LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rabbi Joel Schwab upon the occasion of
his retirement after 33 years of distinguished service as Spiritual
Leader of Temple Sinai

WHEREAS, It is with great admiration and deepest respect that this
Legislative Body is moved to pay tribute to an eminent gentleman of
indomitable spirit and dedication, whose purposeful life and accomplish-
ments will forever stand as an inspiration to others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Rabbi Joel
Schwab upon the occasion of his retirement after 33 years of distin-
guished service as Spiritual Leader of Temple Sinai, to be celebrated at
a party held in his honor on Thursday, June 4, 2015; and
WHEREAS, In his leadership of Temple Sinai, Rabbi Joel Schwab brought
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, Since 1982, Rabbi Joel Schwab has served as the Rabbi of
Temple Sinai in Middletown, New York; he is the longest serving Rabbi in
the 98-year history of the congregation; and
WHEREAS, Joel Schwab became an ordained Rabbi in 1976; prior to hold-
ing the position of Rabbi at the Temple Sinai, he served at congre-
gations in both Cincinnati and Milwaukee; and
WHEREAS, Under his faithful leadership at Temple Sinai, Rabbi Joel
Schwab has concentrated on imparting the Jewish heritage to the members
of the congregation; he is actively involved in the Hebrew School
program, leading weekly assemblies, instructing high school students,
and organizing the reading room; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his activities in the synagogue, Rabbi Joel
Schwab co-founded and served as the first Chair and a member of the
Executive Committee of the Jewish Family Service of Orange County; he
was also the first Rabbi to hold the title of President of the Middle-
town Interfaith Council; and
WHEREAS, Today, Rabbi Joel Schwab continues to serve as a Board member
of the Jewish Family Service of Orange County, and participates on the
Jewish Federation of Orange County Board of Directors, as well as holds
the position of Chair of the Warming Station Initiative; and
WHEREAS, For over 20 years, Rabbi Joel Schwab has been a vital member
of the Board of Directors of the only homeless shelter in Orange County,
and currently serves as the Board President; in addition, he was
appointed to the Human Rights Commission of the County of Orange; and
WHEREAS, As the Senior Rabbi in Orange County, Rabbi Joel Schwab is
the convening Chair of the Klei Kodesh; he also serves as the Jewish
Chaplain at the Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Rabbi Joel Schwab was the recipient of a degree of
Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) by his alma mater, the Jewish
Theological Seminary of America, New York City; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Aviva, and their two
sons, as well as five grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Joel Schwab lives his life with great dignity and genu-
ine grace, always demonstrating a deep and continuing concern for
others; rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual
for the benefit of others which he has displayed throughout his life and
throughout his leadership of the Temple Sinai for many years; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor an eminent gentleman and unparalleled spiritual leader, Rabbi Joel
Schwab, noting the significance of his unremitting dedication and saga-
cious leadership on behalf of the Temple Sinai, the Middletown communi-
ty, and the countless individuals who were sustained through his caring
benevolence throughout his life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbi Joel Schwab.