2013-J255

Commending Rabbi Deanna Pasternak upon the occasion of her 35th Anniversary as an Educator of the Jewish Faith

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2013-J255


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rabbi Deanna Pasternak upon the occa-
sion of her 35th Anniversary as an Educator of the Jewish Faith

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 and education of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Rabbi Deanna
Pasternak upon the occasion of her 35th Anniversary as an Educator of
the Jewish Faith to be celebrated on Saturday, June 22, 2013 in Temple
B'nai Torah in Wantagh, New York; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Queens College, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak moved to
Long Island with her two young children, and joined Community Reform
Temple (CRT) in Westbury, New York; and
WHEREAS, Deanna Pasternak began co-teaching with her husband at CRT in
the Religious school; together, they taught for many years in various
other temples, fueling her desire to learn more and more; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak began taking Hebrew Union College
extension courses; she later enrolled in Morasha Teacher's Training
program given by the BJE and Touro College, graduating with Jewish
educator certification; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak's spiritual journey grew as she
studied Tanach and other subjects in the program with various rabbis
including those who were Orthodox and Chabad; and
WHEREAS, At that time, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak was offered a job teach-
ing Hebrew and Jewish Studies in the only Reform Jewish Day School on
Long Island, The Liberal Jewish Day school; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak later applied for the Educational
Director's position at Union Reform Temple in Freeport, New York and was
hired; while there, she brought her vision of family oriented classes
and special programs to the school during her time there; and
WHEREAS, When the position of Director of Education at the then Subur-
ban Temple opened, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak applied and was subsequently
hired for the position; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak's role as Director provided her with
the opportunity to grow further, both professionally and spiritually;
she became an integral part of the Temple and decided she wanted to
further pursue a career in the rabbinate; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak completed her studies at the American
Seminary for Contemporary Judaism in Baldwin, New York, and was ordained
in June 2009; and
WHEREAS, Shortly before her ordination, Suburban Temple merged with
Temple Judea of Massapequa, and Rabbi Deanna Pasternak was chosen to
lead the newly combined school; and
WHEREAS, When Deanna Pasternak became a Rabbi in the second year of
the merger, she was able to add another dimension to the programming at
Temple B'nai Torah, helping to lead various services, including burials
and shivas, plus counseling, all while still running a viable and
vibrant religious school as well as leading Tefillah for the middle
grades; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Deanna Pasternak has had a love for Judaism and the
Jewish religion since childhood on the Lower East Side; she is the
epitome of the Jewish force to never stop learning, and to then use that
learning in positive ways to help improve the world; she has always had
this personal connection to people and will continue to do so; 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 Deanna Pasternak upon the occasion of her 35th Anniversary
as an Educator of the Jewish Faith; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rabbi Deanna Pasternak.

actions

  • 18 / Jan / 2013
    • REFERRED TO FINANCE
  • 24 / Jan / 2013
    • REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
  • 24 / Jan / 2013
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

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