WHEREAS, The members of the Chicago City Council wish to congratulate Debby Lewis on her retirement as the Ritual Director of Anshe Emet Synagogue of the Lakeview community; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been notified of this important occasion by the Honorable James Cappleman, Alderman of the 46th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Debby Lewis is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She was a social worker counseling teenagers for eight years and was Office Manager at Altman Machinery Company; and
WHEREAS, Debby Lewis became active at Anshe Emet Synagogue in the mid-1980's when she brought her son Robert to the Shabbat morning children's service leading to her enrolling Robert in the Joseph & Belle Braun Anshe Emet Religious School in which she became active; and
WHEREAS, Debby Lewis began attending morning minyan regularly in 1999 after the death of her mother. She then learned how to chant Haftorah and lead various services at Anshe Emet. She ascended to the role of Ritual Director at Anshe Emet Synagogue in 2002; and WHEREAS, Debby has successfully tutored hundreds of Bar and Bat Mitzvah students as they prepare to become adult participants in Jewish life; and
WHEREAS, Debby Lewis has nurtured the development of Anshe Emet's choir, Shireinu; and
WHEREAS, Debby Lewis is the leader of the daily morning minyan. She is forever cheerful and welcoming to attendees in the very early morning hours of this service; and
WHEREAS, Debby Lewis has continued to study her craft by learning the art of cantorial singing and serving as the second cantor at the synagogue. Her dedication, cantorial skill, teaching acumen, generosity of spirit and incredibly welcoming nature will be missed at Anshe Emet; and
WHEREAS, Debby Lewis looks forward to spending time during her retirement with her family, including her husband Dr. GaborTarjan and her two grandchildren, Nellie and Leo Lewis; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this 18th day of May, 2016, do hereby express our congratulations to Debby Lewis on her retirement and extend our best wishes on her future endeavors; and
Mines Cappleman Alderman, 46th Ward
CO
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and ^ presented to Debby Lewis as an expression of our gratitude. S