The Sh’or Yoshuv Institute is a very prominent Rabbinical College and has become a standard bearer in Judaic education for four decades.  The Institute provides for educational and spiritual needs for the regions of Far Rockaway and Five Towns, two Jewish communities which make up one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in North America when combined.   This congregation consists of over a thousand families who, thanks to the Institute, are able to receive premier educational and spiritual resources.  In addition to these resources, the Institute has a number of Jewish outreach programs with a unique sensitivity to the needs and desires of the Jewish community around the world, as well as individuals who seek to join that community.  The Sh’or Yoshuv Institute uses sensitivity in addition to dedication as it advances the time honored cause of providing a Jewish education.  These wonderful traits are seen mirrored in Dr. Lindsay Rosenwald and his wife, dear friends of the institute itself and outstanding citizens in our community.  They are committed to charity – true philanthropists, selfless and intelligent and good – who are committed to doing good in this world through their sterling discretion and integrity.

Among the exemplary traits of Lindsay Rosenwald and his wife is that they have set a true example for their children, not merely joining in these causes in the vicinity of their children, but actually working directly with their children in supporting many charitable causes.  These events have helped teach their children, but they have also support children’s causes through fund raisers held in their home.  Their children have learned first hand how to do good, and do it wisely.  For Lindsay Rosenwald and his family, the future of all people is a real and ever present concern.  They have repeatedly and eagerly invested in programs to help society, investing especially generously in the area of education.  Benefactors of this nature who, in addition to donations in their region have found themselves able to help specific individuals requiring financial aid, are truly hard to come by.

There is no shortage of stories about Lindsay Rosenwald’s good heart or noble actions.  One of his friends, an artist, became the beneficiary of Dr. Rosenwald’s amazing generosity.  His generosity   has been felt through the purchase of his friend’s paintings which are now proudly displayed in the Institutes lobby.  Not only generous, but humble too, Lindsay agreed to being honored at a Sh’or Yoshuv Annual Banquet with the words “I don’t like the limelight, but you know I will do what it takes to help you out.”

He was true to his word in every case.  Perhaps the most moving story to me involves a time when the Institute faced a major budget crisis.  Major deficits needed to be resolved and so a meeting was held to attend to these issues.  The meeting was held in Dr. Lindsay Rosenwald’s home.  For the vast majority of the meeting, Dr. Rosenwald was completely silent.  After long hours of listening, however, he approached the Rabi and whispered to him that he would gladly cover the entire deficit.  He did not do this publicly and did not seek to be rewarded or applauded for his offer.

Perhaps the great virtues that Lindsay Rosenwald is instilling in his children were also instilled in him by his father.  We are glad to have a building dedicated to his father, David Rosenwald, on our campus.  The Rosenwalds have been amazing friends to the Sh’or Yoshuv Institute for generations.  Their participation in High Holy Days activities and religious services has enriched those spiritual events.  Their commitment to their heritage and their community has helped to sustain a vibrant center of life within and for the Institute.  Their continued aid has helped to inspire the entire administration and has brought great hope for, and resources to create the reality of, a bright and successful future for the Institute.