Special Recognition at Annual Congregational Meeting of May 23, 2005
Two individuals, one a long-time employee and the other a long-time congregant, received special recognition at the annual Congregational Meeting on Monday, May 23rd.
Ken May, co-chair of our Building and Maintenance Committee, presented a plaque and gift to Al Zimmerman, our chief custodian, who is retiring after thirty years. Al will spend the month of June training our new custodian, Frank Palma, and will return in October to help Frank through his first High Holy Days preparation at Beth El. Al and his wife, Irene, are retiring to their home in Beacon, New York.
Ken made note of the fact that Al`s job was a seven-day-a-week, twenty-four-hour-a-day job. He oversaw major repairs, maintained a spotless synagogue, and saved Beth El enormous sums of money with his mechanical skills, including building all the portable arks.
Ken read a special message from his co-chair, Joe Resnick, who is home recuperating from surgery. Joe spoke of the man who was "occasionally a little grumpy," but who was warm and kind underneath. Joe said that Al cared not only about the physical plant, but also about the people in it. He was always trying "to find a way to do more with less" to save us money.
New Rochelle Mayor Tim Idoni proclaimed Monday, May 23rd, "Al Zimmerman Day" and Ken presented him with a plaque. Al said he will miss all of us after thirty years, and Ken wished him a few "holes in one."
Rabbi Sirner then asked his friend and neighbor and long-time congregant, Joel Morris, to join him up front.
Joel and his wife, Leslie, moved to New Rochelle with their sons Benjamin and Jonathan in the 1960s. Their sons received their religious education at Beth El, and Leslie and Joel became involved in Beth El as well. Leslie served as Bulletin editor and Joel as a trustee. As a principal in I.J. Morris Funeral Homes, Joel helped many congregants in their hour of need. Rabbi Sirner spoke of Joel`s skill, talent, and knowledge, combined with his warmth, compassion, and concern. He indicated the enormous respect and appreciation Joel receives throughout the industry. Congregants could call I.J. Morris in Brooklyn as well as Joel at home at all hours of the day and night.
Joel and Leslie are moving permanently to their home in the Berkshires. In a tribute to Joel, Rabbi Sirner presented him with a plaque as a sign of our appreciation, gratitude, and respect.
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