[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DEBORAH MILLER

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I am pleased to extend my 
congratulations to Deborah Miller on her 14 years of outstanding 
service to the Solomon Schecter Day School of Raritan Valley in East 
Brunswick, NJ, where she currently serves as Director. Deborah has 
decided to leave the school to pursue her own education, and I want to 
wish her continued success in her future endeavors.
  While I'm sure that everyone at Solomon Schecter is saddened by 
Deborah's departure, her eagerness to earn a Ph.D. in Jewish Education 
at the Jewish Theological Seminary is a fitting next step in Deborah's 
already distinguished academic career. After finishing her 
undergraduate work at Barnard College, Deborah went on to earn a 
Masters in Jewish Education and a Day School Principals Certificate 
from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
  Deborah has been a devoted educator and administrator during her many 
years teaching. Since her arrival at Solomon Schecter Day School 14 
years ago, Deborah has done everything to develop the school and make 
it a complete success.
  While Deborah has served as Director, the school has been nationally 
recognized for its excellence in education. It is particularly well 
known for its integration of Jewish and General Studies curricula and 
its ``immersion'' Jewish Studies courses in Hebrew. The school has also 
grown in size during Deborah's tenure. It originally taught students in 
pre-kindergarten through 6th grade. Now the school teaches 7th and 8th 
graders as well. When Deborah started, there were 180 students 
enrolled. Now there are 315.
  As if Deborah didn't have enough to keep her busy, her 
extracurricular activities are equally impressive. Outside of Solomon 
Schecter, Deborah teaches Jewish Studies to adults in neighboring 
educational facilities and synagogues. She also happens to be a well-
known author of children's fiction. She currently has written five 
books for children about Judaism. Her style is clever and fun-loving, 
and her books are enjoyed by all ages as a result.
  Deborah's departure from Solomon Schecter Day School may be 
bittersweet, but she has a great deal to look forward to as she 
continues to learn about Jewish literature, history and the Torah. The 
lucky ones are not only those who have known her at Solomon Schecter, 
but those students who will have the privilege of being in Deborah's 
classroom when she returns to teaching full time.

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