ment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the
wisdom of human understanding; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Cantor Lisa Hest upon the occasion of her retirement after 26 years of
distinguished service to Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, New York, to be
celebrated at a Special Erev Shabbat Service on Friday, June 3, 2016,
and at a Farewell Concert and Celebration on Saturday, June 4, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Born in the Bronx, and raised in Queens, Lisa Hest spent her
earliest years singing to anyone who would listen, especially her fami-
ly; she was greatly influenced by the musical women in her family, and
her own parents introduced her to all kinds of music; and
WHEREAS, Lisa Hest started singing in choruses in grade school, and to
this day, choral music is her favorite kind of singing; she attended the
High School of Music and Art, a transformative experience that opened
her mind to all kinds of people and ideas as well as introducing her to
opera, Art Song and the great choral works, which she was privileged to
perform with orchestras at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Lisa Hest attended Queens College, where
she learned her craft from well-known composers and professors; in addi-
tion, she went to concerts all over the city and continued voice lessons
with her renowned teacher, Anna Hamlin; and
WHEREAS, It was at Queens College that her interest in Judaism was
rekindled; she traveled to Israel for the first time after the Six Day
War, and subsequently, decided to study Hebrew along with her music
classes; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Queens College, Lisa Hest continued to
perform with semi-professional as well as professional choral groups,
local opera companies and the Jewish singing groups Zamir and Selah; she
sang in the synagogue choirs of Park Avenue Synagogue and Rodef Shalom,
and performed with a small ensemble at the 92nd Street Y during one of
Elie Wiesel's lectures and at the Jewish Museum; and
WHEREAS, Lisa Hest's sons, Danny and Ari were young children during
this time and she loved to make up children's songs which taught them
about movement, rhythm, colors and ideas; thus, she studied Dalcroze
Eurythmics to enrich her teaching and soon became the local neighborhood
Music Lady, bringing her guitar and instruments to schools, birthday
parties and local events; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Lisa Hest furthered her education by obtaining her
master's degree from the School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College;
during this period, she was the recipient of numerous awards and toured
Israel several times with Cantorial ensembles; and
WHEREAS, As the local student Cantor in Riverdale, New York, she
prepared both her sons and officiated at their Bar Mitzvahs, and proudly
blessed her boys with their respective wives under the chuppah; and
WHEREAS, Lisa Hest then found her way to Temple Beth-El, which was
such a perfect match for her particular talents; as Cantor, she enjoyed

singing for the congregation, conducting and preparing the choir, and
directing musicals for children and Purimshpiels; and
WHEREAS, Throughout 26 years of remarkable service, Lisa Hest will
always remember the many wonderful programs of Yiddish, Ladino, Israeli,
and Jewish Broadway; the talent and devotion of her fellow congregants;
High Holy Days with the best choir imaginable; and the talent of Tom
Williams; as well as the many beautiful musical memories she made with
people of all ages; and
WHEREAS, Spiritual guidance and nurturing are of great import to the
vitality and well-being of all people and every community of this great
State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Instrumental in that deliverance are those men and women of
religious commitment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership
and render the wisdom of human understanding; and
WHEREAS, Singular in distinction is Lisa Hest, whose service to her
church and her people, and her involvement in her community mirror a
commitment of compelling dimension; 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
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Cantor Lisa Hest upon the occasion of her retirement after 26
years of distinguished service to Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, New
York; and to wish her continued success in all her future endeavors; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Cantor Lisa Hest.