2011 -- S 0078

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LC00436

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2011

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE EMERGENCE OF THE JEWISH ALLIANCE

OF GREATER RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Miller, and Perry

     Date Introduced: January 20, 2011

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Three merging agencies, the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, the Bureau

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of Jewish Education of Rhode Island (BJE), and the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island

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(JCC), have formed the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island (Alliance); and

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     WHEREAS, Envisioning a “vibrant and flourishing Jewish community that engages and

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inspires through inclusion, participation and respect” the mission of the newly formed Alliance is

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to “build and sustain” a “local and global Jewish community by maximizing philanthropic

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resources, volunteer efforts and social, cultural, and educational opportunities”; and

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     WHEREAS, There are currently more than 16,000 members of the Jewish faith living in

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Rhode Island; and  

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     WHEREAS, In 2005, there were six Jewish congregations in Providence and eleven

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located elsewhere around the state. Members of the Jewish faith have served in the state

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legislature since the 1890s and have been elected to every statewide office.  There have been two

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Jewish governors, Frank Licht, first elected in 1968, and Bruce Sundlun, first elected in 1991; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s Jewish community has actively participated in the state’s

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cultural life, especially during the past half century. The state's major theatrical company, Trinity

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Repertory, originated at the Jewish Community Center.  Daniel Robbins, the first Jewish Director

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of Rhode Island School of Design's Museum of Art, helped create its core collection of modern

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art, the gift of Selma Pilavin; and

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     WHEREAS, Active in civic affairs, the Jewish community has also helped lead the

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United Way, the Rhode Island Foundation, and the ACLU; and

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     WHEREAS, Jewish Rhode Islanders have made immense contributions to the quality of

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life and the overall vitality of our state, and we are certain that the newly formed Jewish Alliance

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of Greater Rhode Island will not only further the proud heritage of our Jewish population, but will

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also continue to work to ensure a brighter and more prosperous future for all Rhode Islanders;

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now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby recognizes and celebrates the emergence of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island;

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and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Board Chair, the Jewish Alliance of Greater

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Rhode Island.

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LC00436

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