[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 66 (Monday, May 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF CHARLES BENDHEIM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 1997

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note with great sorrow 
the passing of Charles Bendheim, philanthropist, Israeli patriot, 
husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He passed 
away last Friday at his home in Jerusalem. He will be missed.
  Mr. Bendheim was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1917. During the Israeli 
War of Independence, he helped the Hagana obtain arms for the new 
country. He remained deeply involved with the new nation for the rest 
of his life.
  Just before he died, Mr. Bendheim was cited as a Ne'eman Yerushalayim 
by the city of Jerusalem. This award, making him an ``Honorary Fellow 
of the City of Jerusalem,'' has been bestowed on only 15 other people. 
At a special ceremony in the Jerusalem City Hall, Mayor Olmert 
declared: ``For fifty years you have worked tirelessly for Jerusalem--
for its hospitals, educational institutions and the economic 
development of the city.'' Indeed he did. And he was just as active 
here in the United States.
  Mr. Bendheim served as a member of the board and the executive 
committee of Yeshiva University. He served as chairman of the board at 
Manhattan Day School. He was involved in many other charitable 
organizations in his 79 years--too many to list here.
  Mr. Bendheim will be fondly remembered at the schools he helped, at 
the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem whose new building he 
helped build as chairman of the board, and the other institutions that 
his philanthropy benefited. But the way Charles Bendheim will be 
remembered best is through the family he left behind. Besides his wife 
and sister, Mr. Bendheim leaves behind 7 children, 45 grandchildren, 
and 21 great-grandchildren.
  By dedicating his life to serving his community, Charles Bendheim 
became a role model for generations here and in Israel. His children 
have followed in his footsteps, playing important roles in their 
communities. The Bendheim family continues to be involved in many 
schools, hospitals, religious institutions, and numerous other 
charitable organizations in the United States and Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, the world is a little darker this week. The light that 
was Charles Bendheim has been dimmed. But through his work and family, 
he will live on forever. He will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________