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WHEREAS, Rabbi Alvin K. Berkun became only the sixth Rabbi to serve the Tree of Life Congregation in its 142 year history; and,
WHEREAS, Rabbi Alvin K. Berkun has served the Tree of Life Congregation for 23 years as its spiritual leader and most currently as Rabbi Emeritus; and,
WHEREAS, the Tree of Life Congregation is one of the oldest and most progressive Conservative congregations in the country, having been established in Pittsburgh in 1864 and with the most egalitarian and forward thinking practices in Judaism today; and,
WHEREAS, Rabbi Alvin K. Berkun led this progressive, egalitarian congregation with great dignity and dedication. A native of Connecticut, a graduate of the University of Michigan and ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary , Rabbi Berkun is one of the most respected religious leaders in Western Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS, Rabbi Alvin K. Berkun has forged significant ground in ecumenical relations in this area, maintaining dialogue and friendships with the Catholic and Protestant Churches and Islamic leaders; and,
WHEREAS, Rabbi Alvin K. Berkun has been a member of the Carnegie One Hundred, the Religious Leadership Forum, the Black/Jewish Dialogue, the Presbyterian Dialogue, a Founding Member of the Community Day School, a Founder and President of the Conservative Movement's Rabbinical Assembly of Southern PA, Ohio and Kentucky, and President of the Rabbinic Fellowship of Greater Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Rabbi Alvin K. Berkun was elected and installed as President of the Rabbinical Assembly in Mexico City in March 2006, a position of great authority and influence in the Conservative Movement; and
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh recognizes and honors Rabbi Alvin K. Berkun for his devoted service to the Tree of Life Congregation and to the larger community and does hereby declare December 3, 2006, to be "Rabbi Alvin K. Berkun Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.