Eliezer Rodriguez

Eliezer Rodriguez was born in Orocovis, Puerto Rico; affectionately known as "El Corazón de Puerto Rico." His family moved to Philadelphia, Pa. and at age 17 he joined the Army where he earned his sergeant stripes in less than two years. After his tour of duty, he attended Kansas State University and graduated with a B.A. degree in Speech, Pre-law and Social Science. In 1983, Eliezer was selected an "Outstanding Young Men of America," but his proudest moment was becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree.

Eliezer received a certificate for completing the Senior Institute of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Program at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government in September 1985. He moved to New York in 1986 and began an internship with the Department of Sanitation in the area of creating recycling initiatives. He went on to manage the implementation of recycling programs City wide. Eliezer coined the Spanish word for "to recycle"--"reciclar." He resigned to attend law school in 1996.

Eliezer graduated from the C.U.N.Y School of Law in 1999 with many honors including the Theodore F. Kupferman Public Service Award for his service to the law school community. This prestigious award is given to one member of the graduating class.

In September 2000, Eliezer created Project Club Clemente, Inc. The Project's mission is to promote, educate and celebrate Mr. Clemente's legacy. On December 31, 2005, the Project delivered 16,324 pounds of food and medicine to Nicaragua to fulfill a 33 year old promise Mr. Clemente made to the earthquake victims when he lost his life in a plane crash on December 31, 1972. A documentary on this historic event is being developed. Eliezer is also working on a screenplay entitled "The Light in the Shadow."

Eliezer owns his own law firm and his practice focuses in Real Estate, Matrimonial & Family Law, Wills and MCI and J-51 Benefits. Eliezer serves as a board member of Bronx Community Board 11 and is the current chairman of Bronx YMCA Board of managers. Moreover, he is an active member of various bar associations.

Eliezer is also an accomplished magician, who is known to use his art to show the need for recycling, drug prevention and other social issues. He regards his performances as "recycling the human spirit." Eli, as he is known by his friends, lives in the Bronx with his wife and their two children.